Many religious groups use a variety of carnal appeals to draw people to their assemblies. For instance, there are suppers and ice cream socials, ball games and entertainment events, etc. When asked to justify these activities they will commonly refer to the episodes where Jesus fed the multitudes. Some have said, "If you first feed a man's body, then you'll have a chance to feed his soul." Let's see if their reference to Jesus' activities will really support their practices.

There were two separate instances in which Jesus miraculously fed huge crowds of people with small quantities of food. One time there were 5000 men, plus women and children (Mt. 14:15-21; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-14). On another occasion there were 4000 men, plus women and children (Mt. 15:32-38; Mk. 8:1-9).

In both instances, the people had followed Jesus to hear His marvelous teaching and to see His amazing miracles. There had never been a promise of food to draw them. In fact, both episodes show the people following long distances and for a long time before they were offered food. For example, in Matthew 15:32 we read: "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." Do you see it? The people were not lured to follow by an offer of food. The food came AFTERWARDS, as an act of compassion. The people had NOT> come in anticipation of being fed.

We have one reference where Jesus suspected that the people did, indeed, come with a desire of receiving food (Jn. 6:22ff). On that occasion He DID NOT feed them!

Those who would use the example of Jesus feeding the multitudes to justify their carnal practices today are simply wrong!

Working to Rule Sewell Hall

The term Work to Rule is familiar to most people living in England. It means to work according to predefined minimum requirements for a given job. Thus, the worker will work no weekends, no overtime, and no relief. He will make no effort to make up the time following a breakdown or delay. He may refuse to use equipment provided to increase efficiency. Realizing the paralyzing effect of such minimum effort, labor leaders use such action as an alternative to a strike.

Working to Rule is common in the church. Many establish what appears to them to be a reasonable set of minimum requirements for staying out of hell and then live accordingly. Usually it involves attending Sunday for "breaking of bread" (unless on holidays), giving a certain percentage of their income, perhaps "saying a little prayer" before retiring, and avoiding the grosser forms of immorality. They do not advertise or attend gospel meetings. They seldom attend Bible classes or Sunday evening services. "These are not required," they explain. If all the members of a given congregation were Work to Rule people the church would be no more effective than an industry by such action.

The Lord has never stated any minimum requirements. He speaks only in terms of total commitment, of seeking first the kingdom, of giving our bodies a living sacrifice.

The church in Ephesus, once a very zealous church fired by love for God, left their first love and settled down to Work to Rule. They maintained a minimum program of work and remained sound in teaching. But the Lord said, "Remember

therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the first works, or else I come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent" (Rev. 2:5).

We wonder how many churches may have had their candlesticks removed, and how many Christians have had their names blotted out of the book of life, not because they were on strike, but because they were working to some rule of their own devising.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Job could be identified as a blessed man. He had wealth, but also a family that was close and apparently loving. Satan comes before God and accuses Job of worshiping God for the sole purpose of the blessings he receives from it. To prove to Satan that his servant Job is motivated to worship Him out of love and notjust for blessings he receives God allows Satan to test Job. We read in the first two chapters of the book of Job where messenger after messenger ran to Job with bad news. I can hear Job saying, "What's the matter now? " as another servant runs toward him. In the course of a few moments Job lost almost "everything near and dear to him. He lost his livelihood, his possessions, his children, and his health. Job's wife comes to him at a time he needs encouragement and yet she tells Job to curse God and die (Job 2:9). k appears in essence she says, "This is intolerable, our property is gone, our childrm are dead, you have this disgusting disease, why don't you just curse God and die? " Job would not do heed to her ungodly counsel. Job knew that swearing would not cure one of the tumors on his agonizing body, it would not bring back one of his destroyed camels, nor would it restore one of his dead children. He knew that profanity would only make the pain worse. Swearing and cursing would not give him one ounce of relief. Job responds to his wife's counsel withthese wise words in Job 2210, "But he said to her, "you speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?; In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Let us consider some lessons for today.

(i)Profanity Evervwhere.

Judging from what we hear today, one might think there is some great benefit in the habit of swearing. You hear blasphmy all around and God's holy name taken in vain. There is swearing on the television, in the store and on the town square. Men, women, and chiidren swear taking God's name in vain, in fact I've heard some swear right here in this building. Now the fact it is in this building does not make a difference, but it shows one thing, we can start a habit and not even know if we are doing it when it becomes part of our daily life.

(1) Sneakins God's Name in Vain. cryout,,,oh,Godhelpme!',and be petitioning the God of heaven for help.Such is not swearing, but pleading for God to intervene. However, one who speaks God's name in a flippant, irreverent way that trivializes His greatness, it is a sin.

(2) If Someone Kept a Record of Your Words.

Howmany times would they hear you use vulgar, profane words?More important we need to remember God hears the words we utter. Eph.4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it mry impart grace to the hearers."

(ii)Where Children Learn to Swear.

It is sad but true. Some children learn to swear  at home from their parents. How often have we uttered something thinking the children can't hear us, but they can? Young people grow up swearing thinking it is what grown-ups do. When a young man swears it shows it has no regard for God (although he may have a high regard for the ladies there is no manlineis in swearing. It is one of the most ungentlemanly things a man can do). It is a shame to hear women use profanity and vulgar language today. Some use this language because they want to act more like a man and not like a lady. In our culture where gender roles are debated, many women have purposefully lost their femininity and act more like they perceive a man should act than how a lady should act. Regardless of why one uses profane Ianguage it is something a Christian should abstain from.

(iv)profanity at Work.

If one who claims to be a Christian uses God's name in vain, how does that look? Curse, cuss and swear, in front of nonbelievers and they will question, "What kind of a Christian are you? " There are thousands of words we can use to express ourselves without finding the most filthy and vulgar word there is. There is no excuse for profanity with such a magnificent language as we have!

(v)\That is the Cure of this Habit?

First, we need to see the uselessness of it. Has swearing ever eased our pain? No! Has it ever collected a bad debt? No sir! Did it ever make you money? No! It is useless! Secondly, we need to pray to for help to break this habit. Third, we need to practice self-control. Through-out the Bible God struck swearers down. God does not like His holy name to be trampled on. How dare we take God's holy name in vain? How dare we take the name of Christ the One who shed His blood on Calvary for our sins in a flippant irreverent manner? His name is to be reverenced! Let us not use profane language, but wholesome words that glorifies our God.