A Bible Look With Don Gelles 

Don's Blog Site

What Is A Blog? 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

 ______________

September 19,2008

Let's take a Bible Look At: Serving

Putting The Church Out Of Business

Or

Have We Really Become That lazy?

Or

A New “Missionary Society” For A New Millennium

 

I could not decide on what title to give this article so I settled on the three above because they each express what I think needs to be said.  The Lord’s Church has over the years allowed more and more agencies, groups, and institutions to do the work it has been divinely appointed to do.  In some parts, the Lord’s Church has been put out of “business” because they have allowed the work they should be doing to be done by others.  For example, every year I get calls and letters from young men and women asking for money to go on a mission trip being sponsored by the college they attend.  Colleges, universities and institutes have not been called to evangelize the lost- the Church has.  Yet, we have allowed these institutions to do the work of the local congregation and in doing  so- put ourselves out of business.  Perhaps we have allowed this because we have become so spiritually lazy that we don’t mind the work being done by others (Hence, the second title used above).    In our Spiritual malaise, we are content with just sitting back and letting those not called (colleges or organizations) do the work that we have been called to do (Matthew 28:19-20 / 2 Timothy 2:2.)  Have we really reached the point where we are so ignorant of the scriptures that we have allowed a new “missionary society” (Yep, the third title used above) to spring up among us unopposed?  Has the understanding of how the work of the local congregation is to be done been lost from the teaching that comes from the pulpit?  It seems so.

 

Consider the sad state of affairs we have gotten ourselves in.  A member of the Lord’s Church does not need to….

  • ·         Evangelize the lost- we have college mission trips to do that

  • ·         Visit those in the body that are sick- we have an agency to do that

  • ·         Help those in need- we have Disaster Relief for that

  • ·         Teach those in the pews- we have DVD’s and Lectureships for that

  • ·         Support the congregation we attend- just mail out a letter asking for funds

It appears that all members in the Lord’s Church need to do today is to write out a check- or don’t- and let these agencies, organizations, institutions and universities do the work for us! I am amazed at how the first century church was able to do these things without the benefit of our modern wisdom. 

 Perhaps the time has come for us to accept our shame (rebuke), strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees (Hebrews 12:12) and get back to doing the work WE are supposed to do.  If the church acted like the church, we would be able to fire these agencies that we have doing the work for us and regain some of our glory as the people of God.   

 

So why not join me in saying,

  • ·         “No thanks colleges and universities, I will share the gospel myself.”

  • ·         “No thanks hospital agencies. I will visit the sick myself.”

  • ·         “No thanks disaster relief organizations, I will help those in need myself.”

  • ·         “No thanks mass mail outs, I will dig deep and support the congregation I am part of.”

After all, are we not supposed to be doing something as members of the Lord’s Church? 

Notice these words from the first part of Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..."  Has the time come when we as members of the Lord's Church are not required to do "good works"?  Our mandate as Christian is that we are to be active in "living out" our faith.  Today however, it seems we are quite content to let others do what we ourselves should be doing.  Most of these agencies, organizations and groups would never have come into being if the church was out doing what the church should be doing- serving, working, loving, helping, reaching, changing, growing.... and the list could go on and on.  We need to remember that these organization that are out there working are in fact working.  They are doing what they can to reach out to people.  The point we need to see is that they are doing what the church has been called to do.  Again, I return to the example of schools that are sending out people to do mission work.  We need to remember that they have not been called by the scriptures to send out missionaries- the church has. 

Now is the time for the Lord's Church to awake from its slumber.  Friends, there is no greater force on earth than the Lord's Church in action! It is amazing to see.  It is a blessing to behold.  It is God at work in the world today! In light of this:
  • We need to heed the words of Hebrews 12:12 "Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble."
  • We  need to heed the admonishment in Revelation 3:2 "Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God."
  • We need to heed the warning of Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
  • We need to heed the instruction given in Revelation 2:10 "...Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life."
From time to time we can all use a little "wake up call".  In looking around and seeing all these organizations that are doing the work of the church, perhaps it will serve as the motivation we need to be more active in doing our "good works".  Now is the time.  This is the moment.  Today is the day, when the people of God rise up and do the work of God.  Will you?  Or, are you content to let those not called to do the work of the church continue to do it? 

What's that I hear?  Could it be the sound of the Lord's Church rising from it's slumber and stepping up to meet the challenges of a new day?  I pray it is so. 

