1998_02

E D ITO R I A L

WHACHYAGOINTADOABOUDIT? That’s the big question

I

by 2

impression of spiritual vigor. We want the real thing.

The Lord Jesus addressed hypocrisy more than anyone in the New Testament. In fact, He is the only one in the 27 books who called anyone a hypocrite (Paul, Peter and James refer to hypocrisy). He mentions it 20 times, mostly in Matthew (never in John). Here are some of them: 1. A public display of spiritual activity (almsgiving, prayers, and fasting) to receive the praise of men (Mt. 6:2, 5, 16). Not that you never perform public ministry, but that you don’t do it for men’s approval.

2. Dealing with others’ faults while pretending not to have any yourself (Mt. 7:5). This is the illustration of the mote and the beam (or the sawdust speck and the 2x4). You are not a hypocrite for trying to help a fellow Christian with a troublesome speck in his eye, but for pretending that you are an expert and have no troubles yourself.

3. Appearing to take the things of God seriously while actually using such to justify a selfish lifestyle (Mt. 15:4-9).

4. Feigning interest in the will of God for the future while having no interest in practically doing God’s will in the present (Mt. 16:1-4).

5. Professing God as the supreme Master in your life while having other loyalties that take precedence over Him (Mt. 22:15-22). The Lord’s illustration of the coin showed that there generally is no conflict between responsibility to government and to God. 6. Matthew 23 has a string of woes against hypocrites (vv. 13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29). These include: professing to represent God while being an impediment to others in coming to Him, using long public prayers as a disguise for selfish living, being fussy about little things but ignoring the big issues, being fastidious about outward appearance but not about inward reality, and being critical of older generations while repeating their sins.

7. Saying that you believe in the coming of the Lord but living as if it will never happen (Mt. 24:45-51).

In a world full of phonies, God help us to be realies.

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

J. B . N I C H O L S O N, J R .

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

➲

’ve never read Looking Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe, but there is a line from it in one of my books of quotations. Harry Tugman (whoever he is) is asking Luke where he is presently stationed. The response goes like this: “At the p-p-p-present time in Norfolk at the Navy base,” Luke answered, “m-m-making the world safe for hypocrisy.”

Luke hardly needs to have bothered. The world is obviously a safe place for hypocrisy—it’s everywhere.

Washington has honed it to a fine art; hypocrisy is an indispensable tool of the trade for the majority of politicians. Madison Avenue advertising is forever manufacturing mirages to tempt the world’s desert travelers to another imaginary oasis. And Hollywood makes billions on it; in fact that’s where the word had its origin—in the world of the actor.

The word hypocrisy is merely the Anglicized form of the Greek hupokrisis.

At its root it means a reply, but the word became associated with acting, probably since the Greek actors spoke in dialogue.

Hypocrite then came to mean “one who affects virtues or qualities he does not have” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).

For those who attended the recent Rise Up & Build conference in Dearborn, this issue of Uplook includes memories of some of the ministry available there. For those unable to attend, this is a sampler, and after tasting, you may want more. We weren’t able to capture the sweet fellowship for redistribution, or bottle the out-of-thisworld singing, but there are tapes available of almost all the sessions. We hope you’ll avail yourselves of these.

And what does that have to do with hypocrisy? The link is found in the question at the head of this article.

Whachyagointadoaboudit? Will we really benefit from such an outpouring of divine truth or will we only seem to be changed? May our prayer be borrowed from Amy Carmichael: “Lord, make me what I seem to be.”

Obviously all the time and effort and prayer and expense and travel was not intended to produce a mere

UPLOOK

CONTE N T S

(USPS 620-640) Founded in 1927 as Look on the Fields, UPLOOK is published eleven times a year by Uplook Ministries, 813 North Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

UPLOOK Volume 65

February-March 1998

US POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 2041, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2041

Number 2

FEATURES MAJOR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Little Rock Report

4

SOMEONE SPECIAL Selected

6

CONSTRUCTION OF A SHEEPFOLD Dr. Peter Aceti

9

MULTIPLE NAMES OF CHRIST Chart

16

122 YEARS AGO J. B. Nicholson, Jr.

19

EXPOSITORY PREACHING William Yuille

21

TRAPS ON THE PLATFORM A. P. Gibbs

23

PEACEMAKERS E. J. Carter

25

CODE NAME: CONFUSION from The Berean Call

28

BUILDINGS Colin Anderson

29

DEPARTMENTS EDITORIAL

2

WHAT’S GOING ON?

7

FRONT LINES

12

BOUQUET OF BLESSING: Conference Comments

18

LIVING ASSEMBLIES

20

CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P.O. Box 427, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6V9 ISSN #1055-2642 Printed in USA. © Copyright 1998 Uplook Ministries Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. International Publication Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 1064363 UPLOOK magazine is intended to encourage the people of God in fidelity to His Word, fervency in intercessory prayer, labors more abundant, and love to the Lord. Believing in the practical Headship of Christ and the local autonomy of each assembly, this is not intended to be an official organ of any group or federation of local churches. The editor and authors take responsibility for materials published. For any blessing which accrues, to God be the glory.

UPLOOK is copyrighted solely for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the material.

It is not intended to limit the proper use of articles contained in the magazine. Please include the words: “UPLOOK magazine, by permission” on photocopies made for personal use. For large quantities or other purposes, contact UPLOOK. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all unsolicited material.

News items must be submitted at least two months in advance of issue requested. Selected news items will be carried for two issues (if time permits). The editor reserves the right to determine those items best suited for the magazine.

Editorial decisions are final. Photos accepted.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for photos you wish returned.

Website: http:\\www.uplook.org e.mail: uplook@uplook.org

Uplook Ministries is a tax-exempt corporation looking to the Lord to provide for the needs of this ministry. This magazine is sent freely to those who request it, but evidently is not freely produced. Donations should be made payable to “UPLOOK” and sent to:

U.S. donors:

P.O. Box 2041 Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2041

Canadian donors:

P. O. Box 427 St. Catharines, ON L2R 6V9

Contributions may also be made using your Visa or Mastercard. When you write, please include your card number and expiry date and the amount in US currency that you wish to donate. Receipts are issued for all donations received and are valid for tax purposes in the United States and Canada.

Be sure to enclose your former address label when sending a change of address. Please let us know of changes six weeks in advance.

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

3

AN

INVITATION

Major Investment Opportunity Don’t miss these pages! Look what’s happening!

We believe the Lord is at work.

Remember the dates: JUNE 7-12!

T

here have been many encouraging responses to the possibility of a major gospel offensive in the state of Arkansas. A missionary, retired from Congo, but still busy spreading the Word here in North America, wrote: “Your article on p. 13 of the Sept. 97 Uplook thrilled me and started me praying about it.

“Catch the Vision” caught me!

I’ve wondered why so many ‘great stories of what God is doing’ seem to come from the Pentecostal groups. What are we doing? “…I want to give my word of encouragement, reinforced by the enclosed check. May God lay the challenge on the hearts of many and give reality to the vision.”

And we’re pleased to tell you that the Lord has burdened a couple to move to Little Rock to help in establishing an outreach there. Our esteemed brother and sister, John and Bobbie Heller, presently in fellowship at the assembly in East Tulsa, OK, six hours’ drive from Little Rock, have been invested by their brethren there to help in the new work (see p. 5).

Our hearts rejoice that the Lord has raised up such a couple. Please pray for the sale of their house in Tulsa, the transition to Little Rock, another couple to work with them, and for the continued flourishing of the Tulsa assembly after making such a sacrifice. (One can only imagine what it cost the Antioch assembly to let Paul and Barnabas go!)

GOOD NEWS

Little Rock

STILL SOME QUESTIONS

without interference from any parachurch group.

The scheme is to see groups of believers from various locales across North America joining for a short time in a concerted effort to share Christ with a needy city. In the process, it is hoped that people will be saved, an assembly will have its beginnings, and those visiting Little Rock will be equipped and encouraged to take some of the fire home with them to their local assemblies.

Paul knew the value of having a local couple so that their home could be used as a beachhead, a base camp from which to reach into the area.

Since beginning to talk about the possibility of such a major outreach in one of the many large cities in the U.S. without a New Testament assembly (as far as we know), some have raised concerns. Primarily the issue was: Is this a local church or parachurch effort?

While we believe the Lord has designed the local church as the prime expression of His work in the present day, we also see room for personal exercise (as with Paul, Timothy, and others), as well as co-operation between assemblies.

A few brethren are working together to help arrange accommodations, etc., but the desire is to see a local assembly established there

PRAY: Of course, there is a need to be in much prayer for the effort, especially at this time to find suitable accommodations for those joining in the work there.

SAVE: The cost of room and board has not yet been finalized, but you can begin saving funds for yourself, someone else, or for general expenses. We’ll give details ASAP. WORK: The more experience you have in outreach, the better. Look for local opportunities to share Christ. A booklet is being prepared for any who would like some help in getting started. Contact Uplook for a sample. And watch this space!

4

UPLOOK

A brother from Florida had already contacted the major newspaper in Arkansas, passed on a brochure with advertising costs for the Little Rock area—and then gave a $1,000 check to put towards the effort!

A young man e-mailed us from the southeastern U.S., informing us that his wedding is immediately before the planned outreach. Would there be accommodations for him and his new bride? he wondered. What an encouragement that was to us!

THE BEACHHEAD

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

HOW TO PREPARE

GOOD NEWS, LITTLE ROCK A letter of commendation from the assembly in Tulsa, OK, giving John and Bobbie Heller Godspeed in the new venture in Arkansas.

East

Tulsa

Bible

1215 S (918) . 135th E . Ave. 234-7 244

Chap

el

Febru ary 1 , 1998 Mailin To th g Add e Chr ress P.O. B istian Tulsa o x s gath 6 , OK 9185 4 7416 ered 9-185 to the 4 The C Nam Bobb e h ris of ou ie r Lor wher Heller an tians at Ea Please pray for the d Jesu d the e as t s t T u s Chr i h l r s e a f a L BIble mily ord m arrangements to ist: to the Chap ay lea e L l d ord’s wish be made for the .

John work to ext Chap Helle en in the el week of June 7Little d our com work in May 19 r was com R me , ock, A 8 mend e 13 in Little Rock churc vangelism 6. Since th rkans ndation o ed in f t h as, ar a , o t , a and that an ea an John & stand as eviden nd discip time he h the full-t d else i i m a c l n i e s n g e d b g des w een in by .H “open door estab volve ork by the lished ire and pr their wor e and his d in c s k in t w ayer a and effectual” in the i i n f e t on s ’s h of the area o irs ha e home as burden h ference sp at East Tu f the will be prolsa Bi as alw semb s bee eakin c e n bl n ly As tral U a g the o vided there .S., w an interes and thos ys been th , summer e ther e an elder i e t h e cam e n t i ld n o N re the guidi t for us by the re are see new a the centra ew Testam p ng of ers in gui he local a ssem ding s l our a n s en U e o asse b the g ssem Lord of the mblie mblies pla .S.A long- t rowth ly, John h bly. n s . ted a as , need harvest. nd Joh s, and given val Lord uable answ has g n has been s e e r i r i v After v very ng pr en Jo ef oblem ice in coo m h pe Little uch exerc n a uniqu fectively i s asso n e i Rock ciated ration wit s v h this s e before t gift in pre olved in with he su pring ac the to ass Lord, Joh hing, teac mmer cam ist in hing, n and p min We plant a and e ing a his family nd couns istries, an lsewh heartily ex eling n , d we ew as in the e t in thi , us be semb s effo re as the L end their ly the will of the ing the W lieve the comm rt and ord d ord o re.

