Some folks just have a hatred for the truth and those who teach it.  They, like those apostates of old (Jeremiah 5:13), think that strong preaching is just a bunch of hot air.  For these folks any amount of the truth is just too much.  They want to be fed the smooth things (Isaiah 30:9-11).  They want to hear sermons that pervert God’s word on subject matters like love, grace, and mercy.  The only things they like to hear being opposed are those things which are right.  When anything requiring obedience to the Lord is taught those who want “half truths” scream out that you are a legalist.

     On the flipside, there are many brethren who appreciate direct preaching.  They like to hear sermons that call out sin by her first and last name.  Furthermore, if you are going to preach on denominationalism and liberalism, they will give you a hearty amen.  They often cry for the old paths that they may walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16).  Any faithful preacher loves to have those folks in attendance while he’s preaching.

     There are those who want to hear the truth and those who want no part of the truth.  There are also those who like to hear truth being preached as long as there are no requirements placed upon them to abide in the truth.  Additionally, among these brethren that like hard preaching without the application of it; do not ever have them think that the preacher is preaching a lesson directed at them.  They will respond in a manner likened unto the chief priests and Pharisees who wanted to kill Jesus when they realized His parable applied to them (Matthew 21:45-46).  Paul asked: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth” (Galatians 4:16)?  In many cases a faithful preacher becomes the enemy of a hearer because they have preached the truth.  Such ought not to be among the saints.  Yet, too often there are many subjects that you can find Christians will like to hear about, but not see the applications of those subjects.

     Commonly among the saints today we find a huge problem when it comes to so-called Christians forsaking the assembling of the saints.  Such is clearly condemned in the Scriptures (Hebrews 10:25).  Furthermore, the principle of putting God first in one’s life is at hand as well.  Jesus said: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).  I often wonder how brethren can think that putting their job, vacation, housework, rest, wife, children, family events, sporting events, etc. ahead of the Lord is okay in light of what I just quoted Jesus as saying.  One would say that they’ve had their job for 29 years and only have six years left to retire, “so if it means I have to miss a service or two during the week - so be it.”  I suppose that’s just fine for someone who has set their eternal reservation in Hell (Matthew 7:21).

     On the subject matter of attendance in particular, there seems to be many side issues that come up.  Some will argue rightly against those who forsake the assembling of the saints, they then will allow their children to miss worship services for ball games.  Years later they wonder why their kids are not faithful.  Those parents are to look in the mirror for the answer to that question (Proverbs 22:6).  Then you hear, “but Jesus did not say I have to put work behind my service to God.”  They will argue that they have to be providers for their families.  That is true (I Timothy 5:8).  We must also work to fill our needs (II Thessalonians 3:10).  These two points do not justify committing sin no more than a man could argue that he robbed a bank so that he could build a home for his family.  God must come first in our lives above all things.  If this occurs, God’s providence will take care of us (Matthew 6:24-34).

     Commonly among the saints today we find those who want to hear lessons on “church discipline”, but they do not want to see it practiced.  The preacher will properly point out that we must withdraw ourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and have no company with that person (II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15, cf. Matthew 18:15-17, Luke 17:3-4, Romans 16:17, and I Corinthians 5:1-13).  The brethren will say, “AMEN!”  Two weeks later a brother or sister in Christ is named and most of those who said amen are now saying “wait a minute”.  The preacher and several others point out that every brother who walks disorderly means what it says.  You then hear the, “yea, but…” excuses being made.  They want to wait a few months.  They want to talk it over.  They want to vote.  This is the common, “preach it, but don’t apply it mentality.”

     Commonly among the saints today we find some who like to hear lessons where the preacher names those in error, as long as it is not themselves or someone they like.  For example, among conservative brethren many like to hear lessons about the errors of Institutionalism.  While that is true, you better never name “their human institutions” such as Florida College.  You can walk all over Abilene Christian University, but leave their Mount Zion out of your sermon.  You can talk about the unscriptural practices of human organizations preaching the Gospel as a human organization, but don’t talk about the Guardian of Truth Foundation Lectures.  These things are called “inconsistencies”.  Those who will name one wolf and ignore the other are going to find themselves consumed in the belly of the predator (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-31, and I Peter 5:8).

     You can also name preachers that teach unity in diversity like Rubel Shelly, Max Lucado, and others; but don’t begin to name guys like Ed Harrell and company.  Some will like to hear you name the Christianity Magazine crowd for supporting fellowship with those teaching error on divorce and remarriage, but those same folks will jump down your throat if you name the Truth Magazine staff as standing behind their error of a second divorce (a.k.a. Mental Divorce) as they have for years.  Error is an equal opportunity employer.  Naming false teachers is not to be regulated by who will like it and who will not (Romans 16:17-18 and Ephesians 5:11).  The beloved Apostle Paul did not take a vote on naming Hymenaeus and Philetus before he did so (II Timothy 2:17), we ought to follow his example.

     We can never allow the truth to be altered by what we want and do not want to do.  When the Lord has instructed us to do something, we must do it.  While some things are often more difficult than others, Heaven is most certainly worth any price we will pay here on earth.  We must be a people who will hear the word of God and do it!

     The inspired penman James wrote the following: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:21-25).  What James has written is as clear as anything that can be said.  Hearing the truth and practicing it are two different things that we are required to do.

      Many preachers today preach lessons on the identifying marks of the New Testament church.  When I have preached lessons like that I always show that the church is distinctive in doctrine as well as practice.  If we say and do not, we are no better than the denominational groups which claim to be of Christ, but through their works deny Him.  If we say and do not, we are no better than the scribes and Pharisees who were hypocrites (Matthew 23:3).

     What a shame it would be for God’s people to be known as the Cretians: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).  Sadly, many of our brethren give the devil plenty of ammunition to use against the church.  We have many who say they are Christians, but in works they deny our Lord.  Brethren, demand the truth to be preached and then demand it to be practiced.  John said: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III John v.4).  Allow that to be said of us this day!