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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 16, 2014
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Contents:
1) Words (Kyle Campbell)
2) Win the Race (R.J. Evans)
3) What Men Have Done to Hell (Bill Crews)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
Words
by Kyle Campbell
Words are used every day by everyone. There are all kinds of words:
generous, stingy, loving, hateful, kind, unkind, angry, peaceful,
loud, quiet, etc. The words that Christians use are very important.
Our words will either draw people to faith in Christ and a deep walk
with God, or our words will drive people away. Consider some of the
types of words Christians should use.
There are calm words (Proverbs 15:1). I know you have heard men or
women explode in anger and you might have even been the recipient of
a tirade of words that have left you reeling. We cannot control the
temperature, harshness, or volume of the words of another. We can,
however, try to control the temperature, harshness, and volume of
our own words. A soft answer, in dealing with people who have done
wrong or offended us, will also help keep us from a lot of angry,
violent reactions (cp. Proverbs 3:30; 19:11).
There are cautious words (Proverbs 10:19; 11:13). Have you ever said
something you were sorry for later? We say things especially in
anger that we do not really mean, and yet the damage is done! Have
you noticed that the more a person talks, the more likely he or she
is to say something they should not say? When we put no damper on
our words, we are likely to say things that are either sinful or
disturbing to someone else (Psalm 141:3). Be cautious of gossip,
slander, and talebearing. They destroy instead of edify.
There are corrective words (Proverbs 11:14; 25:12). You are probably
familiar with two friends in the Bible. The older man was named
Jonathan. He was the king's son. The younger man was David. They
were good friends, and I am sure David was able to learn and be
encouraged by the words and actions of Jonathan. One time David was
on the run, fleeing for his life from King Saul, and Jonathan
strengthened him (1 Samuel 23:16). Who is your David? Who can you
encourage this week? There are also times when we need someone to
stand beside us.
There are commendable words (Proverbs 25:11). Whatever "apples of
gold in pictures of silver" refers to, we are being told that the
right word spoken at the right time by the right person is
commendable. There have been times when you have needed a word of
encouragement or correction. Or there was a time when you needed to
hear the gospel, and someone shared it with you. These are words
fitly spoken. Thank God for the people who have fitly spoken in your
life.
Ask God to give you a chance this week to share the right words with
the right people at the right time. Colossians 4:5-6 says, "Walk in
wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how
ye ought to answer every man." Use your words wisely. Your salvation
and the salvation of others depends on it.
-- via The Way of Truth and Life, October 5, 2014, Volume 5, Number
40
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-2-
Win the Race
by R.J. Evans
In the New Testament the Christian life is often compared to running
a race. (See 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 12:1.) It
also speaks of victory and gaining the prize. (See 1 Cor.
15:57; 1 Jn. 5:4; Phil. 3:14.) Thus, in the analogies of
athletics and contests, God's Word sets forth the guidelines for
true success so that His people can win "the race that is set before
us" (Heb. 12:1). God has given us the necessary
requirements for success. Let us carefully consider these and
diligently apply them so that we will succeed.
1. To win the race, we must properly enter the race. Some try
to run without having properly entered the race (1 Cor. 9:24; 2 Tim.
2:5). Obedience to the gospel of Christ is essential for one
to be qualified to run. This includes faith in Christ,
repentance of our sins, confession of our faith in Christ, and
baptism for the remission of our sins (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Matt.
10:32-33; Mk. 16:16). By this obedience, we enter into Christ
(Gal. 3:27), and thus can run the race set before us.
2. All hindrances must be laid aside (Heb. 12:1; Jas. 1:21; 2 Tim.
2:4; Col. 3:5-10). We cannot run the race successfully while
carrying the burdens of worldliness and unholy living.
3. We must exercise self-control in all things (1 Cor. 9:25).
In sports this is called "in training" and "staying in shape."
It requires dedication, commitment, endurance, and self-discipline
(2 Tim. 2:3; 1 Cor. 9:27). We must value the goal enough to
abstain from all hurtful, destructive, hindering activities.
