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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 27, 2016
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Contents:
1) "Let Another Man Praise You" (R.J. Evans)
2) Born (Again) to Serve (John Thompson)
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-1-
"Let Another Man Praise You"
R.J. Evans
"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger
and not you own lips" (Proverbs 27:2).
Is it safe to say that most of us have difficulty from time to time
in heeding and obeying the words of wisdom in our text? I'm
sure we have all been guilty of doing a little bragging and boasting
at times. In fact, generally speaking, it appears that
boasting has become an accepted practice in our present
culture. Just think about politics or the social media, and
you realize how common it has become.
The boaster is the individual who wants other people to think of him
as a great doer of many things. He is the type individual who
likes to talk about himself, and is not bashful about bragging about
all his accomplishments. There is an old saying that is
associated with this kind of person: "If you want to know how great
he is (or members of his family), just ask him, and he will tell
you." Then there are those who do not have to be asked; they
constantly boast about themselves, whether others want to hear it or
not.
We just mentioned that boasting has become a part of our present
culture. We can also observe that this practice is addressed
in God's word. In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul described the
many evil characteristics of the Gentiles, one of which consisted of
"boasters" (v. 30). In writing to Timothy, he stated, "But
know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy" (2
Tim. 3:1-2). These sins are running rampant today, and most
certainly, boasting is no exception.
The Apostle Paul did engage "in a little folly" — a type of foolish
boasting in order to expose his opponents who were false apostles —
taking advantage of the brethren at Corinth (2 Cor. 11).
However, he had already established the fact that acceptable
glorying or boasting is to be only in the Lord — "He who glories,
let him glory in the Lord" (2 Cor. 10:17). Likewise, he told
the Galatians: "But God forbid that I should glory except in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world" (Gal. 6:14).
There are many admonitions throughout God's word against being proud
and boastful. Jesus taught that when we do our good deeds,
don't "sound a trumpet" but let it be in secret to the extent that —
"when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing" (Matt. 6:1-4). In other words, don't
be telling others and bragging about what good deeds you have
done. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
teaches against self-righteous boasting and pride (Lk. 18:9-14). The
Apostle Paul stated, “For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). In planning for
the future, James said “you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we
shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your
arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (Jas. 4:15-16).
Boasters are proud, which is totally against the humble spirit that
should characterize the faithful child of God. James said,
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" (Jas.
4:6). The boaster is one who thinks he is better/smarter/more
important than others. But the Scripture teaches that "in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). The boaster often
makes others feel bad about themselves, and become discouraged over
"falling so short" of all the braggart's alleged accomplishments and
abilities. But the Lord says, "Let each of us please his
neighbor for his good, leading to edification" (Rom. 15:2).
And there are other problems associated with all the damage a
boaster causes. Thus, boasting is an attempt to belittle
others, while seeking to elevate self above everyone else.
It has been said that no one likes to be around a boaster — having
to constantly hear him brag about himself. No doubt about it,
that is so true! Who wants to hear and see actions of someone
essentially saying: "Look at me and see how great I am"? Never
let it be said or observed that the faithful child of God is a
boaster. May we at all times heed the words of our title: "LET
ANOTHER MAN PRAISE YOU."
— via the bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales,
Louisiana, October 16, 2016
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Born (Again) to Serve
John Thompson
Jesus entered Jerusalem about six days before He was to be
crucified. One evening at supper with His apostles, he did an
unusual thing. Ever the master teacher, he arose, removed his
outer garments, tied a towel around his waist, put some water into a
basin and began to wash the feet of his disciples. He had a reason
for doing this most humbling act of servitude.
12“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer
garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand
what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord,
and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord
and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that
you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly,
truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor
is a messenger greater than the one who sent him’” (John 13:12-16).
Jesus not only humbled himself, taking on the form of a servant
(Philippians 2:7), but he performed one of the more disgusting tasks
of washing dirty, dust-encrusted feet. Furthermore, he washed
the feet of those under his authority: the teacher washing the feet
of his students. Finally, he washed the feet of his enemy, his
betrayer, for Judas had not yet left to carry out his plan.
Do you remember the story of young Samuel, how he was leant to the
Lord by his mother and reared by Eli? After some misunderstanding
who was calling him, Samuel was finally advised by Eli to respond by
saying, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” Can you think of a
better way to respond to the Lord? There is so much contained in
that short response: a recognition of Deity; an attitude of
servitude; and the willingness to learn and carry out the Lord’s
will.
You know, some of the godliest people who have ever lived were
perfectly content to be servants of God. When Satan
appeared before God, as reported in the book of Job, God expressed
extraordinary confidence in His servant, Job: 8“And the
Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there
is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man,
who fears God and turns away from evil?’” (Job 1:8). Paul, who
played such an indispensable role in the establishment and spread of
the church, was just as prone to refer to himself as a servant of
God as he was to call himself an apostle: “Paul, a servant of Christ
Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God”
(Romans 1:1). “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all
the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers
and deacons” (Philippians 1:1). See also Titus 1:1.
James, Peter, and Jude also begin their inspired letters by
identifying themselves as servants of God.
Paul makes it plain that being a servant of God means serving
others. 5“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but
Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
In a time when entitlements are on everyone’s minds and people are
quick to demand to receive what they believe they deserve, servitude
will not be very popular.
When one becomes a Christian, he or she is born again, born again to
serve Christ through service to others. Serving others is, very
simply, the means by which the Christian serves God. 34“Then
the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed
by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and
you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was
sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then
the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And
when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe
you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and
visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I
say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,
you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:34-40).
An article on servitude is appropriate at any time, but especially
so at this time. Our brother, Garry Banks, was a servant of the Lord
who did not hesitate to serve others. He is now at rest awaiting his
final reward. I believe God could have said to Satan, “Have
you considered my servant, Garry Banks?” And I believe Garry will
hear, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.... as you did it
to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
— Via University Heights Messenger, August 14, 2016, Volume 8,
Number 34
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-3-
News & Notes
Cheryl Crews had been admitted to the ICU, due to a critical
condition that required being kept sedated to an unconscious state,
while also on a breathing ventilator and receiving kidney
dialysis. Since then, as R.J. Evans writes, "She is showing
improvement each day. The doctors have cut back on the oxygen and
pressure of the ventilator. (This is the beginning of a
process of weaning her off of the ventilator.) She is now on
dialysis every other day. Thus, over-all, Cheryl continues to
make progress with the passing of each day. Please pray that
her progress will continue and that she will fully recover.
Many prayers by multitudes of God's people have been prayed on
Cheryl's behalf. To God be the glory!"
Doyle and Joyce Rittenhouse are both not well. Doyle had been
back to the doctors Friday, the previous Monday,
and the Monday prior. He has been breaking out in a sweat 4 to 5
times a day, had an EKG, blood tests, and was put on two different
antibiotics. It is not thought to be the flu. Though Joyce had been
getting better, she had a relapse and is now on a Z pack.
Others of our number who can also use the prayers of the saints for
their health are Bennie and Deborah Medlock, Marie
Pennock, Mikaela Jones, Shirley Davis, and
Mary Vandevander.
...and also for the following whom we've been keeping in prayer: Kay
Byars, La Donna Andrews, Lexi Crawford, Camp Tatum, Kelli Fleeman,
Jim Lively, Brianna Mackey, and Ray Richards.
WordPress version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/the-gospel-observer-november-27-2016/
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“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround
him with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).
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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)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (Ladies' Bible class)
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://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
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