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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 25, 2016
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Contents:
1) Some Marks of God's People (Virgil Hale)
2) Need: A Pride Killer (Adam Litmer)
3) The Fundamentals (Adam Smith)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
Some Marks of God's People
Virgil Hale
Malachi 3:16 reads, "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one
to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord,
and that thought upon his name." In this text there are three
characteristics given concerning the people of God that I want us to
study, and then we will observe the blessing that followed. There
are great lessons in this text for all of God’s people today.
In the first place it says that they "feared the Lord." This in and
of itself does not make one a child of God. It is said of Cornelius
that he "feared God with all his house..." (Acts 10:2) and that he
was "a just man and one that feareth God..." (verse 22). At the
time, Cornelius was not a Christian, and he had to obey the Gospel
in order to become a child of God. The kind of fear under
consideration is not a fear that causes one to shudder at the very
thought of God, but it is a reverential awe and respect for God and
His will. In speaking of God David wrote, "He sent redemption unto
his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and
reverend is his name" (Psa. 111:9). The writer of the Hebrew letter
said that we are to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear" (Heb. 12:28). It is evident that most people have little or no
respect for God or His Word. According to Solomon, the whole duty of
man is to "Fear God and keep his commandments" (Eccl. 12:13). Peter
made this statement at the house of Cornelius,"...Of a truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he
that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him"
(Acts 10:34-35). There is no way that one can be a faithful child of
God if he has no reverence and respect for God and His will.
Secondly, it is said in our text that these people of God "spake
often one to another." This implies that they had fellowship one
with another, that they cooperated one with the other, that they
were mutually helpful to each other. The word fellowship carries
with it the idea of joint participation. We are told, "And let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works (Heb.
10:24). Paul wrote that we are "workers together with him...” (2
Cor. 6:1) and that "we are laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9).
The Psalmist wrote, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psa. 133:1). Some things
might be pleasant that are not good for us, and some things might be
good for us that are not pleasant, but unity is both good and
pleasant. Christians are to "Be kindly affectioned one to another
with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another (Rom.
12:10). Paul wrote, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2:2-3). Love for one
another lets the world know that we belong to Christ (John
13:34-35). The early church certainly fit this pattern (Acts
2:44-45; 4:34-37).
Thirdly, it is said of God’s people that they "thought upon his
name." This implies that they meditated upon God and His will, and
that they were devout worshipers of Him. Do you enjoy studying God’s
Word, and are you a faithful worshiper of God? The "Blessed" man of
Psalm chapter 1, is one whose "delight is in the law of the Lord;
and in his Law doth he meditate day and night." Paul wrote, "Study
to shew thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). What do
you think about most? We are products of our thinking (Prov. 23:7;
Rom. 12:1-2). We cannot rise above our thinking!
Finally, notice the results of the preceding, "and the Lord
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written
before him for them..." Rest assured that God does not forget His
people. Paul spoke of people "whose names are written in the book of
life" (Phil. 4:3). We need to remember that God has said, "I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Because of that
promise we can "boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not
fear what man shall do unto me" (verse 6). Rest assured "our labor
is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). "For God is not
unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have
showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister" (Heb. 6:10). Do we really believe these promises? I
hope that we do, because God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18). May
we strive to have the characteristics that we have discussed in our
lives, and heaven will someday be our eternal home.
-- Via The Auburn Beacon, October 16, 2016, Volume 8, Issue 4
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"And my enemy will say, 'I have overcome him,' And my adversaries
will rejoice when I am shaken. But I have trusted in Your
lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will
sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalm
13:4-6, NASB).
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Need: A Pride Killer
Adam Litmer
In Luke 8:40-42 we read, “Now when Jesus returned, the crowd
welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there
came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And
falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he
had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.”
As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was a man of no small influence.
However, he found himself in a situation that rendered him
powerless. His daughter was dying and there was nothing he could do
stop it. All of his influence, wisdom, power, and fame meant
absolutely nothing to him in the face of such a terrible
predicament. Jesus had many enemies and there is little doubt that
at least some of them witnessed Jairus running to Jesus and falling
at his feet. There is even less doubt that word of Jairus’ actions
spread very quickly. However, whatever pride Jairus may have
possessed was crushed beneath the weight of his tremendous need.
A saved relationship with Jesus Christ demands one thing above all
else -- a humble willingness to admit that one is a sinner,
helplessly lost, and completely reliant upon the mercy and grace of
One infinitely greater than they (Romans 3:23; 5:1-11). This
humility boasts in the cross of Jesus Christ, never in self
(Galatians 6:14). This humility boasts in weakness for it is in
weakness that the power of Christ shines brightest (2
Corinthians 12:9-10). Is there any wonder, in our increasingly
humanistic world, that such humility is rarely seen?
Unfortunately, such humility is not as common as it should be even
among those who claim Christ as Lord. It is lacking in the elder who
lords his authority over the flock, looking upon the congregation as
his own personal fiefdom. It is lacking in the evangelist who
forgets that his duty is to present Christ, not himself. It is
lacking in the Christian who imagines that his or her salvation will
be achieved on the basis of personal goodness.
Need. The word ought to be emblazoned upon the heart of every
Christian for the day will never come when the mercy and grace
of God is not our greatest need. The one who glories in self has yet
to recognize this. When they do, that realization will crush
the pride that bars their way to the Lord and salvation.
-- Via University Heights Messenger, December 18, 2016, Volume 8,
Number 56
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“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before
stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than
to divide the spoil with the proud. He who gives attention to
the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD”
(Proverbs 16:18-20, NASB).
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The Fundamentals
Allen Smith
It’s impossible to accomplish some things in life until we have
mastered the fundamentals. Any sports coach will tell you that a
great team has to first be grounded in the fundamentals. Teachers
will tell you the same thing about successful students – and the
same thing is true about Christians. The fundamentals – the “first
principles” – are not always the most enjoyable part, but they are
the most essential part of what we need to learn. If we don’t, we
may very well be characterized by these words – “For when for the
time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again
which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become
such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one
that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is
a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
May we be well-grounded in the fundamentals so we can grow up to
enjoy the “solid food” found in God’s word.
— Via The Old Hickory Bulletin, 5/4/2014
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News & Notes
We extend our condolences to all the family and friends of Brian
Corbitt (Cheryl's husband) who passed away yesterday (the
28th). Funeral arrangements will be made later today.
Let those of us who are Christians be keeping all of his loved ones
in prayer.
Others also to be praying for:
Mary Vandevander has been moved from the local hospital to
the Pierce County nursing home for physical therapy.
James “Buddy” Gornto had surgery the Monday before last, and
then also the Monday after to correct the previous one, which
pertained to a dialysis port. As of last Wednesday, he had
been in the hospital for about 11 days.
Also: Shirley Davis, the Medlocks (Bennie, Deborah, Penny, and
James), 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/2016/12/29/the-gospel-observer-december-25-2016/
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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
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/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)