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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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July 26, 2015
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Contents:
1) Controlling Our Temper (R.J. Evans)
2) What's Your Opinion of the Lord Jesus Christ? (Fred McKinney)
3) A Swarm of Gospel "Be's" (Austin Mobley)
4) On Reading God's Word (short statement) (Tom Edwards)
5) News & Notes
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-1-
Controlling Our Temper
by R.J. Evans
Brother John Clark once related a story about a woman who told a
preacher she had a bad temper, but that it was over in a minute. "So
is a shotgun blast, but it blows everything to pieces," was the
preacher's reply. And far too many of us who are Christians are
triggered by the least little incident, frequently losing our
temper. When we lose our temper, we usually do and say things in
anger which we later regret. "He that is soon angry dealeth
foolishly" (Proverbs 14:17).
It has been said that "anger is like rain, which breaks itself upon
that whereon it falls." For example, anger usually culminates in
bitter words, insults, the revealing of secrets or in the breaking
off of relations between two parties. Of the aforementioned, insults
are probably the most frequent cause of anger. Most of us had rather
be injured physically than insulted. There is something about an
insult that makes us want to repay with a worse insult. How many of
us possess the magnanimous spirit of Abraham Lincoln when he was
insulted? It is reported that when he was told that one of his
cabinet members, Edwin Stanton, called him a fool, he replied, "If
Stanton says I am a fool, I had better look into the matter, for he
is a wise man." No doubt that worked much better than if he would
have retaliated by losing his temper, setting off a chain reaction
with much more bitterness and resentment to follow. Incidentally,
after Lincoln was killed, it was Stanton who remarked in subdued
tones of respect, "There lies the greatest leader this country has
ever known."
The Bible teaches us the importance of practicing self-control. It
is listed as the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23, and
among what we sometimes refer to as the "seven Christian graces" in
II Peter 1:6. Self-control is one of the Christian's weapons against
the world. And practicing self-control involves controlling our
temper. We must follow after Christ's example -- "Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but
committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (I Peter
2:22-23). The person who continually loses his temper is like an
undefended city or one in ruins. The wise man Solomon said, "He that
hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down,
and without walls" (Proverbs 25:28). What a sign of weakness when we
constantly lose our temper! And it is certainly a poor reflection of
Christ in our lives when we "fly off the handle."
Christians must learn to be calm and serious. James said,
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). This brings to mind the
motto: "Think twice before you speak. Losing your temper, blurting
out angry words, and speaking your mind excites strife. "A soft
answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger"
(Proverbs 15:1).
"Angry words! O let them never
From the tongue unbridled slip;
May the heart's best impulse ever
Check them ere they soil the lip"
(author unknown, first appeared in Sunday School Teacher, 1867).
-- Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ
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-2-
What's Your Opinion of the Lord Jesus Christ?
by Fred McKinney
Pharisees of old, with what would you reproach Jesus? "He ate
with sinners and publicans" (Matt. 9:11; Mk. 2:16).
High Priest, Caiaphas, what have you to say of Him? "He is a
blasphemer, because he said": "Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man
sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of
heaven."
Pontius Pilate, what do you say of Him? "I find no fault in
this man" (Lk. 23:4).
Oh Judas Iscariot, have you a charge to hurl? "I have sinned
against innocent blood" (Matt. 27:4).
The Centurion at the cross: "Truly, this was the Son of God"
(Matt. 27:54).
Demons, servants of Satan, testify: "He is the Son of God"
(Lk. 23:47).
John the Baptizer, speak up prophet; what's your word?
"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world" (Jn.
1:29).
John, the Apostle, tell us clearly, what say ye? "He is the
bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16).
Simon Peter, Cephas, what think ye of Jesus Christ? "Master,
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:18).
Thomas, you saw the resurrected Christ, what say ye? "My
Lord, and my God" (Jn. 20:28).
Paul, the Apostle: you persecuted Him, but changed your mind;
what say ye? "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Phil. 3:7, 8).
