The Admiral and the Crow

“The Admiral and the Crow”

Sermon 2 in the Series – “Why I am a Member of the church of Christ”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  

Text: Matthew 16.16 - 20

Thesis: I am a member of the church of Christ “Because It was Founded on the Scriptural Foundation”

1           Introduction

A.   Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson “turned a blind eye” to Admiral Parkers signal to retreat at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

B.   In the age of sail before the discovery of latitude and longitude coordination, at the top of the tallest mast on the ship was the “crow’s nest.”  So-called for it contained just that, a nest of crows in a cage.  When released the crow would immediately fly to land in the shortest and fastest route possible, thus the saying “as the crow flies.”

2          To What Does “Upon This Rock” Reflect?

A.   Petros – Peter

B.   PETRA – the CONFESSION

C.    “IF” there would have been the office of the pope then:

1.      Paul would have been pope for he was the one who chastised Peter in Galatians and not the other way around.

2.     Paul would have been pope since he was the “apostle to the gentiles.”

3.    Paul would have been pope since he was not married and Peter was.

3          I Corinthians 3.11

A.   No other foundation

4         Ephesians 2.20

A.   Christ is the chief cornerstone

1.      Psalms 118.22 – rejected corner

2.     Matthew 21.42 – Jesus applied this to Himself

3.    Acts 4.11 - Peter applied this to Christ

B.   The witnesses are one and the same as they are part of the foundation

a.    Acts 1

5          CONCLUSION: The one Singular Jesus Christ build his one and only singular church on the one singular foundation of which He is the only singular chief and cornerstone!

6         The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   Jesus promised, built, and is head of only one church – HIS!

7          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.    We must continue to strive to “contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.”

8         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

"What Will Owner of the Vineyard Do?"

“What Will the Owner of the Vineyard Do?”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  23 April 2017

Text: Mark 12.1 – 12; Psalm 80.8 - 19

Thesis: The Owner of the Vineyard will return and destroy the evil tenants and give the vineyard to others

1           Introduction – What is involved in establishing and maintaining a vineyard?

A.    Purchasing the land

B.   A Vinedresser is hired

C.    Other workers are hired

D.   Plowing out the rocks

E.    Building a secure wall

F.    Building a tower to guard the vineyard

G.   Terraces are built on any steep hills

H.   A winepress must be built

I.       A permanent cover crop must be planted

J.     Vines are planted at approx. 1,555 per acre in mid-April by hand, one by one

K.   The trellis system is constructed

L.    The irrigation system is installed

M.In the first year, the vines are allowed to grow freely so as to establish a strong root system

N.  In February of the 2^nd year all the vines are pruned back to only 2 buds per branch

O.  In February of the 3^rd year the vines are all pruned back again

P.    In May of the 3^rd year and again after harvest in October of that year, fertilizer is applied

Q.  In July-August of the 3^rd year are cut back radically to remove up to 50% of the young crop

R.   The third year is the last year that slow growing vines are trained and spared

S.    Ongoing in every year during the months of March, April, and May constant care is taken to protect against frost.

T.    Ongoing in every year constant care is taken to discover and eradicate pests.

WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?

U.   If unsuccessful in the October Harvest of year 3, all unsuccessful vines are uprooted and destroyed after the very first useable crop is gathered

2          The Owner of the Vineyard Went Into Another Country

A.   12.1

1)     Planted

2)    Fenced

3)   Dug a pit for winepress

4)   Built tower

5)   Leased to tennets

3          The Owner Sends a Servant to the Vineyard for Fruit

A.   12.2 – 3

1)     Took him and beat him

2)    Sent him away empty handed

4         The Owner Sends a Second Servant to the Vineyard for Fruit

A.   12.4

1)     Struck him on the head

2)   Treated him shamefully

5.  The Owner Sends Yet a Third Servant PLUS Many Other Servants to the Vineyard for Fruit

          A. 12.5

                   1) The 3^rd servant they killed

                   2) Some others they beat

                   3) Some others they killed

6.  Finally, the Owner Sends His Beloved Son to the Vineyard for Fruit,

          A. 12.6 – 8

1) The owner said; “He is my son, they will respect Him.”

2) The tenants said however; “He’s the heir!  Let’s kill him

    and take his inheritance for ourselves!”

3)   They took him, killed him, and threw him out of the

 vineyard.

7. WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?

          A. 12.8 - 9

1) “He will come and destroy the tenants and give the

       vineyard to others.”

