KEEPING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Good morning. It is good to have you in our listening audience.
I continue to be encouraged by the many comments that are being made
concerning this radio effort. Again, we ask each listener to tell
someone else about the program. If you hear something which you
think to be contrary to the Word of God, please tell us. As I have
stated more than once over these broadcasts, it is my desire and the
desire of the congregation bringing you this program to be pleasing
unto Jehovah, our God. And the only way that we can do that is to be
sure that whatever we say, or do, must be in harmony with the
revealed Word of God, that book we call the Bible. That is why we
always give you book, chapter, and verse for each thing that is
said. Someone asked the question, "You mean that you must have
authority for everything that you do." And I answer, "Yes, most
definitely Yes." My friend, if you are doing something in religion
that is not founded upon a "thus sayeth the Lord," you are marching
on dangerous ground. Jesus states, "Not everyone that sayeth unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). How
can we learn what is the "will of my Father who is in heaven"? Only
through His revealed word. I cannot presume to speak for Jehovah. I
cannot say, "Well, I think Jehovah will accept this or that." In 1
Corinthians 2:11, Paul states, "For who among men knoweth the things
of a man save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the
things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God." Peter states,
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter
4:11). John states, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the
teaching of Christ, hath not God" (2 John 9). It takes more than
honesty, sincerity, and a good conscience; it takes obedience to
everything that the Lord has said. Surely, honesty, sincerity and a
good conscience enters into the matter; but these traits must also
be connected with a consecrated effort to do only what the Lord has
commanded; nothing more nor nothing less. My friend, is that your
attitude toward serving God?
Which brings me to the subject which I wish to address this
morning. There appeared a news announcement in the Beaumont
Enterprise a few days ago entitled: "Cleveland church constructing a
$11 million commercial hotel." The article then went on to explain
that the "United Church of Christ" is building a 143 room hotel
which is to serve two purposes -- (1) to advance the rebirth of a
neighborhood that already is undergoing an impressive
transformation, and (2) to save the church some money and
frustration in finding housing for the thousands of people who
travel here each year to visit its headquarters."
In our allotted time this morning, I wish to point out some
things that I feel our listening audience needs to consider. First,
you will note that this hotel is being constructed by the United
Church of Christ. May I emphasize as plainly, and yet as strongly,
as I can that the Church of Christ that brings you this radio
program from Sunday to Sunday, is in no way connected to, nor
affiliated with the "United Church of Christ." The United Church of
Christ was formed a few years ago when a number of differing
denominations joined forces together under one organization and
adopted the name "United church of Christ." I think it interesting
when these groups decided to come together and unite under one name
that they chose the name, "Church of Christ." I wonder why? Could it
possibly be because they looked into God's Word and determined that
one name that all could accept is the term, "Church of Christ." The
reason for this is very obvious. In Romans 16:16, the term is used
by the inspired apostle Paul to identify the congregations of God's
people. Thus, "Church of Christ" is a Bible name, one authorized by
inspired writers. This is why the congregation that brings you this
program is identified as the, "White Park Church of Christ." But, my
friends, the White Park church of Christ is not affiliated with nor
any way connected with the "United church of Christ" organization
that has its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. The headquarters of
the White Park Church of Christ is in Heaven; under the authority of
Christ Jesus and His inspired word. There is no authority for many
churches being under some world-wide organization or man-made
headquarters. The White Park Church of Christ is a completely
independent, autonomous, congregation. We are not connected with any
kind of national, or worldwide organization. In the New Testament,
there is not even the slightest hint or suggestion that
congregations were tied together in any kind of an arrangement. Each
was separate and independent from all others.
I have said all of this to inform you that the White Park
Church of Christ is not a part of this unscriptural organization
calling itself the "United Church of Christ." We do not agree with
their basis for their organization; nor are we a part of it.
Secondly, I find no authority in God's Word for a church to
build or maintain any kind of secular business. I realize that many
churches are engaged in secular businesses. There are some religious
organizations that operate various businesses, such as: baseball
parks, department stores, wineries and alcohol producing businesses.
Others are a little more subtle. They conduct raffles, bingo
parties, cake sales, garage sales, and the many others involvements
that churches use to raise money. Some are engaged in television and
radio business to bring in millions of dollars into their coffers.
I remember a few years ago a young lady of perhaps 6 or 7 years
of age knocked on my front door and tried to get me to buy a brick.
She stated that the brick was to be used in constructing their new
church building. Isn't it strange that religious people would expect
someone else to finance the things that they have determine to do.
If a building is needed by a group of people, why do they not
finance it. God's people are commanded to "give as they have been
prospered" to finance the things which God authorizes for them to
do. As we have stated many times over this radio program. We do not
wish anyone to send us your money. This is the work of the White
Park church of Christ and we will pay the bill. We do not expect you
to pay it for us.
But back to our thought. Should churches be engaged in secular
business enterprises? The answer is a resounding NO. Not if one
wishes the approval of heaven. Where is the book, chapter, and verse
of one of the churches in the first century engaging in any such
effort? Or, maybe you say, "We do not need authority for what we
do." If that is your feeling, then there is no limit to what
churches can engage in. In fact, there is no limit to what churches
teach or practice.
A few years ago we were driving through what is called the Napa
Valley in California. We drove by a Winery called, "Christian
Brothers." I thought it strange that a business making wine would be
called "Christian Brothers." I thought perhaps the name of the
people who own and operate this distillery is "Christian." But, upon
inquiring, I was told, "This winery is operated by a group of
monks who belong to a religious organization." Isn't that strange.
That a group of people who refer to themselves as Christians could
be engaged in a business enterprise; and especially a business
enterprise engaged in making the Devil's brew. But, the world in
general seems to have no problem with this. I believe that the Word
of God has a tremendous problem with it.
How does Jehovah expect His work to be financed? Paul told the
church in Corinth, "Let each man give according as he hath purposed
in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). He also told them, "Upon the
first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he
may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2). In God's Book, the work of the
church was financed by those who were members of the church, who
gave of their own free will. There is not even a suggestion that
some business venture was engaged in to raise money.
I contend that churches who engage in business activities
should pay taxes like all other businesses. If churches continue to
dabble in businesses, one of these days the federal government is
going to step in and compel all churches to pay taxes on everything.
And why not? If a church is competing with the business world in
some secular operation, why should they not pay taxes like all other
businesses? Why should a church have a tax break when they are
selling wine and whiskey and competing with other businesses doing
the same thing.
Back to the newspaper article. It states, "Most guests probably
won't notice any difference between the church-run Radisson and
other hotels that cater to business travelers and tourist families."
So, mark it down. This hotel is to be a "church-run" business. It is
being built by a construction loan made by the church and will be
run by the church. That sounds to me like this is a church hotel,
built and operated by the church. They may have the Radisson
corporation doing the actual operations on a day by day scale, but
it is the property of and work of this religious organization.
There just seems to be no end to imagination of mankind.
Whatever enters their mind and meets their approval seems to be
acceptable to them. With never a thought about what does the Lord
think about this or that. Our first thought should be would the Lord
approve of this. Where in God's word does He give us the authority
to do what we are planning to do. And if it is not found there, we
had better back off and reevaluate before moving on.
My friends, it is not my intent to simply be critical about
this newspaper account. It is my desire to show the dangers of not
conforming to God's Word. And I hope and pray that each on in our
audience will examine what has been said in view of eternity,
because one day we shall all stand and give an account of what we
have said and what we have done. May God give us the courage to
"speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is
silent." Until next Sunday we bid you a most pleasant good morning.
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