THAT THERE MAY BE EQUALITY By Al Diestelkamp (continued from THINK page 1)
In regard to finances, they "have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17), but have grown "lukewarm" when it comes to the support of the gospel in needy places.

Perhaps we would do well to examine some of the reasons this inequity has become so apparent, and look for ways that it can be lessened:

The problem has been increased in some areas by needless splintering. While we would like for there to be a thriving congregation in every town, in some areas that is simply not practical. If small congregations meeting within a few miles of each other would band together it would alleviate part of the problem. The expense of maintaining two or three meeting places could be cut significantly and make it more possible to become self-sufficient. Often the reasons there are multiple congregations within a given area is because of past divisions that have since been resolved, but neither group will budge to seek actual unity.

There are also some congregations which once were self-sufficient but have dwindled down to a point where they are merely "keeping house"--and not doing very well at that! If there are other congregations within reasonable distance, it may be time to fold up. If there are no other sound congregations reasonably close, these are the kinds of places that able congregations should be anxious to help by providing support for a man or two to work with them.

Speaking of having two preachers in one location, a growing number of large or affluent congregations are feeling the "need" for a second preacher, while ignoring the plight of many small or poor congregations which can't even support one man. I'm not opposed to a church having two preachers, but it's high time we realize that the need for two preachers in one congregation is more justifiable in new or needy places than it is in congregations with an eldership and many capable members.

Christians sometimes lament about a so-called "preacher shortage" among our brethren. I don't really think there is as much a preacher shortage as there is a "support shortage." As this is being written an online website has no less than 38 non-institutional churches seeking preachers, with only two claiming to be able to provide full support. There are 31 on this list that reveal their inability to support, informing prospective preachers of having to raise what is lacking. We all know there are many more churches throughout the world that are not on such a list that are in the same situation.

Another thing which has contributed to the disparity is the temptation for affluent congregations to spend huge sums of money on luxuries which appeal primarily to the flesh. This is often manifested in the construction of church buildings which are opulent instead of commodious. At the same time there are brethren in other locations who not only don't have adequate meeting places, but also can't support a preacher to work with them.

This emphasis on luxury is being fueled by a few "church growth experts" who are convincing brethren that they cannot grow unless they follow the lead of the survey-driven "seeker-friendly" advocates in the evangelical movement.

Then there are churches which have huge sums of money setting in bank accounts with no specific purpose in mind, while churches in needy areas are deficit-spending and their preachers are having to beg for support. It should not have to be said, but the church is not in the money-saving business, and an unused treasury brings no glory to God.

I will likely be reminded that the bank balance a church maintains, what it spends on architecture, or whether to have two preachers, are all matters of judgment. That is true, but let me remind you that we will give account one day for the judgments we make. While I am obviously disturbed by this widening gap, I am happy to say that there are still a good many able congregations that are resisting the "inward-looking" trend and are doing their best to support gospel preaching in needy areas, while at the same time being effective in their local areas. God bless them!

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AL DIESTELKAMP
P.O. Box 891, Cortland, Illinois 60112
Email: al@thinkonthesethings.com


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'INCREDIBLE BEGINNING By Andy Diestelkamp (continued from THINK page 1)
However, the ancient book of books, the Holy Scriptures, offers another explanation. Many find its explanation incredible, but it is far more credible than the spontaneous generation of something from nothing suggested by atheists and agnostics. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Indeed, mankind is without excuse for not drawing the basic conclusion that a powerful supernatural intelligence (God) is the cause of this physical existence (Rom. 1:20).
Scripture reveals that God simply spoke things into existence. "Then God said...and it was so," is an oft repeated phrase in Genesis 1. To be able to speak material things into existence demands a power that is beyond nature and beyond our comprehension. It is super-natural. Therefore, it is understandable that atheists assume that this creation account (along with the rest of the first eleven chapters of Genesis) is mythical, legendary or, at best, allegorical, but certainly not literal. Yet, even some believers in God attempt to explain the creation using the naturalistic assumptions of unbelievers.

