Articles
Why Haven’t You Obeyed The Truth?
Why Haven’t You Obeyed The Truth?
By Carroll R. Sutton
If you are one of the thousands of people in this country who have not obeyed the truth of God, please examine your heart and search your soul to see if you can determine why you haven't. Is it because:
You Don't Know The Truth?
If this is the reason you haven't obeyed the truth, let me assure you that you can know the truth if you are willing to give diligence (study). The truth will make you free (John 8:32). Timothy was encouraged to study so he could rightly divide God's truth (2Tim. 2:15). (See Eph. 5:17; John 5:39; 17:17; Acts 17:11-12). Christians would be willing to come into your home and study God's Word with you. May they?
You Don't Believe The Truth? If you know the truth and don't believe it, you have a serious problem. The only way you can receive faith is by hearing the Word of God. (See Rom. 10:17). Only you can believe for you. You will make up your mind to believe or not to believe. It is a matter of choice. But in order for you to have eternal life, you must believe!
You Don't Love The Truth? If this is your problem, you have a very serious one. You had better change your heart (mind) or you will be lost forever! Many will perish (2Thes. 2:10-12). You may be among those described in this passage! Are you?
You Don't Want To Be Happy Here? Surely, you desire a life of happiness here on earth. The only way you can have genuine happiness is by obeying the truth. (Please read and study 1Peter 3:10-11; Luke 11:28; John 13:17; Psalm 1:1-6; Psalm 23; Ecc. 12:13-14).
You Don't Want To Go To Heaven? Surely you desire to go to Heaven, don't you? But your going to heaven is conditioned upon your obedience to the truth. (Rev. 22:14). If you haven't obeyed the truth, why haven't you?
The Flea and the Elephant
‘Tis said that a flea rode across a bridge one day in ear of an elephant. After they were on the other side, the flea said to the elephant, “Boy, we sure shook that bridge.”
Too many church members ride on the efforts of others but are ready to grab credit for the glory of a job well done.
The church faces many responsibilities in this day, and it needs all the members doing everything they can, not for the glory or credit, but for the work’s sake. Paul said, “For every man shall bear his own burden.” There are some things that the other fellow can’t do. You are the only one that can do them. No one can attend for you; no one can give for you; no one can commune for you; no one can sing for you. These and others are matters for you to consider. Don’t be like the flea.
Let Your Light Shine
A traveler came to a small village. Night was coming and people were hurrying through the streets carrying bronze lamps. When he asked about this, the reply was that the people were all going to the village church building. When the building was built it was decided that each member would bring his own light and there would be no other way to light up the building, so each person realized that if he were not there, the building would be darker. As more and more members came, the building became brighter.
Do you realize that the church needs the light of each member, not just on Sunday morning but for all of the other services? “Do all things without murmuring and questioning; that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God with blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:14-16).
Christ, the Supreme Model
“The most destructive criticism has not been able to dethrone Christ as the incarnation of perfect holiness. The waves of a tossing and restless sea of unbelief break at His feet, and he stands still the supreme model, the inspiration of great souls, the rest of the weary, the fragrance of all Christendom, the one divine flower in the garden of God.” (Johnson)
“Is It Bad Or Good?”
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)
There is an old story which is told of a man who raised horses for a living. When one of his prized stallions ran away, his friends gathered at his home to mourn his great loss. After they had expressed their concern, the man raised this question: "How do I know whether what happened is bad or good?" A couple of days later the runaway horse returned with several strays following close behind. The same acquaintances again came to his house, but this time to celebrate his good fortune. "But how do I know whether it's good or bad?" the old gentleman asked them. That very afternoon, one of the horses kicked the owner's son and broke his leg. Once more the crowd assembled - now to express their sorrow over the incident. "But how do I know if this is bad or good?" the father asked again. Only a few days later, war broke out. The man's son, however, was exempted from the military service because of his broken leg. Yes, you guessed it, the friends again gathered -- but the story stops here. We can easily see how it could go on and on. This tale points out that from our limited human perspective, it's impossible to know with certainty how to interpret the experiences of life. The writer of Ecclesiastes said, "...I surely know that it will be well with those who fear the Lord, who fear before Him." (Eccl. 8:12)
A Moments Wisdom
--Some people get into pretty deep water while they are trying to make a big splash in this world.
--Every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
--As a man grows older and wiser, he talks less and says more.
--A good listener is not only popular; after a while he knows more than others.
--Others may ruin your reputation, but only you can ruin your character.
--Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
--There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference.
--For us, with the rule of right and wrong given us by Christ, there is nothing for which we have no standard. And there is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. (Leo Tolstoi)
--Do you know the three times that most people are in church? When they are hatched, matched and dispatched.
--Quit griping about the church; if it were perfect, you couldn't belong.
--A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.
--Every evening I turn my troubles over to God -- He's going to be up all night anyway.
--To err is human; to blame it on somebody else is even more human.
--Self-control is the ability to let your light shine even after your fuse has blown.
--He that hath no children doth bring them up well.
--Disobedience doesn't mean anything to a child who knows it will be forgiven with a soft pat.
--Poise is the difference between raising an eyebrow and flipping your lid.
--The Lord did not scold the sower for wasting seed.
--The height of your accomplishment will equal the depth of your convictions.
Upcoming Sermons
7/24/22 AM - Some Surprising Scriptures; PM - Angry with the World (Part One)
7/31/22 AM - Angry with the World (Conclusion); PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders - Why the Devil Won’t Quit
8/7/22 AM - “Showing Integrity and Incorruptibility”; PM - “Faith of Our Fathers” (Themed Singing Service)
8/14/22 AM - “I Am Nothing” (Galatians 6:3 - Requested); PM - Titus, the True Son
8/21/22 AM - The Jesus You Never Knew; PM - Getting Grudges Gone
8/28/22 AM - The “Christians Meet Here” Church; PM - Euphemisms: Dirty Talk in Disguise