Lord, endat irects will s fG .T io plan uppo to mo od. rt the he saints n to inclu We w v m d i n e to e plant w T t h u ith ou ant e out ing to reach r pray lsa will be join i to invite o e w e ffo rs and or n this th physi king with rts in Littl work er assemb e cal m for th lies o eans John and h Rock f e glor as the is fam y of o the Lord’s Lord ur Lo p leads ily rd Jes eople wh . o are us Ch intere rist. sted i n chu On b rch ehalf o f A fund has been set up by the East the E ast Tu lsa Bi Tulsa Bible Chapel for those wishing ble C hapel to invest in the Little Rock Outreach.

Frank Moffi For information, call: tt

T. Victor Anderson (918) 466-1591 Frank Moffitt ((18) 299-5218 The mailing address is: East Tulsa Bible Chapel P. O. Box 691854 Tulsa, OK 74169-1854 Checks should be payable to Little Rock Outreach

Theo V. An derso n

Ý UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

5

Heaven’s Lovely Man

Jesus is all we have; He is all we need and all we want. We are shipwrecked on God and stranded on omnipotence!

—VANCE HAVNER

Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.

—BLAISE PASCAL

It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world.

These people, Donatus, are Christians…and I am one of them.

—CYPRIAN

Is your Christianity ancient history—or current events?

—SAMUEL M. SHOEMAKER

The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrises.

—CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.

—ERASMUS I love to hear my Lord spoken of, and wherever I have seen the print of His shoe on earth, there I have coveted to put mine also.

—JOHN BUNYAN Jesus promised His disciples three things: that they could be entirely fearless, absurdly happy, and that they would get into trouble.

—W. RUSSELL MALTBY No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been devoutly worshiped; no other man has been so devoutly loved.

—JOHN KNOX To become Christlike is the only thing in the whole world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly and all lower achievement vain.

—HENRY DRUMMOND 6

UPLOOK

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him. —C. T. STUDD A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. He is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have.

—D. L. MOODY Jesus Christ, the condescension of divinity and the exaltation of humanity.

—PHILLIPS BROOKS I have one passion only: It is He! —N. VON ZINZENDORF I see no business in life but the work of Christ.

—HENRY MARTYN Love Christ with all your heart and do as you please.

—AUGUSTINE After nineteen centuries Jesus is still the disturbing, surprising, fascinating Master of men. Even skeptics cannot get Him out of their minds. He has a tremendous, almost irresistible appeal to all races and classes. —M. HELTZEL I have looked far and wide, inside and outside my own head and heart, and I have found nothing other than this Man and His words which offers any answer to the dilemmas of this tragic, troubled time. If His light has gone out, then, as far as I am concerned, there is no light.

—MALCOLM MUGGERIDGE

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

WHAT’S

GOING

ON?

Two meals a week

in the cement business. Between the two of them, they get the equivalent of two U.S. dollars a day.

“Alfred asked him, ‘If we could Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. help you out, what do you really Does anyone care to help? need?’ His reply was, ‘We don’t need money, and we don’t need food; what Recently Al Adams, an elder from a meeting like that seven nights a we really need is a rough shelter Tampa, FL, made a visit to Haiti. week. There are 300 in the assembly, where the assembly can meet.’

Here is an excerpt from the report: but the only place to meet is his They…live on roots and bark the rest “Alfred flew to the Dominican shack…. of the time, and yet he said they don’t Republic, then with three others in an “The next morning, because there need food, they needed a building old Jeep, they went through the was no food in sight, Al asked about because the spiritual hunger is mountains to the Haitian border. The eating. He was told that they have a greater than the physical…. soldiers advised them to leave the meal only twice a week. (Because of “We are going to see what can be Jeep at the border and walk from malnutrition, few men live past 50.) done about getting them money to there because, in Haiti, they would This dear brother works with his son buy material for a Gospel have to guard the vehicle day Banes Great Inagua Chapel. One section of the back and night or it would be stolen. will be used for a shop to teach Baracoa “They walked for only three A H I S P A Guantánamo the Haitian men how to use carN kilometers when they located O Puerto Plata Cap-Haïtien L penter’s tools and the women A Gonaïves Santiago the brother (Joseph Clernil) San Francisco sewing machines, etc.” If interHAITI they had hoped to contact. He DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ested in helping, write: is Haitian and can neither read La Romana Port-au-Prince Santo Bani John H. Adams/DNS Relief nor write, but that night they ntonio A Les Cayes Domingo Jacmel Barahona N Salem Hwy 590 had a meeting in his house (soT I Elnora AB T0M 0Y0 called) when 90 believers gathS L E L (403) 773-2484 ered to hear the Word…he has

FOLK RELIGION GROWING Helped by government encouragement, shamanism is growing in South Korea. An estimated 600,000 shamans are working in the country.

The government is promoting traditional Korean culture, encouraging citizens to wear traditional clothing and practice ancestral worship.

minimum skill level for coping with the demands of modern life.”

ILLITERATE AMERICANS A new study finds that about half of American adults struggle to do things as simple as reading a newspaper, filling out a job application, or balancing a checkbook. The annual survey of Western nations found that Swedes scored best, Poles the worst.

Depending on the country, between a fourth and three-fourths of the adults surveyed failed to attain “a suitable

ABORTION BATTLES Pro-lifers found good news in an abortion law status report issued by a prominent pro-abortion group. The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League reported that state-level restrictions on abortion continue to increase. Last year 31 states enacted measures designed to reduce the number of abortions, including parental notice require-

THEY’VE MET NOW Anton LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966, died of pulmonary edema on Oct. 29 at age 67 in San Francisco. LaVey wrote five books, including the Satanic Bible.

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

ments, mandatory waiting periods, and prohibitions against using taxpayer money to pay for abortions.

NARAL’s Kate Michelman said, “We’re not losing the war, but they are gaining ground.”

—World WORLD MALNUTRITION Some 7 million people around the globe die annually of malnutrition, according to UNICEF. In China, tens of thousands of newborns die annually because of bad sanitation and breast-feeding practices, the problem being especially bad in rural regions.

BOYCOTT National Right to Life (NRL) is calling for a boycott of Hoechst Marion Roussel, an American pharmaceuticals company owned by two 7

WHATÕS GOING ON? European concerns, Hoechst AG and Roussel Uclaf. They are responsible for the manufacture and distribution of the abortion pill RU486.

Specifically, NRL is calling consumers to refuse the antihistamine Allegra and request an alternative, for example Claritin or Hismanal. A list of other products included in the boycott can be obtained from NRL at (202) 626-8800, ext. 129.

make witnessing of any kind illegal.

Nissim Zvili, a Knesset member, says that they aren’t opposed to individuals; they are simply trying to protect the nation against foreign organizations who spend millions of dollars to interfere with the Jewish way of life. He says that if some kind of agreement could be reached, they would be willing to drop the bill.

ISRAEL UPDATE The anti-missionary bill proposed in Israel’s Knesset last May has been revised. Christians around the world flooded Israeli embassies with letters and visits protesting the suggestion of outlawing the publication, distribution, or possession of materials which could lead to a change of religion.

The revised bill would make it illegal to mail material that could lead to a change or religion without the permission of the recipient. No mention is made of publishing or possessing the literature. While this version is a welcome change, many are concerned that it is still an attempt to take away religious liberty and leaves the door open for further attempts. Israel’s Messianic Action Committee chair, Baruch Maoz, says, “The people behind this bill have made it very clear to us that this is just the beginning: they intend to

FAMILY TROUBLES There is widespread concern surrounding the California-based Growing Families International, which claims that more than 3,500 churches worldwide use its resources for guidance on child-rearing. Executive director Gary Ezzo, with his wife Anne Marie have coauthored Preparation for Parenting and a parenting curriculum called Growing Kids God’s Way. Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, CA), for which Ezzo used to serve as an elder, has issued a statement withdrawing affiliation with GFI due to serious concerns about their teaching and accountability.

On their website, the Ezzos claim to be supported by a network of healthcare professionals, but that claim has not been verified and, in fact, in one study physicians reported “a high incidence of dehydrated children and failure to thrive children among parents who were adhering strictly to the Ezzo’s program.”

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of GFI is their misuse of Scripture.

Focus on the Family points to the example of Matthew 27:46, where the Lord cries from the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” This passage has been used by the Ezzos to teach that mothers should refuse to attend to crying infants who have been fed, changed and had their basic needs met.

8

UPLOOK

THEY’VE PHLIPPED! When Bill Phipps, moderator of the United Church of Canada, announced that he does not believe that Jesus was God or that He was bodily resurrected, national headquarters for the country’s largest denomination was stormed with calls of protest. The general council, representing the body of three million members, refused to yield to the demands for Phipps’ resignation.

They support him, saying that his beliefs are “well within the spectrum of the United Church.”

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

RIGHT TO THE FINISH LINE Brother Hubert Smith (NC) is approaching his 80th birthday and is still active for the Lord. He was with the believers in the Bahamas at the end of last year—Green Turtle Cay in November and Man-O-War Cay in December. He writes: “I am praying that the Lord will give me grace and strength to keep on for His glory until…He is finished with me here.”

His address is: Hubert R. Smith 1103 Louise Ave. Kannapolis, NC 28083

Joseph Jeremiah GRENADA INVASION This time it was an evangelistic invasion! The assemblies on the island of Grenada, West Indes, had a gospel outreach with brother Joseph Jeremiah (Silver Spring, MD) following a united conference at New Year’s. Brother Jeremiah writes: “I am delighted to report that all eight assemblies are working together for the furtherance of the gospel.

The conference was a rich time of fellowship, ministry of the Word, and testimonies…”

Brother Jeremiah’s former home assembly, Laura Gospel Hall, is desiring to rebuild their building with concrete blocks (with limited resources). Anyone interested in helping financially may contact him: 8301-12th Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20903 Ý

FLOCKING TO THE

SHEPHERD

Construction of a Sheepfold

Here are five vital areas of concern regarding the shepherding of God’s people.

This article is excerpted from a seminar given at the Rise Up & Build conference recently held in Dearborn, Michigan.

DR. PETER ACETI

I

f the lambs are asking, “Where are the shepherds?” the elders aren’t doing their job. Elders should be there, vigilant, looking out for the welfare of the flock.

WHO ARE THE SHEPHERDS? How do you recognize a shepherd? Paul gave us a description of one in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Much of it has to do with how they conduct themselves—not by what they say so much as by their example.

Three words are used to delineate this crucial work in the local church: 1. Elder, presbuteros, stresses the idea of spiritual maturity. See Acts 20:17; 1 Pet. 5:1; Titus 1:5.

2. Bishop, or overseer, episkopos, conveys to watch over, to oversee.

Both terms refer to the same person, the elder (Acts 20:17, with v. 28; Also see Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25.

3. Shepherd, poimen, emphasizes the care of and devotion to the sheep.

Thus the term “elder” emphasizes the character and maturity of the man; “overseer” highlights his function and work; and “shepherd” speaks of his devotion to the sheep.

The great example of the life, labor, and love of a shepherd is our Lord Jesus, of course. Elders, at best, are undershepherds. We need to remind ourselves that He is the chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4).

The appointment of elders is theocratic, not democratic. It is not a popularity contest. It must be strictly on the grounds of what we find in the Word of God. The Scriptures do not tell us an exact method of appointment. The original elders were appointed by the apostles. But as it was then, so it should be today: they were recognized by their life, their work, their devotion, and their ability to communicate the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit is the one who makes overseers (Acts 20:28). You can’t get it by taking a course. Every shepherd needs to have a heart for the people of God implanted there by God Himself. We should all have a concern for one another, but in the UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

heart of a shepherd is a special concern. Of course, you need to love the Lord first before you love the people of God (Jn. 21:15). If He is Lord of your life, then you will love what He loves—His sheep.

