• Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About
Sunny Slope Church of Christ
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About

An Uncertain Sound

2/16/2020

 
By: Gary L. Hutchens
   Paul spent considerable time in his first letter to the Corinthians trying to help them correct their attitude pertaining to miraculous gifts.  He gave a great deal of specific attention to their apparent misuse of the gift of “tongues” (languages).  He emphasized that what was said and done in the assembly needed to be edifying for those gathered, and in order for it to be edifying it had to be intelligible.  He illustrated the point by noting that a soldier blowing a trumpet to call an army to battle needed to blow the right notes so the other soldiers would know what was being signaled: “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?"
   As the Lord’s church it is our responsibility to stand on, and stand up for, the truth of God’s word (1 Tim. 3:15).  It is also our responsibility to teach God’s word throughout the world (Eph. 3:10).  This is crucial because people can be sanctified (saved) only through the teachings of God’s word (Jn. 17:17).  A person can become a true disciple (follower) of Christ, and be set free from the condemnation of sin, only through living by the teachings of Christ (Jn. 8:31-32).
   Since we are responsible for teaching the gospel message of salvation throughout the world (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21), we need to be sure to get right the message that we teach.  The world does not need to hear an uncertain sound when it comes to the gospel.  There’s enough of that out there already.  They need to hear the truth, obedience to which can purify their souls (1 Pet. 1:22-23).
   It’s unfortunate that so many supposed followers of Christ issue an uncertain sound in regards to God’s word.  There are many different gospels being proclaimed in the denominational world today.  Yet the apostle Paul resolutely affirmed that there is only one true gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).  He stated that an altered gospel is a perverted gospel.  The apostle John took it a step further, declaring that anyone who does not live “in the doctrine of Christ does not have God” (2 Jn. 1:9).
   It’s sad to observe a strong tendency on the part of many, some even within the Lord’s church, to compromise on the truth of New Testament Christianity.  It’s like hamburger chain Christianity- everybody wants to have it his own way.  But claiming to follow Christ does not necessarily mean that a person is following Him in a true and faithful way (Matt. 7:21-23).  We must submit our will to God’s will.  We cannot compromise on truth.  We cannot give a wink and a nod to error being taught by many churches.  We cannot give the impression that a little doctrinal error is OK. 
   The world needs to know the truth that will make them free from the guilt and condemnation of sin.  Those who claim to be outright atheists need to hear the certain sound of God’s truth.  Those who have never heard the teachings of Christ need to hear that truth.  Those who have heard but have turned away from their Lord and Savior need to hear that truth.  All mankind needs to know where to turn for real hope.  Nobody needs to hear, especially from the Lord’s church, another uncertain sound…
​

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Gary L. Hutchens

    Categories

    All
    Dennis Stackhouse
    Gary Hutchens

    Archive

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    January 2007

Member Login
SUBMIT PRAYER REQUEST
© 2019 Sunny Slope Church of Christ | All Rights Reserved
3606 N. 108th St., Omaha, NE 68164 | (402) 498-8397 | Contact Us
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About