I
DonaldE, Schmudlach
BackTo Basic
Let us look upon,Why arewe here today?Whatdo we believe?
Why? We arehereto worshipthe oneandonly God,our Fatherandour
Creator.The giver of all that is good,assetforth in His book. We are
hereto takepart in the memorialto His son,JesusChrist,our Saviorand
King. We saythis is whatwe believe,oneGod,our Father,our Creator.
We believethat JesusChristis His oneandonly Son,our Saviorand
King, the onewho'slife we areto follow. Why?becauseGodhasmade
the promisesthat ifwe do so,follow His son,who died uponthe crossfor
we canspendetemitywith
man'ssins,andfollow God'scommandments,
Him in heaven.
Turn with meto, Hebrewschapter4, verses12 and13.
For the word of God is living andactiveandsharperthan anytwoedgedsword,andpiercingasfar asthe divisionof soulandspirit, of both
joints andmarrow,andableto judge the thoughtsandintentionsof the
heart.And there is no creaturehidden from His sight, but all things are
openandlaid bareto the eyesof Him with whomwe haveto do."
Ruby and I weretalking aboutthe comingmonthssometimeago.
Havinghadto takea leaveof absencefrom her work. Shestatedshewas
goingto talk to her salesteamaboutgoingbackto basic,havingto
that waswhatthe Churchneededto do. Having
rebuild. I suggested
foundit wasan item of discussionin The SpiritualSwordandmanyother
periodicals.
Are we teaching? "theword of God is living andactive." This is not
just a colleetionof words,it is not old andout dated,assomesay,it is
living, active,It is living NOW!, it is neededNOW! It is ' powerful
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NOW, it hasasmuchmeaningNOW! asin the first century! when it was
written
Are we teachingthe word of God is, "sharperthan anytwo-edged
sword,andpiercingasfar asthe divisionof soul andspirit, of bothjoints
andmarrow," It still dealswith the inner secretsof man,the inner
thoughtsandintentsof man. To this very dayits still dealswith todays
manandtodaysproblems. My friendsits all herein this, God'sbook.
We needto go backto the BIBLE, backto the lst. centurychurch.
The Bible camefromthe Lord. THE BIBLE IS TIIE WRITTEN
WORD OF GOD!
It doesnot needto be changedby manassomemenseemto believe.
Are we teaching?2 Timothychapter3 verse16, "All Scriptureis
inspiredby Godandprofitablefor teaching,for reproof,for correction,for
trainingin righteousness;
"
Are we teaching?
2Peterchapter1 verses20 &,21, "But know
this first of all,^thatno prophecyof Scriptureis a matterof one'sown
z L for no prophecywasevermadeby an actof humanwill,
interpretatiofr,
but menmovedby the Holy Spirit spokefrom God."
Are we teaching,TheBible is timeless,it comesfrom the Lord and
the Lord is timeless,asexplainedin,2 Peterchapter3 Verse8, "But do
not let this onefacl escapeyour notice,beloved,that with the Lord one
dayis asa thousandyears,andathousandyearsasoneday."
Man'sexistenceis time-riddenandthat time will run out. It is always
laterthen onethinks. With God this is not so. The word of the Lord is
for ever. It is the sameyesterday,today, and forever
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1 PeterchapterI verses24 &25, " For, ALL FLESHIS LIKE
GRASS,AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWEROF GMSS.
TF{EGRASSWITFMRS.AND THE FLOWERFALLS OTT.25 gUT
TFIEWORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER.''
Grassandit's flowershavea givenlife span,andit diesandin those
dayswasus for fires. "THE WORD OF TFIELORD ABIDES
FOREVER.''
So we find we must returnto the word, which camefrom God, which
will lastfor ever,which is timeless,which waswritten accordingto 2
PeterchapterI verseZl,by "menmovedby the Holy Spirit spokefrom
God." Thatword is the Bible which showsus how the lst. century
churchworshipandhow Christianslived their lives.
Thereactionto the Bible hasvariedsenseit waswritten. Some
hatedit andsomestill do. Somewereindifferentand somestill are,
Soulslost. Somelovedit andtried to live by its teachingsaswe do and
believethe Bible is the devineguidewheremancanfind the truth. Some
paidwith their lives for the hatredotherhadfor it and if you readsomeof
the periodicalswritten from othercountriestherearesomewho still die
becausemanyin todaysworld, still hateit.
