by Steve Higginbotham
On this date [February 21] in 1933, my dad was born in Wetzel County, WV. As I was going
through some of dad’s files, reminiscing, I came across a radio script he preached on this same
date in 1956. Dad preached it on WMMN in Fairmont, WV. The picture to the left was probably
taken close to the time that this lesson was delivered. Dad would have been 23 years old when he
preached this 15 minute lesson on his radio show called, “The Gospel Broadcast.”
Here’s [a slightly edited version due to length] his lesson. It’s just as true and just as needed
today as it was when he first preached it 60 years ago today.
“For the past few weeks, we have noticed some of the things which stand in the way of
people obeying the gospel of Christ. This morning, we intend to conclude this series of studies.
I want to make it very clear to you today that the Bible teaches that no one can be saved
unless he is obedient to the Gospel. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not the judge and I am
not the one who has the right to grant to some a place in Heaven and to others a place of
punishment. However, the fact remains that the Lord has made it clear in his word, just who is to
be saved and who is to be lost.
If we allow something to hinder our obedience to the gospel, we shall be unprepared to meet
the Lord when he comes again. He is coming a second time to take vengeance on those who have
not obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8). If you truly want to go to Heaven, there will not be anything
so important to you that you would allow it to stand in the way of obeying God.
Many people have offered excuses and expect man and God to accept them. However, that
doesn’t mean that God will accept them (Luke 14:16-24). The point that I am trying to impress
upon your mind is the fact that to offer excuses to God is folly. The Lord cannot be fooled. Yet,
we can offer excuses so often that we can fool ourselves into thinking we are justified. When
people offer excuses and think they are right in so doing, this hinders them from obeying the
gospel.
Family relationships are often used to excuse our lack of obedience. Yet, we must love the
Lord more than our own family. Even though they may object to our obedience to the gospel, we
must take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Luke 14:26-27).
Some fail to obey the gospel because they think they have plenty of time. They await a
“more convenient season” (Acts 24:24-25). But who knows if he will have the time he wants when
he wants to obey the Lord? James points out that our life is but a vapor that appeareth for a little
time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:13-15).
The conclusion of this lesson is simply this. Anything that hinders you from obeying the
gospel must be rejected and overcome. You ought to obey him at once! His plan is simple. Believe
the good news about Jesus (John 14:6), repent of your sins (Acts 2:38), confess your faith in Christ
(Matthew 10:32), and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).”
—from preachinghelp.org (2/21/2016)