You also need a desire to do the work (1 Tim. 3:1). Being an elder is being a servant; you are going to be taking the position the Lord Jesus took. It’s a lowly work, a work that perhaps you will not get many “thank you’s” for, in this life. Yet when you see the saints in obedience, pleasing the Lord, it brings great joy to see your spiritual children walk in the truth (3 Jn. 1:4).

How many elders should there be? In Philippians 1:1, Paul addresses the elders—plural—in the local church. The term, when referring to this local church ministry, is always used in the plural. It would not be scriptural to be the elder of a church, or the pastor of a church. Shared leadership and shared responsibility is the biblical design.

WHAT IS A TRUE SHEPHERD LIKE? In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 we have the qualifications and characteristics of the elders. Notice the personal, family, and church, qualities.

1. Blameless. The word means “one that cannot be laid hold of.” The elder is not sinless but should not be open to reproach. He has a good reputation among the Lord’s people.

2. The husband of one wife. He must be literally a one-woman man.

9

CONSTRUCTION OF A SHEEPFOLD The context of 1 Timothy 3 was the Ephesian culture, and Paul was dealing with the problems of polygamy and immorality. Yet the phrase describes an attitude as well as a condition. An elder must be loyal to his wife, maintaining the highest code of conduct with other women.

3. Vigilant, sober (of sound mind), of good behavior.

These also ought to be hallmarks of a shepherd—watching out for dangers to the flock; being careful what he thinks and how he behaves.

4. Given to hospitality. This is one of the most neglected areas in being able to minister to the flock of God. Having the saints in our homes is perhaps the best way to get to know them in a personal way.

5. Apt to teach. Every Christian should be a Bible student, but this is something an elder must be. It doesn’t mean that elders are necessarily polished, platform men, but they are able to open up the Scriptures and show you what the Word of God means. If you ask them a question, they can help you find the answer.

6. Not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. The Spiritcontrolled life is marked by a passion for Christ that overrules baser passions. So it should be of every elder.

7. One who rules his house well. If you can’t take care of your children, don’t expect that you will be able to take care of the flock. There’s a problem if you don’t have authority in your own home. An elder should have moral persuasion, he should be taken seriously because he takes God and His Word seriously.

8. Not a novice. An elder should not be a new believer. He should be a man who is spiritually mature. When Paul called the Ephesian elders, they had not been believers for very long, but they were ahead of the other believers in Ephesus. An elder should not be a novice because of the temptation of being lifted up in pride, “lest he fall into the snare of the devil.”

Titus adds that elders should not be self-willed, but loving what is good, righteous, and self-controlled. We need men that will be faithful, that can’t be bought, men whose word is their bond, who put character above wealth, who are larger than their vocations, who will not lose their individuality in a crowd. The church needs men who will be as honest in small things as in great things, who will not compromise with wrong, whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires, who will not say they do it because everybody else does it. God give us elders who are true to their friends, who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheartedness are the best ways to win success, who are not ashamed to stand up for the truth when it is unpopular, who can say ‘no’ when needed. We need faithful men—true to the Word of God. 10

UPLOOK

William True said: “An elder is there to maintain the authority of the Lord in a practical way, in order to develop the spiritual and moral condition of the assembly for His glory who dwell in the midst.”

We’re not there for ourselves; we’re not there primarily for the flock; we are there for His glory who dwells in the midst. We have a responsibility to the Lord first to make sure that the condition of the assembly is such that it will glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

DUTIES OF A SHEPHERD 1. To oversee. To supervise the flock. This includes: instructing the ignorant, visiting the sick (Jas. 5:14), comforting the dying, consoling the bereaved, admonishing the disorderly, encouraging the fainthearted, supporting the weak, and restoring the fallen (Gal. 6:1). We declare and demonstrate the truth. We guard and guide (Heb. 13:17), watching for their souls.

2. To lead, not lord. We are not to drive the sheep, but to give them an example to follow. Light their way. Let them see for themselves what the Word of God says.

Study it yourself, then feed the sheep and let them follow you as you follow the Lord (1 Thess. 5:12).

3. To labor, working among the saints. The idea is of strenuous toil, but it’s work that needs to be done and we need to do it. There is labor in the Word (1 Tim. 5:17) because the assembly needs to be given a full diet.

Is the Word of God consecutively taught? Is it clearly taught? Is it carefully taught? Is it consistently taught? Is there a variety of teaching ministry by capable men in your local assembly? Do the saints see enough of one another for the purpose of edifying, exhorting and comforting one another? Do we meet more than Sunday morning only? The food can’t be given to them all at once. It needs to be spread out over a period of time, throughout the week also. We need to be committed to the needs of the saints, so we must assess those needs.

What do sheep need?

1. They need good food. Our goal? To have healthy sheep. The result would be an abundant life for them. It’s the shepherd’s role to feed them.

2. They need exercise. To give them joy in their Christian walk is our responsibility—to guide them that they walk on the narrow path will lead them to glory.

3. They need fresh air, need to be out doing the work that God has called them to. Fruitful labor is the result.

4. Protection. While they are in the fold, there is fellowship and security there. But the wolves are waiting, as are thieves and robbers. We also need to watch out for the hirelings who labor only for “filthy lucre’s sake.”

We don’t need half-hearted men. We need wholehearted men, fully committed to the work of God.

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

CONSTRUCTION OF A SHEEPFOLD 5. Follow-up is so necessary, especially with stray lambs. Make sure that they know their responsibility to the Lord, to you, and to the flock. It produces safety for them, and it’s the shepherd’s role to lead them.

BALANCE IN THE SHEPHERDÕS LIFE The problem that a lot of us have is that we seem to lack the time to shepherd the flock.

We know an assembly needs quality work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl.

9:10). We do need men of conviction in our assemblies, not men with excuses. If God is calling you to do this work, then you need to start doing it.

In addition to my assembly life, I have family, business, and personal responsibilities. There are going to be different responsibilities on different days that will determine what I can and cannot do. There are some days I cannot have any responsibilities in my local church (apart from praying for the saints). There are other days when I choose not to have any business responsibilities in order to commit myself more fully to my other responsibilities. We need to keep a balance in our lives, no matter how difficult it may be. We all receive 24 hours each day. It is not the amount of time that is the issue; it is the use of our time. “What counts is not the number of hours you put in, but what you put into the hours.”

Being one of a plurality of elders is certainly helpful.

Working with elders who are like-minded, equally committed, means shared loads in our labors together.

Consider a likely scenario. You are busy with your employment, probably full-time. You have your family, perhaps including aging parents to care for. You might preach two or three times a month. You might have home Bible studies, or work with the youth group. You have visitation responsibilities. There is also your personal responsibility to stay in the Word, to pray, to evangelize.

What kind of schedule does this person have? The normal lifestyle for a shepherd seems to be: overworked, too many responsibilities. Is there a solution? Some would say it’s impossible. But it is possible! But not without the call of God, the help of God, the wisdom of God, and the balance that only God can give you.

There isn’t one formula that every elder can follow.

But there are three things that we can do: 1. Plan everything with the Lord first. If you don’t include Him in your planning, you’re going to have some major logistical problems. Make sure that it’s His will before you take on other responsibilities, before you make any major decisions in life.

2. Look after this day first. Remember that day is coming. This day and that day were the two days on Paul’s calender. He did what he had to do today, but he always remembered it was that day which was the day of accountability (Heb. 13:17).

3. We must make some tough choices: refusing to work overtime, choosing not to have a second job, using those evenings and weekends—the time that others spend working or recreating—for your family, your assembly, and for your personal responsibilities in a balanced way.

Work less if you can. Take advantage of flex hours.

Consider early retirement. It will be worth every dollar you’ve given up and every hour you’ve gained.

We need shepherds who are going to be wholly committed. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust” (1 Tim. 6:20). We need to go on, we need to keep on, we need to press on, we need to carry on.

SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS Assess your assembly as to its most pressing needs. For example: • Are we sure that worship has its place of priority?

Are we giving the Lord His portion first?

• Could the teaching in your assembly be improved? I think it’s important to give younger men an opportunity for development of gift, but it shouldn’t be done in a way that compromises the diet of the Christians.

• Are the saints equipped for evangelism? That’s the mission of every believer.

• Are they challenged to be holy? The church is to be spotless and holy in our character. We need to be teaching separation. We’re not to be isolated, but insulated.

• What is fellowship? Who is in fellowship? What are the conditions for fellowship? Reception into the assembly is an important area.

• Absenteeism. When people aren’t there, there’s a reason. Find out. Let them know you care.

We also need to focus on our own tasks, not what others should be doing. Elders shouldn’t be doing what other people in the assembly could be doing.

Distinguish the important from the urgent. There are some things that you need to do. Do them. Don’t just do the things that are demanding your attention.

Keep the big picture. We need to remember that this is a long race. What we don’t get done today, we need to get done tomorrow. We can’t do it all at once. But until He comes, we need to keep on working. Then, “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:4). Ý

Peter is a Doctor of Optometry in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. He is an elder in Queen Street Bible Chapel, where he shepherds the flock and ministers the Word. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two children.

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

11

FRONT

LINES

11th WINTER CONFERENCE The 11th Annual Conference will be held at Galilean Bible Camp (ON) Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 1998. Jack Baker (ON) will be speaking, Lord willing.

For more information: James Martin 1761 Rutherglen Cr. Sudbury, ON P3A 2K4 e-mail: jrm@sympatico.ca

A children’s program will run during seminar sessions. Conference fees are $120 (single), $195 (couple), $50 (6-13 year olds), no charge for children 5 and under.

Send inquiries & registrations to: Jim and Elizabeth Paul Phone: (613) 829-1292 Fax: (613) 829-1524 e-mail: jimpaul@cyberus.ca

BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP The believers at Bethany Chapel in Augusta, GA, plan to host a series of seminars on Biblical Eldership, led

by Alexander Strauch (CO) on March 6-7. The seminar is not intended only for present elders, but for all men that desire to learn more about church leadership. Contact: Jules Godin 3132 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 733-5863

SPRING IN NEW HARTFORD The saints at the New Hartford Assembly in New Hartford, IA, cordially invite you to their spring conference to be held, Lord willing, Mar. 20-22, 1998. Speakers expected are Doug Kazen (WA) and Harold Summers (BC). For info.: Edward Behrends P. O. Box 187 New Hartford, IA Phone: (319) 983-2248

TAMPA BAY STUDIES The Bible Study Program held at Holiday Gospel Assembly (1842 Grand Blvd., Holiday, FL) will meet from 10-4 on Saturday, Mar. 7, 1998.

Randy Amos (NY) will be speaking on “Dispensationalism, Part 2: God’s Unique Program for the Church.” For information, call: David Dunlap 3116 Gulfwind Dr. Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639-4660 (813) 996-1053

COLLEGE & CAREER Camp Horizon (Leesburg, FL) is planning a retreat Mar. 20-22 for singles 18 years old or older who have finished high school. The invited speaker is Jamie Hull (CO). Call Billy Skelton if you have questions: phone (352) 728-5822 fax (352) 728-8403

BIBLE TEACHING SEMINARS A weekend of seminars for believers 18 years old and up is scheduled for Mar. 15-18, 1998 at Camp Galilee (Renfrew, ON). Some of the topics are: Preparation for Teaching—Willie Burnett; Sisters, Their Conduct and Service—Bettine McCullough; and Assembly Life and Issues—Brian Gunning.

Couples and singles are welcome.

LET’S VISIT GRAND RAPIDS! The Christians that meet at Northwest Gospel Hall (Grand Rapids, MI) welcome visitors to their annual Spring Conference, scheduled for Mar. 27-29, 1998. They are looking forward to ministry by James Cochrane (Dominican Republic) and J. Boyd Nicholson, Sr. (ON).