Are we teaching?TheBible is God'sword, JohnchapterI verseI
"In the beginningwasthe Word, andthe Word waswith God,andthe
Word wasGod."
Are we teaching?TheBible revealsto man,GodHimself,the
Creator,Genesischapter1 versel, "In the beginningGod created"
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TheBible revealsGodto be the Giver of all that is goodto all who
askHim, Matthewchapter7 verse11.
Are we teaching?TheBible revealsthat JesusChristis the sonof
God. Matthew chapter3 whereJesuswent to Johnthe Baptiststo be
baptized,and after being baptized,"Jesuswent up immediatelyfrom the
water;andbehold,the heavenswereopened,andhe sawthe Spirit of God
asa dove,and cominguponHim, andbehold,a voiceout of
descending
the heavens,saying,"This is My belovedSon,in whom I amwellpleased."
The Bible revealsthe will of Godto men,for aswe heardfrom John
chapter1 verse1, "the Word wasGod"
Let us look at the Churchon that first day; listen to Acts chapter2
verse44, 'And all thosewho hadbelievedweretogether,andhadall
thingsin common;"
God'sfamily carriesout God'swill best,whenthey work together.
of thosewho believed
Acts chapter4 verse32, " Andthe congregation
wereof oneheartandsoul;"
Guy Woodsin an xticle entitledThe Churchof TheBible, wrote,
"The Churchis a fellowshipof believers,directedby Christ,governed
solelyby His will asevidencedin the New Testament.
He went on to writeo" it hasno creedbut Christ, no rule of faith and
practicebut the New Testament,no organizationsavethat which the Lord
Himselfordained."
What was it that Jesustold the elevenwhen He spokewith them after
He had arisenandtheypassedon to thosetheybaptizedlater. Listento
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Mark chapterl6 verse15,"Go into all theworld andpreachthe gospelto
all creation.""TheGospel,""TheGoodNews,"the teachingofthe life of
Jesus,His death,resection.Are we teaching"TheGoodNews"
Ifwe in the Churchof Christ,in this century,in this time in the life of
the world that God createdfor man,will returnto the "GoodNews"the
teachingandlife of Jesus,the basicof the word, the patternof salvation,
setforth in the Lords book, the Churchwill live and grow in the truth.
Let us think on the basicof God'sword.
Are we teaching?Thevirgin birth of Christ.Are we teachingHis way
Are we teachingHe is settingat the
of life, His deathandresurrection.
right handofthe Fatherandwill judge everyonewhenhe returns.Are we
teachingthat only thosewho follow Him andthe Fatherscommandswill
go to heavenandthosewho die in sin will go to hell ?
Are we teaching?Thatthosewho know us, seeChristiansby the
examplewe setandjudge all Christiansby our lives ? My friendsin this
way we areour brotherskeeper.
Are we teachingsin?I Johnchapter3 verse4, "Everyonewho
andsin is lawlessness."
practicessin alsopracticeslawlessness;
Listento God'sword, I Corinthianschapter6 verse9 artd10, " Or do
you not know that the unrighteousshall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived;neitherforyicators,nor idolaters,nor adulterers,nor
10no, thieves,northe covetous,nor
effeminate,nor homosexuals,
drunkards,nor revelers,nor swindlers,shallinheritthe kingdomof God.
Are we teaching?How God institutedmarriagein Genesis? Are we
teachingwhat Christsaidaboutdivorcein Matthewchapterl9 verse9,
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"And I sayto you, whoeverdivorceshis wife, exceptfor immorality,and
marriesanotherwomancommitsadultery."
We could go on foreveron teachingsin, I havebeenworking for
sometime on an attemptto cut a sennonon sin downto 20 minutes.
JamesEashterstatedin his book,The Storyof Jesus,"Sin against
God is merelythe expressionof lack of loveto God. Sin againstmanis
the expressionof lack of loveto man." I askthat you think uponthis.
Doesnot all sin showa lack of love.
Thenwe havethe problemofteachingwe hearof in, I Timothy
knowing
chapter2 verse23,"Butrefusefoolish andignorantspeculations,
that they producequarrels."What everhappenedto the phraseI heardso
manytimesbackin the 1950's,"spe
where the Bible is silent."
Let us go on to the teachingsof "WhatmustI do to be saved",as
printedin manyof the Churchof Christbulletinseachfirst dayofthe
week.
