Musick-al Note # 269
No one likes a prophet of doom, especially if he points an accusing finger at us and declares that our actions are the cause of the impending destruction. Yet God has always had His prophets to tell of impending destruction because of the failures of His people. Enoch was evidently the first prophet of doom (Jude 14-15) and others followed in their time. They all prophesied of the coming destruction because of the sins and failures of the people. Jesus offered infinite joy, peace and freedom to all who would follow Him, but He also prophesied doom and destruction to come upon all who refused to give heed to His words (Matthew 7:21-27). His popularity steadily decreased as He continued to convict the people and their leaders of their sins.
The implications are far-reaching because this touches every one of us. This congregation is doomed IF we allow ourselves to drift through this life. We are doomed IF we seek to please men and not God. This congregation is doomed IF we do not measures ourselves by the standard of God’s Word to obey Him. This congregation is doomed IF we allow sin to run rampant within our ranks. This congregation is doomed IF the preacher does not preach the whole council of God, and we insist that he tickle our ears with his “sermons”. We are doomed IF we press the preacher into a mold of “following the leader” or “doing the expected thing” and fail to support truth, no matter who is living and acting contrariwise to it. This congregation is doomed IF the elders have no vision of the work the Lord intended for them to do. We are doomed IF the elders do not use the abilities of the deacons to handle the routine obligations of the congregation and encourage their growth to maturity in carrying out the Lord’s will upon the earth. This congregation is doomed IF the deacons shirk their work or are prevented from accomplishing it by our unwillingness to help them. We are doomed IF these men are not encouraged and supported in their tasks as capable, sincere Christians ought to be. This congregation is doomed IF every Christian does not do his or her best to live a life whose influence is a stepping-stone to draw others to the Lord Jesus. We are doomed IF we do not keep in our minds that we are the purchased possession of the Lord, bought by the blood of Christ. This congregation is doomed IF we become involved in incidentals instead of essentials. We are doomed IF we fail to support the program with sufficient contributions to do the Lord’s work. This congregation is doomed IF we substitute our selfish desires for the Lord’s work and pay for them with money which was given to do the Lord’s work. We are doomed IF we do not give of ourselves not go to work in His vineyard.
We must be dedicated to the Lord, to His work and to His church to such a degree that we will deny self, give our time, abilities and money to carry out our God-given tasks in His kingdom. We were bought with a price, we are not our own, therefore we ought to so live and work that we may please Him who has called us and saved us from our sins.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 