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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 24, 2016
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Contents:
1) When We Disagree (Doy Moyer)
2) "So Great Salvation" (Greg Gwin)
3) Where Do You Turn? (Shane Williams)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
When We Disagree
Doy Moyer
The Lord wants unity, but disagreements in discussions are also a
fact of life. Sometimes discussions can fall apart pretty quickly,
even before we really understand why. How should we react to this?
How should we proceed in discussions when we are dealing with
disagreements? Here are some suggestions:
1. Be generous. Assume the best first. Don't assign evil
motives to other parties. They may have intended something
else. Let the principles of love guide our discussions. Love
"bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things" (1 Cor 13:7). This is simply an extension of the "golden
rule": "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want
them to treat you" (Matt. 7:12).
2. Be respectful. Don't begin a response by insulting and
insinuating that the other parties are intellectually deficient.
There should be no room for inflammatory comments. Just address the
issue without resorting to ad hominem attacks. Kindness and
respectfulness should mark all conversations. "What is desirable in
a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a
liar" (Prov. 19:22; cf. Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:32).
3. Be Reasonable. It's possible that we misunderstood
something. Be willing to discuss and foster good communication
through definition and clarification. "He who gives an answer before
he hears, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13). In the same
way, be logical. It is one matter to just state, "I disagree," or to
just state a contrary proposition. It is another matter to state the
disagreement along with reasons. Learn how to make actual arguments
(in the good sense). If we want others to consider our positions, we
need to able to give the "because" for our positions. If we can't
state the "because," then we don't have adequate grounds for decent
discussion and we are just pointlessly naysaying.
4. Be open. It's possible that we are wrong ourselves and
haven't thought something through as much as we should. Are we
willing to change if we are shown to be in error? Consider the other
position and make sure that we understand it before rejecting it
outright. If we are still sure that we disagree, then proceed with
the other principles in mind. Be a truth-seeker, and "understanding
will watch over you" (Prov. 2:11).
5. Be honorable. One of the most frustrating parts of a
disagreement is when the other party misrepresents what we believe.
We all make honest mistakes in our reasoning and conclusions, but if
we purposefully twist or distort something in order to win an
argument, we have crossed over into dishonesty. This is never
honorable or right. When representing what others believe, be fair
and accurate. If we find that we have not been accurate in how we
represent a position, then be willing to listen and gain further
understanding. Never intentionally misrepresent just to win an
argument. "A trustworthy (i.e., honest) witness will not lie, but a
false witness utters lies" (Prov. 14:5).
6. Be direct. We may often be frustrated in discussion
because we cannot pinpoint the real problem. Being generous and kind
does not mean that we have to beat around the bush when we address
the issue. State clearly the objection and the reasons for the
disagreement. What is the real problem? The principle of being
direct, whether in rebuke or disagreement, is part of wisdom:
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses
of an enemy" (Prov. 27:6). We can be friendly, tactful, and kind
while at the same time being straight-forward and addressing the
real issue.
7. Be committed. First, be committed to the Lord and His
truth. Then be committed to the well-being of others. Be committed
to souls and seek salvation for all. Winning an argument is
pointless just for its own sake and can be a form of self-glory. God
calls us to a higher standard. "This is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3-4). "The Lord's
bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to
teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who
are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading
to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and
escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him
to do his will" (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
You can probably think of more. Reason and persuasion are a part of
being disciples (cf. Paul in Acts 17:17; 18:4; 19:8- 9). Scripture
gives us the principles by which we may proceed in discussions that
are often bottlenecked by stubbornness and unreasonable posturing.
We can do better. We can seek the Lord, seek truth, and seek for the
greatest benefit for others. This must be intentional, bearing in
mind the wisdom of God.
-- Via Mind Your Faith
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-2-
"So Great Salvation"
Greg Gwin
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him" (Hebrews 2:3).
Christians should think long and meditate often about the wonderful
salvation that God has made available to us through His Son.
Look at this text, and realize that we are the recipients of a:
"Great Salvation": It is great because our past sins have
been forgiven; we enjoy a present relationship with God as our
loving Father; and we have the hope of a beautiful future in
eternity.
"Spoken Salvation": Too many people in the religious world
trust their subjective feelings concerning their eternal
souls. They wouldn't do that if it involved their material
possessions or their financial security, but they do it with their
souls. It simply makes no sense. God does not ask us to
trust our salvation to such uncertainty. Instead, he has given
us His spoken word, whereby we can learn and understand the things
essential to salvation (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Eph. 3:3-5).