Thanks for taking a Bible Look with me...Don
 
July 10, 2008

Let's Take A Bible Look At: Accepting The Truth of God's Word

   “I would rather have a sharp stick poked in my eye.”Those words were written by an individual who refused to study any further from the Word of God regarding the error in his life. He had tired of having the truth presented to him (John 17:17) and took the course of action that many caught in error take:The “you are mean to me” action.Imagine that, telling someone the truth from God’s word is being “mean”. Friends, this should show you just how far a person is willing to go in order to avoid having the truth of God’s Word cause them to make changes in their life and doctrine. Sad but true.

     Can the Bible help us to know right from wrong? Sure. Paul teaches us in 2 Timothy3:16 that “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness.” If we want to be a people of righteousness we need to be a people of the Book. There is simply no other way. Yet, some will try and fight against the Word of God because they are unwilling to be conformed to the truth of God’s Word. They would rather have error in the hope of promoting a false sense of unity than to have God’s truth manifested in lives that have been transformed.  These people, the individual I tried to study with, would rather allow a precious soul to be lost on the Day of Judgment than to confront that soul now so they could be taught the truth and spared the wrath of God. Why? It’s simply really, because they are unwilling to be conformed to the truth. They are unwilling to have God’s Word as their sole standard (John 12:48) and as such, they are willing for the sake of “feel good theology” to allow someone to meet God unprepared. How sad.

     What about you? Are you willing to be taught the Word of God so you can know and understand what God is asking of you? Or, are you willing to ignore his instruction and face the Judgment standing upon a foundation of feel good theology and false unity?  If that is the case, a stick in the eye is the least of your worries!However, if you are willing to be taught, changed, renewed and transformed by the Word of God- what a journey it is that awaits you! Get ready, step back and let the Word mold you into the person God would have you be. Trust me- you will love the journey!

Thanks for taking a Bible Look with me... Don

___________________________________

June 6, 2008

Let's Take A Bible Look At: What The Church Needs

     As a preacher in the Lord's Church I hear many suggestions regarding the future of the Church.  Time and time again people will approach me with their "sure fire way" to increase attendance or bring "excitement" to the worship of the Church.  Nine times out of ten I have heard their "sure fire way" before.  For example, it is offten suggested that what we need to grow is instruments during our worship.  To some, a little drum beat here or a little piano there, is just what we need to secure the future of the church.

     Wanting to be polite, I always take the time to listen to their suggestions and then offer a few of my own.  There IS a "sure fire way" to increase attendance.  There IS a "sure fire way" to bring excitement to our worship.  Are you ready for it?  Growth, excitement and even dedication to the Lord's Church will happen when we are obedient to God's Word.  What the church needs now more than ever is for faithful preachers to stand up and preach the "pattern of sound words" (2 Timothy 1:13).  What the church needs is for elderships to demand "book, chapter and verse" preaching from the pulpit.  What we are lacking in so many congregations of churches of Christ is the "old Jerusalem gospel!"  

     Since we will be judged by the Word of God (John 12:48) we ought to know and be obedient to the Word of God- the Bible.  Within its pages we will find growth, excitement and dedication.  The problem with so many of the congregations out there is that the Bible has been watered down and sound doctrine has been replaced with "feel good theology".  If we wnat to grow in numbers and in obedience, we must have a return to the pattern of sound words.  

     There was a time when the Lord's Church had pulpits filled with men that supported every thought , every example, every point- with book, chapter and verse.  It was a time when men could say "Thus says the Lord" because what they were saying was found in God's wonderful word!  Today, many pulpits have grown silent to God's Word.  How sad!  But it does not have to be this way!  A return to God's Word is a step in the right direction.  A return to the pattern of sound doctrine is a return to what is pleasing to God.  As the great restoration preachers went out into the world to teach that which was in accordance with God's Word, so today, faithful men must stand in their pulpits and call people back to that which is right, just and sound.   

     What the church needs is what God has always said it needed- His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Jesus has assured us that the church will not be defeated (Matthew 16:18).  But we have been warned (Acts 20:28-29) that some will seek to harm it.  By being a people of sound doctrine we can each do our part to help the church be what it is called to be- the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). 

Thanks for taking a Bible Look with me... Don

_________________

May 22, 2008

Let's Take A Bible Look At: American Idols

Well our long wait is over.  America has a new American Idol.  For the seventh year in a row Americans tuned in to watch in record numbers the competition that took place between a group of people all seeking to be the next best selling musical super star. 

