THE POUND
PROCLAIMER
Volume IV
June 2009
Number 8
Sing
to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day
to day. Psalms 96:2
CATHARSIS OR
REPENTANCE
In life, there are unusual occurrences
that cause us to marvel. One such phenomenon occurs as the result of preaching.
Upon preaching a strong sermon that reproves and rebukes sin and the sinner,
the preacher will receive accolades from Christians for preaching “just what”
they needed. It does not matter who the preacher is, or how often the lesson is
preached, it is the same response.
Why is this response a phenomenon? It is
a phenomenon because the ones who acknowledge the benefit of a condemnatory
message fail to repent, or so it seems. It is one thing to appreciate preaching
that condemns a sinful lifestyle, it is quite another to derive some kind of
absolution from the hearing of such a message.
It appears as if some Christians have
become spiritual masochists. They seem to be pleased with some preacher giving
them forty lashes with the Word of God. Jonathan Edwards, a preacher in the
American colonies, was said to have a sermon where he depicted mankind as being
suspended over Hell by a fragile thread ready to break. His delivery was so
powerful that men moaned audibly and women swooned in their seats. Certainly,
the sermon elicited a reaction. However, audible moaning or swooning does not
equate with repentance and neither does appreciation for reproof of one’s sin.
Some Christians are using good strong
sermons that condemn the sin in their lives as a catharsis rather than
repenting. Catharsis is a technique or action used to relieve tension and
anxiety by bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness. It works as
follows. The sermon causes the hearer to feel condemnation for their sin. It
does this by bringing repressed feelings of guilt to the forefront of the
conscious mind. This in turn, relieves the emotional pressure that has been
building up. The sinner now feels better for having experienced this episode. It
is comparable to having a good cry when you have the blues. The sinner feels
better, but no repentance has occurred, thus leaving them in the same sinful
condition as before.
Sermons that are Bible centered present
us with opportunity to view ourselves as God sees us. James puts it this way, 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at
himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and
perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed
in his doing. James 1:22-25. Failure to be a doer
of the Word is to squander the precious gift of eternal life. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his
baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for
Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the
trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:7-10. John the baptizer
warned of the failure to repent by admonishing his audience to bear fruit as a
result of repentance. Where fruit [acts of repentance] is absent, there is no
repentance.
The nature of repentance is a change of
mind that affects a change of conduct. Where there is no change in one’s
conduct, there is no repentance. Jesus spoke the following, illustrating the
nature of repentance. 28“What do you think? A man had two sons. And
he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and
went. 30And he went to the other son and said the
same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31Which of the two
did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them,
“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the
The first son exemplifies repentance. He
changed his mind and then he changed his life. He not only regretted that he
told his father no; he went and worked in the field.
Paul addresses the changed life of the
Christian on this wise. 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that
by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect. Romans 12:1-2. “Be
transformed” is translated from the Greek, metamorphoo — metamorphoo. We also get the English
word metamorphosis from this word. Every time we see the change that takes
place with the lowly caterpillar that becomes the majestic butterfly, we should
understand that a completely changed life is necessary to be a Christian. It
should go without saying that Paul is commanding a change from the sinful to
the righteous and not the other way around.
The next time you hear a sermon that
‘steps on your toes’ as we are wont to say, do not allow the opportunity to
pass. Allow yourself to feel the flood of remorse for your sin. However, do not
use this catharsis as a substitute for repentance. Remember; “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish”, spoken by Jesus as recorded in Luke
13:5.
The Editor’s
Page
The American language is in constant
flux. This has been attributed to the young as they seek to form their unique
identity through the use of slang. However, the young are not the only
perpetrators. Those who have political agendas are just as guilty. These latter
molesters of the language are the worst offenders. They are not seeking to
establish a particular identity but are seeking to promote a particular social
or political agenda.
We are confronted today by phrases such
as ‘Radical Right’, ‘Looney Left’, and ‘Moderate Middle’. Depending upon your
personal views, the use of the aforementioned phrases brings to mind specific
images of a social and political view. This is the power of words. Truly, words
are vehicles upon which ideas ride. Take the word ‘gay’ for an example. There
was a time when it meant cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement; merry. Today
it is used to depict a person who engages in homosexual behavior. A behavior,
by the way, that is considered by God to be an abomination and sinful behavior.
The characterization of someone’s
political views as right, left, or middle is relatively harmless. However, the
characterization of someone’s doctrinal views as right, left, or middle is
spiritually and eternally destructive. Before you write me off as some kind of
nut, please continue reading.
