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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" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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November 21, 2010
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Contents:
1) 1 Peter 1:17-19 (Tom Edwards)
2) Learning to be Content (Bryan Gibson)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
1 Peter 1:17-19
by Tom Edwards
In 1 Peter 1:17-19, Peter writes, "If you address as Father the One who
impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in
fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not
redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile
way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious
blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
What a wonderful blessing it is, as Christians, to be able to call upon
God as our "Father"; and it is truly the sacrifice of Christ that makes
that possible.
Some folks, however, such as many Jehovah's Witnesses, express that we
should call the Father by His real name, "Jehovah," instead of using
merely a title as "Father." But this certainly isn't what
Peter shows. Nor is it what Jesus teaches in the model prayer He
gives in Matthew 6:9-13. For notice in that passage how He
instructs His followers to begin a prayer. He says, "Pray then in
this way, 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.'"
How, therefore, can man say we should use God's real name, when the
Lord Jesus does not command or indicate that; but, rather, chooses this
title of "Father" when we are addressing Him in prayer?
The real name for God in the Hebrew comes from the Tetragrammaton, a
Hebrew word which is only 4 consonants and no vowels. So we don't
know whether it should be "Jehovah," "Yahweh" (which some say is more
probable than "Jehovah"), or some other rendering. Whatever it
used to be, it was a name so sacred that only the high priest would say
it -- and that in a low whisper on just one day out of the entire year
(the Day of Atonement), when he went into the Most Holy place of the
temple, where God's presence is said to have dwelt. When the Jews
would come to the reading of it in the Scriptures, they would simply
use the word "Adonai" instead, which is the Hebrew for "Lord."
So, today, no one knows how that actual word is to be pronounced --
and, therefore, what vowels to use in it. In the Old Testament,
the Tetragrammaton is often translated as "LORD" in small caps.
But, lest one becomes troubled over this, if the Lord wanted us to use
His real name -- instead of a title -- would He then not only have
commanded us to do so in the New Testament, but also have shown us what
that personal name is?
Interestingly, this personal name for God, the Tetragrammaton, was used
not only for the Father, but also for the Son. For example, in
Zechariah 2:10,11, the Lord speaks of the Lord sending Him -- and both
Lords are from the Tetragrammaton.
In addition, it is easy to see that by using titles, such as God, Lord,
and Father, it does not detract from showing respect to the
Lord. Rather, we use these terms to exalt Him above all --
and even in the term Father, we think of God as being the greatest of
all fathers. And, actually, even in the Tetragrammaton, according
to Strong, it means "self-existent or eternal." So, therefore,
it, too, rather than just a name, also expresses his greatness -- and
we often do address God as being eternal.
Another point Peter makes about God is that He is One who "impartially
judges according to each one's work..." (1 Pet. 1:17). This
impartial nature of God is seen throughout the Scriptures. Even
during that Mosaical Period, for example, when the Jews were the
special people of God, it was sometimes that they were destroyed for
their lack of obedience -- whereas the heathens were spared because of
their repentance toward God, as we see in the case of the city of
Nineveh in Jonah's day.
After giving Peter the vision, which indicated God's desire for
salvation to be taken to the Gentile people, Peter came to the right
conclusion in Acts 10:34,35, when he states, "...'I most certainly
understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in
every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to
Him." In Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, and Ephesians 6:9,
Paul also shows that God is not one given to using favoritism.
So, we must remember that in being Christians that does not give us a
license to sin, for we will be held accountable of those wrongs -- just
as a non-Christian would. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:10,
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that
each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to
what he has done, whether good or bad."
Therefore, since God is not one who shows partiality, Peter exhorts the
brethren to "conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on
earth." Paul also states a similar thing in 2 Corinthians 7:1, by
saying, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God."
The fear of the Lord is a good thing to have. It is not to be
equated with being afraid, and it can help us to overcome sin.
Both of these points can be seen in Exodus 20:20. Solomon says in
Proverbs 16:6 that "...by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from
evil." And God says, concerning His people, in Jeremiah
32:40, "...I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will
not turn away from Me."
No wonder the Bible teaches that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of knowledge..." (Prov. 1:7) and "the beginning of wisdom..." (Psa.
111:10). How helpful it is to lead us in the wiser direction.
The fear of the Lord also helps us to "hate evil" (Prov. 8:13); and it
"prolongs life" (Prov. 10:27). It also gives "strong confidence"
(Prov. 14:26) and is a "fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares
of death" (v. 27). Solomon also states, "Better is a little
with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it"; and
some folks have simply made "the fear of the Lord" as their "treasure"
(Isa. 33:6). For "The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one
may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil" (Prov. 19:23). And even
in spite of the persecution, the church that feared the Lord could also
have comfort at the same time (Acts 9:31).
