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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 11, 2015
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Contents:
1) The Profitable Word (Irven Lee)
2) They Say He Is a Liar (Robert Turner)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
The Profitable Word
by Irven Lee
It certainly makes sense for one to suggest that man should study
the Bible. The Bible is a revelation of the will of God. This
revelation includes His authoritative commandments which man must
obey if he would please his Creator, and it includes the exceeding
great and precious promises concerning the good things laid up in
heaven for the faithful (II Peter 1:3-4). We may observe that every
transgression and disobedience receives a just recompense of reward
(Hebrews 2:2-3). He chastens every son whom He receives that
strength of character may be developed (Hebrews 12:6). How could one
carefully examine the profitable word and not be impressed by the
goodness of God? God is love (I John 4:8), and those who would know
of His mercy and of His plan for man may learn from His revealed
will.
A Firm Basis
Man is capable of having many similarities to a vicious wild animal,
but he is also capable of being a lively stone in the temple in
which God dwells among men (I Peter 2:5). Man can so follow the
example of Christ that purity, unselfishness, and strength of
character can remind us that he was created in the image of God.
There is an indescribable difference in the man most like the wild
beast and the man who best exemplifies the image of his Maker. What
is the difference? One is taught of God. The other follows the
leadings of his carnal animal nature.
The sacred writings are able to make one wise unto salvation (II
Timothy 3:15). They completely furnish man the instruction he so
sorely needs, since the way of man is not in himself (Jeremiah
10:23). The way that seems right unto man may lead to destruction
and ruin (Proverbs 14:12).
The same holy scriptures are able to furnish the motivation for the
good life. The goodness of God leads to repentance. We love Him
because He first loved us. The example of the Christ in His life on
earth and the love revealed in His death on the cross draw men to
Him. Many have died for their faith. Many have given all that they
might gain Christ and lay hold on the hope set before them. It
follows, as night the day, that those who have hope, as sons of God,
of obtaining the prize of the high calling of God purify themselves.
There is no stronger pull toward righteousness than that exerted by
the gospel of Christ. It is able to save (Romans 1:16). It attracts
one into the way that leads unto life.
Is there sufficient evidence that the Book is of God? Did the holy
men speak as they were moved by the Spirit of God? (II Peter 1:21).
These men gave the world the perfect standard of righteousness. They
were holy men, and they said they obtained it by revelation. Would
liars write such a book? Surely they were not pathetically deceived.
Would ignorant men have given such a wonderful standard of behavior?
The influence of the Bible in this scientific age in America is
still as wholesome in the hearts of those who are led by it as it
was nineteen hundred years ago in Palestine. The test of the pudding
lies in the tasting. Those who know most about the Bible appreciate
it most. It will bear acquaintance. When we see the lives most
influenced by it, we are led to glorify God.
The well proven fact of the resurrection, other miracles, fulfilled
prophecies, along with the unity and perfection of the message give
us a firm basis of hope. What more could He do than He has done to
give us a written revelation? No men on their own in any generation
could have approached its perfection.
Planting Is Necessary
The word is the seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11). America could have
the word, but few there be that find the way that leads to life
(Matthew 7:14). Many who have eyes have never read from its pages.
Many who could have heard many sermons were not listening. Their
hard hearts were engrossed in arrogant fulfillment of the lust of
the flesh and in the search for money by any means. Animals they
are, and without the wholesome influence of the powerful word.
Preaching to some is like casting pearls before swine, while some
hunger and thirst after righteousness so they receive the word with
all readiness of mind. If men have no love for truth, but have their
pleasure in unrighteousness, God will send a strong delusion that
they may believe a lie and be damned (II Thessalonians 2:10-12). The
lake of fire is for the unbelievers as well as for the liars
(Revelation 21:8). The flaming fire of vengeance is for those who
know not God as well as for those who obey not the gospel (II
Thessalonians 1:8-9).
Many men say they appreciate the Bible and believe it to be the word
of God, but they remain babes in knowledge. They evidently do not
desire the milk or the meat of the word. They are without excuse for
their lack of skill in the use of this great discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart. Ignorance is alarming even among
those who should be teachers (Hebrews 5:12-13). They are not rooted
and grounded, but they are as unstable and as easily tossed about by
the winds of doctrine as the wave of the sea by the winds of the
storm cloud (Ephesians 4:14). The wave is fastened by nothing. The
willingly ignorant are in no position to give an answer to those who
may ask a reason for their hope (I Peter 3:15).
Awake from Sleep
The night is far spent (Romans 13:11-12). It is high time for
America to awake to righteousness. The atomic bomb is not the only
thing that can destroy America. The increasing number of burning,
looting, angry anarchists can do it. It may now be too late to
preserve this land as a land of opportunity for the free. It is not
too late to try to save it.
The gospel was not given to make America or any other country great.
Christ came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The gospel is
God's power to salvation, but, as a by-product, Christians receive a
hundred fold in this life. Their righteous lives are as the saving
and lighting influence in a crooked and perverse nation (Philippians
2:15). This nation needs salt.
Let more people meditate on the law day and night (Psalms 1:2). This
is our way up from the gutter in which we now find ourselves. The
church is in distress, the nation is in confusion, and the world is
in turmoil. What can help? The profitable word always leads to the
abundant life here and here after. It is the word of God. "O the
depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
(Romans 11:33). We need to open our eyes that we may behold wondrous
things in His law. Is there anything more important for us?
-- Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ
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-2-
They Say He Is a Liar
by Robert Turner
My friend had an "experience" -- "better felt than told" -- he "got"
something. Some people tell my friend he has allowed his imagination
to deceive him; that he had no feeling, no experience. Some even
accuse him of faking the whole story. This makes my friend very
unhappy. He doesn't like to be called a liar. He says, "I know what
I feel."
Now I believe my friend. I know him to be an honest man. If he tells
me he "felt something" I will not deny this.
But sometimes I try to check his unwarranted conclusions concerning
the meaning of these feelings. My friend assumes that because he
"had a feeling" his sins are forgiven. Why could not this just as
well mean his sins were multiplied??
God alone can forgive sins; and His Word states the truth concerning
such matters as these (John. 17:17). When my friend says he knows
his sins are forgiven because he "felt something" I must remind him
that the Bible allows no such evidence. It even warns us that
feelings can be deceptive (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
Christ is the author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey Him
(Heb. 5:9). And Christ teaches us to repent and be baptized for the
remission of sins (Acts 2:38). HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
-- Via Truth Magazine VII: 3, pp. 26, December 1962
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-3-
News & Notes
Joseph Cooper, who had been on life support, is now off it
and slowly improving.
Mary Vandevander, who is very elderly, recently had a mini
stroke that affected her memory. Let those of us who are
Christians also remember in prayer her daughter and son-in-law,
Melotine and Ronnie Davis, who have been taking care of her.
Misty Thornton went through two days of testing last week.
She is thankful for everyone's prayers and has some good news: Her
heart is now beating at an in sync pace, due to medication and God's
help. She is now to continue with her medication to see
if that will improve her heart, which is still not functioning in
the normal range, and will then see her cardiologist on the 21st to
determine her next step.
The pain in Shirley Davis' legs has improved, but it is
always noticeable to some degree, due to not only arthritis, but
also bursitis.
As mentioned in last week's bulletin, the gospel meeting at
the church of Christ in Hoboken begins today 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.
WordPress version of this bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/the-gospel-observer-october-11-2015/
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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)