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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 23, 2016
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Contents:
1) Beatitudes: "Nothing Succeeds Like Failure" (Paul Earnhart)
2) Truth Is A Mountain (Robert F. Turner)
3) Virtue (Greg Gwin)
4) News & Notes --------------------
-1-
Beatitudes: "Nothing Succeeds Like Failure"
Paul Earnhart
Perhaps there is no better statement of the message of the
beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) than G. K. Chesterton’s curious little
maxim, “Nothing succeeds like failure.” Of course, Jesus was not
speaking of real failure even as Chesterton was not, but of what
men have generally viewed as failure. The cross was certainly a
colossal disaster by every conventional standard. It only seems
“right” to many of us now because we have acquiesced in nineteen
hundred years of well-established tradition. It is not so
remarkable then that a kingdom destined to be hoisted to power on
a cross should be full of surprises and that Jesus should say that
only those who were apparent failures had any hope of its
blessedness. In the following beatitudes the Savior makes very
clear that the kingdom of heaven belongs, not to the full, but to
the empty.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Jesus begins by
touching the wellspring of the character of the kingdom citizen --
his attitude toward himself in the presence of God. Luke
abbreviates this beatitude to, “Blessed are you poor” (Luke 6:20)
and records also a woe pronounced by Jesus upon the rich (Luke
6:24). In the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus had read Isaiah’s
messianic prophecy of the poor (“meek,” ASV) having the gospel
preached to them (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) and was later to soberly
warn that the rich would not come easily into the kingdom (Luke
18:24-25). But while it is true that “the common people heard Him
gladly” (Mark 12:37) because the rigors of the poor bring them to
humility more easily than does the comfortable affluence of the
rich, Matthew’s account of the sermon makes evident that Jesus is
not speaking of economic poverty. It is not impossible for the
poor to be arrogant nor for the rich to be humble. These "poor"
are those who, possessing little or much, have a sense of their
own spiritual destitution.
The Greek word here translated “poor” comes from a root word which
means to crouch or to cringe. It refers not simply to those for
whom life is a struggle, but to men who are reduced to the most
abject begging because they have absolutely nothing (Luke
16:20-21). Here it is applied to the sinful emptiness of an
absolute spiritual bankruptcy in which a person is compelled to
plead for that which he is powerless to obtain (Jeremiah 10:23)
and to which he has no right (Luke 15:18-19; 18:13), but without
which he cannot live. Begging comes hard to men (Luke 16:3) --
especially proud, self-reliant Americans -- but that is where our
sinful ways have brought us and we will not see the kingdom of
heaven until we face up to this reality with humble simplicity.
“Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). Men have been brought
up to believe that tears must be avoided if they are to be happy.
Jesus simply says that this is not true. There is some sorrow
which must be embraced, not because it is inescapable and the
struggle futile, but because true happiness is impossible without
it.
Even grief that is unavoidable to mortal men whatever their
station can have salutary effects on our lives if we allow it to.
It can, as Solomon says, remind us of the wispy momentariness of
our lives and set us to thinking seriously about the most
important things (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4). The psalmist who gave us
such a rich meditation on the greatness of God’s law has linked
pain and understanding. “Before I was afflicted,” he reflected, “I
went astray, but now I keep Your word.” He then concludes, “It is
good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your
statutes” (Psalm 119:67,71). Tears have always taught us more than
has laughter about life’s verities.
But there is something more to the mourning in this gem-like
paradox than the tears we cannot escape, the sorrow that comes
unbidden and unsought. This grief comes to us by choice, not
necessity. The Old Testament should influence our understanding of
these words first spoken to a Jewish audience. Isaiah foresaw that
the Lord’s anointed would come to “heal the brokenhearted” and
"comfort all who mourn" (Isaiah 61:1-2). But these words applied
only to a remnant of Israel which would come through the nation’s
affliction for its sins, humbled and grieved. Ezekiel’s vision of
God’s wrath on a corrupt Jerusalem revealed that only those “who
sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it”
were to be spared (Ezekiel 9:4). Zephaniah issued a similar
warning (Zephaniah 3:11-13,18).
The prophets would have us understand this mourning as the grief
experienced by those who in their reverence for God are horrified
by their own sins and those of their fellows, and are moved to
tears of bitter shame and grief. This is the “godly sorrow” of
which Paul writes, a sorrow that "produces repentance leading to
salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). These are the tears we must
choose to shed, renouncing our stubborn pride; and out of that
choice will come the unspeakable comfort of a God who forgives us
all, takes us to Himself, and will ultimately wipe all tears away
(Revelation 21:4). Nothing save God’s mercy can assuage a grief
like this.
— Via Articles from the Douglas Hills church of Christ, January 1,
2016 --------------------
-2-
Truth Is A Mountain
Robert Turner
There is challenge in TRUTH. Towering, majestic and awesome, it
beckons the climber. Great and wonderful, clothed in mysteries, it
threatens and promises. Benevolently reaching to the world, it
summons all; yet sternly holds aloft its crown, to defy the
casual.
Below, in railed and graded trails move masses. Camera-clicking
tourists, worn by travel, scarce grasp their guide's trained
words, and far less understand the magic scene. And as the way
grows steeper, more and more are faint, and wander aimlessly —
adrift in parks and glades of theory, with their creeds.