Glorious angels in Heaven, what think ye of Christ? "Unto you
is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:10-11; Ps.
68:17).
And most important, indeed, our Father in Heaven, our
Creator; what say Ye? "This is My beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased" (Mk. 1:11; Jn. 12:28).
-- Via The Spirit's Sword, Volume 14, Number 23, July 24, 2011
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-3-
A Swarm of Gospel "Be's"
by Austin Mobley
Have you observed how powerful little words in the Bible are? Take
the word "if" for example. Jesus said, "If ye believe not that I am
he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). If our mother Eve had
been wise regarding what the little three-letter word "not" meant,
the old devil would not have deceived her (Gen. 3:4).
The little word "be" is used frequently in the Bible, and the
thoughts connected to it contribute to our salvation. Here is a
swarm of gospel "be's."
Be Wise. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of
wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves"
(Matt. 10:16). Thus the Lord warned the twelve as He sent them on
their mission.
Be Faithful. "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). The circumstances in which
the beloved apostle John was at the time were not very favorable. He
was exiled on the lonely isle of Patmos. The incentive held out was
"be faithful -- the crown of life." That was all John needed to
deepen his faith.
Be Ready. The Lord says, "Therefore be ye also ready; for in
an hour that ye think not, the Son of man cometh" (Matt. 24:44). The
Lord could come again at any time. We could pass away and all
opportunities to get ready for judgment (John 5:28-29) would be
gone.
Be Unmovable. In our present day this admonition is just as
pertinent to every member of the body of Christ as when Paul wrote
it by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in
the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).
Be Ye Doers. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). It is not enough to
hear the word of God, but those who are blessed put it into practice
every day.
Be Baptized. "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be
baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord"
(Acts 22:16). To be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) is to be
obedient from the heart to that form of teaching (Rom. 6:3-4,
17-18). One is then delivered from the power of darkness into the
kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13).
If you have not obeyed the Lord and Master in the primary principles
of the gospel, I pray that you will attend to that immediately. If
you have obeyed him, Be Faithful, Be Doers, Be Wise, Be Unmovable
and you will Be Ready.
-- Via The Providence Light, February, 1984
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-4-
On Reading God's Word
Though it might be that we have read through the entire Bible
several times, yet if we cannot remember it all from Genesis to
Revelation, then that should help us realize the need we have to
keep perusing the Scriptures -- and give us the incentive in doing
so -- in order to continually refresh our minds with God's
word. For it contains words of life and food for the soul (cf.
Jn. 6:63; 8:52; Matt. 4:4; Jn. 4:34).
-- Tom
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-5-
News & News
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Tom
Holland who recently passed away. Let those of us who are
Christians be mindful in prayer of his loved ones.
Let us also be prayerful of the following:
Brittany Crosby Royals recently fell and broke her
hip. She had surgery for it on July 31, in which screws and
a rod were included, and all went well.
It was discovered that a small tumor, about the size of a pea,
has developed, due to Judy Daugherty’s severe fall to the
head. To better determine how to best treat this, she had a
pet scan on July 28 and a spinal tap on the 29th. We are still
waiting to hear of the results.
Bennie Medlock appears to have had a minor stroke
recently; and though he is now feeling better, he will be seeing a
doctor this week concerning it.
Jewell Wilson is now back in the home of Doyle and Joyce
Rittenhouse and has begun hospice care.
Pat Joyner will soon be having surgery for breast cancer.
Michelle Rittenhouse began taking treatment a few weeks
ago for fibromyalgia and has also recently been diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis.
Other shut-ins: Mary Vandevander and Sue Wooten
Others to remember in prayer: Ronnie Crews, Sunny Nichols, Jean
Beach, Raylee Metts, Lexi Crawford, Steve Vesta, Dexter Roberts,
Betty Miles, Buddy Gornto, Dolly Downs Moody, Jesse Bailey,
Colleen Henson, Donell Wells, and Kelsey Williams
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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)
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)