Conference meetings will be held at White Hills Bible Church (3900 East Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI) Friday at 7 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM; and Sunday at 3 PM and 6 PM. Special children’s meetings and nursery facilities will be provided. If you

12

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

have any questions, or would like overnight accommodations, call: Tim Johnson (616) 456-9166 or (616) 791-4179 ALL LADIES TO ST. LOUIS Ladies are invited to come and bring a friend to a retreat on March 27-29, where Ruth Schwertfeger will address the topic, “Noah and the Nineties…Jesus is the Door Today.”

For info, please call: Pam Birch (314) 846-8876 L. Fitzgerald (314) 638-0116 Sue Winter (314) 727-1150 EXPERIENCE A SEDER Hamilton Bible Fellowship will have guest speaker, Steve Herzig of Friends of Israel, do a demonstration of the Passover on Mar. 28 at 6 PM, at the Langtree School in Hamilton, NJ. There will also be a potluck dinner.

Please call: Tom Freeman (609) 585-1835 Harry Neil (609) 890-0450 DALLAS CONFERENCE This year’s annual conference in Dallas, TX, is scheduled, D.V., for Apr. 3-5, 1998, with J.B. Nicholson, Jr. (MI) and William Burnett (ON) the invited speakers. The conference will be held at Wheatland Bible Chapel, 1303 West Wheatland Rd., Duncanville, TX. For details, call: Robert Smith (972) 298-6293 SPRING INTO THE WORD The Christians at Believer’s Bible Chapel in Rockford, IL, will be hosting a Spring Bible Conference Apr. 3-5. Everyone is invited to join them for a time of fellowship and Bible teaching. The expected teachers are Art Auld (OH) and John Heller (OK). For more information, please contact:

FRONT LINES Warren Henderson 7691 Kelly Rd. Rockford, IL 61102 (815) 969-9428 WHenderson1@compuserve.com MEN’S STUDY: ROMANS The Annual Men’s Retreat at Camp Iroquina will be held Apr. 3-5, 1998. Steve Hulshizer is the scheduled speaker and the topic will be “A Study in the Book of Romans.” Camp Iroquina is situated in the scenic Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania.

For further information, call: Jim Weisbecker (717) 967-2577 e-mail: jaw199@epix.net VICTORIA, BC Visitors are welcome to the 1998 Annual Easter Conference which will be held, Lord willing, Apr. 10-12 at Victoria Gospel Chapel (Victoria, BC) with speakers Doug Kazen (WA) and Allister Shedden (BC). The meetings are scheduled for 2:30 and 6:00.

J. C. Russell 2986 Westdowne Rd. Victoria, BC V8R 5E9 (250) 592-2790 TORONTO CONFERENCE A Bible Conference sponsored by seven Toronto and area assemblies will be held at Martingrove Collegiate (Martingrove Rd. & Eglinton Ave. W, Toronto) on Apr. 1011, 1998. The invited speakers are William MacDonald, Joe Reese, and James Cochrane. The meeting times for both days are 2:30 and 6:30, with supper provided at 4:30. A young people’s meeting with Joe Reese is scheduled for April 10 at 8 PM. For further information, contact William Payne at (905) 271-2813.

EASTER IN VANCOUVER A conference sponsored by seven local assemblies will be held at Granville Chapel (5901 Granville St.,

Vancouver, BC) on Apr. 10-12, in the will of the Lord. The invited speakers are Jean Gibson (CA) and Jonathan Brower (VA). Children’s programs will be offered on Friday and Saturday afternoons. For info., call: Norman Chandler (604) 271-1083 THE PHILADELPHIA AREA The Annual Bible Conference is planned at Marple Christian Assembly (621 S. Newtown St. Rd. Marple Township, Media, PA) on April 10-12. The invited speakers are Dr. James Naismith, Neil Dougal, and Clark McClelland. For info.: James Martindale 2732 Hillview Rd. Broomall, PA 19008 (610) 353-1210 A WEEKEND IN THE WORD Rex Trogdon (Charlotte, NC) is the scheduled speaker for a Weekend in the Word conference to be held Apr. 3-5, 1998, in Lancaster, PA. This conference, designed for adults of all ages, will be held in the beautiful Bird-In-Hand Inn, a deluxe conference facility in the heart of Amish country. The cost for the weekend, including meals and accommodations is $115 per person. Contact: Mark Kolchin P.O. Box 305 Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 E-mail honeyrock@juno.com TAVISTOCK AREA The assemblies in Tavistock and surrounding areas are planning, in the will of the Lord, to hold a Bible Conference on Apr. 4, 1998. The meetings will be held at East Zorra Mennonite Church, Tavistock, ON. Don Welborn (TX) will be addressing the topic of divorce and George Telfer (ON) will speak on the subject of revival. For information, contact: Mile Bastiansen (519) 475-4528 UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

CHICAGO CONFERENCE The Chicago area Spring conference will be held, Lord willing, at Palos Hills Christian Assembly (10600 S. 88th Ave., Palos Hills, IL) on Apr. 24-26, 1998. The speakers expected: Alan Schetelich, Keith Keyser, and Rex Trogdon. Contact: Robert Fiebig (708) 448-2552 LIMON, COLORADO The Christians that meet at Limon Bible Chapel, 385 J Avenue, Limon, CO, will hold their annual Bible conference on Apr. 25-26. Invited speakers: Bob Clark (TX), Dan Lindsted (KS), and Ben Parmer (CO).

Accommodations and meals will be provided. Contact: Limon Bible Chapel P. O. Box 1208 Limon, CO 80828 (719) 775-9788 (719) 346-8547 MISSIONARY BREAKFAST Another Southern Ontario missionary breakfast will be held at White Oaks Inn in St. Catharines, ON, on Saturday, Apr. 25 at 8:30 AM. Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased from: H. W. (Bill) Allison 3199 Sovereign Rd. Burlington, ON L7M 2W1 Phone: (905) 336-8101 Fax: (905) 336-2881 e-mail hw.allison@sympatico Maps to White Oaks Inn will be available on the back of the tickets.

WORKERS & ELDERS Plan to attend the sixth annual Ontario Elders’ and Workers’ Conference, May 5-7, D.V. The conference will be hosted by the Scottlea assembly with other assemblies from the St. Catharines, ON, area joining in to provide lodging and meals.

The theme: “Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass.” Paul Grieve 13

FRONT LINES (South Africa) and Randy Amos (NY) will give morning and evening sessions. Boushra Mikhael, J. Boyd Nicholson, Sr., and Ernie Sarlo will take plenary sessions.

EARLY INVITE TO CA The 7th Annual Spring conference is to be held May 15-17 at Claremont Bible Chapel in Claremont, CA. Lord willing, the speakers are Alan Parks and Harold Summers.

BIBLE LANDS TOUR Randy Amos (NY) and Mark Kolchin (NJ) will be conducting a 13-day Bible Lands Study Tour. The trip is scheduled, Lord willing, for May 11-23, 1998. The tour will include two days in Rome, three days in Egypt, and eight days in Israel.

Contact Mark Kolchin at: P. O. Box 315 Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 e-mail: honeyrock@juno.com NEW U WORK IN IOWA Several students attending the University of Iowa are meeting on Tuesday evenings for prayer and Bible study. All have a strong assembly background, practicing New Testament principles. They want to contact more students and families in the Iowa City area, with the possibility of starting a new work in Iowa City. Interested persons can contact: Dave Arbogast (319) 351-4601 TEACH & TESTIFY1998 Ron Hampton (MB) is again organizing teams to travel to Ireland this summer to help and encourage existing Irish assemblies with ministry and evangelism. The dates for this year’s “TnT Teams” are May 25-June 18. There will be a three-day orientation and training program, followed by 17 days in ministry and evangelism, with each team hosted by a different Irish assembly. The teams’ time 14

in Ireland will finish with a three-day sight-seeing trip. Contact Ron at: 614 Greene Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2K 0M6 Phone/fax: (204) 669-1694 rhampton@mb.sympatico.ca DIETARY SUPERVISOR Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a qualified Dietary Supervisor. The State of Michigan defines “qualified” as someone who is one of the following: 1. Registered by the commission of dietetic registration of the American Dietetic Association.

2. Has completed all nutrition and related coursework necessary to take the registration examination required to become a registered dietician.

3. Is a graduate of a dietetic technician-training program approved by the American Dietetic association.

4. Is a graduate of an approved correspondence or classroom dietetic assistant program.

5. Is a graduate of a dietetic assistant training program granted approved status prior to 7/6/79.

A strong commitment to the Lord and His people is essential to the position. The individual selected will work with an established team to implement the vision borne by the home to provide a home-like quality life for each resident.

For info., call Terry Carrick at (616) 363-6819 or send resumes to: Rest Haven Homes 1424 Union, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Fax: (616) 363-1658 CHRISTIAN TEACHERS Opportunities for full-time ministry at Victory Christian School.

Now in their 23rd year, Victory is a ministry of the Bible Chapel in Saint Louis. A college degree and experience working with young people preferred; certification or a teaching degree not necessarily required.

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

Anticipated openings for the 98/99 school year in elementary, high school, and administration.

Stan Vaniger Victory Christian School 10255 Musick Rd. Saint Louis, MO 63123-5064 (314) 849-3425 (day) or (314) 752-3778 (evening) BELIEVER’S HYMNBOOKS New or used Believer’s Hymnbooks would be appreciated by an assembly of believers in the Bahamas. Please send to: Al McCarney P. O. Box SS-6345 Nassau, Bahamas Questions may be sent via fax to (242) 325-8384.

USED HYMNBOOKS? The assembly in Powell, WY, would like to purchase 12-18 copies of Hymns of Worship and Remembrance and Hymns of Truth and Praise in good, usable condition from other assemblies who might have extras. Please send quantity available for sale and price to: John Tollotson 255 S. Division Powell, WY 82435 (307) 754-5485 CHANGE OF ADDRESS Calvary Bible Chapel (formerly in San Leandro, CA) has a new address: 1074 B. St. Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 733-2707 CARPOOL, ANYONE? Any college students attending Auburn University, Auburn, AL, who would be interested in carpooling to Montgomery (Millbrook), AL for assembly fellowship at Central Bible Chapel, are invited to contact Scott Leach at (334) 365-3374 in Prattville or Jeremy King (334) 887-

FRONT LINES 9367 in Auburn for information. Or e-mail the assembly at: Central.Bible.Chapel@juno.com A MOBILE ASSEMBLY? Dr. Bob Soni lives in Mobile, AL, and is interested in meeting with other believers in the area who are seeking to follow New Testament Church principles. He can be reached by calling (334) 633-5742.

COMMENDATIONS The saints gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ at Cheshire Bible Chapel (Cheshire, CT) have commended Gregory and Patricia MacWilliams to full-time ministry at Parkside Ranch, Magog, Quebec (Canada). Greg and Patty, along with their two children Brian and Jennifer, will be moving to the camp early in 1998. They have been faithful servants among the saints and a positive outreach to the community in Cheshire. Their Canadian address: Parkside Ranch, Inc. 1505 Alfred-Derochers, RR#2 Magog, QC J1X 3W3 Their US address: P. O. Box 1282 Newport, VT 05855-5282 The assembly which meets at Northeast Bible Chapel in Colorado Springs, CO, commends Stephen and Carolyn Witter to the work of the Lord as short-term missionaries from February to December 1998 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Stephen and Carolyn have been in happy fellowship at Northeast for the past twelve years. They have been of great use in the Lord’s work and a blessing to the believers.

The assembly would like to commend them to the work in Zimbabwe as the Lord leads and directs. While there, they will be assisting John and Eleanor Sims during the furlough of their co-workers, Bryan and Joanna Jenkins.