4. We must run the race with patience (Heb. 12:1). Remember
that this is an endurance race, not a fifty-yard dash (Matt.
10:22). Some people begin the race with vigor but fade away
long before they get near the final stretch. Perseverance is
essential so as to endure the pains and struggles that come before
reaching the finish line (Eph. 6:18).
5. We must run as if we were the only ones to be crowned (1 Cor.
8:24). While we understand that others will be crowned too, we
realize that we must continue to press forward, as though we were
all alone, so as to reach the goal of heaven (2 Cor. 10:12; Phil.
3:14).
6. We must make every effort count (1 Cor. 9:26). Detours and
wasted motion hinder rather than help. Time must be utilized
to its fullest. There is no time for loitering!
7. We must strive lawfully if we expect to be crowned (2 Tim.
2:5). There are rules to go by, and the Judge will know who
has striven lawfully (Phil. 3:16). We cannot win by causing
others to stumble either.
8. We must keep our eyes on the goal (Heb. 12:2; Phil.
3:12-14). We cannot win by looking back and trying to
live in the past. We can be easily diverted from the course
before us if our eyes are not fastened on the goal ahead.
9. We must pray to God for strength (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6-7).
Help and strength are available if we will ask in faith.
10. We must finish the course (2 Tim. 4:7-8). We will not win
if we quit halfway through the race. Nor does almost finishing
the race give us the victory. It is easy to talk about what we
can do or what we intend to do. However, the actual running in
the race takes determination, effort, and perseverance. Let us
save our glorying and exultation in victory until we gain the
prize. We can and should rejoice in what we have attained, but
let us not forget the difficulties that lie ahead of us. As
one has said, "Let him not boast who puts his armor on, As he who
puts if off, the battle won."
Surely, if we will use God's guidelines for success, we can be
winners in this great race. Let us all live the life of a
faithful Christian so that we -- WIN THE RACE!
-- Via the bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales,
LA, November 9, 2014
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What Men Have Done to Hell
by Bill Crews
1. Atheists, skeptics and modernists have eradicated it by their
"wonderful" powers of "reason."
2. "Christian Scientists" have attributed it to improper thinking,
the figment of bad imagination, or "malicious animal magnetism."
3. Universalists have removed the need of fearing it since they
teach that all will be saved anyway.
4. Unitarians and others have decided that the only real heaven or
hell are encountered by men in this life by pleasant or unpleasant
experiences.
5. "Jehovah's Witnesses" have reduced it to annihilation, eternal
non-existence rather than eternal punishment.
6. Many Protestant denominations have taken away any concern about
being lost from millions by their doctrine of "once saved, always
saved."
7. Catholicism has assured millions that they will not go there
because of her sacraments and rituals, and has caused many to be
more concerned about an imaginary "purgatory."
8. Many have sought to remove the eternal duration and the awful
torment of hell by their own concept of God's love.
But what the Bible says about hell remains true. You may read about
it in Matthew 18:8-9; 25:41,46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation
14:10-11; 20:10, 15; 21:8.
-- Via The Way of Truth and Life, October 5, 2014, Volume 5, No. 40
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-4-
News & Notes
Though he had been in remission, Steve Vesta's cancer has
returned; and his doctor's diagnosis is not good. Let those of
us who are God's children be keeping Steve and his wife Marie in
prayer.
And let us also do the same for the following:
Dolly Downs Moody is to be at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville
for another few weeks to continue undergoing chemo and radiation
treatments for cancer.
Penny Medlock had been having trouble seeing and has recently
been diagnosed with glaucoma.
Carol Drain recently had cataract surgery on her other eye,
which went well.
The following are also in need of prayer for their health: Myrna
Jordan, Marie Turner (wife of Mark), Jim Lively, Danny
Bartlett, Baxter Cribbs, Danielle Howard, Ronnie Davis, Rex and
Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah
Medlock, Sue Wooten, Shirley Davis, Dexter Roberts, 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)