8.  The Answer in Scripture

          A. 12.10 – 11

                   1) The greatest shock in history!

5          CONCLUSION: The servants are the prophets and the beloved Son is the Christ. 

6         The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: Israel has continually rejected God and His Will.  They have killed the prophets and they have killed the Christ.  Rejecting Christ is tantamount to murder.

A. Knowing far more about God’s will than they did, most are still rejecting God and His Son Jesus Christ.

7          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.    All we are servants in the Vineyard of God.  He will someday return.  Will we repent or perish?  Will we hear and obey or will we refuse to hear and kill the messenger?  WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?  God is on His way back to his vineyard and he will arrive at any moment!

8         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

Finding Love in Leviticus

On Sunday evening, April 2, 2017, Greg Wanderman, gospel preacher for the Clover (SC) church of Christ spoke at the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 during the worship hour.

He very admirably spoke on the subject; "Finding Love in Leviticus."  Though many wrongly assume that the God of the Old Testament is an angry tyrant, Greg pointed out with proof after proof from the text that quite the opposite is true.  He showed that the eastern gate of the Tabernacle (the tent of meeting) was the only entry to the abode of God Himself as Christ is the only "true door."  He noted that the show bread reminds us that Christ is the bread of life.  It was illustrated that the candles are symbolic for the fact that Christ is the light of the world.  The brazen sea was used for the priest to ritually cleanse themselves before serving in the Tabernacle as Christ commands baptism in water for the remission of sins. The prayers of the saints are symbolized by the incense of the temple.  In both the Tabernacle and in baptism, atonement is made by the shedding of blood to blot out sin.  Mercy is extended to the poor as two measures of flour would substitute for a pigeon should one be too poor to possess one.   The flour would be poured by the priest onto the burning sacrifice of a bloody sacrifice thus combining the blood going up in smoke with the powdery flour.

No, far from being the "God of Wrath," there is nothing but love to be found in Leviticus because above all else, God wants to Tabernacle with us, now and forever.

Thanks, Greg, for a job well done as God gets all the glory for "loving us while we were yet sinners." 

He Began to Speak to Them in Parables - Part 1

“He Began to Speak to Them in Parables”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

 

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  2 April 2017

Text: Mark 12.1 - 12

Thesis:  In order to rightly divide the Scriptures we must understand how language is used in Scripture.

1           Introduction

A.   Keys are required to open doors.  Language and its use is the key to understanding.

B.   The NT uses Metaphors, Similes, Parables, Epigrams, but not Allegory to communicate God’s Will.  We are going to examine each.

1.      Metaphor – A metaphor is the comparison of two factual things that are essentially unalike in order to make a point – Luke 13.32

a.    IN ORDER TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW LANGUAGE IS USED IN SCRIPTURE.

2.     Simile – A simile is a more overtly stated metaphor to underline, as it were, the meaning.  A simile is likely to us words such as “like” or “as” – Isaiah 53.6

a.    IN ORDER TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW LANGUAGE IS USED IN SCRIPTURE.

3.    Parable – A parable is an extended simile or metaphor that is characterized by a setting, an account, and an application.  Many times, such as in Mark 12.9, a parable asks questions of the audience – Mark 12.1.  Sometimes the questions are rhetorical, providing the obvious answer.

a.    IN ORDER TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW LANGUAGE IS USED IN SCRIPTURE.

4.    Epigram – “…any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.” – Dictionary.com  -  “Epigram is a clever and witty statement expressed in just a few lines, pointing out foibles and truths of mankind.” – Literarydevises.net – Luke 6.42

a.    IN ORDER TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW LANGUAGE IS USED IN SCRIPTURE.

5.    Allegory

a.    An allegory is a “½ true metaphor” as it has real things doing or saying things not found in reality, in other words, a fable – Judges 9.7 – 15

1)     This is the only true allegory in the entire Bible.  What Paul calls an “allegory” in Galatians 4 turns out to be a metaphor for the true meaning of the contrast is revealed by the Holy Spirit at the end of the context.

b.    An allegory is also the drawing of factual conclusions with no supporting evidence as taught by the so-called “church father,” Origen in the 3^rd century.  Origen “spiritualized” or “assigned meanings by imagination” to the Scriptures drawing downright stupid conclusions.  His interpretation of the Prodigal Son in Luke 10?

