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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 6, 2015
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Contents:
1) The Lord is My Helper (Billy Boyd)
2) Faith Building: The Walls of Jericho (R.J. Evans)
3) A Different Point of View! (Dan Gulley)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
The Lord is My Helper
by Billy Boyd
A little girl, when asked to repeat the 23rd Psalm, said, "The Lord
is my shepherd, that's all I want." She may have been a little
confused about the actual wording, but she expressed a truth that
should be the property of every Christian.
There is no blessing so valuable as the ability to lean upon the
sufficiency of God, to find in Him all that we want. The firm basis
of such trust was brought to Paul's attention when the Lord said to
him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect
in weakness" (2 Cor. 11:9).
Consider the unsearchable riches which one possesses when the Lord
is his helper.
1. There is a feeling of security that transcends social and
financial security. The child of God can be content in all
circumstances of life. "I have learned in whatsoever state I am,
therein to be content" (Phil. 4:11).
2. There is a peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7) and
floods the Christian's life with joy that is unspeakable (I
Pet. 1:8). This peace is greater than all the treasures
earth can yield.
3. There is a freedom from fear of all types. "So that with
good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What
shall man do unto me?" (Heb. 13:6). Fear of bodily harm and even of
death itself is dissipated when we walk with the Lord. "Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no
evil; for thou art with me" (Ps. 23:4).
4. There is a crown of life that glitters through eternity.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day;
and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his
appearing" (II TIM. 4:8).
In addition to these wonderful blessings, the Lord promises us what
we need physically. Surely, when the Lord is our helper, there can
be no want.
-- Via The Beacon, July 10, 2012
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-2-
Faith Building:
The Walls of Jericho
by R.J. Evans
In Joshua 6:1-6, the Israelites were instructed by the Lord to march
around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. The
priests were told to bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the
ark, and on the seventh day, they were to march around the city
seven times and when the priests blew the trumpets, all the people
were to shout and the wall of the city would fall down flat.
The remainder of chapter 6 tells of their obedience to God's
instructions, the wall falling, and the city being destroyed.
Marching around a city thirteen times in seven days, blowing
trumpets and making a great shout -- who ever heard of such a
thing? The wall was of such considerable size that houses were
built upon it (Josh. 2:15). How safe the inhabitants of
Jericho must have felt. How easy it would have been for the
soldiers and commanders on the walls to laugh and ridicule the
marchers as they encompassed the city. But suddenly on the
seventh day, there was an incredible event -- the walls fell! (v.
20).
Now how did the walls fall? Was this some common military
procedure that had been used successfully in the past?
Absolutely not! "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they
were encircled for seven days" (Heb. 11:30). Yes, it took
great faith to carry out such an unusual command. "For we walk by
faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). It took faith in "things
not seen" -- "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). "So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
But there are skeptics who laugh and mock at the events recorded in
Joshua 6. They say it is absurd to believe that the walls of
Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around them.
However, let us consider the following portion of information taken
from HALLEY'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, New Revised Edition, pp.
159-161: "Dr. John Garstang, director of the British School of
Archaeology in Jerusalem and of the Department of Antiquities of the
Palestine Government, excavated the ruins of Jericho in
1926-36. He found pottery and scarab evidence that the city
had been destroyed about 1400 B.C., coinciding with Joshua's date,
and, in a number of details, dug up evidence confirming the Biblical
account in a most remarkable way. 'the wall fell down flat'
(20). Dr. Garstang found that the wall did actually 'fall down
flat.'"
There are many lessons learned from Jericho: (1) We learn that
God's ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8). Man would have
planned some scheme to allow a few to enter the city and open the
gates or build mounds, use sling shots to pick the soldiers off the
wall, use ladders, etc. (2) We learn the meaning of grace.
"And the Lord said to Joshua: 'See! I have given Jericho into
you hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor'" (Josh. 6:2).
Yes, it was a gift, but it involved active obedience. The same
is true today -- salvation is a gift from God (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8),
yet there are certain conditions that must be met (Matt. 7:21; Jn.
6:29; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9).
(3) We learn the meaning of obedient faith (Heb. 11; Jas.
2:24). (4) We learn that God's way will work no matter
how foolish (in man's eyes) it may seem (1 Cor. 1:18-31).
The Apostle Paul told the Romans that "whatever things were written
before were written for our learning, that we through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4).