Forgetting that with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26), many find these accounts incredible and unbelievable. However, again borrowing from the sayings of Paul, "why should it be thought incredible by you that" God spoke things into existence in six days? Of course, Paul was addressing Agrippa with regard to Jesus' resurrection (Acts 26:8). But beware! If you find a six-day creation incredible, you might have the same problem with the resurrection from the dead. Most people do. Whenever we doubt the power of God's spoken word, we have no foundation for faith in any aspect of His word.

As disciples of Christ, we would do well to follow His lead concerning the authority of the Genesis account. In responding to His adversaries about a point of great controversy regarding divorce, Jesus refers to the Genesis account of the beginning (Matt. 19:3-8). Jesus' authoritative use of Moses' account of creation affirms that He believed it to be accurate. Indeed, we cannot claim Christ as our Lord and reject the accuracy of Moses' words (Jn. 5:46,47). To adapt Jesus' words to the Sadducees and apply them to the present controversy over creation/evolution, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matt. 22:29). Beware, a rejection of these beginning truths undermines the whole foundation of the rest of Scripture and, therefore, our faith in God's power to do anything.

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ANDY DIESTELKAMP
323 E. Indiana Ave., Pontiac, Illinois 61764
Email: adiestel@verizon.net


WHY GO TO HELL TWICE? By David Diestelkamp (continued from THINK page 1)
Faith and hope say we have to wait to see and have what we desperately need (Heb. 11:1; Rom. 8:24-25). We hate waiting--especially when the deficiency is or seems urgent or unbearable. God does not ask that we ignore pain, depravation or loneliness. He does not suggest that these are not real. What God does ask is that we know and trust Him enough that we will accept His answer to these.

Most people contend that God sometimes answers "yes" to requests for relief from suffering, and sometimes He responds with a "no." This, in turn, opens up a debate as to why God might give such replies in certain circumstances. Some conclude that a good and loving God wouldn't sit by and do nothing as suffering and death ravage us--and they are right! God has done something!

Unbelief based on human suffering misses the theme of the Bible, it denies the value of God becoming flesh, and ignores the proclamation of the cross--God cares! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Is it possible that, as God told Paul, His grace is "sufficient"? (2 Cor. 12:9). God knows that we need our tears wiped away--no more death, sorrow, crying and pain (Rev. 21:4). These are real needs and are addressed fully by God by giving His servants a home where none of these exist for eternity. It is not cruelty for God not to end suffering for everyone now, it is merciful for Him to give us a way to conquer even death "through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37).

Suffering now pushes us toward God because He alone can end it for us. Focusing on heaven motivates faithfulness since "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18).

What is the alternative? What is the point of being "of those who draw back to perdition"? (Heb. 10:39). Will we let the feeling of being cursed in this life cause us to choose damnation? What is the point of going through a life of suffering while also holding to "a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries"? (Heb. 10:27).

Why would anyone want to go to hell twice? God's mercy and grace says we don't have to.

DAVID DIESTELKAMP
940 N. Elmwood Drive, Aurora, Illinois 60506
Email: davdiestel@yahoo.com

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BORDER CROSSING By Matt Hennecke (continued from THINK page 1)
...those who want to be Christians, but are unwilling to do what the Bible says to obtain citizenship.

Consider for a moment Paul's words regarding our past alien status, and how we became citizens: "Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph 2:12-13).

And then he concludes: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household" (Eph. 2:19).

Did you catch it? The entrance requirement for becoming citizens? It was there in verse 13: "in Christ Jesus." Being "in" Christ Jesus is what makes us citizens. Okay, so how do we get "in"? Paul tells us the entrance requirement: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Gal. 3:27).

But people don't want to obey the rules or follow the regulations. They want citizenship on their terms not God's. They think all they have to do is be a "good person," or attend worship, or simply believe in God. So, they think they are citizens, they believe they enjoy the benefits of citizenship, but in reality they are aliens--alienated from Christ himself. Here is how Paul put it: "being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart" (Eph. 4:18).

Dear reader, please simply read the first several chapters of the book of Acts--sometimes referred to as the book of conversions. In it are stories of people who became Christians; who followed the instructions for citizenship; who were once aliens but are now free; who were once lost, but now enjoy the blessings of citizenship in the kingdom. Be sure you have followed the proper procedures for entrance!

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MATT HENNECKE
3026 Box Canyon Road, Huntsville, AL 35803
Email: matt@biblemaps.com