The use of labels suggests that all views
are acceptable it is just a matter of personal preference. The scriptures
cannot be approached in this manner. The Scriptures are inspired of God (10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit
searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For who knows a
person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no
one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by
the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians
2:10-13; 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The scriptures,
having come from the mind of God are specific, for they and they alone are the
TRUTH (Sanctify them in the truth; your
word is truth. John 17:17). Every circumstance that
arises in life, every question that is asked about man’s existence or needs is
answered in God’s word, the Bible. The disagreements men have over doctrinal
positions are answered in the scriptures. The Bible and it alone is the final
arbiter in such disputes.
Truth is not found on the ‘Radical
Right’, or on the ‘Looney Left’. Truth is not found in the “can’t we just all
get along” feel good and spineless ‘Moderate Middle’. Therefore, Christians
will not become enmeshed in denominating themselves or others with these
misleading labels. So, where should the child of God stand? He should stand
where the righteous have always stood, squarely upon the law of God.
1Blessed
are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart, Psalms 119:1-2.
WORKING FOR THE
MASTER
PURSUE HOLINESS
For
God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Christians are to be the example of holy
character. This is difficult because holiness does not have a good reputation
among people of the world. Christians who seek holiness are considered to be
uptight, overbearing, homophobic hypocrites. Regardless of the popular view of
true Christians, this politically correct caricature does not accurately
portray the true follower of God. We concede the fact that some ‘Christians’
are neurotic and emotionally unstable. These could be those who have a real
problem with psychosis or those who have not, through the practice of true
holiness, developed a life reflective of holiness.
The atheistic psychologist promotes the
idea that holiness is incompatible with sound mental health. They contend that
‘holiness’ creates unhappiness because it requires an unrealistic life style.
The psychologist’s opinion in this matter is completely wrong. Holiness is
‘wholeness’ of health in the most comprehensive sense. When we consider the
etymology of the word, we find that it means holy-well or healthy-well. This
leaves us with the understanding that holy includes being healthy, completely
healthy.
The Psalmist proclaims that the righteous
are to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due
his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness” Psalms
29:2. Some have fallen into the trap of thinking our worship to God
is fulfilled in five acts [preach, pray, sing, take Lord’s Supper, give]. They
fail to see that worshiping God in the splendor of holiness is to reflect the
glory of His holiness in our everyday lives. This mind-set will cause one to
appear pious in the public worship but in their private lives they do not
reflect the holiness of God. This, in turn, causes them to be the stereotypical
caricature that is the popular view of Christians by the worldly.
The Christian has obtained promises
through his relationship with Christ. Since
we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement
of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God 2 Corinthians
7:1. The perfecting of holiness in our lives brings about certain
characteristics. Nathaniel Emmons referred to this when he said, “Holiness has
love for its essence, humility for its clothing, the good of others as its
employment, and the honor of God as its end.”
The spirit of man was created to reflect
the beauty of God’s holiness. The Christian, who longs for God and reaches a
childlike hand for Him, will touch the holiness of God. The one, who dedicates
his whole heart to perfecting His goodness, will be engulfed with a beauty of
holiness that affords them the privilege of seeing the Lord.
Strive
for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the
Lord, Hebrews
12:14.
THE LAST WORD
NEGATIVE RIGHTS
The framers of
the Constitution of the
The
Constitution of the
In like manner,
there are those who distain the Bible because it contains negative
instructions. They do not want to be brought under the restrictions placed upon
mankind by the rules that God gives. They desire an unrestrained life that
allows them to do as they please.
In both cases,
should they get their way, it would destroy personal wellbeing.
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WHAT MUST
I DO
Hear: Rom 10:17
Believe: Heb 11:6
Repent: Lk 13:5; Ac
17:30
Confess: Matt 10:32; Ac
8:36
Be Baptized: Ac 2:38;
22:16
TO BE
SAVED?
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FAMILY
MATTERS
AUDIO SERMONS & RADIO PROGRAM:
If you would
like to hear a sermon you can access our Audio Sermons page. Also on this page
is a place to access our radio program [WALKING BY FAITH]. Place your cursor
over the title, WALKING BY FAITH radio program and click. This will take you to
a page where you can download a program. The program is a weekly so there will
be a new program uploaded each week. We also keep the sermons updated as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Pound church web site = www.poundchurchofchrist.org/
WALKING BY FAITH
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The Pound Proclaimer is published monthly by the Pound
All articles by the editor unless
otherwise stated
Editor: Glen Young
Phone: 276-796-5767=Office
804-365-8694=Home
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E-mail: gyoung47@comcast.net
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