Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

















"Preach The Word"

PREACHING STANDARDS:
RIGHT OR WRONG?
by
Rev. Michael D. Allison, B.A., M.R.E., D. Min.
4/26/84
'

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BIBLE & LITERATURE MISSIONARY FOUNDATION
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Table of Contents iii
Forward by Dr. Lee Roberson
Introduction:

1 No More Abominations 1
2 Legalism. A Smokescreen 15
3 Understanding I Corinthians 8 31
4 The Unmentionable Abomination 41
5 New Testament Principles for Dressing 49
6 Blessed Without Obedience 57
7 Holiness: Our Hope for Revival 63
Bibliography 71

FORWARD
It is quite evident that Dr. Allison is not seeking to
win a popularity contest! No man writes or preaches on
the theme of Bible standards without facing the
unhappiness of his readers and listeners and their open
distastes and disapproval of his ministry.

However, Dr. Allison has based the message of this
book clearly and definitely upon the Holy Word of
God. He has not given any private interpretation of
Scriptures, but has placed before all people the evident
and plain teachings of God unto us.

As a separated Christian, you will be strengthened
by the reading of this book. As a Christian, void of
standards and lukewarm in your allegiance to the service
of Christ, you will be stirred to new depths of
thought, and I trust to new standards of holy living.
The last chapter does state the great importance of
preaching Bible standards. The chapter is entitled,
"Holiness, Our Hope For Revival." Without holiness,
our praying is in vain. Without holiness, our soul winning
is meager. Without holiness, our churches are
dead and lifeless.

Yes, you will be blessed by the reading of this book. I
commend Dr. Allison for the writing of it.
Sincerely,
Lee Roberson, Pastor Emeritus
Highland Park Baptist Church
Chancellor, Tennessee Temple
University
Chattanooga, Tennessee

INTRODUCTION
Standards: should they be preached? Should the
preacher mention specifics? Isn't it legalism to preach
standards?

In fundamental churches today, the biggest troubles
usually center around standards. Most national radio
and TV preachers never mention specifics and even
chide preachers who do. Then the church members
begin to wonder about their pastor since the "big"
preachers don't preach so hard. With only 3 or 4 services
a week the pastor not have time to go into all the
Bible verses behind every conviction each time he
preaches.

Therefore the purpose of this book is to give the
pastor who still believes in old-fashioned standards for
godly living something he can put in the hands of his
old and new members that will reinforce his preaching.
Hopefully, these pages Biblically answer many of the
objections pastors receive concerning their preaching.
May God use this as an effective tool for His glory.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY
In 1971 I trusted Christ as my personal Savior while
working at a radio station in Otsego, Michigan. Three
years later I surrendered to preach the gospel of Jesus
Christ after hearing Missionary Charles Hocking
(missionary to Brazil with Baptist Mid-Missions). I
decided to attend Tennessee Temple University in
Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Like students often do, I began to complain about
the rules and standards. After all, I had a strong desire
to serve the Lord. I was sincere. I was convinced the
school was being a little picky about how Christians
were to live. Because of my critical attitude, God set
me on the shelf, as in 10 months I led only one adult to
Jesus Christ.

During that time Jack Hyles was scheduled to
preach at Trinity Baptist Church in Chattanooga, and
since I had never heard him before, I decided to attend.
That night he preached on criticism. For about 90
minutes Dr. Hyles walked all over my critical attitude.
When the invitation was given I went forward and
confessed my sin to God. I vowed to God that I would
study the Bible, and if the convictions held by Tennessee
Temple were taught in the Word of God then
they would be my convictions. If they were not taught
in the Word of God, then I would not worry about
them. But regardless, I was going to end my criticisms
of the place.
Once I decided to make the Word of God my final
authority, regardless of how I personally felt, my life
changed drastically. In fact, on the day of my graduation
I mentioned to Dr. Roberson that as far as I knew,
I had every conviction the school stood for.
By the way, within two weeks of my decision to end
the criticism and study the Word of God concerning
standards, I won five adults to Jesus Christ.
My challenge to those who disagree about certain
standards is to set aside a critical spirit and honestly
study the Word of God. May personal desires be set
aside by those who read this book, and may they read
with the attitude, "If that is what The Book teaches, I
will obey it, whether I like it or not."
Let us be like the Bereans who searched the
Scriptures daily, to see "whether those things were so."
Michael D. Allison
4/25/1984

 STUDY FROM DR. MIKE ALLISON

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