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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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November 8, 2015
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Contents:
1) Does Everything Happen for a Reason? (R.J. Evans)
2) Faith -- Do You Have It? (Ronny E. Hinds)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
by R.J. Evans
Based upon how often we hear the expression "everything happens for
a reason," you would think the answer to our title would be a
definite "yes." Some time back, while watching a professional
football player on TV being interviewed, and in commenting on his
team's loss, he remarked: "I know everything happens for a
reason." And I can think of many other examples and
situations in which this statement is used even by members of the
Lord's church.
If we were able to go back to the 1500's and ask John Calvin the
above question, his answer would certainly be in the affirmative. In
fact, this kind of thinking that is so common among us today is
Calvinism through and through, permeating almost every religious
denomination. Calvin's doctrine of Predestination, not only teaches
that only certain ones have been chosen by God to be saved from
eternity, but also teaches that every little insignificant incident
in a person's life has all been predetermined by God. Some go so far
as applying this to finding a parking space in a public parking lot.
Do I believe that certain things happen in a way in which God has
designed? Absolutely! He foreordained from eternity that salvation
would be obtained through Christ, in his body, which is His church.
In fact, Paul spoke of this to the Ephesians: "...having predestined
us...as sons by Jesus Christ...in whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who
works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:5,
11; see also Acts 2:23; Eph. 3:10-11; 1 Pet. 1:20). We serve a
sovereign God.
But that does not rule out the fact that some things happen which
have no impact on God's ultimate goals. Thus, while God has decided
in some areas what needed to happen, contrary to Calvinistic
doctrine, He also allows things to happen as they may. To prove this
point that many things happen at random or by chance, we turn to the
words of the inspired wise man: "I returned and saw under the sun
that -- The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor
to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all" (Eccl.
9:11). Again, some events randomly occur by simple "time and
chance." (See also: 1 Sam. 6:9; 2 Sam. 1:6; Lk. 10:31)
Of course, another factor would be the providence of God in
answering our prayers. He can take bad things that happen in our
lives and help them turn out for good. For instance, it was
necessary for Paul to appeal to Caesar in order to save his own
life. However, while a prisoner in Rome he was able to say, "But I
want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me
have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel" (Phil.
1:12; Rom. 8:28; see also Joseph's statement in Gen. 50:20).
I am so thankful that, contrary to what John Calvin taught, we have
the ability to choose our own eternal destiny. And of our own free
will, we can become a member of God's family by obeying the gospel
of Christ. In becoming a child of God, we then have the avenue of
prayer where, He, through His providence, can intervene and work in
our lives. But that is a far cry from the common usage of the
expression: "Everything happens for a reason." If that
were true of every little, small incident in our lives, then we
could blame God and not take responsibility for any of our own
actions.
So before you say, "everything happens for a reason," give it
some serious thought and ask yourself if you are using that
expression in a scriptural manner. In one sense, there is a reason
for everything that happens. For example, a person is in a car
wreck. Is there a reason for it? Yes, perhaps the driver was driving
on the wrong side of the road, drunk while driving, or a tire blew
out, etc. Some huge oak trees fell down in my yard. Was there a
reason for this happening? Yes, strong hurricane winds blew them
over. But on the other hand, "everything happens for a reason" with
the idea that every detail in one's life has been predetermined by
God is the doctrine of Calvinism. The Scripture does not teach such.
In fact, the phrase "everything happens for a reason" is not found
in the Bible.
-- Via bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales,
Louisiana
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-2-
Faith -- Do You Have It?
by Ronny E. Hinds
Faith is a common word. The dictionary says it means "confident
belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, an idea,
or a thing." While faith may be a common word it involves ideas of
uncommon importance and worth. Confidence, truth and trustworthiness
are ideas we should all desire.
Faith is not something you choose to have or not have. Faith is a
necessary part of everyone's life. We cannot function without it.
Every bite of food I put in my mouth and swallow demands faith --
faith that it will not poison me and faith that it will do for my
physical well-being what it is supposed to do. Religion is not the
only area of life that requires faith. Evolutionists like to make
fun of religion and faith, because they think evolution does not
require faith. Such reveals their prejudice, foolish thinking and
self-deception!
Certain Bible verses come to mind when I think of a defining
statement about faith. One is Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Another is Acts 27:25, "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God
that it will be just as it was told me." But the verses that I have
come to appreciate most in defining faith is Romans 4:19-21. Read
them carefully. They are speaking about Abraham's faith in
connection with Isaac's birth. "And not being weak in faith, he did
not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a
hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not
waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened
in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what
He had promised He was also able to perform."
A real, God-pleasing faith requires being "fully convinced" (NKJ).
Other Bible Versions translate this: "fully persuaded" (KJV, NIV);
"fully assured" (ASV, NAS). This kind of faith requires from us
toward God a total commitment, nothing withheld, attitude and
behavior. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matt.
22:37). Romans 12:1-2 instructs us, "I beseech you...that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God...
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind..." Note mind and body are involved. It is
total, absolute dedication to God. No exceptions! No excuses!
Romans 4:19 says Abraham was not "weak in faith." I can easily
deceive myself thinking, "Yes, I have faith," but never realize that
it is an insufficient, weak faith. Such is not God's fault, but
mine. God "has given to us all things that pertain to life and
godliness, through the knowledge of Him..." (2 Peter 1:3). Second
Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." And, of course,
Romans 10:17: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God."
A strong, growing, God-pleasing faith will make itself known in its
willingness to do what God has said. Notice I said DO. Consider what
is said in James 2:14,17-18. "What does it profit, my brethren, if
someone says he has faith but does not have works? ...[F]aith by
itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... I will show you my
faith by my works." Without the actual DOING of GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS,
our faith will be unacceptable. A person who has faith but is
unwilling to give up their opinions and ideas to what God says,
obeying what God says, does not really believe. James 2:20 describes
such faith as a dead faith and that person as foolish. "But do you
want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"
James continues by asking us to consider two other questions. "Was
not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his
son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with
his works, and by works faith was made perfect?" (2:21-22). We must
be like Abraham. "By faith Abraham obeyed..." (Heb. 11:8).
What about your faith? Do you really have faith?
-- Via Focusing On Truth, September 2015
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Proverbs 3:5-8
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will
make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to
your body And refreshment to your bones."
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-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who can pray in Jesus' name be remembering the
following in our prayers:
Judy Daugherty, whom we reported with congestive heart
failure, is still in the hospital and now having a lack-of-sodium
problem, due to Lasix, a diuretic to eliminate fluid.
According to her cardiologist, Misty Thornton's blood
pressure needs to come up somewhat so that she can begin some needed
medication to strengthen her heart and discontinue the wearing of a
defibrillator vest. She has made some improvement, so can now
see a local doctor, rather than making about a 2-hour trip to
Jacksonville. Her bariatric doctor has also given her the
go-ahead for weight-loss surgery, and will be determining the
kind that would be best for her condition.
Ronnie Davis has been having some more back trouble.
The WordPress version of this bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/the-gospel-observer-november-8-2015/
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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)