The Israelites placed their faith and trust in God when they marched
around the city of Jericho. We place our faith and trust in
God when we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Mk. 16:16;
Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When we faithfully obey the
Lord we can hope for and enjoy the blessings and rewards He has
promised (Matt. 6:33; Rev. 2:10).
Again, we emphasize -- "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they were encircled for seven days" (Heb. 11:30).
-- Via the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales,
Louisiana, for April 6, 2014
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-3-
A Different Point of View!
by Dan Gulley
Mark 2:1-5 tells about the unorthodox efforts of four unnamed heroes
who used faith and works to get a hurting friend to Jesus. Hearing
that Jesus was in a house in Capernaum, four men sought to bring a
paralytic to Jesus on a bed. Finding the house full of people and
their way to Jesus blocked, they uncovered the roof where He was. So
when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the
paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith He said to the
paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you.'"
This incident reminds us that faith brings a different point of view
in getting lost people to Jesus. Four men who believed Jesus could
make a profound difference in the life of their paralyzed friend
refused to give up when they found the way to Jesus crowded and
impossible to pass. What to do? Faithless, negative thinking would
have said nothing could be done and there were simply too many
obstacles. But one of them lifted his eyes and expressed a different
point of view: "We can get on top of the house, tear the roof off
and lower him down to Jesus." Faith helped them have a different
point of view! As a result the paralyzed man went home with a newly
healed body and a freshly cleansed soul.
Many Christians could use a different point of view. The devil has
convinced some in the church that our job as Christians is to come,
sit and listen. But the proper evangelistic mentality is summed up
in the words of Acts 5:20 - "Go ... stand ... speak." Some insist
nobody they know is interested in God, but Jesus calls us to a
different point of view. He says "the harvest truly is plentiful"
and "lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already
white for harvest" (Matthew 9:37, John 4:35). Could it be many
people are being kept from getting to Jesus because negative,
faithless thinking is keeping us from getting to them? Faith can
help us uncover the roof and see past what we alone can do to what
we can do with God's help. Has faith changed your point of view?
-- Via The Beacon, September 9, 2014
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News & Notes
We extend our condolences to all the family and friends of Jewell
Wilson (Joyce Rittenhouse's mother) who passed away September
3, after a long struggle with illness. She was soon to turn 97
and leaves behind many relatives and friends -- even great great
grandchildren. Let those of us who are Christians be
remembering in prayer all her family and friends.
Our sympathies also go out to the family and friends of Alyson
Creed Jenkins (Carole Drain's niece) who passed away on
September 1 at only 46 years of age. Though born in
Jacksonville, Florida, Alyson had moved with her family to Augusta,
Georgia, when just 8 years old and remained in that
area.
We want to also be praying for Misty Thornton who has
recently been diagnosed with heart trouble.
Anthony Monroe Jr. (Deborah Medlock's great nephew) was born
with a hearing impairment that has gradually become worse. He
is again seeking possible remedies.
Others to be in prayer for:
Rex Hadley (bypass blockage and possible stone), Dexter
Roberts (cancer in lymph nodes and several places), Steve
Vesta (critically ill), Shirley Davis (healing from a
leg procedure to remove blockages), Pat Joyner (healing from
breast cancer surgery), Eleanor Roberts (Alzheimers'), Henry
Roberts (pain in back and feet), Brittany Royals
(recovering well from surgery for broken hip), Judy Daugherty
(slowly recovering from a fall to the head which caused a
pea-size tumor), Danielle Howard (low blood pressure), Mary
Vandevander and Sue Wooten (shut-ins), Dolly Moody
(fractured bone), Benny Medlock (mild stroke), Sunny
Nichols (Parkinson Disease), Jean Beach
(gastrointestinal problems), Michelle Rittenhouse (PVCs) Raylee
Metts and Lexi Crawford (cancer), Betty Miles
(stroke), Don Hill (cancer), Buddy Gornto, Colleen
Henson, Donell Wells, and Kelsey Williams
As also mentioned in last week's bulletin...
There will be a gospel meeting at the Oak Grove church of Christ
in Jennings, Florida, September 6-11 with Paul Earnhart
(from Louisville, Kentucky) as the guest speaker. The church
meets at 2922 NW 76th Terrace, Jennings, Florida. Weeknight
services will begin at 7:30. For additional information,
call 386-938-5047.
The Golden Isles church of Christ in Brunswick (at 445
Touchstone Parkway) will be having a congregational sing
September 12 (Saturday) at 4 PM.
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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)