Preaching in Medford, Oregon
by Micky Galloway
Preaching in gospel meetings prompts a number of mixed emotions. Sometimes after a meeting one comes home and wonders about the results of the effort. When the word of God is preached good is always accomplished, for God who cannot lie said, “so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). However, some efforts are more encouraging than others. In a recent gospel meeting in Medford, Oregon, truth was preached in a needed area where brethren had made preparation. For months before the meeting advertisements had been prepared and circulated. Anticipation for the meeting ran high. It became evident that “the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). (This is the key to any successful effort). Faithful brethren traveled many miles to support and encourage the work of these brethren. Moreover, the meeting was attended by those in the community. Some who were Christians involved with churches whose teaching and practice was not right with tearful eyes commended the preaching of the gospel, something they said they had not heard in a long time. These indicated a desire to work and worship with these sound brethren. They requested tapes indicating there were others they wanted to hear these lessons. Others attended who were not Christians. Among these one Bible study was established. The church in Medford, though small in number (upper 20's), had “called together ... kinsmen and ... near friends” (cf. Acts 10:34), and as Cornelius expressed to Peter in Acts 10:33, “Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.” Attendance on Friday night of the meeting was 51, Sunday morning attendance was 53.
This meeting reminded me of the words of Jesus, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (satisfied, KJV) (Matthew 5:6). This text divides itself for us, and all we have to do is to look at the meaning of the various terms which are used.
“Blessed (Happy) are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Please note that we are not to hunger and thirst after happiness, rather the man who is seeking “righteousness” is happy. If you are putting happiness before righteousness, you will be doomed to misery.
But what is righteousness? Man's ideas and God's ideas concerning righteousness often differ. This is exemplified in the practices of many churches who emphasize the social rather than the spiritual. In fact, it is difficult to get some to listen to God's teaching concerning righteousness. Man often defines righteousness to mean a general respectability, general morality, or simply association with morally good people. Others believe that righteousness is achieved by worshiping one hour a week. Yet, Cornelius (Acts 10), a good moral man was commanded to “work righteousness” (vs. 34-35). Righteousness simply means to be right with God. All of God's commandments are righteousness (Psalms 119:172; See also Psalms 119:138, 144). This righteousness is revealed in the gospel. The apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). The inspired word provides instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17). The scriptures are referred to as the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13). Man cannot “work righteousness” without the preaching of the gospel. Righteousness become a way of life, when we receive proper teaching on how to live. Paul said, “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). Is it any wonder brethren associated with churches where a steady diet of fun and frolic is being preached, rejoice with tears, when they hear the sincere word of God proclaimed?
How is this righteousness obtained? It is not obtained accidentally. It doesn't happen to indifferent people. There must be a strong desire for it, a desire that can be described as “hungering and thirsting” for it. These are the most powerful drives in the human body. Hunger and thirst are not passing feelings. It is something that keeps on increasing until it is satisfied. When the prodigal son was hungry he went to feed upon husks, but when he was starving, he turned to his father. To hunger and thirst really means to be desperate, to be starving, to feel life is ebbing out, to realize my urgent need of help. David expressed the attitude of one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness (Psalms 1:1-2; 119:97, 103, 148). Paul said in Romans 10:1-3, “Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things (speaking of the temporal necessities of life MG), shall be added unto you.” Righteousness, then, is not for the person who spends hours each day working, playing, being amused, reading fiction, entertaining, but showing no interest in the feeding of the soul. If you are not growing as you should, perhaps the reason is you have lost your appetite for spiritual food (Cf. Hebrews 5:11-13). Righteousness must be sought!
Why are more people not feeding on the word of righteousness? Why do we not attend our own gospel meetings? Perhaps we are not hungry. Often because we have filled our souls with the trash of this world (Cf. I John 2:15ff; II Timothy 4:10). The main objective of worldly men is material gain, but this does not satisfy (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
What blessings are offered to those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness?” The Lord said, “They shall be filled” (satisfied). (Consider Psalms 17:15; 22:26; 37:18-20; 63:5; 65:4; Proverbs 14:14; 19:23). Here is real satisfaction. Worldly things cannot satisfy. Alexander the Great conquered the world, but was not satisfied. The wealthy of the world are not satisfied. Those who live without restraints are never satisfied, turning so often to alcohol and drug addiction, etc. There are members of churches of Christ who are not “filled” or “satisfied” with a steady diet of social activities and “sermonettes.” Let us seek them with the pure gospel of Christ that they may know the “breadth and length and height and depth, and ... know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge,” that they too may be “filled unto all the fulness of God.”
How can I know if I hunger and thirst after righteousness? The true test is active involvement is spiritual things. Am I haphazard in attendance to the worship and study services of the church? Am I neglectful of reading, and studying the scriptures or neglectful of prayer? “Til I come, give heed to reading...” I Timothy 4:13; “Study to show thyself approved...” II Timothy 2:15; “Pray without ceasing...” I Thessalonians 5:17. Do I think often about my own relationship to God or other's relationship to God? What is my greatest desire? Is it to go to heaven more than anything else? You see, there is no room to stand still.
Are we hungry and thirsty for righteousness? We must hunger for the knowledge of it; we must hunger for the practice of it (Romans 10:1-3; cf. II Thessalonians 2:10-12). Any other attitude toward righteousness will find us weighed in the balances and found wanting.
I am thankful for the efforts of the brethren in Medford and for their determination to stand for the truth. If you are traveling in that area or if you know of someone living in the Medford area that may be benefited by these brethren, they are currently meeting in the Roxy Ann Grange Hall, 1850 Spring Street. For more information please call (541) 776-7423, (541) 826-9611 or (541) 773-5454.