CHANGE OF STATUS After commendation in 1971, Bob and Glenda Watt served faithfully in Zaire until 1991 when they relocated to Coatesville, PA, due to political changes in Zaire and to complete the education of their children. For the past six years they have continued to minister full-time to Zaire and other fields, utilizing Bob’s pharmaceutical training. Currently, one major program in which Bob was actively involved, to provide medicines to African hospitals and mission dispensaries, has not developed as hoped. In addition, other field consultations have diminished.

After considerable prayer, Bob and Glenda, responding to the evident leading of the Holy Spirit, have decided that Bob should accept a position in pharmaceutical research offered by a U.S. firm. This employment will limit the time Bob has to continue his previous ministries.

Accordingly, Bob and Glenda have requested Malvern Bible Chapel and Lansdowne Bible Chapel to withdraw their commendations to the Lord’s work, effective Dec. 31, 1997, until such time as the Lord may call them to resume their direct ministries.

PASSING INTO LIFE On January 13, 1998, Arthur Heath of Huntingville, PQ, passed into the presence of the Lord at the age of 85. Arthur has been with the assemblies in Sherbrooke for many years. It was under the ministry of David Long that Arthur accepted the Lord as his Saviour. He was active as a Sunday School teacher and with young people. He was also an elder at the Huntingville assembly. In later years he had a more restricted life at Grace Christian Home, Huntingville.

Yet he never retired: at the Home he carried on an active tape ministry.

saved by the grace of God at the tender age of 5; and entered into her Lord’s presence on Jan. 24.

As unknown and yet well-known, for more than fifty years she labored at GFP/Uplook Ministries as a proofreader and editorial assistant. It has been calculated that she proofread more than 67,000 pages of material during that time! And she wasn’t just reading, but checking each Bible reference. One of the last books she proofed, The Promise of God, contained 2,850 references.

As she drew to the close of a long, productive life for the Lord, one verse that kept her looking up was: “Thine eyes shall see the king in His beauty” (Isa. 33:17). Now she has.

Mrs. Catherine A. Nicol, born in Bells Hill, Scotland, on July 31, 1899, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 1. Catherine and Edward and their daughter, “Renie” lived in Virginia. She was saved under the preaching of Lester Wilson and Fred Nugent in 1931, and for many years taught teenage girls in Sunday School and DVBS. After six years in Chicago, Catherine moved to Rest Haven Homes, where she spent the last years of her life. She remained a cheerful saint right to the finish.

A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL Below is a photo of a recent mother/daughter retreat held at Camp Iroquina. Alice Wagner was the speaker. We’ve heard that the weather was terrific and everyone Ý had a marvellous time.

Ruth I. Sheldrake was born in Bancroft, ON, on Sept. 15, 1912; UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

15

This issue of UPLOOK magazine included the chart shown above in a double-page format.

This full-color printed chart as well as the various topics listed below are available from Uplook Ministries by calling toll-free 1-800-952-2382 (new charts are added periodically). The wealth of info in these charts is perfect for Bible studies, intermediate and advanced Sunday school classes and for reference. Printed on quality paper and shipped in durable mailers.

• History is His Story (The Dispensations) • The Feasts of Jehovah • Key Events in the Life of Peter (map) • The Seven Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 • Stir up your Gift • The Habitation of God on Earth • The Levitical Offerings • The Seven Parables of the Kingdom • Key Locations from the days of the Early Church (map) • The Conspiracy of Love: God’s Tactics in Evangelism • Psalms: Heaven’s Poetry • The Long Walk: Israel’s Wilderness Journey (map) • Compound Names of Jehovah • Unlocking the Treasure Chest: the Sources of Truth • Multiple Names and Titles of the Lord Jesus

L-CHA L-FCH L- CPE L-SCR L-GCH L-TCH L-OCH L-PCH L-CKL L-CLL L-CPS L-CLO L-CNA L-CUT L-MNT

• Real Snake Handling:The Devil’s Devices • Love By Association • Isaiah:The Old Testament Evangelist • A Brief Church History at a Glance • Unfolding of the Doctrine of Dispensations • Ten Test Questions to Discern Biblical Orthodoxy • So Great Salvation (definitions, examples, references) • Revelation:The Book of Opened Things (Some of these charts are pictured on the next

L-RSH L-LBA L-OTE L-CHG L-UDD L-TTQ L-SGS L-BOT page)

Pricing: each $1.99US / $2.99CAN (plus shipping and handling) or as a complete chart pack. Prices subject to change.

Gospel Folio Press, P.O. Box 2041, Grand Rapids MI, 49501 Toll-free • 800-952-2382 Fax • 616-456-5522 Phone • 616-456-9166 Email • orders@uplook.org

M

O R E

T

O P I C A L

Ý A Brief Church History

at a Glance

Ý The Seven Churches of

Revelation 2 & 3

Ý Outline of the Dispensations

C

H A R T

S

A M P L E S

Ý The Feasts of Jehovah

and Jewish Calendar Months

Ý The Key Locations

of the Early Church

Ý The Long Walk: Tracing the

showing the purpose of the ages

wanderings from Egypt to Canaan

Ý Stir Up Your Gift with defintions

Ý 7 Parables of the Kingdom

& examples of gifts in Scripture

BOUQUET

OF

BLESSING

CONFERENCE NOTES

Rise Up & Build attendees speak their heart Whenever I attend any type of Bible conference, large or small, I try to guesstimate what portion of the audience appreciates or benefits from the ministry. In many of these gatherings, the Word is little more than an excuse for the conference. My impression of Rise Up & Build was that the enthusiasm was real and that the preaching and seminars were beneficial. In other words, it was a profitable conference!

—Don Graham, MI Just a quick note to say praise the Lord for each and every one of you that worked so hard to make Rise Up and Build such an incredible success! It was all of the Lord…I know that the benefits of the few days together will continue on for years to come in their challenge and encouragement to God’s people and the Lord’s body!

—Bob and JoAnne Brown, LA

Q&A session with Drs. Gooding and Lennox

We were recipients of your generosity and it was a privilege and joy to have been there. The ministry to our souls was excellent and the fellowship with saints of like mind was a real tonic.

—David Allison, IA Singing hymns in the hotel lobby on New Year’s Eve.

Thanks for a great conference!

—Tom Rawls, GA

I have greatly appreciated the teachings and experiences received at the recent conference convened at the Hyatt in Dearborn. What a wonderful way to start a New Year! I both enjoyed and profited spiritually from the general sessions and seminars.

—Fannie Johnson, MI

Mealtimes offered plenty of food and fellowship

18

UPLOOK

Many wonderful impressions remain and I believe that as we reported to our assembly and others of the blessings, many sensed the joy of the Conference. Several indicated that they want to plan, in the Lord’s will, for the conference in ’99.

—Jim Upton, MN

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

GOOD

O L’ D A Y S

127 years ago One of the first North American Assembly conferences?

J. B. NICHOLSON, JR.

T

he premiere issue of The Barley Cake (Jan. 1881), the first North American assembly magazine, announced the fifth Hamilton, ON, conference. By inference the first was held in 1877.

Assessment of the conference, in the direct style of the editor, Donald Ross, followed in the February issue: “A considerable number of Christians from the province were gathered together, including a few from the States, and, on the whole the meetings were larger than on any previous occasion. Many came with great expectations, and were not disappointed. They returned home saying: ‘This is the best Conference we have ever been at.’ Others who were away in heart from the Lord and knew it not, but imperfectly, if at all; have discovered where they were, and returned to Him from whom they wandered. Others, again, who were neither simple, nor humble, but nursing and cherishing something or other, that could not bear the search-

ing Word of God, instead of being blessed and refreshed, have been fighting every inch of their ground, and have suffered an incalculable loss for the present, and possibly far-reaching into the future. It is an awful thing to be in a condition where God cannot bless His own.

“Sometimes the Word of God was in great power, searching and trying, but at the same time leading forth into the life and liberty of God. The cleansing and the feeding were going on together. ‘How good is the God we adore.’

Following this pointed review, the editor discusses the merits of an open platform over the arranged form, suggesting that unless ministry is prepared the day of the conference, like the manna, it will breed worms and stink! He then continues: “The Saturday afternoon meeting was directed to reports about the work of God, and exceedingly interesting. Conversions all over, and there were calls for laborers in the Gospel from many quarters, as the country is opening up for the truth.

There are, however, but few laborers to enter on the field. Some are not in a condition of soul for the work, and some are enamored with the fair prospect of money-making, and go in for that, while the largest number seem never to rise higher than their surroundings, and of course, some have no special gift for the work, for God did not mean that the whole body should be a mouth, though generally the lack of laborers is the result of low Spirituality…

“The last Gospel Meeting was held in the ‘Grand Opera House,’ a newly erected building, which holds 1500, but that evening between extra seats and standing, there would be, no doubt, between 1800 and 2000 people. The rush was such, the doors had to be closed up twenty minutes before the time. Hundreds on hundreds returned home, and many remained on the street in the frost and snow, and were addressed under the canopy of heaven. Several have professed to receive Christ in that last meeting. An intimation was given that a similar meeting would be held on the following Lord’s day evening in the same place, which also was crowded.

Mr. Ross concludes: “These Hamilton Conferences have been a very great blessing to the Lord’s people, and doubtless they shall continue so, as long as there is liberty to preach all God’s truth unreservedly, but should there ever be an effort made to select truth, and speak only such things as may suit ‘ears polite’ or half-hearted, or crooked Christians, then at once the power is gone. The Lord keep His saints feet; and encourage the downcast, raise the fallen, etc., through His own sent Ý servants.”

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

19

UPLOOK

Vol. 1 No. 1 of The Barley Cake

LIVING ASSEMBLIES

TWO CREWS On which crew are you?

t’s easy to be a destroyer, but much more that home of Priscilla and Aquila. Maybe you can visit effort is required to be a builder. One of the people in their home. You don’t need to go with a heavy tools used by builders is encouragement. The agenda. A warm friendly short visit can work wonders. word used in the New Testament is sometimes Maybe you can invite people to your home. Maybe you translated comfort, consolation, exhortation or entreaty. can meet someone at a coffee shop. Visiting with believIf you want to be an encouragement to your assembly ers is vastly neglected, yet it is one of the most effective here are at least ten ways. (At Dearborn, the seminar parmeans of building up the assembly. ticipants came up with at least another twenty.)

6. Speak a word, send a card, send an e-mail (Prov.

1. Be there! (Acts 28:14-15; Heb. 10:25). Attendance 15:23; 25:11; Isa. 50:4). You would be surprised how at all assembly meetings is an encouragement. It gives a much encouragement the right word at the right time sense of security in the assembly if you are always there. brings. There is never a right time for a wrong word. And It gives an opportunity to minister to others. It sets an there is sometimes a wrong time for even a right word. example. It is based on self-discipline and Make an effort to communicate encourIn some assemblies duty, not convenience. Be there. agement. Best we keep our tongues busy 2. Be in prayer about problems—and there are two crews: speaking the right word. Otherwise they blessings! (Jas. 5:16b-18). The discipline get busy speaking the wrong word. of prayer indicates whether we are inter- the building crew and 7. Pray for the elders (Heb. 13:7; 1 Tim. ested in solutions to assembly problems, or 5:17). Praying for someone changes our the wrecking crew. just interested in talking about them. Men whole focus. We no longer get to com❖❖❖ and women of prayer add a necessary spirplain, criticize or condemn them. Elders The builders need itual dimension to the fellowship. It too are God’s men and means of caring for the sets an example. It is the only solution. It flock. With all their faults and mistakes, skill and patience. works. By the way, while we’re praying they are worthy of our prayer. about problems, don’t forget about the The other crew takes 8. Enjoy the Lord and His Word in your things we have to be thankful for. There own life (1 Tim. 4:12-16). This is how the just about anybody. are many. The hymn writer advised us to encourager keeps from getting discourcount them; she predicts the list will surprise us. Try it. aged. Paul faced many discouragements, but he knew the 3. Be interested in the gospel (Phil. 1:5; 1 Thess. 1:8).