1)Adam is the victim

2)Jerusalem is heaven

3)   Jericho is the world

4)   The Robbers are the devil and his demons

5)   The Priest is the law

6)   The Levite is the prophets

7)   The Good Samaritan is Christ

8)   The Beast is the Body of Christ

9)   The Inn is the church

10)           The 2 denarri coin is the Father and

11)  The Son Promise to come back is the Second Coming of Christ.

c.     The “Allegorical Jump”

1)     “Well, that’s not a heaven and hell issue.”

2)    “We know that babies are baptized in the New Testament because the “entire household” of both Cornelius and the Philippian Jailer were baptized.”

3)   “The Bible never says we can’t __________”

2          The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   If we ignore how language is used in the Scriptures, we will not have “ears to hear.”

B.   Peter refers to the misunderstanding of the language of Scripture, either done ignorantly or on purpose, as “twisting.” – II Peter 3.15 - 16

3          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.   At the heart of every error lies a misunderstanding of how language is used in the Bible.

B.   IN ORDER TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE SCRIPTURES WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW LANGUAGE IS USED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

C.    “Why?”

D.   Luke 12.9 – “What will the owner of the vineyard do?”

4         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

What Church Has The Authority to be a Church?

“I’m A Member of the church of Christ for She is the Only Church with Authority”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  19 March 2017

Text: Mark 11.27 - 33

Thesis: ALL Authority Belongs to Christ!

1           Introduction

A.   We are in the middle of the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation – the bloodiest event in history fought over religious authority.

1.      Ultimately, ALL religious division has authority as it’s root cause. 

2.     Luther and Leo

3.    Henry VIII and Clement VIII

a.    BTW if you have $61,946.00 you can buy from the Vatican a replica of the letter Henry sent Clement!

4.    Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots

5.    Calvin and Geneva

6.    John Knox and Mary, Queen of Scots

7.     Right here in the Carolina’s – Presbyterian Lowlanders and Anglican Highlanders battled it out at Kings Mountain on October 6, 1780 just south of here.

8.    Jesus Christ and the “chief priests, scribes and elders”

9.    WHO has the authority to dispense and proclaim truth?

10.            IN this case, Christ exercised authority over the Jewish priests, scribes and elders.

2          “By What Authority are You Doing These Things?  Who Gave You This Authority to Do Them?”

A.   On this occasion He did not tell them.

B.   He did disclose the answer to His disciples:

1.      Matthew 28.16 - 20

3          To What End Did He Exercise This Authority?

A.   Matthew 16.13 - 19

4         To Whom Did He Delegate His Authority?

A.   Acts 1.4 – 9

B.   Acts 2.37 – 47

C.    John 5.25 - 35

5          The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   To whom did Christ give authority to establish the 2^nd church?

B.   I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST FOR SHE IS THE ONLY CHURCH EVER ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRSIT!   All other churches since have been established outside of this authority.

6         The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.   To preach and teach the singularity of the One True Church and the One True Way to Salvation!

7          “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

Just What Is Lipscomb's "Institute for Christian Spirituality?"

Gospel Call Media: (Charlotte, NC)   On June 25 - 27, Lord willing, this reporter will attend an event to be held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  The event is entitled, "InterGenerate Conference 2017."  It is a yoked effort by two organizations, the InterGenerate Task Force, and Lipscomb University's Institute for Christian Spirituality.

While there I will verify in person the veracity of what is taught as being biblical, or not. 

In this current report we examine the history, philosophy and the outreaches of the "churches of Christ affiliated" Institute for Christian Spirituality (ICS).

David Lipscomb (1831 - 1917)  (pictured right) was a pioneering 19th century gospel preacher who along with James A. Harding  founded Nashville Bible School in 1891 which was renamed David Lipscomb Junior College after Lipscomb's death.  In 1948 after graduating it's first senior class the school then became known as David Lipscomb College. In 1988 it became known as David Lipscomb University after adding post graduate studies.  In 2005 the school dropped "David" from it's name and is now known as Lipscomb University.  In it's storied past the school has produced a number of great men of God including H. Leo Boles, Batsell Baxter, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Athens Clay Pullias, and G. Willard Collins among many others.  The university established the Institute for Christian Spirituality in 2010.

