This is only a part of my story...still working on the full version...

The one thing that I have always appreciated is the church of Christ’s position on doing things the way God has told us in His Word. But in my lifetime which is nothing more than a vapor (James 4:14), I have seen enough to know that Satan has gotten a hold on many of our fellow brother and sisters…and it is enough to disgust and shake some of the most strongest Christians faith. I had always the intention to become a Gospel evangelist, but while I had many of my own brothers and sisters while encouraging me, I also had many ministers make the statement that I didn’t know what I was asking for. When asked why I wanted to preach, I pointed to what I saw as a young man how they spoke the truth and did so out of love, but most of all to help save souls. I was then given the scripture of Matthew 20:22 by one minister with emphasis on the part of “Ye know not what ye ask” and I didn’t understand why. But I do now.

I had grown up in the church of Christ and questioned everything I could to make sure it was the one true church. After knowing it was, I was baptized at the age of 9. Starting out, I taught Sunday school classes from children to adult. During this time, I was always told by my older brothers and sisters to always speak the truth and please God not the people. They always told me that people would be upset with things that I preached, but God wants His Word heard by all, so that all may have a chance at repentance (Acts 17:30). When my father retired, he my mother and I moved to Oklahoma. It was at this time we began to work with a small congregation in Redbird, OK.

When I we began attending the Redbird church of Christ, I noticed it was a small congregation and it was a “close-knit” family. Everyone knew everyone, unlike some larger congregations where you may not know someone for quite a while. But with a small number, I had seen the beauty in it. We seemed to enjoy fellowshipping with one another (even though there were a few that came, worshipped and left without even trying to fellowship), it was nice and refreshing.

In the following years, I grew spiritually and gained much knowledge from the study in the Word that I ensued. I took every opportunity to tell others what I had learned. What was confusing was the resentment that I encountered. But it was not from my worldly friends, but from my own brothers and sisters in Christ in my own congregation.

I had pointed out several errors in a few Bible classes and was treated by the older ones as if to say “How dare you know more than me!”, after which I could barely get any participation by anyone…even to the one point having a sister tell me that she didn’t study so don’t ask her anything and it almost shut me down from teaching again. But I persevered because I knew it was Satan trying to get to me. And I gave my first sermon at 14 but truly began preaching more regular as the assistant minister at 27.

When I started to preach more on a regular basis, I began to notice that many stopped greeting me and were purposely walking right past me with a nod. I couldn’t understand why. Had I not been preaching what I always preached…the truth? But I didn’t truly understand it until much later. I can say this…when Christ stated that a Christian’s enemies would be that of their own household (Matthew 10:36), many would point out to the meaning of the fleshly family. But I found out it can mean that of ones own spiritual family as well.

As I began to preach more on topics that I believed needed teaching on, things for me and my wife changed. When I began to preach, I preached on God, love, righteousness, and many general things. But as I grew more in the Lord, I began to also include things that are keeping many from being a true Christian such as drugs (including smoking), drinking (including social drinking), gambling (including the lottery), fornication and adultery. I always asked our pulpit minister to look over the lessons for me to help me and guide me in order to bring that truth out in a loving way and not to seem to point fingers at any particular person, because I didn’t know what everyone did in their own private life. All I wanted to do and still do is present the information and leave it up to the individual to accept or reject God and not to end up fallen away and lost forever (Hebrews 6:4-8)!

I continued in my preaching and then in January of 2006, our pulpit minister passed away suddenly. It was a shock to all (even though we know we need to be ready at all times…Luke 12:40), but the leadership asked me to step up and be the pulpit minister. I accepted the offer and preached just like I always had…only the truth. But that is when things started to open my eyes to the scripture of Matthew 20:22! As I “switched gears” with preaching, I still preach God and love, but also started to preach that if many don’t change their ways, even if they view them as okay to do, they will be saddened to hear the words found in Luke 13:27 and leave from the sight of the Lord forever!

One time, we had planned a small dinner for one of the sisters who was leaving for Iraq. While making the announcement, someone out in the congregation made the statement loud and publicly “Why? She ain’t left yet?!” in a manner not becoming of a Christian. I did not know who did this, but addressed this in my next sermon that we show love while people are still with us. While I was preaching, I did not realize that the older sister who made the statement was calling me a liar out loud and making it known to everyone that it was never announced. After worship, she confronted me not in the manner of a Christian as stated in Matthew 18:15-17, but in anger. I asked her to stay and talk about this, but she called me a liar and had no proof and stormed out. Most knew it was announced and apologized that it happened to me. Some asked me about it and if I had proof. So all I did was play that tape of that last Sunday where it was heard being announced proving my truthfulness. The leadership encouraged me to continue on and I was doing well. But the older sister didn’t speak if she didn’t have to speak to me or my wife again.