Lord’s fellowship. Others will be affected by your enjoyGospel work brings us together. It shows us who the real ment sooner or later. Keep at it. enemy is. It keeps things in their proper perspective. It 9. Be a peacemaker (Phil. 4:2; Mt. 5:9). The flesh reminds us we are all sinners saved by grace. It wins lost likes to fan the flames of conflict, but spiritual believers men and women. This isn’t about gift. Do what you can engage in the more difficult task of peacemaking. We to encourage gospel work in your assembly. don’t need to be in the middle of every assembly prob4. Hold a Bible conference (Neh. 8:1-12; Acts 18:27). lem, but when asked, make sure we contribute to peace.

A day or two given to the Word of God refreshes 10. Learn to be a worshipper (Ps. 122:1; 1 Pet. 2:1Christians. It is an opportunity to work together. It is an 10). Worship is the believer’s highest occupation. It gives opportunity to fellowship with others. It is a reason to the Lord His rightful place and puts everything else in its invite gifted Bible teachers to your area. (Most preachers place. It will move the hearts of believers so their hearts I know love to go to small conferences in isolated areas. and minds will be in the right place. Worship is the ultiCall them. Invite them.) It is an opportunity to provide mate objective of the Lord in saving us. (Jn. 4:23). If you ministry to area assemblies. It’s a good idea. can do nothing else, learn to be a worshipper! Ý 5. Visit (Acts 18:26). Apollos got a lot of help from Excerpted from Brian’s seminar at Rise Up & Build

I

by 20

BRIAN UPLOOK

GUNNING

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

NOW

IT’S YOUR

SERV E

Expository preaching How to let the Light shine without getting in the way.

WILLIAM YUILLE

T

he importance and value of biblical preaching is illustrated in the experience of Ezra: “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). These three activities are most important, and so is the sequence in which they occur.

Ezra began by applying himself to understand Scripture. Then he was committed to obeying Scripture. And the outcome was that he was able to teach Scripture: “Then he [Ezra] read from it [the law of Moses] in the open square that was in front of the water gate from morning until mid-day…

So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:3, 8).

Paul urges Timothy to engage in these same three activities. First, he appeals to him: “Study to show yourself approved…” The word “study” in the AV simply means to be diligent, the same term that is found later in the letter: “Be diligent to come to me quickly” (2 Tim. 4:9). Paul is indeed exhorting Timothy to study, but in the latter part of the verse, not in the first word. The meaning then is: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

However, it is not enough that Timothy study: “You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of ” (2 Tim. 3:14).

To continue is to abide. In other words, the Scriptures define certain boundaries and Timothy is to stay within them by submitting to what he has heard. Paul adds: “All Scripture …is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God migh be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

But for Timothy, even obedience is not enough. The apostle anticipates a situation in which there will not be an interest in the Word of God. “The time is coming when they will not endure sound doctrine…” (2 Tim. 4:3). People will have itching ears, wanting someone to give them what pleases them. But Paul declares: “Preach the Word! Be ready in season

“Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical and literary study of a passage in its context”1 This is Haddon W. Robinson’s definition. Similar defin-

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

21

UPLOOK

and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2).

In summary, Paul’s message to Timothy was: Be like Ezra! Give yourself to study God’s Word, to obey it, and then to preach it. I take these two examples as a biblical mandate for the preaching of the Word of God, and in particular for expository preaching.

NATURE OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING

EXPOSITORY PREACHING itions are found in other books on preaching, but perhaps Scripture itself says it best in a statement about Ezra’s preaching: “They gave the sense and helped them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). With that in mind, let me suggest six features of expository preaching.

BIBLICAL IN ITS CONTENT The first and foundational feature of expository preaching has to be that it is biblical in its content. Ezra was “expert in the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes in Israel” (Ezra 7:11) and sought opportunity to teach others about these things.

Timothy was to rightly divide the Word of truth and to preach it. Since God had seen fit to communicate His message in written form, these men were responsible to understand that communication and to share it with others.

It does not follow that all biblically based messages are expository. Expository preaching is not the linking together of related Scriptures into a message, nor is it a survey of a passage, nor is it going through a section of Scripture and commenting on various truths. It is an attempt to come to grips with a particular passage of Scripture as a unit, in its context, and then communicate what is being said in that passage. The passage may be quite broad, as in the case of the book of Hebrews, which is basically an exposition of Old Testament teaching relating to the Levitical system and an explanation of how these things find fulfillment and reality in the Lord Jesus. Clearly there is a need for that kind of broad approach to Scripture. But there is also a need to focus on smaller sections: a book, a chapter, a paragraph or even a verse. What is important is not the size of the passage but that the message preached relates to a particular passage.

There are advantages in this for the preacher. He is forced to investigate the passage in its context. Also, he must listen to what Scripture is saying and allow it to dictate what is to be preached, thus placing himself under its authority. Moreover, it sets limits for him in that he is guided by the passage and in a sense constrained by it. If he has an idea, but it’s not in that passage, then it’s irrelevant for this particular message. He may in the course of preaching that message go elsewhere in Scripture, but only to validate or illustrate what is taught in the passage under consideration, not to get another idea.

It is not only a good thing for the preacher, it is also much easier on the audience. Jumping from one Scripture to another can be confusing; whereas, if the preacher sticks with a passage, takes his audience through it, and explains what it means, the hearers are better able to follow him and to revisit the Scripture and 22

UPLOOK

bring to mind what was said.

FAITHFUL IN ITS INTERPRETATION The first task of the preacher is to understand what the text means. “Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord.” To “seek” means to look into something carefully with a view to knowing it. It wasn’t something that came easily but required that Ezra prepare his heart to seek it.

The same was true of Timothy. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God‚” “driving a straight furrow, in your proclamation of the truth‚” as theNew English Bible puts it. It suggests a farmer setting his eye on a target at the other side of the field and moving towards it, thus cutting a straight furrow. It involves an overall grasp of Scripture so that we have a broad appreciation of the truth and of how Scripture fits together. But it also involves a careful attention to the details, the words used, the phrases, the context, the thought flow. All this calls for diligence.

It also calls for integrity and a willingness to submit our presuppositions to what Scripture says. We are not to read into the text what we feel or believe or would like to say. John Stott refers to this as imposition, not exposition.2 Our objective is to let Scripture speak. Eric Alexander said it well: “The Scripture is not our servant so that we use a text to say something we want to say.

Rather we are Scripture’s servants to allow Scripture to say through us what God has to say.”3

COHESIVE IN ITS STRUCTURE Expository preaching is not exegesis; it is not a collection of disjointed ideas; it is not a verse-by-verse commentary. It treats the passage under consideration as a unit and sees how the various parts contribute to the unit.

Therefore, it is not enough that we look at the details and come to understand the words and phrases, etc. That has to be done. But the real challenge for the expository preacher is, “What is the point of this passage? How do the various details contribute to that?” And then, “What am I going to do with this passage? How am I to explain it? How am I going to structure a message?” Some maintain that we shouldn’t preach on a passage unless we can summarize the main idea in one sentence. Whether we would go that far or not, we need to treat the passage as a unit and give attention to structuring our remarks so that what we have to say fits together and comes across as an integrated message.

Clearly this calls for considerable time and effort.

People used to say of Alexander McLaren, the great 19th century expositor, that he had a golden hammer with which he used to tap a text and it fell into three divisions.

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

EXPOSITORY PREACHING Eric Alexander observes, “It is more likely that he spent a great deal of time meditating on the text, and that the structure and clarity of his address was the product of an enormous amount of hard work.”4 Some object that such preparation potentially interferes with the Spirit of God directing in the presentation of a message. But the Holy Spirit is able to assist in the preparation as well as in the presentation, and we should look to Him to do both.

CLEAR IN ITS EXPLANATION The word “expository” doesn’t occur in the New Testament, but a word that could be translated “expound” occurs four times in the book of Acts. It is used in Acts 11:4; 18:26; and 28:23, always in the sense of explainingsomething. Stephen uses this same word when he refers to Moses being “cast out” (Acts 7:21). The New King James renders it this way: “When Moses was set out.‚ the little ark was discovered among the bulrushes; they brought it to the princess; and Moses was set out. He had been hidden, but now he was exposed to view so that others saw him. To expound, then, is to take what is hidden, open it up, and make it clear. That’s what Ezra did: “They gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). What the audience heard was clear!

Given that this is the task of expository preaching, it is worth remembering what another has said: “What is

not clear to me before I preach will certainly not be clear to anyone else when I’m finished!”

RELEVANT IN ITS APPLICATION John Stott writes about the preacher as a bridge builder,5 someone who lives in two worlds and reaches out to both. He lives in the world of the biblical text: that involves thinking about what it meant to the people to whom it was first written and attempting to understand it in its context. He also lives in the world of today with real people in real situations with real problems. It is not a question of being biblical or contemporary; he must be both. The message must be biblical but must do more than pass on information. It is a message, something which relates to the listeners and motivates them to respond appropriately.

On occasions Ezra had the joy of seeing his audience respond positively (Neh. 8). They realised that Scripture taught something that they had not been adhering to, and they sought to put that right.

Of course, the response is not always positive. Paul reminds Timothy of that. The message may have a disturbing element, exposing wrong doing and calling for corrective action. It may not be what the audience wishes to hear, but Timothy was still to preach it (2 Tim. 4:24).

Five Types of Messages

TRAPS ON THE PLATFORM TYPES

ASSETS

LIABILITIES

TESTIMONY: Acts 9, 22, 26

natural to begin, interesting

Danger: too much talk of “I”

TEXTUAL: Acts 2

focused, easily retained

Danger: taking out of context

TOPICAL: Hebrews

shows unity of Bible, thorough

Danger: ungainly, exhausting

HISTORICAL: Acts 7

good for mixed audience, story

Danger: over-spiritualization

EXPOSITORY: covers all topics and in context Nehemiah 8

Danger: superficial, uninspiring A. P. Gibbs,The Preacher & His Preaching

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

23

EXPOSITORY PREACHING

SYSTEMATIC IN ITS PATTERN Many fine preachers have not and do not teach the Scriptures systematically. Spurgeon apparently didn’t. It may have had something to do with the fact that when he was a youngster (so the story goes), he listened to a preacher who droned on through the Epistle to the Hebrews for years. Spurgeon wrote: “I don’t know what it did for the Hebrews, but it sadly bored one Gentile lad.”

On the other hand, Martin Lloyd-Jones preached for fourteen years on the Epistle to the Romans! I don’t doubt that there was great blessing in this for those who were privileged to hear him.

Every assembly can benefit from a basic diet of systematic, chapter-by-chapter exposition of Scripture. Among the benefits of this are the following: it means that over time there is a comprehensive, balanced coverage of Scripture; it helps prevent us from our following fads or our own hobby horses; it forces us to deal with the subjects that arise in the text, including awkward subjects that we might be tempted to ignore; and it allows us to deal with sensitive topics as they come up, and none can take issue with the preacher for doing so, because he is dealing with the passage assigned to him.

SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EXPOSITORY PREACHER Having said all of this about preaching, some comments about the preacher are in order.

First, he needs to recognise that preaching involves effort: “Ezra devoted himself…” (Ezra 7:10, NIV). Paul tells Timothy, “Meditate on these things. Give yourself entirely to them” (1 Tim. 4:16). Expository preachingmakes great demands on time and energy, involving as it does earnest prayer, careful exegesis, prolonged meditation, and accurate interpretation. Those who are gifted of God and called of God to this ministry should be prepared to give themselves to it as a priority. The men who worked on the Westminster Confession took turns to preach to the others and were thanked for their pains, not the pains they inflicted but the pains they had taken to

make the Word of God plain.

