Making the Application
Joe R. Price

Many people, including members of churches of Christ, are uncomfortable with Bible preaching that makes specific applications to people and their lives. Speak on the principles of truth all day long and they are ardent supporters. But start applying the principles of truth to real life situations and real life people and they become squeamish (if not your adversary). These people have missed a fundamental point: we must apply God’s truth to our lives for it to save us. A good grammar instructor teaches the principles of grammar and shows how those principles apply to sentence structure, etc. Likewise, a faithful Bible teacher shows how a scriptural principle applies to our lives. He makes the application.

Some have little problem with the preacher making applications – as long as they apply to someone else! This reminds me of how one fellow said most folks measure the worth of a sermon: “The average person’s idea of a good sermon is one that goes over his head and wakes his neighbor up.” We have indeed become hypocritical and sinfully judgmental if we are satisfied with applying truth to those around us but are unwilling to do so to ourselves (Matt. 7:1-5).

The fact of the matter is that Jesus not only taught the principles of truth, He also made specific and pointed application of those principles. Read Matthew 23; 16:22-23; 15:1-14; John 9:40-41 for just a few examples of Jesus making the application to His audiences. His apostles followed His example and also made specific applications of the divine principles to those who needed to learn the truth (Acts 2:36; 8:20-23; 24:24-25). Why, they even named names when it was needed in order to identify who was worthy of imitation and those who was not (3 Jno. 9-12).

Some brethren warn us, “You will run people off if you name names and make specific applications!” The determining factor for whether truth ought to be taught and its application made is not “will it run folks off” or “will it hurt someone’s feelings” or “will they will be offended”. All the truth must always be preached to try to save soul (2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 20:27).

After Jesus had roundly rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for nullifying the word of God with their traditions the apostles said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” (Matt. 15:12) The word they used is skandalizō, “to put a stumbling-block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall; to be a stumbling-block…to entice to sin…to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey...to cause to fall away…” (Thayer, 576) The apostles told Jesus that His teaching placed an impediment before the Pharisees! It is as if they say, “Jesus, you caused the Pharisees to stumble!” Who can believe it?! That is still what some Christians say when the application is made from God’s word that exposes sinful error. Jesus denied their claim and explained the scribes and Pharisees were already blind guides leading the blind (Matt. 15:13-14). Making the application of truth is not the reason people reject the truth; the problem is the heart of the hearer is not right (Matt. 15:15-20; 13:18-23).

We make the application from God’s word because it is profits the hearer (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2). Paul said, “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you…” (Acts 20:20) Unless and until one accepts this God-given pattern of Bible preaching he is a hindrance to sound preaching; not a supporter of it. 

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Pentecostal pastor Mark Wolford died of a snake bite earlier this week. Wolford was conducting a snake-handling service in West Virginia when the poisonous timber rattlesnake he had been handling bit him in the thigh. He died the next day (“‘Serpent-Handling’ West Virginia Pastor Dies From Snake Bite”, Yahoo!News.com). We take no pleasure in his demise.

     In November 2011 Wolford said, “Anybody can do it that believes it,” he says. “Jesus said, ‘These signs shall follow them which believe.’ This is a sign to show people that God has the power.” (“In West Virginia, snake handling is still considered a sign of faith”, washingtonpost.com). Wolford watched his father died from a snake bite at a similar service.

     This is a gross perversion of Mark 16:17-18, which notes the miracles that accompanied the apostles of Christ were God’s confirmation of the gospel as genuine (Mk. 16:15-16, 19-20). We don’t need such signs today to show us “God has the power” – He has already shown His power and we are to put our faith in His certified word (Heb. 2:3-4; Gal. 1:11-12). We would ask these snake handlers what is their new revelation? The apostolic doctrine has been confirmed. What are they preaching that needs new and additional miraculous confirmation? Their preaching is a corruption of the gospel (Gal. 1:6-10).

     This reminds me of a poisonous snake a gospel preacher once captured and displayed during a debate with a Pentecostal on the subject of present-day miracles. He named it “Miracle Whip”. The Pentecostal didn’t want to handle Miracle Whip, and I don’t blame him (I guess he didn’t have enough faith)!

     How sad when people refuse the plain and power of God’s word for the “lying wonders” of error. Failing to possess “the love of the truth” they are deluded to believe a lie (that God will give them a miracle today) and lose their lives – and their souls (2 Ths. 2:9-12).   

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