Content to pay lip service to the fountain-head above, they sip
its waters, grimace, and add sweets or bitters to their taste.
"It's wonderful," they say. "We must organize a party and bring
others to this way." So they sip, and talk; they praise with
shallow phrase, then pause to rest, and resting, sleep.
Still TRUTH — glorious, wondrous, whole truth, wreathes its head
with hoary clouds, and calls with voice of thunder: Onward!
Upward! Excelsior!!! Error shouts derision, and stops the ear.
With arrogance he hides his wounds and walks another way.
Tradition, richly garbed and stiff with age, dares not attempt the
rugged path. And weaklings, fearing to look heavenward, support a
course that others plan, and wish themselves in better clime.
But faith responds, and in the earnest seeker whets desire. He
dares look up. Toiling, sweating, step-by-step, he climbs.
Struggling across downed timbers on the slope, he pushes upward.
Pressing through the bush, slipping with the shale, he moves
onward. Onward, upward, higher and higher, his lungs afire, he
climbs with foot, and hand, with heart, and soul.
For TRUTH he lives and, if needs be, dies. He asks no quarter,
hears no scorn. His hope is fastened on this goal, whose misty
drapery sometimes part and to his raptured eyes reveal its sun
swept crest.
He needs no other prize than this, for here men humbly walk with
God.
— via Plain Talk, Vol. 16, No. III, pg. 1, May 1979 --------------------
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have
kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to
me at that day..." (2 Tim. 4:7,8). --------------------
-3-
Virtue
Greg Gwin
Peter instructs us that we must "add to your faith virtue" (2
Peter 1:5). What is this "virtue," and how do we manifest
it?
Thayer says that virtue is a word that could be used to
describe any kind of excellence in a person or thing. When
used of a person, it might denote a quality of body or mind.
But, when used in the ethical sense, Thayer says it specifically
means "moral goodness or excellence." Another commentator suggests
that it is "courage . . . a resolute determination to do what it
right . . . steadfast strength of will to choose always the good
part" (Caffin).
How do we demonstrate this "moral courage?" What will be the
signs that we are "adding to our faith virtue?" Numerous
examples can be found in the Word of God. Famous heroes of
the faith displayed virtue. Noah did in the matter of living
faith-fully in the midst of an entirely wicked world.
Abraham did when he left the comforts of home to obey God, and
later when he was willing to offer his own son at God's
command. Moses did when he chose "rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).
However, most of us will not find ourselves in the momentous
situations of a Noah, Abraham or Moses. Instead, we will be
faced with the constant challenges of our everyday lives. It
is interesting that one of the most familiar uses of this
terminology is found in application to a woman. In Proverbs
31 the "virtuous woman" is described. Hers was not the work
of a soldier in battle, or that of a famous prophet standing up
for truth and righteousness. Instead, we read of her
faithfully fulfilling her role as a wife and mother. It was
her God given job, and she did it well. She was
"virtuous."
Christian, will you courageously do what is right regardless of
the consequences? Will you show "moral excellence" in how
you talk, act, dress, etc.? Will you take your stand --
always -- with those who are faithfully doing the will of
God? It will not always be popular or easy, but when you do
you will be showing "virtue." Think!
— Via The Beacon, September 20, 2016 --------------------
-4-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians continue to
include the following in our prayers:
Melotine Davis fell last Tuesday morning while walking
into Staples. The impact was mainly on her right shoulder,
which was still severely sore Saturday evening and requiring pain
medicine. She had immediately gone to her doctor who took
an x-ray which showed no broken bones, but put her on some
pain medicine. She returned to see her doctor Friday and
also had an appointment on the 24th with an orthopedist who saw
that she did have a fracture and will have to wear a sling for a
while. Shirley Davis still has the pin in her toe, following
her recent surgery. But if all goes well, it will be removed
in about a week. Her toe is sore, and she is to keep
it propped up. She still also has the pain in her back,
which continues to be that which bothers her the most. In
addition, she will be seeing her doctor in Valdosta November 11 to
look into having a complete knee replacement for her right knee.
Jonathan Abbott was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday,
due to a gastrointestinal problem causing severe pain. He
improved by Thursday, discontinued his pain medicine, and was
released late that afternoon. On the 27th, Jonathan will be
returning for a follow-up.
Also: Kay Byars (as she heals from her 3rd cancer
surgery); La Donna Andrews, Lexi Crawford, Camp Tatum, and
Kelli Fleeman (as they deal with cancer); Bennie Medlock
(as he is still healing from an infection in his back); Jim
Lively and Ray Richards (as they heal from open heart
surgery); Mary Cribbs (who wasn’t feeling well recently),
and Mary Vandevander who remains housebound, due to her
health.
A Gospel Meeting begins today (Oct. 23-28) at the North
Valdosta church of Christ (4313 North Valdosta Road, Valdosta, GA)
Speaker: Gene Taylor. Sunday: 9-10-11 a.m. Monday through
Friday: 7:30 p.m.
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)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (Ladies' Bible class)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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http://thomastedwards.com/go (Older version of Gospel Observer
website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
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