For A Thing To Be An Expedient

Don McClain

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Don McClain

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Don McClain

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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

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Through the Through the centuries a centuries a

misunderstanding misunderstanding concerning concerning

expediency has expediency has dealt the church dealt the church untold misery.untold misery.

Innovations under the guise of

expediency, has caused Wholesale

apostasies in the work and

worship of the church.

Don McClain

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Sponsoring church Sponsoring church arrangements –arrangements –

Support of colleges Support of colleges from the treasuries from the treasuries of local churches –of local churches –

Orphan homes Orphan homes supported from the supported from the churches treasury - churches treasury -

Fellowship HallsFellowship Halls Providing Providing

Recreation and Recreation and EntertainmentEntertainment

Today’s Today’s innovators innovators

cry cry “expediency” “expediency” in an effort in an effort to promote to promote

Don McClain

6To DefineTo Define - -

Students Reference Dictionary

1.Appropriate to a purpose.

2. Something contrived or used to meet an urgent need.

3.Suited to one's comfort, purpose, or needs.

Webster –"Cultivation of, or adherence to, expedient means and methods."

Don McClain

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Expediency, then, has to do with "means and

methods " that is, the manner or way in which a given work is accomplished.

In short, an expedient in In short, an expedient in religion is thereligion is the best best

meansmeans or or methodmethod of of executing a divine executing a divine

command when the command when the wayway to do it is not specified.to do it is not specified.

To DefineTo Define - -

Don McClain

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It Must Be Lawful - It Must Be Lawful - Romans Romans 3:7,83:7,8

It Cannot Be Specified - It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6Num 4:4-6

It Must Edify - It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:2614:26

It Must Not Cause My It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Brother To Violate His Conscience - Conscience - Rom 14:13-23Rom 14:13-23

It Can NOT Be An Addition It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:189; Rev 22:18

Don McClain

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Lying is not lawful – •Romans 3:7,8

Divorce (for any cause other than fornication) is not lawful –

•1 Corinthians 7:10,11The end DOESN’T justify the means!!

Abortion - Murder - StealingWomen Preachers

Fellowshipping Denominations

Don McClain

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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

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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

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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 Just because a thing expedites a lawful thing expedites a lawful thing does not make it lawful does not make it lawful (1 Chr. 13; 1 Cor 6:12)(1 Chr. 13; 1 Cor 6:12)

Don McClain

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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

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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

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The method of moving the Ark of the Covenant was specified –

Numbers 4:4-6 Selecting which men from sons Selecting which men from sons

of Kohath the sons of Levi, to of Kohath the sons of Levi, to bring the ark of God from bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem could be claimed as an expedient could be claimed as an expedient – –

BUT – To select men from BUT – To select men from another tribe, or to select another tribe, or to select another method than the one another method than the one specified was sinful –specified was sinful –

Don McClain

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Consulted with every leader – Consulted with every leader – (1 Chr 13:1) but forgot to (1 Chr 13:1) but forgot to consult God’s word (15:13)consult God’s word (15:13)

The Ox Cart was unauthorized The Ox Cart was unauthorized The ox cart could not be The ox cart could not be

claimed as an expedient –claimed as an expedient – Was not specifically Was not specifically

condemned – but condemned condemned – but condemned because the method was because the method was specified!specified!

The method of moving the Ark of the Covenant was specified –

Numbers 4:4-6

Don McClain

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Ephesians 5:19

19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and

spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your

heart to the Lord,

God commands that we sing –

Don McClain

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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

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Instrumental music is NOT AN AIDE.NOT INCLUDED

within the practice specified – SING

God specified the instrument – THE HEART

Don McClain

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God specified baptism as God specified baptism as a necessary act of a necessary act of

obedienceobedience (following, hearing the truth, faith

confession & repentance) – Expedients -Expedients -

–A baptistery–Baptismal clothing

Not Expedient -Not Expedient -–Sprinkling – it is a substitution for what God has enjoined upon us.

Don McClain

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The Lord specified that the The Lord specified that the church preach the gospel to church preach the gospel to

the lost –the lost – ExpedientExpedient

–Which preacher to send or support – Radio – TV - Mail

Not an expedient -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

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Organization of the Organization of the church is specified – 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

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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

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1 Corinthians 14:2626How 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 14:2626How 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

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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

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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

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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

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15Yet if your brother is grieved because of

your food, you are no longer walking in love.

. . .

Rom 14:15-21

Don McClain

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19Therefore let us pursue the things

which make for peace and the things by

which one may edify another.

Rom 14:15-21

Don McClain

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Rom 14:15-2121It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which

your brother stumbles or is offended or is made

weak.. .

Don McClain

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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

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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

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We must discern between We must discern between essentials and non-essentials and non-essentials –essentials –

EssentialEssential – – –Sound, forceful preaching Sound, forceful preaching speaking ALL the truth in speaking ALL the truth in love . . love . .

•Not pleasant – Not pleasant – •May make people mad – May make people mad – •May cause them to leaveMay cause them to leave

But demanded by But demanded by the Lord – 2 Tim 4:2the Lord – 2 Tim 4:2

Don McClain

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We must discern between We must discern between essentials and non-essentials –essentials and non-essentials –

EssentialEssential – – –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?What if all do not agree?

Don McClain

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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

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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 which make for peace and edification20 . . . it is evil to eat with offense.23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Don McClain

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We must not force our way upon a brother who sincerely believes that it is wrong and

thus he violates his conscience –

Don McClain

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Someone may argue . . .Someone may argue . . . We are not helping the kids because we do not offer

Entertainment –Recreation -

We are not helping the hungry in Africa

This Rule ONLY Governs Matters of Expediency –

The Lord’s church is NOT The Lord’s church is NOT authorized to engage in authorized to engage in

entertainment, recreation or general entertainment, recreation or general benevolencebenevolence

Don McClain

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•Are we open to study? •Or have we decided

our opinions and beliefs and have the attitude – “Don’t confuse me with

the facts!”