The ICS has a dedicated page on the Lipscomb website.  There we find a mission statement:  "In March 2010, Lipscomb opened the Institute for Christian Spirituality, bringing together several seasoned spiritual formation programs with added programming for nurturing intentional personal spirituality and discipleship through study, seminars and conferences. The institute’s goal is to help students and the greater community understand, enrich and share their experience with God." (1)

On the heading for the institute we read this:  "The Institute for Christian Spirituality nurtures the the discipleship of Christ's followers by cultivating a deeper awareness of and participation in the Holy Spirit's redemptive activity among us, within us, and in the world.  We pursue this mission by exploring spiritually forming practices and facilitating the journey with others. Through spiritual friendships and spiritual direction." (2) (3)

In an open letter the director of ICS, Leonard Allen, says this about its mission: "ICS wants to partner with your church and provide resources that will positively affect the life of your congregation. Five offerings do this in different ways. We’ll share tools that help revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God’s Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God."  The ICS has an ambitious outreach to all congregations of the churches of Christ with a number of tools such as Special Programs, the Nurture Conference and the Children's Spirituality Conference.(4)  "You’ll also see ICS’s commitment to church leaders. Retreats for refreshment and equipping, a certificate programs focused on pastoral care, and an intensive program for those in senior leadership roles all minister to those who serve our congregations." (5)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: The designated contact for "Special Programs" is Kris Miller.  He states this regarding the purpose for the ICS Special Programs:  "The institute has several offerings that will positively affect the life of your congregation.  Through them we share a range of tools that can revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God's Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God".  (6) These "Special Programs" include Healthy Churches, The Ministry of Reconciliation, Enter the Story, Pilgrims Together, The Ministry of Spiritual Direction, and Senior Minister's Sabbath.  With the exception of the last two, these are all "road show" programs designed to held at the client's congregation.  The latter two are held only on the Lipscomb campus.(7)

NURTURE CONFERENCE: This years "Nurture Conference" was held April 4, 2017.  Here's the description: "The Nurture Conference, sponsored by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, brings nationally recognized leaders in Christian spirituality to a special event featuring keynote addresses, workshops, and a luncheon. Previous speakers include Randy Harris, Gordon T. Smith, Glandion Carney, Gary Moon, Chris Webb, John Ortberg, and Terry Wardle." (8) (9)  This years speakers are John Mark Hicks and Chris Altrock.  Hicks will speak on the neo-pagan fiction book and movie The Shack (c) entitled; "Meeting God at the Shack."  The website describes the address as; "...how this well-known story impacted his (Hicks) own spiritual recovery, answering the question: how do wounded people come to believe that God is “especially fond of them”?  (10)  Altrock will speak on "Walking Down the Aisle with God." The website describes the address as; "...how a spirituality centered on what we believe about God only magnifies misery(emphasis RM), while a spirituality centered on what God believes about us hastens healing." (11)

CHILDREN'S SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE: The website says little about this conference except: "Every three years hundreds of spiritual formation leaders, children's ministers, developmental psychologists, Christian educators, sociologists, and theologians from a broad spectrum of Christian traditions gather around the children's spirituality table to discuss child theology, best practices, sociological research, and ministry implications for nurturing the spiritual formation of children." (12)

To hear and see for yourself past material presented by the ICS, go to this link: http://www.lipscomb.edu/ics/online-resources

For more information on the direction, philosophy, and theology of the ICS director, Leonard Allen, you can watch three videos of his presentation at last years Pepperdine Lectureship.  The first 8 minutes of video 3 are especially instructive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUlT5bBWedU&t=1439s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezw3hUDMng8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAat43c2900

NOTES:
(1) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(2) Ibid.
(3) These two statements are very precise and purposeful using both words and phrases that are full of ambiguity and self definition cast in post-modern, post-Christian, and post-Restoration molds in the neo-Gnostic tradition set forth by Brian McLaren who has a continuing and  profound influence on DLU. (RM)
(4) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ibid.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Who are these people?  Randy Harris appears to be the only one of this group with any connection whatsoever with the church of Christ.  All the rest do not. Gordon T. Smith is a Nazarene, Gladion Carney is associate rector at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL and goes by the title "reverened," Gary W. Moon is an interdenominationalist affiliated with Westmont College of Santa Barbara whose faculty according to their website, "...who participate in many different churches..," Chris Webb is a Benedictine Anglican Priest, John Oltberg is an ECO Presbyterian minister, and Terry Wardle is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren and founder of the Risen King Community Church in Redding, CA that adheres to a "repentance and faith only" salvational scheme.
(10) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(11) Ibid.
(12) Ibid.
Images courtesy of: Wikipedia Commons