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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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December 18, 2016
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Contents:
1) "Lessons From A Changing World" (Larry Rouse)
2) Themes of the Law (Doy Moyer)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
"Lessons From A Changing World"
Larry Rouse
Anyone who lived in the 1950s or 1960s has witnessed great changes
in our society. These changes have come so fast and moved so swiftly
that if one fifty years ago had been told of these coming changes I
am certain that he would not have believed them. Any change within
the society around us will have a corresponding effect upon
Christians in that society. A careful study of the churches of Asia
in the book of Revelation reveals the struggle that must take place
in the heart of every Christian against the surrounding social
conditions.
Changing morals and decaying societies are not new in human history.
We may as a country be moving even more rapidly towards
self-destruction than societies of the past, but as Christians we
can rest in the certainties of an unchanging God and His revealed
will. In the hymn "Abide with Me" we sing: "Change and decay in all
around I see; O Thou who changes not, abide with me!" Indeed God
Himself has told us, "For I am the LORD, I do not change" (Malachi
3:6).
How can we resist the raging currents pulling us within this
culture? We look to the God who is far greater than anything men or
the rulers of men could ever say or do. In Isaiah, God says:
"Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as
the small dust on the scales" (Isaiah 40:15). The promise of God's
continual care and guidance makes the shallow and false promises of
the world seem as nothing. Our challenge is to build and maintain an
unshakable faith in an unchanging God. Do you daily glory in the
promise that God made when He said: "Let your conduct be without
covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He
Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we
may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can
man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6).
We need the wisdom of God to see this world for what it is and to
overcome the efforts of Satan to subvert our faith. God has plainly
described both the end of worldly things and the means of attack
Satan will use. "Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the
world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who
does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
— via Online Articles from the Manslick Road church of Christ, June
29, 2014
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Themes of the Law
Doy Moyer
The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) is probably the the most well-known
part of the Law of Moses (Exod. 20; Deut. 5). The framework for the
rest of the Law is found therein. While it is tempting to view the
commandments as a list to check-off, those commandments were to be
seen as foundational to the Israelites’ way of life. The Decalogue
is a charter of ethical behavior and respect. Consider the basic
commands:
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol (no
graven images, not to worship or serve them).
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your
God in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or
wife.
Applications of these commands are many and varied. For example,
Jesus demonstrated how these commands are to be understood in a
broader context than just a check-list. He showed that not only is
the act of murder wrong, but the attitude that leads to it is also a
violation of the principle (Matthew 5:21-22). Not only is the act of
adultery sinful, but the lust that leads to the act is also sinful
(Matthew 5:27-28; see also James 1:13-15). In other words,
understanding the nature of these commandments means understanding
the principles that can be applied to various circumstances. Never
should we see God’s word as a rote check-list with no further
implications.
With that in mind, think about some of the interwoven themes that
are involved in these commandments*:
1. Authority. The authority of God is stressed in the first
four commands. No other god has the authority to command and expect
obedience, for Yahweh alone is God. He is the Creator and has the
right to be honored by His creation. Further, the authority of
parents is stressed in the fifth command. Children were to honor
their parents and obey them. The significance should be apparent in
that the home is the first place children are going to learn about
the concept of authority. Most importantly, they will learn
something about God’s authority. The command to honor father and
mother comes in the middle of the ten purposefully, as it serves as
a hinge that points to both God and others.
2. Respect. Respect for God demands close attention to how we
view and treat God. Making a graven image of God or taking His name
in vain shows a lack of respect for God with His glory and dignity.
Idolatry is an attempt to bring God down to humanity’s level or
lower. Likewise, a lack of respect for human life, marriage, and
personal property is what would lead to someone violating the
commands that relate other people. Inherent in the commandments are
the rights and privileges of individuals to own property and expect
others to respect that personal property. Murder, adultery, and
stealing represents a complete disrespect for what God considers
precious and valuable.
3. Commitment. One who is committed to God will also be
committed to holiness. The commandment to keep the sabbath holy
presents a principle that requires His people to keep all holy
things holy. Keep what is holy in its proper place, and by this God
is honored. If God has pronounced something holy, then we must be
committed to keeping it that way in our lives. Further, the
commandment not to bear false witness represents a commitment to
truth. The ethic of the child of God will not permit lies and
slander. Commitment is also foundational both to authority and
respect. Without a fundamental commitment to do what is right as
defined by God, then nothing else will work properly.
The commandments were not intended to be read in some wooden fashion
that failed to appreciate the underlying principles. Again, Jesus
also showed this point when He was asked about the greatest
commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Isn’t it interesting that His
response does not include one of the Ten Commandments, but rather
commandments that are all encompassing. Loving God and loving
neighbors stretch across the ten commandments to all of the Law and
the prophets. While we need to follow the commandments of God
(whether old or new stipulations), we also need to learn to
understand the principles implied by the commandments. This will
take some discernment, but that process comes through our maturity
in Christ (see Heb. 5:14).
All of this reflects upon how we read Scripture. Are we seeing the
principles, the connections, and the applications that grow from the
passages? Are we just looking for a minimal list of what we have to
do, or are we seeking to better understand our God and Savior
through His Scriptures so we can better love and appreciate who He
is and what He has done for us?
*These are not unique to me, but I believe these well express
the basic categories.
— via Bulletin Articles of the Vestavia church of Christ,
December 11, 2016
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"...Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O
LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their
grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and
sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety" (Psalm
4:6-8, NASB).
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News & Notes
Mary Vandevander is still in the local
hospital with a lung problem (and possible infection) and growing
weaker. Right now, she cannot stand on her own, though she
could prior; and they are keeping her on oxygen. They are hoping to
move her this week to a nursing home in Blackshear where she can
receive therapy.
Shirley Davis has continued in her physical therapy for
six weeks now. She not only goes to a therapy clinic twice a
week, but also works out at home at least 5 days a week for an hour
a day. She has an appointment with her doctor in Valdosta this
week to see if she is now ready for the complete knee
replacement. Let us pray that she will be!
Doyle and Joyce Rittenhouse, though still a little under
the weather, and Doyle with still also some of his back trouble, are
both doing better than before.
Let us also continue to remember the Medlocks (Bennie, Deborah,
Penny, and James) who can each use the prayers of the saints.
And also: Kay Byars, La Donna Andrews, Lexi Crawford, Camp Tatum,
Kelli Fleeman, Jim Lively, Brianna Mackey, and Ray
Richards.
WordPress Version for this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/the-gospel-observer-december-18-2016/
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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
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pictures in WordPress)
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website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
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