Day 15

THE SHARP AXE OF TRUTH CHOPS DOWN A BIG TREE OF ERROR! These are the words of one of the men who we taught for about six hours today. He is referencing the fact that they are now learning the truth about the proper way for the work of the church to be done. The class was made up of about 22 men from several different congregations. We started teaching at 9:00 A.M. this morning and continued until 3:00 P.M. this afternoon. The subject was an overview of the general epistles of the New Testament. For the first five hours we stayed on the subject then a question was asked about what we had been teaching at Priscilla Street on the work of the church verses having an organization doing the work of the church such as Bible Colleges or schools. Away we went for a solid hour of discussion.

We have drawn an illustration on the chalkboard at both Priscilla Street and now at Tengbeh Town and this illustration drives home the point concerning authority and the correct teaching to establish this authority. When we start drawing this illustration they stop everything because they have come to learn that this is a teachable moment and they are going to gain something from it. Today was no different – at the end of yesterday’s session at Priscilla Street you might remember that Theophilus made a statement “the things we used to do – we do them no more”. These folks are hearing things for the first time and we are repeating them at every session – thus at the end of the session today a brother who is a member of a congregation practicing things taught by the institutional belief states loudly “THE SHARP AXE OF TRUTH CHOPS DOWN A BIG TREE OF ERROR! The amazing thing about this is that an older gentlemen of 72 years of age and one of the first to obey the gospel taught by those of the institutional persuasion in 1966 has been in our classes – he is somewhat the father figure all look to – TODAY HE STATES THAT HE IS CONFUSED AND WHY DID THESE MEN TEACH THINGS THEY COULD NOT PROVE BY THE APOSTLES TEACHING? Folks you have read from this blog several times where I have written GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Today was not an exception. The sharp axe of truth is at work over here in Sierra Leone and YOU FOLKS ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN SENDING US!!! To God be the Glory!

One other interesting point about today: as we were giving the overview of Philippians we mentioned how Paul was in bonds but said Rejoice and before we could finish the thought they broke out in song singing at the top of their lungs “Rejoice in the Lord always” WOW!!! What a wonderful experience!

We are tired! Voices are strained! Thankfully we will be able to rest tonight as it is now just about 5:00 P.M. Tomorrow it will be Jimmy’s turn to speak at Priscilla Street (I spoke last week) we have invited John Kabul and his girlfriend (who has been studied with) and Augustine (one who was baptized earlier on this trip) to come to Priscilla Street to observe how the worship service is done. This will help them understand better about doing things decent and in order. Then we will go to Garrison Street tomorrow evening.

Monday through Wednesday of next week is set – classes at Priscilla Street for newborn babes and for preachers of the institutional persuasion – it will be a difficult but enriching three days – GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Today was not an exception!