As we see in these passages, having the proper fear of the Lord helps
us to keep on the right track. And something else that should
give motivation toward that is in realizing what our Lord was willing
to do for us. As Peter shows, God "redeemed us" -- not "with
perishable things of silver and gold," but "with precious blood...the
blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:18,19). All the wealth in the universe
cannot buy the forgiveness of sins. For it requires something of
much greater value than that; and what greater value could there ever
be than that perfect life of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who paid that
greatest of all prices by giving of His own life on a cruel cross, so
that sins could be atoned for.
Paul shows that Jesus paid this great price with His own blood, not
only so we could be redeemed, but also so that we could live a new life
unto God. In Titus 2:14, for instance, Paul says of the Lord,
"who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to
purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good
deeds." Notice especially this last part -- "zealous for good
deeds" -- which also corresponds with 2 Corinthians 5:15, "and He died
for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but
for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."
May that always be true of us who are Christians, to not merely live
for ourselves; but, rather, for our Lord who was willing to give His
all for us.
So may we never take for granted -- or make a vain thing out of
-- that wonderful sacrifice Jesus made for us, so that we could be
purchased by His blood, be able to call upon God as our Father, and
reverentially submit to Him every day by our faith and obedience.
For that is the way we show our love to the Lord and make our faith a
saving faith.
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-2-
Learning to Be Content
by Bryan Gibson
The following is Paul's "thank you note" to the church at Philippi,
written while imprisoned in Rome. Read it carefully, because it
contains some very important lessons.
(10) "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for
me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked
opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have
learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (12) I know how to be
abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have
learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer
need. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (14)
Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (15)
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when
I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving
and receiving but you only. (16) For even in Thessalonica you sent aid
once and again for my necessities. (17) Not that I seek the gift, but I
seek the fruit that abounds to your account. (18) Indeed I have all and
abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent
from you, a sweet- smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well
pleasing to God. (19) And my God shall supply all your need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now to our God and Father
be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Philippians 4:10-20).
Zero in on verses 11-12 for just a minute, especially the latter part
of v. 11: ". . .for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content." Let's use this passage and a few others to discover his keys
to contentment.
He was thankful for their care (v. 10), for sharing in his distress (v.
14), for the aid they sent him on previous occasions (vv. 15-16), for
doing something "well-pleasing to God" (vv. 17-18), for the fact that
his and their needs were supplied by God (v. 19). This is one of the
big keys to contentment, because it's hard to be thankful and
discontented at the same time. "Count your many blessings, name
them one by one." It won't make our hardships disappear, but it will
make them seem a lot less significant.
He did what he had earlier admonished these brethren to do -- he looked
out "for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). He was too
concerned about their welfare to spend much time thinking about his own
(Philippians 1:27-28; 2:19-24; 2:25-28). Yes, he was thankful for the
gift they sent him, but he was more thankful for the spirituality they
had demonstrated in sending the gift (vv. 17-18). We can learn to be
content, too, but we'll first have to learn to quit thinking about
ourselves all the time. Get busy looking out for others, and we'll soon
forget our own woes.
Material things were not his top priority; so much so that he didn't
even like to "speak in regard to need" (v. 11). Look at v. 17 again:
"Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your
account." It's much easier to be content when the "one thing" that
matters most is laying hold of eternal life (Philippians 3:12-14).
In regard to material things, he focused more on necessities than
luxuries -- "you sent aid once and again for my necessities" (v. 16);
"God shall supply all your need" (v. 19). There's nothing wrong with
abounding, or being full (v. 18), but there is something wrong when
this is expected, when having an abundance is taken for granted. Don't
forget what Jesus taught us to pray: "give us this day our daily bread"
(Matthew 6:11). Do that and it will actually increase our gratitude,
especially when God chooses to bless us beyond what He has promised.
Paul trusted in God's provisions -- both spiritual and material. After
talking about how he had learned contentment, he quickly deflected the
credit -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (v.
13). God provided for Paul's needs, and will do the same for all His
children. "And my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (v. 19).
-- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, October 10,
2010
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News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians continue remembering Agnes Shuff in prayer who has been
on hospice care for several weeks and not feeling well.
Congratulations to David Comer and
Skyla Holt who were recently united in marriage! Let us
pray that the Lord will continue to bless them in their marriage, all
the days of their life.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards@onemain.com
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/audioser.html (audio sermons)
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 a little less than 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. Just walk pass the check-in counter; turn
right at the hall. The first and second doors on the left lead to
where we meet.