I preached one sermon on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. In this sermon I made statements that we cannot be true Christians and be like the world, marrying and divorcing for any other reason than fornication on the part of one of the spouses (Matthew 5:32). And that only the innocent is free to remarry. I also, stated that the sexual relationship was reserved for marriage and any other time it is fornication and forbidden by God (Acts 15:0). Many of the young ladies in the church (especially those with one or more children but no husband) began to avoid me. The leadership was behind me in my sermon though because it was truth.

I preached one sermon on the gambling issue and how even though the Bible doesn’t specifically say the phrase “Thou shalt not gamble”, we can easily see if we truly wish to that God does not approve of any ill gotten gains but to work for what we need and even want (Ephesians 4:28). A few others started to avoid contact with me. But the leadership proudly stated that I preached truth and don’t worry about what people thought. It should help some.

I preached about certain things on holidays, but not on the day itself but on the subject associated with the day and what does God’s Word say about it. For example, when mother’s day came I preached one sermon on Proverbs 31:10-31. On the 25th of December and the day of the rabbit and eggs, I preached sermon asking and answering the question “Do these things come from God or man?”. One sister avoided contact with me because of this as she wanted to sing “Christmas” songs one time during that holiday and the song leader asked me was it alright and the leadership said no.

But the real test came when I was asked by a member if smoking was allowed by God and where does it say in the Bible that a Christian cannot smoke? I asked if they would like to do some study on it and I was told to bring a sermon on the subject. I said that I would be happy to. In my studying, I studied with many fellow ministers and gathered information from worldly statistics but most importantly, I came from God’s Word with the truth. My hard point was 1 Thessalonians 5:22. And that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and they don’t belong to us and we are to treat them with love and respect as we do to our fellow man and fellow Christian (Romans 12:1). The member avoided me for quite a few Sundays. But I continued to preach and things really began to change for two weeks.

The Sunday four weeks after my sermon on smoking, one of the older brothers called a meeting for the leadership. It was then told to me that I am upsetting the church. I couldn’t understand how. I asked how and really didn’t get an immediate answer but it finally came out…someone was threatening to leave because of my sermon on smoking and I had stated that is a sin against God. Then he stated that he (along with the rest of the brothers) agreed that smoking was a sin because smoking defiles the body but not to preach it because I don’t want to upset the congregation. I sat there dumbfounded! The same brother that told me to always preach the truth is suddenly telling me that I need to preach in order not to upset people! He then continued on and said we really shouldn’t say smoking is a sin because it doesn’t say it directly in the Bible. He then used a child’s logic to explain that other things are sin also like gluttony and drinking (which I preached on) and that I need to look at other members of other area congregations who smoked and he named them by individual! I just couldn’t believe it!

After studying and praying the entire week and discussing it over with my wife, I let the leadership know that I would be stepping down as minister and removing my membership. I was then told they wanted to see me continue as minister just don’t preach on smoking anymore. But I explained to them that if members see that we will not speak against one sin because someone is upset about the subject, what is next? Should I stop preaching on fornication, stealing, lying, envy, because someone is doing such things and don’t really want to hear it preached?

I also, asked the brothers why wasn’t Matthew 18:15-17 followed when someone came to any of them and was upset with something I preached? They should have directed the person to me and we would have discussed the matter one on one. But that rule was bypassed. Instead of answering me by the Bible, I was given the same excuses that smoking wasn’t in the Bible and we shouldn’t teach these things because they upset some of the members. I had one brother (who was not as faithful as he should be) tell me that I need to not run away from the problem, but I asked was I going to continue to throw God’s pearls in the mud and let people walk over them (Matthew 7:6)? I was going to let them find a minister who they would be happy with and scratch their itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3). I told the congregation that I would pray for them and departed two weeks after my final sermon there. You see, God told me to preach the truth and nothing less (2 Timothy 4:2). And I cannot back down from doing so.

But right away the Bible warns, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3) It was hurtful what happened, but not as one thinks. I was hurt to have been treated this way by my own congregation, but what really hurts and continues to hurt is that brothers who taught me truth and told m not to back down from it, have now turned from it and wanted to pick and choose what they wished to hear so as not to upset the people. Did Christ or His apostles do this when they preached to the people? I also think of John who told Herod that he was in the wrong for having an adulterous relationship and he was killed for doing so. One has to ask will the church be so upset at hearing truth that they would want to have such anger in their hearts? Are we not supposed to be children of the light? The Redbird church of Christ now has a new minister and I pray that they will receive the Word and truth better and hopefully with a manner of John 4:24. I have become more of an evangelist and have been called to preach at various are congregations and have been received very well by others.