Are we teachingonemustHearthe GosFel,Romanschapterl0 verse
17, "So faithcomesfrom hearing,andhearingby the word of Christ."
Did you notice,faith comesaboutby whatyou hear,this is whatPaul
mentin Romanschapter1 verse16, "For I am not ashamedof the gospel,
for it is the powerof God for salvationto everyonewho believes,"Paul's
message
wasthe gospelof Christ,the "GoodNews"
Johnchapter3 versel6,
Are we teachingonemustBelievein.Tesus,
"For God so lovedthe world, that He gaveHis only begottenSon,that
whoeverbelievesin Him shouldnot perish,but haveeternallife"
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To reallybelievethat JesusChristis the sonof God andhold that
belief,we mustput our trust in Him andhavecompleteconfidencein that,
following Him aloneis our way to salvation.
Are we teachingMatthewchapter9 verse6,that Jesuswasgiven
authorityto forgivesin, andin Matthewchapter28 verse18,andLuke
chapter5 verse24. In all theseversesJesustells you He hasauthorityto
forgivesin. Rememberit is written,God said"this is My belovedSon."
Are we teachingonemustrepent,Acts chapter2 verse38, "And
Petersaidto them,"Repent,andlet eachof you be baptizedin the nameof
JesusChristfor the forgivenessof your sins;andyou shallreceivethe gift
ofthe Holy Spirit."
Mark chapter1 verse15 Jesusis speaking,"Thetime is fulfilled, and
thekingdomof Godis at hand;repentandbelievein the gospel."
In Acts 2l verses28 through31, Jesus,tells of the manwho hadtwo
sonandaskedthe first sonto go andwork in the vineyardandhe saidhe
would anddid not. He askedthe secondsonandhe said." I will not" then
we read,in thewordsof Jesus," yetheafterwardregrettedit andwe.tt.31
"Whichof thetwo did thewill of his father?"
Are we teachingwhatrepentance
means,onemusthavea changeof
mind, a changeof way. Webster'sstates:"to feel sorryfor a pasterror,sin,
omission,etc. To feel suchregretover somepastaction,intention,etc.as
to changeone'smind." Thatmeansoneis not to do it again,period.
is a changeofwill andwith it is a
C. R. Nicholswrote "Repentance
deepconvictionof sorrow,which bringsabouta reformationof life, or
tuming from sin - evil - anddoingright."
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Are we teaching?OnemustConfessthe Nameof Christ,Romans
chapter10 verses9 & I0, "that if you confesswith your mouthJesusas
in your heartthat God raisedHim from the dead,you
Lord,' andbelievq
1 A
shallbe saved;tt for with the heartmanbelieves,resultingin
resultingin salvation."
righteousness,
andwith the mouthhe confesses,
Jesusin Matthewchapter10 verse32 & 33 stated,"Everyone
thereforewho shallconfessMe beforemen,I will alsoconfesshim before
My Fatherwho is in heaven.JJ "But whoevershalldenyMe beforemen,
I will alsodenyhim beforeMy Fatherwho is in heaven."
that JesusChristis the sonof God as
To confessis to acknowledge
Peterdid in Matthewchapter16 verse16whenaskedby Jesus,"Who do
they sayI am." "And SimonPeteransweredandsaid,"Thou artthe
Christ,the Sonofthe living God."
Are we teachingonemustbe baptized,Matthewchapter28 verse19,
"Go thereforeandmakedisciplesof all the nations,baptizingthemin the
nameofthe Fatherandthe Sonandthe Holy Spirit,"
This is onescoflrmitmentto following the commandsof the Father
and submissionto the way of Christ. Rememberthe word of God from
Acts chapter2 verse38, ''And Petersaidto them,"Repent,andlet eachof
you be baptizedin the nameof JesusChrist for the forgivenessof your
sins;" "for the forgivenessof your sins;" Not for any othermanmade
reason,not asan afterthoughtassomenow believe,baptismis a
commandfrom God as setforth in His Book.
As we heardfrom brotherExum in his sennonon January11. Paul
knew that evenafter fastingand prayrngfor days,eventhoughhe believed
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in JesusChrist, eventhoughhe knew he had beenwrong abouthis
previousways,he hadto be baptized"for forgivenessof his sins."
that will
I Peterchapter3 verse21, tells you ofthe transformation
needto takeplaceto follow God'scommandsneededto reachheaven,
"And correspondingto that,baptismnow savesyou--not the removalof
din from the flesh,but an appealto God for a goodconscience--through
the resurrectionof JesusChrist."
