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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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September 14, 2014
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Contents:
1) Building My Case By Comparing to the Least (Greg Gwin)
2) Reasons for Contending (Gilbert Alexander)
3) "Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only" (R.J. Evans)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
Building My Case By Comparing to the Least
by Greg Gwin
Self-justification is a highly developed skill in most individuals.
In school, on the job, in our marriages, and in almost every other
activity and relationship we will quickly revert to
self-justification if some criticism is leveled in our
direction. When it comes to our spiritual service to God we
also rush to defend ourselves if it is suggested that we are
negligent and need to improve in one area or another.
The example of King Saul stands out among those who made excuses for
their failures. When confronted by Samuel upon his return from
fighting the Amalekites, Saul tried to blame "the people" for taking
forbidden spoil, and rationalized that it was acceptable because the
things taken would be used for sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:20,21).
Samuel, of course, did not agree (vs. 22,23).
One of the classic methods frequently employed in the art of
self-justification is to compare oneself to someone who is viewed as
'worse.' 'I may not attend services as regularly as I should,
but I'm present more often than bro. Soandso.' Or, 'I may have
a bad temper and I often display it, but I've heard one of the other
members burst out in rage, and he even used curse words.' Or,
'I may not give much to the church, but I've watched what some of
the people around me put in the plate, and I'm giving more than they
are.' . . . and the examples could be multiplied.
The inspired apostle Paul destroyed forever the work of these
'self-justifiers' when he said: 'We dare not make ourselves of the
number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but
they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves
among themselves, are not wise' (2 Corinthians 10:12). Learn
the lesson. A right standing with God is not determined by
finding someone 'worse' than you are. Anybody can do
that! Think!
-- via The Beacon, August 14, 2012
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-2-
Reason for Contending
by Gilbert Alexander
Jude, by the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, found it necessary to write to Christians exhorting
them "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all
delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Certain men had crept
in unnoticed who were perverting
the truth and "denying our only
Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude
4). It may seem remarkable to us that errors were creeping in
among the saints so soon after the beginning of
the New Covenant; however, several
were noted by the writers of
the New Testament (I Corinthians 1:10-13;
11:18, 19; 15:12; Galatians 1:6,7; II
Timothy 2:16-18; II Peter 3:11-16;
Revelation 2:15). We should note well that Christians were
taught to oppose error vigorously (Galatians 2:11; Titus 1:7- 11;
James 5:19,20; Acts 15: 1,2; II Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 3:9-11).
The clarity and coherence of the faith make it possible for us to
contend for it. God's message to us is not nebulous. It
is high time that people quit the doctrine that no one can be
certain concerning what is truth. We can know what the faith
is, else how can we earnestly contend for it (Jude 3)? Jesus
said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
(John 8:31,32). We can know who God is, who Christ is, what
God's plan of redemption is, what sin is, what conditions God has
set in place for salvation from sins, what the church is, what the
work and worship of the church are, what righteous living consists
of, and what the two eternal destinies are. Since we can know
these things, we can contend for them, and we can oppose all
teachings contrary to them.
My brethren, everywhere around us falsehood is being taught and
errors practiced. Such are exposed by the
bright light of truth (John
3:19-21). If anyone stands for truth, he necessarily stands
against all things contrary to truth.
Are some people made unhappy
when truth is taught and error
exposed? Indeed they are! Some unhappy ones tried
to kill Jesus even before His crucifixion; Stephen was killed;
Paul was repeatedly beaten and
imprisoned; and many saints have
suffered wrongfully because they contended
earnestly for the faith. Are we better than they? May
God help us to have the courage to do what we know we ought to do.
-- Via the Eastside Enlightener of the Eastside church of Christ,
Athens, Alabama
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-3-
"Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only"
by R.J. Evans
James says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves" (Jas. 1:22). The emphasis of this
verse is on obeying God's commands. Jesus said, "If you love
Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). The Hebrew writer tells
us that Jesus "became the author of eternal salvation to all who
obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). Yet mankind has a serious problem in
obeying the commands of God. In fact, many have problems, not
only with being doers of the word, but also with listening to or
hearing God's word. This is critical, because we must be
willing to hear or listen to God's word before we can ever begin to
think about doing God's word. Please consider the following:
Man Is Often a Poor Listener
The prophet Jeremiah had a problem with people giving proper
attention to the message of God of his day. Listen as Jeremiah
says, "O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord!" (Jer.
22:29). The New Testament gives special attention to giving
heed to the word of God. "Therefore we must give the more earnest
heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away" (Heb.
2:1). Thus, failing to read, study and giving poor attention
to the word as it is being taught in our presence, will greatly
hinder one from ever becoming obedient to God's word.
Some Do Not Consider the Bible to be God's Word
The Bible is not the words of mere men. It is not the opinions
or ideas of some. It is the WORD of Almighty God Who is "from
everlasting to everlasting" (Psa. 90:2). Thus, God's word is
to be heard, believed and obeyed -- "Hear O heavens, and give ear, O
earth! For the Lord has spoken" (Isa. 1:2). Receiving
the Apostle Paul's inspired message as being the word of God had
something to do with the Thessalonians obeying it. Paul told
them, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because
when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you
welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word
of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thes.
2:13). Also, the fact that the scripture is the word of God is
also set forth in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Many Fail to Realize the Seriousness of Not Obeying the Word
Unfortunately some consider disobeying the word as a "small matter"
(Ezek. 16:20). The truth is, it is of the utmost
importance! We see this in the words of Samuel to Saul after
Saul had disobeyed God's instructions -- "Has the Lord as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice
of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to
heed than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22). Saul's failure to
obey God terminated his reign as king over Israel, though he did
remain a while to his own hurt. Jesus said, "Not everyone who
says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he
who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
Though the word provides all that is needed so "that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim.
3:17), yet according to some it is "considered a strange thing"
(Hosea 8:12). But it is to our advantage eternally to take
what the Bible says seriously, and "BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT
HEARERS ONLY."
-- Via the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales,
Louisiana, December 5, 2011
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News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following
people in prayer:
Robin Brown will be having rotator cuff surgery September 22
and has requested the prayers of the
saints.
Others with health conditions to pray for: Virgina Fontenot,
Dexter Roberts, Jim Lively, Mryna Jordan, Ronnie Davis, Rex and
Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah Medlock,
Shirley Davis, Sue Wooten, and Colleen Henson.
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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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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)