I recently have placed membership at my new home congregation, the North Sheridan church of Christ, in Tulsa, OK and am ready to get back into the spiritual war that we are waging against the devil and sin. Even though my faith has been shaken, it has not been broken! Please pray that I continue to deliver the truth and nothing but the truth in love so that others will be saved.

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I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!

My prayers are with you, brother. Jesus said, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matt 10:22) Most of us who got into preaching understood the Lord to mean THE LOST, THE HEATHEN, THE ABJECT SINNERS will hate us. He didn't say that. He said, "all men." Preaching is the only occupation I know that you must be willing to lay your head on a chopping block every Sunday so people you believe are your friends can take turns whacking it. Even so, the end of Jesus' statement is what's important. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved." I'm glad you're in the faith for the long haul. I look forward to seeing you in heaven after judgment.----John

Dear Brother i know how hard to be a preacher. Usually preacher wanted to preach what he learned from the Bible and truth what He believe. May be sometimes people feel that preacher talks for some particular person. Preacher's job is preaching the truth whether people like it or not , whether people support him or not. i lost so many thing but i am blessed even i am poor. We need to do our duty. God is there on our part, This is what i believe.
Thank you.
B.Esudas

Dwayne,

What rejoicing there must be in heaven in that you can say: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)!

I think of all that Paul went through (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), yet he could say: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). As you know, Paul wasn’t the only one who suffered: consider the trials of the apostles, the prophets and the persecution brought down upon the first century Christians. Sadly, human nature hasn’t changed. However, the faithful can not only “run with endurance the race that is set before us” we have a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1). This encouragement should serve to increase our determination to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). “For He Himself has said: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

You have tasted the bitter sweet nature of the Word of God (Revelation 10:8-11). In like manner, before God had Ezekiel eat the scroll, concerning the children of Israel He told Ezekiel: “You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse” (Ezekiel 2:7). Johnny Ramsey used to tell the preacher students: “When you are feeling down, preach a sermon exalting Christ”.

It is a good reminder to all of us to keep our gaze steadfastly on Jesus (Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus”). There is a crown of life awaiting the faithful!

You have set your heart to do that, thus you will! You are a special person and much loved! Know that we are praying for you, and please continue to keep us in your prayers. (And extra hugs for your wife. We sometimes forget how much they go through in times of trials like you have faced.)

Sisterly,
Mary

Mary,

You hit one of my sermons that I brought on Ezekiel...that was th entire sermon, too: Dry Bones In The Church. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

Oh and thank you for the hugs of my wife....she is another reason I had to leave. The sisters of the congregation were very hurtful towards her and I had mentioned leaveding before but she didn't want me to. But we are with a loving congregation now and we receive so much love now.

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I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!

Be encouraged Brother! Jeremiah 20:9!

Thank you for sharing this with us. May God richly bless you!

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

Wow! I just now got around to reading this. UNBELIEVABLE! This is exactly what has just happened at our former congregation. The preacher was upsetting members by doing nothing more than preaching the truth and was cut off, forcing him to resign.

Paul's warning to Timothy about people not being about to endure sound doctrine has never been more true than it is today. It is absolutely amazing... amazingly sad!

D... you stood in the gap brother... kudos to you!

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Just to let you all know what happened after I left...another congregation sent a young man to begin to preacha nd wouldn't you know that he spoke on things that were sinful that he used to do that he said a Christian can't do because they are sinful...such as drinking AND smoking!

WOnder where they heard that before??

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I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!

One of the elders at our former congregation was talking to several of us brothers and made the statement that we (when we were still members there) needed to get a preacher who was sound and would be solid in his preaching. Hellooooo??? We just let him resign.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

You brothers may appreciate this... our preacher doesn't mince words. He brings the truth hard and fast. Sunday morning at the close of our worship service, one of the elders got up in front of the congregation to make a public statement that elders were not only appreciative of his firmness and abilities in bringing the truth, but also that they were in agreement and he had their full support. I've never seen that done before anywhere, but I sure appreciated it.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

The elders at our former congregation went before the congregation back in November, right after a very controversial lesson preached on worldliness and public sin. They said basically the same thing. Unfortunately, they had a change of heart since.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

1 Timothy 6:3: 3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. (NASV)

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

Another version of this type of black mail, is of course when affluent members threaten to withdraw their financial contributions (tithes). Here you may get away with preaching against smoking, drinking, fornication, etc. - but in many congregations you don't dare to touch the subject of money.

I'm posting a question on the General forum regarding Brother White's original e-mail, that I would be happy if he or anyone else, could answer to.

I started a good topic for discussion in the "Christian Living" section...

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I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!