In This Issue

• THE WIDOW’S MITES
• IT’S ABOUT TIME!
• PERSECUTION
• MORE INFORMATION...

THE WIDOW’S MITES

In Mark 12:41-44, we learn that “Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’”

There are several lessons we might learn from this passage. First, Jesus is interested in what folks give into God’s treasury. There are probably several reasons He is interested. He is interested, because He is interested in God’s work. As God has put much of His work into the hands of human servants, what we accomplish is sometimes limited by a failure to adequately support the work. But, mostly, He is interested in what folks give because it indicates their degree of concern and devotion to His cause. We suggest that Christ is no less interested in our stewardship today than He was in theirs long ago.

Second, we might note even the smallest deed done in the interest of God’s cause does not go unnoticed by the Lord. The kind word, the cup of cold water, the widow’s mites… The word translated “mite” depicts a small copper coin, the least valuable Jewish coin ever minted. Two Jewish mites would have even less value than two American pennies. (By the way, it is interesting that Mark explains to his readers that the two Jewish coins were equal in value to the Roman quadans. This is one of several indications that Mark wrote his account of the gospel primarily for a Roman readership.)

Third, this passage gives one more indication that God does not think like we think nor measure like we measure. To man’s way of thinking the widow’s two mites would be virtually of no value. Her gift would scarcely be noted. But Jesus insisted, “This poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury… [She] put in all that she had…” I am reminded of James’ words in James 2:1-6. He cautions us not to measure people by material standard. And think of the many passages where Jesus reminds us that those who are esteemed as first by men will be counted as last by God’s standards, and those men esteem little may be highly valued by the Lord. The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 15 is a case in point.

Finally, and most important of all – God knows our capabilities and opportunities and will judge us accordingly. He knows whether we are giving our best. Others may sell us short – or give us more credit than we are due. But God knows our hearts. 

-Clarence R. Johnson

IT’S ABOUT TIME!

The writer of an article in The Akron Beacon Journal (5/8/04) discusses a movement in some denominations concerning their worship practices. The article, written by Jim Remson, focuses on a new book, Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship, published by the Philadelphia-based Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. The message of the book is that much of modern worship has shifted in focus from praising God, to satisfying the needs [rather the desires, CRJ] of the worshiper.

The essays, by several authors, quote many luminaries from protestant history. John Calvin, the 16th century pillar of the Protestant Reformation Movement, is quoted as saying: “God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by His word.” Remson says, “…the ultimate authority the book cites for its worship model is the Bible itself.”

The book affirms what is designated as the regulative principle of worship. The writers say this regulative principle holds that “God specifically commanded the elements he desired in worship… To and from these, we may neither add nor take away.” The authors say, however, that Protestant bodies, such as Pentecostal, Non-denominational, Presbyterian, Reformed, and Baptist churches, have added to and subtracted from the worship God authorized.

In its Philadelphia conference last month, the alliance promoted regulative worship, which it says is drawn from scriptural instructions and warnings. A feud has erupted which has been called “the worship wars.” Critics say this change in worship action is “outdated, puritanical and as chilly as the northern European climes that nurtured it.” In other words, to worship as God appoints is totally unacceptable to most people in modern religion. This has been the problem since apostasy from truth first manifested itself.

Interesting Quotes

Here are some excerpts from Give Praise To God:

“There are two ways to commit idolatry: worship something other than the true God, or worship the true God in the wrong way.”

“Humanity, having been created in God’s image, and with a sense of deity indelibly written on its heart, is inescapably religious. However, since the fall, our tendency is to attempt to create God in our own image, and thus worship ourselves rather than the one in whose image we were made.”

“Instead of coming to church to admit our transgressions and seek forgiveness, we come to church to be told that we are really pretty nice people who do not need forgiveness. We are such busy people, in fact, that God should actually be pleased that we have taken time out of our busy schedule to come to church at all.”

The approach of denominational worship has shifted from honoring and praising God, to satisfying man. What man thinks, feels, and enjoys takes precedence over what God has appointed for worship. We see this in almost every discussion of the errors of denominational worship. People say, “I think” … “I feel”… “It seems to me”… “My heart is uplifted” in explaining their corrupted worship practices. Man is the focus of such activity, not God!

When I read the article under review about changing the errors of denominational worship, my first thought was: It’s about time! My second thought was: If you are going to go back, go all the way back to the beginning of the church, and implement the worship of the New Testament in its entirety! If we are going to go back to God’s way, let us not stop in the 19th, 18th, or 16th centuries. Let’s go all the way back to the first century when the church was under the direct supervision of Christ’s hand-chosen apostles and build the modern church after the pattern found in Scripture.

Go all the way back to Acts 2 when the church was established and learn how they worshiped; only that worship will please God! He gave the commandments respecting worship in the Scriptures and the approved apostolic examples will show modern man how to worship as God requires.

God-Appointed Worship

The New Testament identifies what the church is to do in its worship which will assure that God is honored and praised, Eph. 3:21. Following is a list of Scriptural worship activities:

Prayer is offered, Acts 2:42; John 9:31.

Preaching is done, Acts 20:7; Matt. 28:20.

Lord’s supper is observed only on Sunday, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26.

Giving is done only on Sunday, 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7.

Vocal Music is rendered to God, Eph. 5:19; Col. 1:16.

Any other actions than these constitute an addition to Scriptural worship, making those actions sinful. Any of these prescribed acts of worship which are omitted, renders worship vain, Matt. 15:9. Read that passage in Matthew; there is such a thing as vain worship!

There has to be some reason why God is so explicit in describing and defining worship in the New Testament. He intended that men should honor him by submitting the acts of worship, which he appointed. Only this worship is acceptable to Him. If man is going to worship Him at all, why not do it right?

Man’s track record respecting God and the church is not at all commendable. Men have corrupted not only the worship of the church, but also its organization, its work, and the plan of salvation that places saved people in the church.

Yes, it’s about time for man to look at his sinful deeds respecting these matters. Yes, it is time for some changes to be made, to bring us into compliance with the Divine will. May God speed us to the time when we will all stand together in truth! Worship of our holy God is too important to be corrupted, polluted, perverted, and trivialized! May modern men return to God’s word and worship Him as He has decreed. The angel said, “Worship God” (Rev. 22:9).

–Lewis Willis, Truth, Aug. 19, 2004

PERSECUTION 

Persecution against those who use the Bible to speak against homosexuality seems to be a fast growing trend. Canada just passed Bill C-250 that adds “sexual orientation” to the groups protected against “hate speech.” How that law will be interpreted in the courts of Canada remains to be seen but many think it will be used to stop preaching against homosexuality as a sin. The bill prohibits “public incitements of hatred” which is defined as “communicating statements in a public place that incite hatred.” Note that a “public place” is defined as “any place to which the public have access as of right or by invitation, express or implied.” That sounds a lot like Christians in a church building reading Bible verses saying homosexuality is sinful could be accused of a hate crime, doesn’t it? In Sweden, sermons are explicitly covered by an anti-hate-speech law passed to protect homosexuals. The Swedish chancellor of justice said any reference to the Bible’s stating that homosexuality is sinful might be a criminal offense, and a Pentecostal minister is already facing charges. Ireland has seen some of the same kind of legal harassment of Bible believers. Christians in the United States are kidding themselves if they think homosexual successes with persecuting Christians in other countries won’t cause homosexuals here to try the same thing. While Christianity is not established at the ballot box we do well to consider electing leaders who will not prohibit the preaching of the truth, and we should pray for our leaders “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:2). 

–Mark Roberts, Abundant Life, June 2004.

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