. ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ October 18, 2009 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) "We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident...." (Dick Blackford) 2) As This Little Child (Bill Moseley) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- "We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident...." by Dick Blackford In school we studied axioms. In math and logic an axiom is "a statement that needs no proof because its truth is obvious" (Webster's New World Dictionary. 98). Euclid's famous axiom was "things equal to the same thing are equal to each other" (Webster, 98). An axiom is a self-evident truth. We observed other axioms such as: "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line." Who hasn't paraphrased this obvious truth by saying, "as the crow flies"? Then there was the one, "the sum is equal to the total of its parts." We need this obvious truth to check our answers. But there are some more truths which men, both secular humanists and halfhearted believers, need reminding of today. They would be obvious even without a revelation from God, though many of them are alluded to in Scripture. 1. Something Cannot Come From Nothing. In all of human experience no one has observed otherwise. A thing is universally accepted as true when no one can demonstrate that the opposite occasionally happens. It is on this basis that we conclude that the universe could not be self-existent, for it would have created itself from nothing. If there was ever a time when totally nothing existed then that situation would be locked in forever. There would just be a constant eternity of nothingness, for something cannot come from nothing. But this leads to another axiom. 2. Mind Is Superior To Matter. Left to itself, matter cannot choose to act on its own. Matter can be acted upon by mind (intelligence), but not the other way around. An enormous amount of planning and action (mind, intelligence and power) would have been necessary in order to bring this orderly universe and all life systems into being. We are forced to conclude that the First Cause was not lifeless matter but a highly intelligent mind. "Mind over matter" is an axiom. "Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why didst thou make me thus?" (Rom. 9:20) 3. Creation Demands A Creator. "For every house was builded by someone" (Heb. 3:4). We can all agree about the house. Shouldn't it be even more obvious that something which requires even more power and intelligence than a house was brought into existence by a more powerful and more intelligent being? The "logic" of unbelievers is woefully lacking at this point. The word "create" is a verb, an action word. But a verb cannot show action unless there is a noun to do the acting. 4. Life Demands A Life-giver. Something cannot give that which it does not have. No one has ever demonstrated the opposite. Scientists agree that "all life comes from existing life (the law of biogenesis)." This is one reason the "Big Bang Theory" is not a sufficient explanation for a universe that is filled with numberless forms of life. Whoever gave the abundance of life we see everywhere around us, had it to give and knows the secret to life that remains a mystery to man (Acts 17:25). 5. Law Demands A Law-giver. Many laws of nature exist: motion, gravity, etc. They attest to the fact that there is a Lawgiver somewhere. Every effect must have an adequate cause. There has to be a Moving Force that brings the elements together in such a way as to make these laws dependable and useful. It would be terrible if each day was different and these laws went in and out of effect at random (Job 28:25; Eccl. 1:6,7). 6. That Which Is Being Sustained Demands A Sustainer. An enormous amount of energy is needed to keep the earth rotating on its axis and revolving around the sun, to say nothing about the energy needed that keeps all other heavenly bodies moving in their galaxies. For anything to continue functioning it must have sustenance. And what about the energy needed that keeps the earth providing fuel for man and machine? Jam the sustainer and maintainer of my automobile. It needs both sustenance and maintenance regularly. Concerning the universe, "he upholdeth all things by the word of his power" (Heb. 1:3; Acts 17:25). It is continuous action and not at all like the deist who believes in a one-time creation in which the creator has no further interest in his creation or its functioning. 7. Design Demands A Designer. Everything in the universe has design, even snowflakes. The fact that the earth tilts at the right angle to give us dependable seasons every year (Gen. 8:22), that it completes a rotation on its axis every day and a revolution around the sun every year so that we can set our clocks and make our calendars, that all living organisms have dependable systems (respiratory, circulation, nervous, etc.), these are but the hem of the garment of evidence of design in the universe (Psa. 139:14-18). 8. The Fact That Man Has A Conscience implies An intelligent Creator, Designer, Sustainer, Life-giver And Law-giver Who Has A Set Of Standards Of Right And Wrong. We have already shown the logic of an intelligent Creator. Everything that any being with intelligence does, has a point to it (or a reason for it). What other reason could there be for man's being given a conscience (a sense of "ought" and "ought not") if there is no standard by which to order and measure it? This implies a revelation of the will of the Law-giver. There are other self-evident truths, hut there is a final one we want to observe in a moment. First, we need to consider the consequences of saying, as the humanist does. that there is no Creator, Designer, Sustainer, Life-giver, Law-giver or Moral Being. It is to say that each man is merely an animal and a law unto himself, that there is no meaning to life or the universe, you better put self first, get all you can and do all you want to do because here and now" is all you have. It is to invite a "free-for-all" in morality. Do you wonder at the rapid increase in crime -- the drive-by shootings, car-jackings. that rape has increased by 70% since 1933. etc.? Brother Connie Adams recently observed that "no nation has survived her own moral decline." That leads us to our final axiom. 