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For A Thing To Be An Expedient

For A Thing To Be An Expedient. Only Divine Is Acceptable. Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of things generally authorized – When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in rebellion to God.

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For A Thing To Be An Expedient

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  1. For A Thing To Be An Expedient Don McClain

  2. Only Divine Is Acceptable Don McClain

  3. Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of things generally authorized – When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in rebellion to God. To go beyond or fall short of that which is specified is “EVIL” – Numbers 20:8-12 Don McClain

  4. Innovations under the guise of expediency, has caused Wholesale apostasies in the work and worship of the church. Through the centuries a misunderstanding concerning expediency has dealt the church untold misery. Don McClain

  5. Sponsoring church arrangements – • Support of colleges from the treasuries of local churches – • Orphan homes supported from the churches treasury - • Fellowship Halls • Providing Recreation and Entertainment Today’s innovators cry “expediency” in an effort to promote Don McClain

  6. To Define - • Students Reference Dictionary • Appropriate to a purpose. • Something contrived or used to meet an urgent need. • Suited to one's comfort, purpose, or needs. Webster • "Cultivation of, or adherence to, expedient means and methods." Don McClain

  7. To Define - Expediency, then, has to do with "means and methods" that is, the manneror way in which a given work is accomplished. In short, an expedient in religion is the best meansor methodof executing a divine command when the wayto do it is not specified. Don McClain

  8. It Must Be Lawful - Romans 3:7,8 • It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6 • It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:26 • It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Conscience - Rom 14:13-23 • It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:18 Don McClain

  9. Lying is not lawful – • Romans 3:7,8 • Divorce (for any cause other than fornication) is not lawful – • 1 Corinthians 7:10,11 • The end DOESN’T justify the means!! Abortion - Murder - Stealing Women Preachers Fellowshipping Denominations Don McClain

  10. Nothing unauthorized can be classified as an expedient - Colossians 3:17 17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Don McClain

  11. Nothing unauthorized can be classified as an expedient - 2 John 9 9Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. Don McClain

  12. Nothing unauthorized can be classified as an expedient - Expediency is NOT A LAW but rather only a course or rule of conduct based on existing law. (Foy Wallace Jr. – The One Book Analyzed and Outlined, pg. 422) Just because a thing expedites a lawful thing does not make it lawful (1 Chr. 13; 1 Cor 6:12) Don McClain

  13. The kind of wood used in preparing the ark was specified; Gopher Wood • Gen 6:14,22; Heb 11:7 • Noah could choose • Which tree to cut, • Which board to use for a particular need – • Nails, rope, or other aides to fix the board in the place needed Don McClain

  14. The kind of wood used in preparing the ark was specified; Gopher Wood • Gen 6:14,22; Heb 11:7 • Noah could not use a different KIND of wood – • Even if more expedient • Or even – NO WOOD AT ALL, Noah would have disobeyed God! Don McClain

  15. The method of moving the Ark of the Covenant was specified – Numbers 4:4-6 • Selecting which men from sons of Kohath the sons of Levi, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem could be claimed as an expedient – • BUT – To select men from another tribe, or to select another method than the one specified was sinful – Don McClain

  16. The method of moving the Ark of the Covenant was specified – Numbers 4:4-6 • Consulted with every leader – (1 Chr 13:1) but forgot to consult God’s word (15:13) • The Ox Cart was unauthorized • The ox cart could not be claimed as an expedient – • Was not specifically condemned – but condemned because the method was specified! Don McClain

  17. God commands that we sing – Ephesians 5:19 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Don McClain

  18. God commands that we sing – Colossians 3:16 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Don McClain

  19. God commands that we sing – • Instrumental music is NOT AN AIDE. • NOT INCLUDED within the practice specified – SING • God specified the instrument – THE HEART Don McClain

  20. God specified baptism as a necessary act of obedience (following, hearing the truth, faith confession & repentance) – • Expedients - • A baptistery • Baptismal clothing • Not Expedient - • Sprinkling – it is a substitution for what God has enjoined upon us. Don McClain

  21. The Lord specified that the church preach the gospel to the lost – • Expedient • Which preacher to send or support – Radio – TV - Mail • Not an expedient - • Another organization established and supported by the church to select and support a preacher! • Same is true with benevolent societies – Don McClain

  22. Organization of the church is specified – • Elders of one congregation cannot overlook the work of other congregations – (1 Peter 5:2) • The sponsoring church arrangement is not an expedient, but an unlawful extension of the work and oversight of the elders of a congregation. Don McClain

  23. If a thing is a matter of human choice or expediency, but causes division in the body of Christ – it is sinful to practice that thing! Don McClain

