Paul wanted to Clarify a problem troubling churches out in the gentile world. The Jerusalem elders might know what was going on. Appropriate to hear both good and bad news.

1 Cor 16:14 Keeping Faith Alive – theme from Warsaw Poland lectures. Commands.

A Tale of Two Cities opening lines… they were the best of times, the worst of times.

1. Material things: best of times. Educational level of members higher now. Example: faithful doctors in Lord’s Church today…. Medical missions

More money today. Better blessed than we ever dreamed. Plumbing, cars… Memorial Rd one time cash contribution recently of $ 700,000. No reason for CRC to need anything. Better church bldgs. More travel among Christians. Campaigners flying around the globe.

2. Mission work. Numbers may be down out in the field, but more involved since the fall of the Berlin Wall. May not be long stays, but medical missions, leadership training, Lectureships, etc. Wendall Broom - C of C in Subsahara Africa than in USA.

3. Jail and prison work. Establishing churches behind prison walls (started in OK) is spreading to Ark. Blake Williams and Rick Watson.

4. Camp work. All over Europe, South America. College kids arrive w/ network of camp friends.

5. Inner cities work. Children’s Homes within what the gov’t allows are doing a wonderful job evangelizing.

6. Schools, K-12, Christian Colleges, Texas A&M, Campus Ministries. Many others

A sign of a good church is when nobody knows all the good things being done there! Not doing it for bragging in the bulletin.

1. The desire of elders and preachers to be successful (by world’s standards). Church Growth – mega churches are the only way to go…. Opinion of most today. May see a giant reaction against huge churches within a few years. We need to examine "Church Growth" often it is church swelling – at the expense of smaller churches.

Pragmatism has taken over too many preachers and elders’s thinking. (can be in either political party; he switches sides to stay in office) Boston Movement. It works! Means it must be right, even if it wasn’t supported by the scriptures.

2. The desire of far too many leaders and those in the pews to be accepted by the Evangelicals. Like the Israelites who wanted a king just like everyone else around them.

3. A decrease in interest in Biblical Authority. 2005 vs. 1950 People went to their Bibles to study. Debates, discussions – vs. what I want.

4. Problem of Hermanuetics – How does the Bible authorize us?

5. The Plan of Salvation – be like the Evangelicals. Just a step away from being like Muslims, Hindus, etc. Do our members believe Jesus is the only way?

6. Reason to be concerned about some of our intellectuals. Some bother Howard because they don’t put out a clear sound. Can’t always believe what a students reports…. But we need to keep an eye on who is appointed to key positions! Issues to watch:  The purpose for Baptism… erosion on a doctrine on immersion for salvation. (Instrumental Music – excused as not a vital doctrine of salvation) Who is my brother? The role of women. Lord’s Supper observed whenever desired. Who is saved and who is lost?

1. Repent of our own shortcomings. Make sure we teach and believe what is right.

2. Present the Truth in an humble way.

3. Be honest. Be careful about accusing someone as being a liberal, or a legalist. Hanging a label on others is dishonest. Using half truths.

4. Pray and wait on God. He has a way of fixing things. God is still in charge of things. Look what He did when He brought down the Berlin Wall, destroyed Communism! (by Himself!)