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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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January 25, 2015
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Contents:
1) Myopia (Dan McKibben)
2) Meaning of "Kingdom" (Robert Turner)
3) God's Grace (Dick Ward)
4) Application Is Needed (David McPherson)
5) News & Notes
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-1-
Myopia
by Dan McKibben
In 2 Peter 1:9 (ASV) we read, "For he that lacketh these things is
blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from
his old sins." The ESV translates the verse, "For whoever lacks
these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten
that he was cleansed from his former sins."
Being nearsighted or having the ability to only seeing things that
are near is called "Myopia" from the Greek language which is the
word that Peter uses here.
In the context Peter is talking about Christians who fail to grow in
those graces that he talks about in vs. 5-7. When we get wrapped up
in the things of this world, and fail to see the future, such as
growing in the Lord. Or fail to see the day of judgment coming,
afterwards eternal life or eternal punishment, we are being
nearsighted, not seeing afar off. When we look at the pleasures of
sin and do not look at the future consequences of wrong doing, we
are being nearsighted. When Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of
soup, he was only seeing one thing: satisfying his hunger, and not
considering the importance of his birthright, Gen. 25:33, Heb.
12:16-17. It is important that we keep in mind the big picture of
things and consider the importance of getting to heaven. It has been
said many times, "If we miss heaven, we miss it all." Thus knowing
the seriousness of serving God and getting to heaven, we then look
afar off to the day of judgment and will so order our lives to take
advantage of his grace and forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
Let us not be blind as the majority of the world are, who see only
the dollar bills that are so close before their eyes. Heaven is
waiting for all who look afar to see Jesus at the right of hand of
God as mediator and redeemer, which things can only be seen through
the eyes of faith. Do you see Jesus or do suffer from Myopia?
-- via the website for the Providence church of Christ (Broadhead,
KY):
http:/www.Whatsaiththescriptures.com/articles.php?&num=281
(December 28, 2012)
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Meaning Of "Kingdom"
by Robert Turner
"Dear Bro. Turner:
"Does the word 'kingdom' sometimes mean the rule and reign of Christ
in the heart of a person as seems to be inferred by Luke 17:21?" DS
Reply:
It is my understanding that the word "basileia" (kingdom) always
refers to "rule" and only by extension does it refer to the
citizens, the territory or dominion-realm, such as is contemplated
when we say "the church" is Christ's kingdom.
Moulton and Milligan (Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament) say,
"As kingship or sovereignty in the abstract is necessarily the root
meaning of this word, it is easy to see how the passage into the
concrete could either be on the lines of our dominion (cf. "our
Sovereign and his dominions"), or follow the outward and visible
signs of royalty."
When we see the word "kingdom" we should think "rule." Then, after
the idea of "rule" is firmly planted in our mind, we may examine the
context to see if, in this case, the word is extended to designate
the realm of that rule, the people ruled, the nature of that rule
(physical or spiritual), or some other extended use. We do
ourselves, and our readers or hearers, a grave injustice when we say
"the church and the kingdom are the same" without adequate
explanation. The erroneous institutional concept of "church" that is
so prevalent only complicates and compounds the error. R.L.
Whiteside put it well when he wrote: "In its broadest sense the
church is that body of people who have been called out of sin into
the service of Christ. As Jesus rules over his body of people, it is
his kingdom" (Kingdom of Promise and Prophecy; p. 177).
-- Via Plain Talk, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 7, April, 1973
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-3-
God's Grace
by Dick Ward
Did you know we are saved by the GRACE of GOD? Most folks who
profess to believe the Bible are quick to say they understand man is
saved by God's grace. Ephesians 2:8 clearly states we are saved by
grace, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God."
It has amazed me to read creeds written by men which contend we are
saved by grace ALONE! For example, the Baptists view contends for
such: "We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners
is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of
God..." (Hiscox's Baptist Manual, p. 61). The word "wholly" means
"entirely, completely, solely, exclusively." Does the Bible teach
that lost people are saved exclusively by grace and nothing else is
involved?
Does Grace Exclude Faith?
If a person or group of people say salvation is "wholly" by grace,
and understand what they are saying, they exclude everything else.
Would not such a view eliminate "faith" on the part of an individual
seeking salvation? The Word of God plainly teaches us that man is
"...justified by faith..." (Romans 5:1). I take it -- faith and
grace save because God's Book says BOTH are involved. If faith has a
part in one's salvation, such proves a lost soul is not saved solely
by grace!
Does Grace Exclude Obedience?
God's part (Grace) does not exclude man's part (obedience to God's
commands). In the case of Noah finding "grace" in the eyes of God
(Genesis 6:8), such did not exclude the obedient act of building the
ark according to God's pattern. Noah could not have been saved from
the flood-waters separate and apart from God's saving grace, but
neither could he have been saved without strict obedience to God's
instructions concerning the construction of the ark of gopher wood.
God's grace in no way rules out man's working faith! Galatians. 5:6,
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
God's Grace is Inclusive
God's grace provided the means of salvation, but all men are not
saved. The plan of salvation given through God's grace has to be
believed and obeyed before man can be saved. Let us notice some
statements of Jesus:
"If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John
8:24). "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:
3). "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
Let us never misrepresent God's grace, but rather let us appreciate
it and take full advantage of it by doing our part.
-- Via The Bulletin of the Golden Isles CHURCH OF CHRIST (Brunswick,
GA), Volume 1, Number 26, September 23, 2001
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Application Is Needed
by David McPherson
Throughout the world there are those who can quote Scripture,
correctly answer Bible Trivia questions, and accurately teach the
Word of God. While commendable, these alone do not suffice. To truly
please God and faithfully serve Him, application is needed.
From the epistle of James we learn the urgent need of exercising the
will of God. James writes: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness
and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he
is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For
he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect
law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed" (Jas. 1:21-25).
Are you a doer? Do you continue in the "perfect law of
liberty"? Too many (even in the church) are content to
"preach" but not practice the truth. And yet Jesus clearly taught
that a failure to do the will of God, will keep one out of heaven
(Mt. 7:21). When it comes to truth, knowledge alone won't cut
it. Application is needed.
-- via The Beacon, January 21, 2014
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-5-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be praying for the following:
Jewell Wilson was back in the hospital, as of January 16,
following a previous stay just several days prior. She had
begun medication for atrial fibrillation and also for infection in
both eyes. Then on the 21st, she had surgery to remove the
infection from both tear ducts and was transferred to Satilla Care
Rehab on the 23rd, where she is to be for 20 days. The
elimination of the infection has also cleared up the previous
"cloudiness" of her mind. On the 27th, she will be seeing her
doctor again; and if the infection is still gone, she will be
scheduled for surgery (which will probably be the following day) to
have both tear ducts permanently closed. For, otherwise, the
infection will return.
Mary Vandevander is now at the Satilla Care Center.
Steve Vista has returned home from the hospital, but
his condition remains poorly the same.
Let us also be remembering the following in prayer: Myrna Jordan,
Danielle Howard, Ginger Ann Montero (abdominal pains), Pat
Seif (cancer), Penny Medlock (glaucoma), Marie
Turner, Jim Lively, Ronnie Davis (eyesight), Cheryl
Corbitt (seeking employment), Judy Daugherty
(recovering from recent fall), Rex and Frankie Hadley, Jesse
Bailey (cancer), Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Dexter
Roberts (cancer), Sue Wooten (at nursing home), Dolly
Moody (weak from cancer treatment and low white blood cells),
Collen Henson, A.J. Joyner (shingles on arm), and Garth
Egger (passed out and landed face-first on concrete,
completely smashing his nose and requiring plastic surgery).
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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)