  24. 1 Corinthians 14:26 26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. Don McClain

  25. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. . . Don McClain

  26. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 . . 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Don McClain

  27. Sometimes the expedient thing is NOT TO DO SOMETHING! 1 Cor. 8:9,13 9But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. . . . . 13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Don McClain

  28. Sometimes the expedient thing is NOT TO DO SOMETHING! Rom 14:15-21 15Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. . . . Don McClain

  29. Sometimes the expedient thing is NOT TO DO SOMETHING! Rom 14:15-21 19Therefore let us pursue the things whichmake for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Don McClain

  30. Sometimes the expedient thing is NOT TO DO SOMETHING! Rom 14:15-21 21Itis good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor doanything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.. . Don McClain

  31. Sometimes subtractions are done unto edification! • To leave off my wants for the unity and peace within the church – • To cease my murmuring and complaining – • Refrain from forcing my opinions on others – • Withdrawing from those who cause division - Don McClain

  32. However – If a thing is required by God, it must be done no matter what the consequences may be – even if it divides people – Don McClain

  33. We must discern between essentials and non-essentials – • Essential – • Sound, forceful preaching speaking ALL the truth in love . . • Not pleasant – • May make people mad – • May cause them to leave But demanded by the Lord – 2 Tim 4:2 Don McClain

  34. We must discern between essentials and non-essentials – • Essential – • Observance of the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of the week – • At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the service? What if all do not agree? Don McClain

  35. 1 Corinthians 10:32 32Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Don McClain

  36. Romans 14:13-23 13 . . let us . . . resolve not to put a stumbling block in our brother’s way. 14 . . .nothing unclean of itself; but - 15 . . . Do not destroy 19 . . . pursue the things whichmake for peace and edification 20 . . . itis evil to eat with offense. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because hedoes not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Don McClain

  37. We must not force our way upon a brother who sincerely believes that it is wrong and thus he violates his conscience – Don McClain

  38. This Rule ONLY Governs Matters of Expediency – Someone may argue . . . • We are not helping the kids because we do not offer • Entertainment – • Recreation - • We are not helping the hungry in Africa The Lord’s church is NOT authorized to engage in entertainment, recreation or general benevolence Don McClain

  39. Must consider the attitudes involved – Do we have to give in to EVERY LITTLE doubt in the realm of expediencies? • Are we open to study? • Or have we decided our opinions and beliefs and have the attitude – “Don’t confuse me with the facts!” Don McClain

  40. Must consider the attitudes involved – Do we have to give in to EVERY LITTLE doubt in the realm of expediencies? Are we concerned with the well-being, and growth of the church? Or are we being selfish, nit picky & holding the church back? Don McClain

  41. Assembling:Hebrews 10:25 • Expedients - • Place – Building, home, tent, . . . . • Lights – Lamps, electric - • Windows – air conditioners • Seats – pews, padded, These things Do NOT add to, or change God’s command to assemble, or our worship, but rather expedites our fulfilling the command. Don McClain

  42. Assembling:Hebrews 10:25 • Expedients - • Place – Building, home, tent, . . . . • Lights – Lamps, electric - • Windows – air conditioners • Seats – pews, padded, Lighting candles as part of worship is an addition BECAUSE THE NATURE OF WORSHIP HAS BEEN CHANGED! Don McClain

  43. Music:Ep 5:19;Col 3:17 • Expedients • Pitch pipes, • Song books, • Song leader. • NOTE:---nothing God requires is changed by using such aids Don McClain

  44. Music:Ep 5:19;Col 3:17 • Expedients • Pitch pipes, • Song books, • Song leader. But- If a mechanical instrument of music is used, it is an addition - the type (nature, characteristic) of the music “specified” is changed. The instrument is specified – The Heart! Don McClain

  45. Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2-5 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; Don McClain

  46. Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2-5 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Don McClain

  47. Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2-5 • Expedients – • Chalkboards, • Computers • Overhead projectors, • Electronic Projectors • Microphones, Tape recorders, Radio; TV . . Do these add to, or change the work & requirements of preachers? OR; Do they ONLY aide him in doing his work? Don McClain

  48. Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2-5 Additions – • Preaching something other than the word; • Politics – • Economics – • Comedians - • Acting . . . • (Dramas or plays ARE NOT PREACHING!) • Fluff - Don McClain

  49. Teaching- (Edification) – Ephesians 4:11-16 11And He Himself gave some tobe apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Don McClain

  50. Teaching- (Edification) – 2 Timothy 2:2 commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Don McClain

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