Secondly, it requires submission. James warns us, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement” (Jas. 3:1). That is a serious consideration. The preacher’s study of the Word of God ought not to be merely an intellectual exercise or something in which he engages because he has been asked to give a message. His first motivation should be that he might come to a deeper appreciation of the character of God so that he might worship Him and a deeper understanding of the will of God so that he might obey Him. Thirdly, preaching needs divine unction. When we have done our best to preach God’s Word, the fact of the matter is that our best is not good enough. It is the Spirit of God who convicts and enlightens and we are totally dependent upon Him. Eric Alexander comments on this: “So it is possible to be homiletically brilliant, verbally fluent, theologically profound, Biblically accurate and orthodox, and spiritually useless. That frightens me. I hope it frightens you too.”6 But then finally, the preaching of God’s Word imparts joy. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes, “To me the work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which one can ever be called.”7 Later in the same book he refers to “the romance of preaching”: “There is nothing like it. It is the greatest work in the world, the most thrilling, the most exciting, the most rewarding, and the most wonderful.”8

END NOTES 1. Haddon W. Robinson, Biblical Preaching, p. 20 2. John Stott, I Believe in Preaching, p. 126 3. Eric Alexander, Plainly Teaching the Word, at the Spiritual Life Convention in Toronto, in 1989 4. Eric Alexander, Plainly Teaching the Word, at the Spiritual Life Convention in Toronto, in 1989 5. John Stott, I Believe in Preaching, p. 135 6. Eric Alexander, Plainly Teaching the Word, at the Spiritual Life Convention in Toronto, in 1989 7. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preachers and Preaching, p. 9 8. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preachers and Preaching, p. 297

Ý

Bill Yuille was employed by Ontario Hydro until he took an early retirement in 1993. As president of MSC Canada, he has a worldwide interest in missions. He and his wife, Naomi, live in Markham, ON, where Bill serves as an elder at Markham Bible Chapel. He is also widely appreciated as a Bible teacher.

24

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

A

PRICELESS

SKILL

Peacemakers

The bond of relationship is unbreakable, but the cord of communion is fragile E. J. CARTER

E

phesians 4 could be called The Peacekeeping Treatise where we have the four essentials regarding peace.

The first is the essential command to peace (vv. 1-3): “I…beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The command is clear: the unity which the Spirit has established is kept by being at peace with one another. Peace is the connecting tissue of the assembly. This peace is to be kept diligently—with all energy. And it’s to be kept in the perfect ideals of Christian humanity: lowliness, and meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance in love.

The next section (vv. 4-6) goes into the great unities provided for us in the Trinity. Thus Paul gives us great principles as the foundation for practical instructions.

Then we are introduced to the public gifts that the ascended Christ gives to His Church (vv. 7-11). These gifts provide for the essential furnishing for peace. We find that public gifts are given for the perfecting of the saints so the saints can do the work of the ministry.

Fourth, we get the essential ministry of peace: the building up of the body of Christ by bringing each

believer from childhood to maturity—“unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

We see the central activity of peace in Ephesians 4:30-32. But what do we do when the peace breaks down? In Matthew 5:21-26, Christ tells us what we should do. Note the great urgency in restoring the broken peace: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill…but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without

a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

What do we see in these verses?

Anger and name-calling are the ingredients of peace-breaking venom. God takes these offenses very seriously. Why? Because they lead to judgment and ruin.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar,

and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Now we’re to the heart of the matter! Offenses break our communication and our concord.

The bond of relationship which God has established is unbreakable, but the cord of communion is fragile.

Why is it so urgent to restore peace and communion? Because worship is stifled by a breach of the peace. An offense against our brother arrests worship. God says that He will not accept our gift of worship until we are reconciled. This obviously should be a point of examination for the Lord’s Supper.

Notice that it’s not easy to tell who the offender is. My brother shouldn’t be angry with me! But wait: perhaps I have caused it.

Isn’t that what Scripture says?

“In many things we offend all.”

When the Lord was with His disciples in the Upper Room, He said, “One of you is going to betray Me tonight.” Didn’t each one say, “Lord, is it I?” The Lord has taught us not to trust ourselves. I had better go to my brother and find out what is wrong, seeking reconciliation. That’s the lesson: reconciliation makes brotherly love continue, and then God will accept your gift.

Full communion will be restored with your brother and with God. There’s a double urgency in this matter. “Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him…thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”

Yield to your brother, if necessary. Ecclesiastes says that yielding

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

25

UPLOOK

A PRICELESS SKILL pacifies great offenses. Don’t make hard conditions.

Don’t quibble. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Deny self. Forgive. And do it while you’re in the way with him, while communication is still possible.

Matthew 18:15 says, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” Here is the focal point for restoring peace: Gain your brother. That is the very motto of peace.

Has your brother broken the peace by committing an offense against you? Well then, your responsibility and goal becomes gaining your brother. This is far from excommunicating him—too often the goal of an angry brother who has been offended. God forbid that we should use Matthew 18 for a judgment and ex-communication procedure.

At the beginning of chapter 18, we find the answer to the question, “Who is great in the kingdom of heaven?”

It is the one who takes the place of humility, like a little child, and forgives ultimately. What does the Lord say about offenses? “Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” (v. 7). Just as the poor will always be with you, offenses will come to every assembly. That’s a rule of life.

1 Corinthians 1 describes those in the assembly there as “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” but God was going to use them to confound all of those who find their might within themselves. God has chosen them; your brother—God has chosen him. We have different personalities, temperaments, and abilities. We have pet doctrines. If there is to be unity in the assembly, we must work together. We are to be His peace-makers.

Matthew 18 says woe to him who offends one of these little ones who believe in Christ! If you touch one of these little ones, He says, you touch Me. Now let’s see in the next passage what Christ does with an offender. He tells about the straying sheep and the seeking Lord. Christ says that all offenders are as strayed sheep. So the focus changes to the offender. What are we going to do with him?

If we didn’t read the Scripture, we would probably recommend that he be put out of the assembly—let him have a millstone hung around his neck. Doesn’t he deserve it? Hasn’t Christ said so? Christ has said he deserves it, but what He does is stunningly different.

It’s a lovely, old story that is often used in a different context, but the word here literally means “strayed sheep.” What does the Lord do? He leaves the devout 99 and goes after the stray. That’s contrary, isn’t it, to what we would do? He leaves the warmth, security and com26

UPLOOK

fort of the fold with the sweet fellowship of the devout and goes after the offender.

We find something else worth noticing—peace-making is difficult work. The seeker goes into the mountains, and seeks the stray. He doesn’t just go outside the door of the fold.

What happens when he is gained? If we read on, we find that the will of the Father is done and there is great joy in heaven. Therefore, we must be like Christ in gaining our brother. We must work hard and not give up.

Are you looking for specifics? Study Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, 10, and 13. In Romans 14:20, for example, Paul writes: “Destroy not the work of God.” You’ll find that also in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. The work that is not to be destroyed is the assembly. That’s what God is building in the world. Do not—for your point of view, for your vindication, for your wounded pride—destroy this work of God. Maybe you know something that another brother doesn’t know about Christian liberty, and you’re more concerned about your liberty than his being offended.

Here’s what the Apostle says about that: “When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” Paul says that he will not eat meat while the world stands if it offends his brother.

The Bible is full of examples that can be applied: The incorrect preacher: Notice Apollos, who doesn’t preach just right. What do Christians do that are Christians indeed? They explain the Scriptures to him in a private, non-confrontational way.

The workers at odds: In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas have a point of strong contention. There is a separation but that is not the end of the story. In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul says, “Send me John Mark.” He was the young man who was the occasion of the offense. He did something that Paul didn’t like; so it would appear that there was a work of restoration, perhaps by Barnabas.

A brother with a sinful past: That’s Paul again.

Sometimes a brother comes in and we say, “We don’t like him. We know his past record.” We forget that Paul had that same kind of a record.

We could go on: the disputatious brother; the domineering brother; the brother who ignores the Word of God. If you look in the Bible, you’ll find many cases but is there a case for every incident? No. Not for every particular. There is enough flesh in any of us to wreck any assembly, and if we were to try to catalog all of the offenses that have occurred, it would surely fill libraries.

But the Scripture is sufficient. It may not speak to every particular, but it provides principles which can be applied in every situation. Notice what Christ says in Matthew 18:22. Here He gives us the principle that can

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

A PRICELESS SKILL solve every offense—great and small. It is a great principle, and it is the principle of true greatness. It is the Lord’s law of forgiveness.

Peter asks, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Gaining a brother means there must be forgiveness. But how many times shall I forgive my brother? There is no limit—but what Christ forgave us at Calvary.

I want to make an important clarification. These are personal offenses, but there are some things that forgiveness cannot handle. An offense against God, we cannot forgive. I mean by this, the violation of what could be called the sacred absolutes: a sin against the Word of God—any denial of the inspiration, the authority, the sufficiency of the Word of God; any denial of the Person of Christ; anything against the work of Christ; anything against God’s moral law, we cannot forgive.

Violations of these, and false teachings regarding these, destroy the assembly. But aside from these, we can forgive. And this forgiveness restores peace in the assembly.

What happens when we forgive? Does this clear it all up? No, but forgiveness changes the arena. The issue now: the offender must make it right with God. An account must be given and confession made. But the gaining of the brother should have this in view. We must tell him how we were offended in a godly, careful way.

In verse 15, there’s an arresting change that the Spirit of God makes. He says, If your brother sins against you (trespasses), go to him and tell him…he’s a sinner? No! It says, Go to him and tell him his fault. It’s a different Greek word. I believe it means that you don’t go and talk to him like you are God. Go to him and talk to him humbly, as a blood-bought sinner.

Now notice the parable at the end of Matthew 18. The king in this story takes an account of his servant. He calls in a great debt. We’re all servants, aren’t we? And this debt is large, so large that the servant cannot pay and a righteous order is given: he is to be sold into servitude with his wife; surely this would be for life, with all he owes and all that he has is to be liquidated. He’s going to lose everything. So he falls down and begs for time.

What good would that do? But the king is moved with compassion, looses him, and forgives the debt.

It is important to notice that he required nothing. He didn’t say, “Liquidate everything you have and we’ll call it even.” He had compassion and he required nothing.

Then what happened? The tables turned, and the one who was forgiven so much had the opportunity to forgive a trifling debt that was owed him. But he forgot how much he had been forgiven, took his debtor by the throat and had him cast into prison. The seriousness is seen in the concluding verses (Mt. 18:32-35).

It’s wonderful to go forward from this passage to the epistles, which are written for us. Ephesians 4 gives us the picture now that Christ has died: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

How does God forgive? We see that throughout Scripture. For example, in the story of the prodigal son. The father in this account is the one that has been sinned against; how does he forgive?

On hearing the son’s confession, He forgave without one word of conditional requirement. But you know that the eldest son didn’t approve of the father’s forgiveness. Let us not be like that man, the pharisaical son, who sinned against the father’s love.

And then, most beautifully, we see the Lord and Peter on the Galilean shore.

We think forward from Matthew 18 and see that the teaching of forgiveness to Peter in chapter 18 has a great finish. Peter had denied the Lord three times. Can we think of a greater trespass for a believer? Against a greater Person? Against the brotherhood? Even against the faith? Terrible denial! But the Lord looked upon Peter and saw a broken heart. The Lord had gained Peter. He had prayed for Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Lk. 22:31-32).