Must consider the attitudes involved –

Do we have to give in to EVERY LITTLE doubt in the realm of expediencies?

Don McClain

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Are we concerned with the well-being, and

growth of the church? Or are we being selfish, nit picky & holding the

church back?

Do we have to give in to EVERY LITTLE doubt in the realm of expediencies?

Must consider the attitudes involved –

Don McClain

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Assembling: Hebrews 10:25Expedients -

Place – Building, home, tent, . . . . Lights – Lamps, electric -Windows – air conditionersSeats – pews, padded,

These things Do NOT add to, These things Do NOT add to, or change God’s command to or change God’s command to assemble, or our worship, but assemble, or our worship, but rather expedites our fulfilling rather expedites our fulfilling

the command. the command.

Don McClain

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Lighting candles as part of Lighting candles as part of worship is an addition worship is an addition

BECAUSE THE NATURE BECAUSE THE NATURE OF WORSHIP HAS BEEN OF WORSHIP HAS BEEN

CHANGED!CHANGED!

Assembling: Hebrews 10:25Expedients -

Place – Building, home, tent, . . . . Lights – Lamps, electric -Windows – air conditionersSeats – pews, padded,

Don McClain

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Music: Ep 5:19; Col 3:17Expedients

–Pitch pipes, –Song books, –Song leader.

•NOTE:---nothing God requires is changed by

using such aids

Don McClain

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Music: Ep 5:19; Col 3:17Expedients

–Pitch pipes, –Song books, –Song leader.

ButBut - If a mechanical instrument of music is used, it is an

additionaddition - the type (nature, characteristic) of the music “specified” is changed. The The

instrument is specified – The instrument is specified – The Heart!Heart!

Don McClain

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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;

Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2-5

Don McClain

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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

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Do these add to, or change the work & requirements of

preachers? OR; Do they ONLY aide him in doing his work?

Expedients ––Chalkboards, –Computers–Overhead projectors, –Electronic Projectors –Microphones, Tape recorders, Radio; TV . .


Don McClain

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Additions – Preaching something other than the word;

–Politics – –Economics – –Comedians -–Acting . . .

•(Dramas or plays ARE NOT PREACHING!)

–Fluff -


Don McClain

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Ephesians 4:11-16

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some

prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Teaching- (Edification) –

Don McClain

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2 Timothy 2:2

commit thou to faithful men, who

shall be able to teach others also.


Don McClain

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Hebrews 5:12

For when for the time ye ought to be

teachers,


Don McClain

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In what way would a congregation change or add to God’s instruction to teach its

members by providing opportunities based upon the capabilities of the learners?

Teaching- (Edification) –Expedients Arrangement in classes to carry out the command to instruct

Don McClain

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•Age -•Gender –•Abilities –•Maturity -

Teaching- (Edification) –Expedients Arrangement in classes to carry out the command to instruct

Don McClain

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expedient -Animal sacrificesBurning candlesInstrumental music

Not authorized acts of New Testament worship

Can they then be claimed as an expedient in worshipping

God?

Don McClain

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expedient -Institutions apart from the church cannot be claimed as expedients for doing the work that the church was given to do

They are unauthorized institutions –

Don McClain

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expedient - Recreation is not a work of the church;

Therefore to build a recreational facility is not an expedient in carrying out the work of the church.

Don McClain

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Baptize (Mt. 28:18-

20)

Pool, River, Baptistery,

Etc.

Basin to Sprinkle –

Cup for Pouring

Commands Aids Additions

Assemble (Heb. 10:24-

25)

House, Hall, Church

Building,

Family Life Center,

Gymnasium, Etc.Lord’s

Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-

29)

Cups, Plates, Table, Etc.

Social Meal (1 Co. 11:17-

22, 34)Give (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

Collection

Baskets

Raffle Tickets, Chili Suppers,

Cake Walks, Etc.

Sing (Eph. 5:19)

Song Book, Leader, Pitch

Pipe,

Piano, Guitars, Organ, Violin,

Etc.

Don McClain

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The principle is:The principle is: –That which assists is an aid; that which changes (either by addition, subtraction or alteration) is unauthorized. –The first is permitted while the second is condemned.–An "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized

Don McClain

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It Must Be Lawful - It Must Be Lawful - Romans Romans 3:7,83:7,8

It Cannot Be Specified - It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6Num 4:4-6

It Must Edify - It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:2614:26

It Must Not Cause My It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Brother To Violate His Conscience - Conscience - Rom 14:13-23Rom 14:13-23

It Can NOT Be An Addition It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:189; Rev 22:18

Don McClain

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Don McClain

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Innovations under the guise of

expediency, has caused Wholesale

apostasies in the work and

worship of the church.

Instrumental Music – Instrumental Music – Choirs – Soloist -Choirs – Soloist -Entertainment Entertainment

Women Leading Prayer, Women Leading Prayer, preaching – preaching –

Raffle Tickets, Bake Sales, Raffle Tickets, Bake Sales, Car Washes, Chili Suppers, Car Washes, Chili Suppers, etc. . . etc. . .

Communion - Monthly, Communion - Monthly, Quarterly, Annually, .Quarterly, Annually, .

Dedicating Babies -Dedicating Babies -Plays (Drama) – Plays (Drama) – Applause –Applause –Hand Waving –Hand Waving –Children’s Church –Children’s Church –

Documents

For A Thing To Be An Expedient