It is my privilege to serve as an elder in a local congregation. The work brings with it many responsibilities, one of which is seeing that the contributions of God’s people are properly used. It is a sobering thought to contemplate facing the questions of God: “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship...” (Luke 16:2).

As the end of the year draws near many elders will soon be meeting to establish their budgets for 2006. The needs are many. The needs of the local work must be considered. The spread of the gospel through mission efforts certainly must be given consideration. Further-more, many congregations have expended considerable funds on disaster relief efforts.

In the midst of a seemingly endless list of good works to consider, I want to appeal to my fellow elders to give thought to putting the Florida School of Preaching in the 2006 budget. Allow me to briefly make the case for supporting the school.

The Florida School of Preaching makes wise use of the funds it receives. Most elderships have committed to support a work only to learn the money is not being put to good use. Sometimes elders learn the money is not even being used for the purpose agreed upon. Through the years the Florida School of Preaching has been careful to be up front about how it uses the funds it receives. We have no secrets and a financial statement is produced and sent to all of our supporters every month. The funds we receive are used wisely to fulfill our mission to train men to preach the gospel.

I would also urge churches to put the Florida School of Preaching in their 2006 budget because there is a great need for qualified gospel preachers. We have more men leaving preaching than entering the work. We receive many calls from churches looking for a preacher. Many of these congregations have had men apply, only to learn upon meeting them they lack the skills to do the work of an evangelist. We need your help so we can continue to train men to meet the ever increasing needs of churches.

Finally, we need your support. The Florida School of Preaching operates on a tight budget. More often than not, what we receive in monthly contributions is not adequate to cover our expenses. This situation cannot continue indefinitely.

A number of congregations have already contacted us to let us know we will be a part of their 2006 budget discussions. We are thankful for such consideration and appreciate whatever level of support these congregations find they can provide. To others who receive this bulletin, we ask that you please make the Florida School of Preaching part of your 2006 budget plans.

Booster Banquet
October 20, 2005
[click here]

Total Fall Enrollment
120

The Bible
Is Written for, Not to Us
By
Jackie M. Stearsman

Perfecting Accuracy

The message the Lord left with humanity when He returned to His throne was supervised and directed by the Holy Spirit, and this insured its perfect accuracy.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26 KJV). Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13, see also Matthew 10:19-20 and Luke 21:14-15).

Exchanging And Circulating Documents

The inspired truth was to be circulated among the congregations. The following verses emphasize this point:

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea (Col. 4:16). I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren (1 Thess. 5:27).

All Were Taught The Same Truths

What one church was taught all churches were taught–there is but one faith (1 Cor. 4:17; Eph. 4:5). All churches and individuals were/are to hear what the Spirit said to churches (Rev. 2–3).

The church at Corinth had a number of crucial issues. They received at least three letters from the pen of the Apostle Paul relating to these problems. However, it should be noted that the material presented to Corinth was not merely for their benefit. Consider the following passage:

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1 Cor.1:1-2, emphasis added.)

Truth Is Restrictive

The Lord alone has the authority to bind or loose in matters of religion (Matt. 16:18-19; 2 John 9-11). Once the gospel truth was presented, no apostle, angel, or man can change it (Gal. 1:6-10). When the Apostle presented truth, he was expected to abide by that truth. When he did not, the Apostle confronted him because he stood condemned for not walking in the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:11-14).

Application

The church at Corinth is often cited as justification for holding religious error, and has been used to defend false teaching and teachers.

The informed student of the Bible understands that religious error is never sanctioned in the sacred text. It is never right to do wrong (Rom. 6:1-2, 15).

The Bible is clear in its presentation of truth and error. We are admonished by the Apostle John to make a proper judgment and to imitate the good and not the evil.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God (3 John 11).

When we see actions that are not approved by God, we must avoid them. When we see those that are approved by God’s word, we are to imitate them (1 Thess. 5:21-22).

Conclusion

The word of God today, as always, must be believed and applied. Faithful men faithfully handling the truth will succeed (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; Isa. 55:6-11; Jer. 23:23-32).