Americans have their idols, that’s for sure.  But our idols may not look just the way we expect them to look.  In Acts 19:24-41 Demetrius the silversmith becomes upset with Paul and his preaching of the gospel because he feared it would have negative results on the idol making trade he was in.  In an effort to silence Paul, Demetrius stirs the people up with talk about their idol trade being shut down and all of them going out of business.  Can you image what would have happened to the cable companies if the final episode of America Idol were cut off due to some malfunction in the transmission of the signal!   

Our idols take on many shapes, forms and activities.  No longer content with being a people that carry our little idols in our pockets, Americans have gone on to bigger and better idols.  We worship many things in place of God.  Just to name a few: our cars, homes and clothes have all become idols we lift up and bow down to.  Our looks, lifestyles and jobs are often given more concern than our very own relationship with God.  Even our recreation has become an idol to us.  Many will camp, golf, hunt and play at the expense of spending time in worship to God.  It is the rare individual that chooses to turn off the TV and open up their Bible.  Why?  Because our idols have taken over!

Dear friend, is God still first in your life?  Does everything and everyone take second place to Him?  Do you make worship and Bible study a priority in your life or do you simply “fit it in” if you have the time? Have your idols gotten the best of you?  Let me encourage you to begin to make God a priority in your life.  Put everything second and spend time with God first.  Time spent in his presence through worship, prayer and Bible study is always time well spent

Thanks for taking a Bible look with me… Don

                                            _________________

May 20, 2008

Let's Take A Bible Look At: Proof-Texting 

A LOOK AT "PROOF-TEXTING"

Chuck Pearson


        Many people in the church today criticize what they call "proof-texting." They regard this method of studying and understanding the scriptures as "shallow, superficial, and unscholarly." When I speak of "they," I refer mostly to professors in "our" colleges -- those who have received their education through "prestigious" universities or seminaries, and others who, in general, scoff at the traditional way of interpreting scripture and praise the "new hermeneutic." These people, for the most part, favor an "expository" approach (which is fine, if used correctly) in order to twist and wrest the plain, simple Bible Truth and push their "change agent" agenda! What is "proof-texting?" It is the way by which one states an argument or point from the scriptures, then uses the text to back up his position. If the position is sound, it will be clearly and satisfactorily proven. If not, then there will be no (or insufficient) proof! "Proof-texting," like anything, can be abused! But, if used correctly, it is a valuable and essential tool for understanding the Bible and discovering truth!

 
To show how this works we will look at an example from scripture (this, by its very nature, is good "proof-texting!"). It amuses me how some people will criticize this method. Jesus used it all the time! In Matthew 12, the Pharisees came to him accusing the disciples for plucking ears of corn from a field on the Sabbath, saying that this was unlawful (vs.1-2). Jesus responded by giving them three examples from the Old Testament, separate from one another in the original text (one from Leviticus, one from First Samuel, and one from Hosea), and in different contexts! They were all used to prove his point (his concluding statement):

 
If "proof-texting" is an inappropriate method for Bible study, how would we know that we must hear the word (Rom. 10:17), believe (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (Rom. 6:4; Acts 22:16) in order to be saved? Nowhere in the scriptures are all these commandments found in the same place! No wonder the change agents bash "proof-texting!" Without it, one can re-write the God-authorized prescription for obeying the gospel (this is, in fact, exactly what they would like to do and many have already done!).

Brethren, let us continue to "hold fast the form of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13), call Bible things by Bible names (1 Peter 4:11), and let the Word of God speak for itself (2 Tim. 3:16-17)! "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day" (v.8).

 __________________

May 6, 2008

Let's take A Bible Look At: Defending The Faith

I was recently accused by a man via the internet of not being obedient to the command of 1 Peter 3:15. Here Peter exhorts us to: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”. I tried to explain to this man that if he would ask me a question I would be happy to answer it. His response was that the verse did not require him to “ask a question”. Yet a simple reading of the verse will prove this man wrong.

Let’s notice what Peter says.
1. Always be ready to give and answer…: The Greek word for answer is APOLOGIA. It means to give: verbal defense, speech in defense, a reasoned statement or argument. Peter teaches us that every Christian is to be ready to make a reasoned defense of what they believe. That is pretty simple and to the point. But notice the second part of what Peter says…

2. To every man that asks you…: Did you catch it? Peter says be ready to answer when you are asked. The Greek word for ask is AIETO. It means to: ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. According to Peter we are to answer when we are asked. That’s pretty simple.

I emailed the individual and on several occasions have requested for him to share any questions he has. As of today, he has yet to ask a single question. My response to him remains the same: "If he will AIETO I will be glad to APOLOGIA."

Are you ready to give and answer when asked? Time spent studying the Scriptures will prepare you.

Thanks for taking a Bible look with me…. Don

I w