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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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October 4, 2015
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Contents:
1) Good Relationships Among Brethren (R.J. Evans)
2) My Rock & My Redeemer (Mike Johnson)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Good Relationships Among Brethren
by R.J. Evans
The Scripture provides much information concerning good
relationships among those who are children of God. There are
many positive teachings concerning how to get along -- especially
all the commands to love one another. There are a number of
warnings against gossip, tale bearing, backbiting, slander, and
sowing discord among brethren. The book of Proverbs is filled
with wise instruction concerning relationships with others.
In the church, many problems have occurred because someone failed to
abide by the teachings of God's Word. Brethren are told to put
"away lying, each speaking truth with a neighbor, for we are members
of one another" (Eph. 4:25); we are warned against causing
"dissensions, contentions and heresies" (Gal. 5:20); those who are
factious, causing "divisions and offenses" are to be marked (Rom.
16:17); a divisive person is to be rejected "after the first and
second admonition" (Titus 3:10); also, there are warnings against
being "idle, wandering from house to house, not only idle but also
gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not" (1 Tim.
5:13).
But what about those occasions when we believe someone has sinned
against us? Are we told what to do? Are we supposed to go
around telling everyone, except the person himself, that he has
sinned against us? Indeed, the Bible does give clear
instructions on what to do in this situation -- see Matthew
18:15-17. Notice the very first step: "Moreover if your
brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and
him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother" (V.
15). How many do this? It seems to be so much easier to
go to someone else first, and gain a sympathetic ear, rather than
following what the Bible teaches. Quite often, those who
operate like this, have not even been sinned against. It's
often pettiness, hurt feelings, jealousy, an "ax to grind," etc.,
and not actually a sin, to begin with. Also, the other person
may be totally unaware of any wrong they might have
done. The passage goes on and gives further instructions: "But
if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that 'by the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be
to you like a heathen and a tax collector" (Vv. 16-17).
Years ago, when living in another state, we had a sister move from
across the city and place membership with the congregation where I
preached. We'll call her "sister Smith." Before she
identified with us, the preacher where she had been attending told
me that she had many admirable qualities, but to be careful, because
she occasionally had a tendency to "stir things up." Well,
after she had been with us for several months, I was in my study one
day and the phone rang. It was sister Smith. After the
usual greetings, she then proceeded to start telling me how she had
been "wronged" by a particular couple in the congregation.
I'll just refer to them as the "Jones." They were fine
Christians, very faithful and diligent in the Lord's work. They had
been with us a number of years. As soon as I realized what she
was attempting to do, I stopped her. I told her that I should
not be a party to what she was beginning to tell me about this
couple. This brother had his own business, so I gave her his office
phone number and suggested she call him immediately and set up an
appointment with him and his wife. Sister Smith immediately
became somewhat "rattled" and started backing away from what she was
about to tell me. From that point on, with my insisting that
she contact this couple, the conversation ended rather
quickly. At the next service of the church, I asked sister
Smith if she had contacted the Jones couple about her
complaints. Essentially, what she proceeded to tell me was
that after giving it some more thought, she realized that it was all
a big misunderstanding on her part and she had no problem with this
couple. Never again did another incident like that one ever
come up involving sister Smith.
That's interesting, isn't it? How many problems could be
solved if Christians were willing to simply follow Bible
instructions concerning establishing and maintaining good
relationships among brethren. Some make a practice of dropping
little "bomb shells" about someone, but immediately follow it up by
saying -- "But I don't know anything about it," "But I'm not getting
involved," or "Oops, I shouldn't have said that." Such subtle
actions, in reality, already have them involved. They are simply
"stirring things up"! They have already done their
damage. Those who conduct themselves in such a manner, destroy
what credibility they may have had by their "behind the back"
actions. Please note, concerning the seven things that God
hates, what is listed in Proverbs 6:19: "A false witness who speaks
lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."
When dealing with such deeds as just mentioned, the information that
might have been revealed should be dealt with in a similar manner
as having received an anonymous letter -- dispose of it
in the proverbial "File 13"!
-- via bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, October 1, 2015
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-2-
My Rock & My Redeemer
by Mike Johnson
Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of
my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my
Redeemer." Consider the last part of the verse where the
Psalmist refers to God as his strength and redeemer.
The Hebrew word translated "strength" (NKJV) is defined by Vine's
Expository Dictionary as "rock; rocky wall; cliff; rocky hill;
mountain; rocky surface; boulder." Many translations actually
translate the original word as "rock," (i.e. O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer). A husband, for example, may refer to his wife as
"his rock." He would be pointing out his wife is his
"strength"; she provides stability for the family. God is our
rock; He provides us with strength and with safety; He is our
refuge. Psalm 18:2 says, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my
deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and
the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:31 says, "For who
is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?" Psalm
46:1 points out, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present
help in trouble."
Also, the Psalmist, thought to be David, refers to God as his
"Redeemer." The word used here simply means to "buy back," and
when applied to God it means a deliverer from sin, death, or
danger. David probably could recall many occasions where God
had delivered him, but David may not have understood the details
regarding the true price of redemption. The cost would be
Jesus, having been sent by God, dying for the sins of mankind on the
cross. Thus, in the ultimate sense, Jesus Christ is our
Redeemer. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of His grace." Job said, in Job 19:25, "For I know that my redeemer
lives...."
Is God your Rock and Redeemer today? If not, why don't you
make him that?
-- via Biblelist, 11/24/15
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-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are God's children be remembering the following
in prayer:
Shirley Davis has been have some terrible arthritic pains in
her legs.
Misty Thornton (heart trouble), Joseph Cooper (had
been on life support, but is slowly improving), Rebekah Hampton
(POT Syndrome), Deborah Medlock (neck and shoulder problem),
Rex Hadley (bypass blockage), Dexter Roberts (cancer
in lymph nodes and several places), Steve Vesta (critically
ill), Shirley Davis (arthritic pains), Eleanor Roberts
(Alzheimer's disease), Henry Roberts (pain in back and
feet), Judy Daugherty (undergoing physical therapy three times
a week), Danielle Howard (has trouble at times with her
blood pressure and heart rate), Mary Vandevander and Sue
Wooten (shut-ins), Sunny Nichols (Parkinson Disease),
Jean Beach (gastrointestinal problems), Michelle
Rittenhouse (PVCs), Raylee Metts and Lexi Crawford
(cancer), Anthony Monroe Jr. (hearing problem), Betty
Miles (stroke), Don Hill (cancer), Colleen
Henson, Donell Wells, and Kelsey Williams
The gospel meeting at the church of Christ in Hoboken
begins next Sunday and continues to Wednesday (Oct 11-14),
meeting at 7:30 for the weeknights, with Andy Berendt
as the guest speaker. The church meets at 5101 Main
Street.
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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)