"Confirmed Salvation": We can be sure that the salvation
offered through Jesus Christ is legitimate. The message of
salvation was confirmed by the men who knew Jesus, who saw Him,
heard Him, worked with Him. They were eyewitnesses to His
life, and their words and accounts assure us that these things are
true. In fact, their willingness to die for His cause is one
of the surest proofs of all. Furthermore, God also confirmed
their testimony by way of the miracles they were empowered to do
(see the previous verse, Heb. 2:4).
"Conditional Salvation": A key word in this great text is the
word IF. It clearly teaches that our salvation is conditional
upon meeting the requirements set forth in God's word. God
offers us this wonderful gift. We show our willingness to
accept it by doing His will. Salvation is for "all them that obey
him" (Heb. 5:8,9).
-- Via The Beacon, May 24, 2016
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-3-
Where Do You Turn?
Shane Williams
Where you turn when you're in trouble reveals your character. What
does it tell us about young kids whose trouble turns them toward
gangs, guns or drugs? What do we learn about adults whose problems
direct them toward alcohol, adultery or the weird teachings of a
cult?
What about ourselves? Where do we turn when we have trouble in life?
Do we look to the world or the Bible for wisdom? Where do we look
for help when we are struggling with sin? We must turn to the Lord
Jesus and to His Word. He is the only one who can help and certainly
the only one who can offer us forgiveness. The answers of this world
will never lead us to "real" help but only to destruction.
The Christians to whom Peter addressed were facing various trials (I
Peter 1:6), slander and maligning (I Peter 3:15; 4:4), sufferings
and reviling (I Peter 4:12-14). To whom should they turn? Not to the
world or its ways, but rather to "the God of all grace" (I Peter
5:10). We need to look back and remember that He called us,
recognize His glory in Christ, and look ahead to see how God is
equipping us through our difficulties. "And after you have suffered
for a little while, the God of all grace, Who called you to His
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen
and establish you" (I Peter 5:10).
Trouble on the horizon? Put your confidence in God. He helped the
early Christians who suffered through persecutions to overcome. He
will help us through our troubles today.
-- Via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 4, August, 2009
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-4-
News & Notes
I am soliciting the prayers of the saints for the
following:
We extend our condolences to all the family and friends of Harold
Robert Harrell who passed away July 15 at just 49 years of
age. He had taught and preached in the church of Christ in
various places, even preaching overseas to hundreds in India where
he had made three month-long trips, and had also been preaching
full-time for the church in Blackshear, Georgia, up to his
passing. He was the kind of person that if you had talked with
him on just a couple occasions would probably seem like a good
friend whom you had known for a long time, when later remembering.
Jim Lively had a heart catheterization Friday morning, and it
was determined that he will need to have open heart surgery within
the next few weeks. He will be seeing his primary doctor this
Friday and his heart doctor Monday (8/1).
Three-month old Rex Cothren will be having brain surgery
within a month, due to the soft spot of the skull closing up too
soon and causing pressure on the back of the skull as the brain
grows.
Easton Cox's ANC (blood count) has dropped to about 450,
which will have to improve before his final chemo treatment this
Thursday.
Camp Tatum, who is only about 2 years old, had some
cancer on the brain that the surgeon was able to simply "peel
off." But there were also some cancerous cells detected in the
spine.
Andra Johnson has now gone into labor and could be giving
birth any time now, if she hasn't already.
After Michelle Rittenhouse received 32 botox injections, her
45-day headache went away! The results might be good for up to
3 to 6 months. But she also has several things wrong with her
heart, such as its beating too fast and skipping at times, which has
been attributed to Rheumatoid arthritis.
Penny Medlock had to go back into the hospital Friday and was
then transferred the next day to St. Simons, due to having a need
for her medication to be adjusted again.
Doyle Rittenhouse, who is now on additional medication, will
be seeing a bone-and-joint doctor Tuesday for a steroid injection in
his hip. As recently mentioned, he now also has arthritis in
both hips and bursitis and numbness in the left.
Melotine Davis had to cancel her doctor's appointment for the
21st, but will be rescheduled for after her more important
appointment on the 25th for the pain in her neck, shoulder, and arm.
We were glad to hear that Carole Drain received a good
report Wednesday for the results of the chemo treatments she has
completed. She will be seeing her doctor again in three
months.
Let us also continue to remember in prayer Shirley Davis
(back pain and foot surgery), James "Buddy" Gornto (healing
from heart-valve replacement), Kelli Fleeman (receiving
treatments for lymphoma), Joyce Rittenhouse (liver tests), James
Medlock (for his health), Brianna Mackey (having
therapy, due to being born premature), Mary Vandevander
(housebound), and Sue Wooten (nursing home).
WordPress Version of this week's bulletin (with pictures):
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/the-gospel-observer-july-17-2014/
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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, living for the Lord; 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://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com
(Gospel Observer website with pictures in WordPress)
http://thomastedwards.com/go
(Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but
back to March 1990)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)