Peter remembered that prayer. The Lord Jesus Christ gained Peter, beautiful illustration that it is. The Lord made no requirement except this: “Do you love Me, Peter? If you love Me, Peter, feed My lambs, feed My little ones, provide for My sheep—My people, both offenders and offended. You’ll be providing for them.”

Our responsibility in the ministry of peace should come before us here: the assembly is to be built up.

Offenses will come and in many things we offend all, says James. When we’ve done it to one of these little ones, we do it to Christ. We touch Him. Everyone involved in an offense should be broken down by the Lord’s grace. That is the ministry of peace-making which we see in the Lord Jesus. Ý Excerpted from E. J. Carter’s Rise Up and Build semniar

GAIN YOUR BROTHER. THIS IS THE VERY MOTTO OF PEACE.

UPLOOK

Cassettes of all the messages are available from Gospel Folio.

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

27

tUhNeLCOo CdKe

Code name: confusion

false Messiah.

The obvious test of the validity of the Bible Code is if it is unique to God’s Word. If the hidden messages in the Torah are from God to substantiate its supernatural origin, then they couldn’t be found in secular literature as well, could they? The ESL method was used on books such as War and Peace and Moby Dick and—sure enough—many interesting messages turned up. It is becoming increasingly obvious that if a document is long enough, almost any message can be decoded.

God’s truth isn’t reserved for an elite group of mathematicians or computer scientists. If we hold to the fact that the Word of God is sufficient in itself and that the Holy Spirit uses it to teach all believers, then our time would be well-spent searching out not some hidden code, but the doctrines that are clearly taught and then living them out daily to the glory of God. Ý

“Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning” (Isaiah 48:16).

T

he Bible Code was introduced in 1988 by three Israelis and then popularized in 1997 by Michael Drosnin’s book, The Bible Code. The claim is that God not only communicated through the obvious text of Scripture, but encoded key words in the first five books of the Bible in such a way that they could only be discovered with the use of computer technology.

Computer programs search the original Hebrew Masoretic text of the Torah, using Equidistant Letter Sequencing (ESL). For example, it will go through and pick out every fifth Hebrew letter in the text and then examine for a hidden word. The process is done repeatedly with different letter spacing from single digits through to the thousands.

Undoubtedly, some of the findings

are fascinating: Yeshua Shemi (Yeshua is My Name) is found encoded in Isaiah 53 and Dam Yeshua (the blood of Yeshua) is hidden in Leviticus. Upon this proof, many evangelicals embraced the theory as a great discovery and are using it to validate the Bible as God’s Word.

But consider some additional discoveries. The expressions, “the blood of Mohammed” and “the blood of [David] Koresh” are found many times in Leviticus. In fact, in the first five books of the Bible, Koresh is found 2,729 times, Mohammed is found 2,328 times, and Krishna 104 times using skip sequences up to 1,000 letters. Mathematicians, statisticians and scientists are beginning to denounce the validity of the code.

Virtually anything can be found using this method—it is even being used by some rabbis to prove that Jesus was a

Synopsis, THE BEREAN CALL (Feb. 98) P. O. Box 7019 Bend, OR 97708

By Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon

A CLASSIC IS BACK! WITH NEW THE APPENDIXES MESSIANIC PSALMS

DEVOTIONAL & EXPOSITIONAL

by T. Ernest Wilson REGULAR PRICE

$9.95US/$13.95CDN

Now: $8.00US/$11.00CDN

FEATURE

PRICE

SEE ADDITIONAL ORDERING INFORMATION ON PAGE 31

28

UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

DA R E TO TH I N K

BUILDINGS

They are practical. Often helpful. But do they glorify God? o glorify God is to acknowledge and make known His character, or give credit to Him. There are a variety of ways in which we may do it. The sight of a man lame from birth leaping and walking and praising God awakened a crowd to glorify God (Acts 3:1-9; 4:21). According to Peter, those who speak or serve appropriately in church meetings glorify Him (1 Pet. 4:11). We may cause the recipients of our gifts to glorify God (2 Cor. 9:13) and, if we are filled with the Spirit, even mundane activities like eating or drinking can bring glory to Him (1 Cor. 10:31). My question is, Can we build a hall or chapel that will glorify God? In Old Testament times, God decreed that a tabernacle and later a temple should be erected to display His character and provoke Israel and the surrounding nations to acknowledge His glory. Accordingly, the builders were told to follow exact specifications (Ex. 25:40).

Church buildings today cannot pretend to fulfill that function. God may be glorified by His saints in a building, but the structure itself cannot contribute to His glory.

Indeed, its design and appointments may actually conceal the glory of the God in whose Name it has been erected. This is true of magnificent cathedrals, as we shall presently see. But it may also be true of less imposing structures—and this despite the fact that many a church building has “To the Glory of God” etched on its cornerstone. The inscription may reveal the serious intent of those who financed the project, but in contrast to Old Testament times, architecture can no longer claim to display His character or glorify His name.

The book of Hebrews was written to show that the system of types and shadows was inadequate and had grown obsolete. It was old and ready to disappear (Heb. 8:13). It was to be replaced by better things, things which drew God’s people near to Him in truth and reality. Not even in typical fashion could Jerusalem or Samaria lay claim to house the living God. (See Jn. 4:23-24.)

In the measure in which we adopt Old Testament language or even think in Old Testament fashion, we obscure the very truth we seek to maintain. In the first centuries of Christian testimony, buildings set apart for

T

by

Christian worship did not exist, yet churches flourished as believers met in homes of wealthy patrons or in secular buildings. The gospel was carried to the man in the street and Christians generally had neither the resources nor the inclination to build temples. To have done so would have made it easier for their adversaries to find and persecute them.

COLI N ANDE RS O N UPLOOK

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

29

BUILDINGS With the Emperor Constantine, that changed. Money flowed into the coffers of the once despised Christians, and meeting places—which in increasingly mimicked pagan temples—began to appear everywhere. Believers lost sight of the true sanctuary and their buildings became “sacred.” This was not to the glory of God. Rome went to the extreme in her buildings, but later on, Protestants were also guilty of perpetuating the myth that the Most High dwelt in temples made with hands.

All this is well known and a matter of history, but we should also reflect on the fact that “early brethren” saw these things much more clearly than we often do. Truths as to the nature of worship had been wonderfully revived.

Believers were conducting their lives in the light of things that were unseen and that which represented the eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). That which appealed to the eye or had an aesthetic beauty of its own was therefore depreciated by them. They opted for great simplicity in their meeting places.

Today, building codes mean that we have to spend much more than we would like when erecting a facility.

But we are often tempted to go far beyond what is required and many of our buildings are not only lavish in their appointments, but the time and money spent on them shows that we are again thinking that the way we erect and furnish our chapels and halls reflects in some way upon the glory of God. Of course, we often spend more on our own homes than is appropriate or necessary.

Does our ecclesiastical materialism help justify our absorption with domestic comfort? “After all,” we say, “we all have nice homes. Should we not similarly care for the house which is for His glory?”

But there is no building on earth, however wonderfully designed, that can of itself contribute to the glory of God. Such buildings at their best are for the convenience and comfort of His people. This is not necessarily an evil thing. Sitting on a backless wooden bench will not make us more spiritual or help us to praise him without distraction!

Yes, our architecture and our furnishings should be sensible—but not sacerdotal, for we exercise our priesthood in heaven. When our plans include an earthly “sanctuary” we deny that truth. And how easily we may fall into the trap of doing what Christians did in the days of Constantine—erecting facilities that make pagans feel comfortable because they are somewhat similar to their temples.

The writer has often observed how “churchy” furnishings may restrict the free-flow of worship among us. If we entertain in our minds to the smallest degree that our building is a holy place on earth, it is not surprising that we have difficulty drawing near to God in heaven. Ornate 30

UPLOOK

communion tables, stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings and even fancy pews all carry the same subliminal but not insignificant message—this is a hallowed place.

Reverence is required not so much because we recognize the presence of the Lord when we gather in His Name, but rather because we see ourselves as being in some kind of sanctuary.

In the early days of an assembly, the believers may meet in a home or school. The furnishings may distract in a different way than we have described, but at least they do not tell religious lies. All things being equal, there is often a refreshing reality about the praise, and an earnestness in the prayers of the saints. But move them into a “sanctuary” and what happens? Worship tends to greater formality and deacons approach the table to dispense the bread and wine with a precision that would gratify an undertaker. No, I do not advocate a careless attitude or sloppy service, but beware of the sensuous appeal of religious architecture and furniture, and the unwanted formality that is induced by them. Not by such things do we minister to the living God or contribute to His glory.

Some readers may be in an assembly that has fallen heir to a “church” erected years ago, or for other reasons find themselves gathering in a facility that has some of the undesirable features mentioned above. Can they do anything to counteract the influence of their surroundings? We believe so.

First, they can avoid using the words “church” or “sanctuary” when referring to their meeting place, and use these terms in the way they are used by the Holy Spirit.

Second, they can use wisdom when any building additions or improvements are planned, so that the sacred appearance may not be further emphasized.

Third, and most important of all, they should make sure that regular teaching is given concerning Christ’s appearing in a greater and more perfect tabernacle than that made with hands (as outlined in Hebrews 9 and 10).

Such steps would do much to dispel the fog in the minds of those who come to fellowship with us from places where these truths are unknown and untaught.

Also, the coming generation may be preserved from being unduly influenced by humanly designed and earthbound sanctuaries.

Finally let us remember that we always detract from God’s glory rather than minister to it when we try to impress the world or conform to its expectations. Ý Colin and his wife, Joan, live in Stratford, ON. They served the Lord in central Africa before coming to Canada where they have been involved in helping smaller assemblies and in itinerant ministry of the Word.

• FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

TA K E T H E TA S TE TES T

BRAND NEW FROM GFP AA GREAT GREAT TOPIC! TOPIC!

ONCE IN CHRIST, IN CHRIST FOREVER by WILLIAM MACDONALD There are those who believe they can save themselves and those who believe they need a Saviour. Only Christianity offers a Saviour. And only the Christian gospel guarantees every believer a place in the Father’s house. Because “salvation is of the Lord”—plus nothing! In this book, William MacDonald offers more than 100 biblical reasons why a true believer cannot be lost.

Regular Price: $10.95 U.S. $14.95 CDN INTRODUCTORY PRICE: $9.00 U.S. $13.00 CDN

THE NAMES ON THE GATES OF PEARL by C. H. WALLER The lives of Jacob’s sons are peppered with war, rebellion, unbelief, idolatry…But at the end of the story, we see their names inscribed on the gates of Heaven’s capital city! How God did it with them—and how He can do it with us—is the fascinating subject of C. H. Waller’s book, The Names on the Gates of Pearl.

Regular Price: $8.95 U.S. $12.95 CDN INTRODUCTORY PRICE: $8.00 U.S. $10.00 CDN

WORSHIP & REMEMBRANCE by DANIEL SMITH The highest occupation of the human mind, the sweetest ministry of the heart, is the worship of God and the remembrance of His Son. But what is worship? And what is it we are to remember about Him? This volume is a collection of 52 short chapters, filled with “sweet incense” to offer up to the Lord.

Regular Price: $11.95 U.S. $16.95 CDN FEATURE PRICE: $10.00 U.S. $14.00 CDN

Ordering Information: ORDER BY PHONE, FAX, OR MAIL U.S. Customers: Add 10% for shipping charges ($3.00 for orders of $25 or less). Michigan residents add 6% sales tax.

Canadian Customers: Add 7% GST and 15% for shipping charges ($4.50 for orders of $25 or less).

FOLIO PRESS g GOSPEL P. O. Box 2041

Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2041

Ü Ü Ü UPLOOK

Order line 1-800-952-2382 Phone 1-616-456-9166 Fax 1-616-456-5522 • FEBRUARY ¥ MARCH 1998

The new books just keep on coming!

31