8. You Will Reap What You Sow. No one has demonstrated the opposite. Experience tells us this truth in the plant world: sow corn -- reap corn. How terrible it would be if we couldn't depend on this. But it is also true in life. We need not fear this self-evident truth if we are sowing the proper seed. However, "he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; hut he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal. 6:7,8). Evidence is all around us. These truths are obvious. Those who ignore them or are half-hearted are "without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). Are you ready for the Lord to take vengeance on "those who know not God and obey not the gospel?" (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Are you prepared to reap what you have sown? All humanists and indifferent believers who have not made preparation for the inevitable need to take warning. "It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 2, p. 18-19, January 20, 1994 ____________________________________________________ -2- As This Little Child by Bill Moseley The disciples of Jesus once came to him with the question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:1)? As often was the case, the response of the Saviour must have stunned them, for it was not at all the way men would have had it! He put a little child before them, and in a word, told them if they would be great, they must be "... as this little child" (v. 4). Now to be a disciple meant responsibility; one cannot follow Christ without learning certain things, for that, among other things, is what a disciple is -- a "learner" and "follower." Yet there is a difference in a little child and a disciple in one way. We need to hear this clearly -- what little children are naturally, disciples must learn! Note that Jesus said that a disciple is one who will "become as little children," and here is our problem -- we often want discipleship without becoming other than what we are! Have you ever wondered why little children are what they are? They don't seem to have any problem with it, do they? The reason is that it is simply within the nature of a little child to be what he is -- he has not yet learned to be something else. Let's look at some marks of a little child, and see how we measure up. A little child is dependent upon his parents. He has no choice in the matter -- that is just the way it is. Any other route and he would starve and face all sorts of dangers. If God is to be our Father, we must learn to depend upon him. This is not to say we do not face responsibilities, for surely we do. Yet there are things which we simply cannot do for ourselves, any more than Noah could have depended on himself to be saved from the flood, or Moses could have led Israel from Egypt without the help of God. To put it bluntly, we need God! A little child is obedient to parents. There is something seriously wrong when parents do not demand obedience from their children. This obedience, says Paul, should be there simply because "this is right" (Eph. 6:1). A child will willingly comply with parental demands -- if he is started down that path early and consistently enough. Have we learned obedience like we should? Jesus learned it (Lk. 2:51; Heb. 5:8-9). Why don't most people obey God? Because they have not been taught that this is the right and best way to live. Little children, for the most part, are paragons of humility. Properly reared children humbly relate to parents in ways that are profitable to all. It is most refreshing to find a young person who wants some guidance, and is fully aware of his immaturity. God also demands humility of his disciples (Mic. 6:8; Jas. 4:10), and yet we often have the hardest time learning this. Little children know how to forgive. Who has not witnessed two who suddenly have a serious disagreement? They may be angry for a short time, but the anger is soon gone; they forgive and forget and all differences have been resolved and are gone as if by magic! Paul said, "in malice be ye children" (l Cor. 14:20). How much more pleasant relationships with others would be if we could develop the "forgive and forget" mentality that seems to characterize most children! Whereas most children just seem to have this quality, as disciples of Christ it is something we must learn. How are we doing along this line? Little children are ideals of purity. Their thoughts, actions and motives are free from the impurities of life. Their lives hold no malice or ill will. To look at a small child sets before our eyes what God would want all men to be as regards purity in the life. And so we need to learn to be pure. Paul told Timothy to "keep thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22). Those whose lives are pure are not "conformed to this world" ( Rom. 12:1-2). The things of this world are anymore mostly the epitome of impurity, and must be put out of the life. Finally, children often have a strong desire to go home. Have you ever taken your children on a long trip, and they begin to question you, "when will we be home?" Or, "how much farther is it to home?" As Christians, we need to develop that same desire, for this world is not our home. We are strangers and pilgrims here at best (1 Pet. 2:11). It is tragic to see a Christian settle down in this world and make no effort to go any farther. And so as God's children, we must develop the desire to "go home" to heaven that awaits us. Have we learned to be, as Jesus said, "... as this little child"? I hope so. -- Via Putting the Brethren in Remembrance, December 2000 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Let those of us who are Christians be praying for Thelma Smith (Agnes Shuff's sister) who was recently hospitalized, due to a stroke, and then fell and injured her foot. Let us also be praying for Mary Lee Wheat (Clyde Jackson's sister) who recently had her thyroid removed, due to cancer that appears to have been localized in it. Let us pray that these people will heal up well. ____________________________________________________ CHURCH OF CHRIST 201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn) Denham Springs, LA 70726 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 tedwards@onemain.com http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go DIRECTIONS: Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road, and go less then 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the right. We assemble in its meeting room, which is very close to the reception counter. ____________________________________________________