Are we teachingonemustLive a RighteousLife, I Peterchapter2
verce24,"andHe Himselfboreour sinsin His body on the cross,that we
might die to sin andlive to righteousness;
"
Heremy friendswe find is an importantreasonto go backto basic.
We haveherewhatBill Brown usedto call "bringthemin the front door
andloosingthemout the backdoor. Why? Becausewe arenot doing as
Jesustold His disciplesin Matthewchapter28 verse20 to do. "teaching
you; andlo, I amwith you always,
themto observeall that I commanded
evento the endofthe age."
Give themthe knowledge,teachthemthe stepsto salvation. When
they takethosesteps,whenthey obeyand arebaptized,don't leavethem
therestandingwet. They still needhelp from the matureChristian
teachers.Theystill needmoreknowledgeofthe word to facethe sinsof
the world. They needthe knowledgeto remainin the truth, to remain
steadfastthroughouttheir lives.
For we find asPeterstates,that knowledgewill bring graceandpeace
and muchmore.
In 2 Peterchapter1, startingin verse2, "Graceandpeacebe
multipliedto you in the knowledgeof God andof Jesusour Lord;" ,
I0
"throughthe true knowledgeof Him who calledus by His own glory and
excellence.
Thenverse4 he tells whatknowledgewill do, "For by theseHe has
grantedto us His preciousandmagnificentpromises,andinyour
andin
knowledge,self-control,andinyour sellcontrol, perseverance,
godliness;- andinyour godliness,brotherlykindness,
your perseverance,
andtnyour brotherlykindness,love.- For if thesequalitiesareyoursand
are increasing,they renderyou neitheruselessnor unfruitful in the true
knowledgeof our Lord JesusChrist."
In verse9 &,10we find, "For he who lacksthesequalitiesis blind or
short-sighted,having forgottenhis purification from his former sins.
Therefore,brethren,be all the more diligent to makecertainaboutHis
callingandchoosingyou;"
Herewe havea list of what the knowledgeof the Fatherandhis Son,
Jesus,our Saviorcanbring to all, the matureandthe young,in the Lord.
Grace,peace,"Everythingpertainingto life andGodliness"asstatedin
verse3.
Thenin verse10we find, "for aslong asyou practicethesethings,
you will neverstumble;"
It hasbeensaid,that aslong asmanis on earththerewill be sin. As
long asmansinsthe truth of God'sword will hit thembetweenthe eyes.
The truth will revealto manwhat he really is.
Man needsthe truth, not whathe wantsto hear. Not the soft sideof
life. Not oncesaved,alwayssave.He needsto know sin is sin. That
thereis afiery hell, That sin will leadto hell. He needsto know that man
mustwork out his own salvation.He needsto know that God did not
]I
promisemanarosegardenhereon earth,therewill be trials andproblems,
but God is therefor thosewho follow His Son,who died for the sinsof
man. Man needsto hearandknow the basicof the truth.
Man needsto know that the dayof Jesus'retumwill come,that day
ofjudgement. Yes,thereareunbelievers,we weretold therewould be
in2Peter chapter3 verses3 and4, " Know this first of all, that in the last
daysmockerswill comewith their mocking,following aftertheir own
lusts,a andsaying,"'Whereis the promiseof His coming?"
Jesuswill return,but God is patient,aswe readin 2Peterchapter3
verses9 and 10, "TheLord is not slow aboutHis promise,assomecount
slowness,but is patienttory4rdyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for
IU But the dayofthe Lord will comelike a
all to cometo repentance.
thief, in which the heavenswill passawaywith a roar andthe elements
will be destroyedwith intenseheat,andthe earthand its works will be
burnedup."
Are we teaching?Only He knowsthat day,somanneedsto know
that oneshouldnot try the Lordspatients.
Brothersandsistersif you takeonething from this lesionlet it be the
lastthreewordsfrom the reading,"fulfillyour ministry."
If you areheretodayandhavethe desireto follow the Savior,to
takethosestepsyou haveheardto dayto live that life of dedication,
the righteouslife, todayis a goodday. If you areheretodayandhave
a problemaffectingyou Christianlife andwould like prayerssentup
to God from your fellow Christian,thereis not oneherewho will not
willingly standbyyour sideandpraywith you. Pleasecome
forward,let your desiresbe known,aswe standandsing