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Just Tell It Like It Is!

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

One characteristic of liberal preaching and teaching, is to speak or write in such vague and ambiguous terms that no one can quite “put their finger” on the exact doctrine being taught. This is especially convenient for the liberal teacher or preacher who, when confronted about his teaching, is quick to say, “You misunderstood me,” or “That’s not what I meant.” There are some folks who make a career out of hiding behind vague wording, and thus are later able to seemingly “explain away” a misconception as being the fault of the hearer rather than the teacher.

As we read and study the Bible, one thing becomes crystal clear — that God’s preachers and teachers (through the Holy Spirit – 2 Peter 1:20-21-NKJV) said what they meant, and meant what they said. There were no ambiguous wordings in their discourses — only a “Thus saith the Lord” (cf. Exodus 4:22-KJV; Exodus 5:1-KJV; Exodus 7:17-KJV; Joshua 7:13-KJV; Joshua 24:2-KJV; 1 Samuel 2:27-KJV; 1 Samuel 10:18-KJV; 2 Samuel 7:5-KJV; 2 Samuel 12:7-KJV; and many more verses too numerous to mention).

If we read Peter’s sermon in Acts 2-NKJV, we immediately see the plain, straightforward manner in which the apostle let his Jewish audience “know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36-NKJV).

As a result, the people understood the clear message and the Bible says, “they were cut to the heart” — so much so that they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37-NKJV). Such was the effect of the simple, but powerful saving gospel message! (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5-NKJV; Romans 1:16-NKJV).

In Acts 7-NKJV, we see a bold preacher by the name of Stephen, delivering a dynamic sermon in his own defense. We see the violent reaction which resulted in Stephen loosing his life for the cause of Christ (Acts 7:54-60-NKJV). As readers of this text, we cannot help but admire Stephen for his courage, his love for God’s truth, his loyalty to Jesus in the face of severe persecution, and his determination to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2-NKJV).

Can we imagine anyone in their right mind leaving the scene of Stephen’s stoning or the site of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost and asking, “Umm, I wonder where Peter stands on this matter?” or “Do you suppose Stephen really meant what he said?”

Brethren and friends, we do not have to be a mind reader to grasp the theme, direction, or point of either of these inspired sermons. No one left these sermons scratching their heads in bewilderment trying to decipher where the preacher stood.

There are several lessons that can be drawn from both Peter and Stephen’s sermons, but let’s just list three:

  • Preach God’s truth in its entirety (John 8:32-NKJV; Acts 20:20-NKJV; Acts 20:27-NKJV; cf. John 15:15-NKJV).
  • Preach the saving gospel of Christ in all its power and simplicity (Romans 1:16-NKJV; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5-NKJV.
  • Just tell it like it is — no matter what the consequences! (2 Timothy 4:2-5-NKJV; cf. Acts 7:51-60-NKJV; Acts 28:17-31-NKJV; 2 Timothy 4:5-8-NKJV).

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