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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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September 24, 2017
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Contents:
1) "Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief!" (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
"Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief!"
Tom Edwards
The account from which our title is taken is also seen in Matthew
17:14-21 and Luke 9:37-43; but only Mark, who brings out more
concerning it in Mark 9:14-29, includes the above statement (v. 24).
Imagine, if you would, being the parent of just one son, but who was
severely afflicted with illness. Matthew refers to him as “a
lunatic” that was “very ill” and “often falls into the fire and
often into the water" (Matt. 17:15). Luke shows that this was
brought on by “a spirit,” which “seizes him, and he suddenly
screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the
mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it
leaves" (Luke 9:39). Mark's account includes that the boy was
“possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it
seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth,
and grinds his teeth and stiffens out” (Mark 9:17-18). Ever since
childhood, this is what the boy had continually been experiencing
(v. 21). How concerned you would probably be if he were your son.
The boy's father then said to Jesus, “It has often thrown him both
into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do
anything, take pity on us and help us!” (v. 22).
Jesus responded, “'If You can?' All things are possible to him who
believes” (v. 23).
After hearing this, “Immediately the father of the child cried out
and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (v. 24,
NKJV).
This man appears to have been humble, honest, sincere, and truly
seeking the Lord's help.
Would not his request to the Lord also make a good prayer for every
believer today? “Lord, I believe; but help me in those areas where
my faith is lacking – or is not at all.” For Paul also prayed for
the Thessalonians “night and day...most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith” (1 Thess.
3:10). Do we not all have a need to increase in faith -- to
improve in those areas in which we are lacking?
Faith, like the various good virtues that make up the fruit of the
Spirit, can be at different levels. For Jesus spoke of some who had
“little faith” (Matt. 6:30), and of those whose faith was “great”
(Matt. 8:10; Matt. 15:28). So faith can also be anywhere in between.
We, therefore, need to strive to make our faith greater.
This was also a concern for the apostles. They asked the Lord to
“Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), and how did the Lord answer them?
He first told them, “If you had faith like a mustard seed [which is
one of the smallest of seeds], you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you" (v.
6). But that was not yet the answer to their question. So look what
the Lord then goes on to say: “Which of you, having a slave plowing
or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the
field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? But will he not say
to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe
yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may
eat and drink'? He does not thank the slave because he did the
things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all
the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we
have done only that which we ought to have done'” (vv. 7-10). So
what do we infer from this as to the answer of their question
concerning how to increase their faith? First of all, do we not see
that an increase of faith is not something that comes suddenly?
There is a need to grow in the faith through humble service unto the
Lord, by doing those things that are required of us. For faith
needs to be exercised, and it should be a “faith working through
love” (Gal. 5:6). Faith is a foundation for the soul to build
upon and be soundly supported throughout life. For we are to
“continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not
moved away from the hope of the gospel...” (Col. 1:23).
But how can faith be increased? What is the source for it? It is
true that the creation “testifies” toward the reality of God (cf
Rom. 1:19-20; Psa. 19:1), which helps us to believe in Him; but the
faith that saves from sin requires more than that kind of belief
through creation. For Paul shows that it is the gospel that is “the
power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).
We, therefore, must first hear it – for “faith comes from hearing,
and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). But we must also be
“doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves"
(James 1:22). Brethren were being strengthened in the faith by
conforming their lives to the message that Paul and Timothy spoke to
them (Acts 16:4-5). We have also seen that the gospel is
referred to as “the faith” that we are to “contend earnestly for”
(Jude 1:3), and which “a great many of the priests were becoming
obedient to” (Acts 6:7). For as food is to the body, even more so is
God's word to the soul. Therefore, as Jesus states, “MAN SHALL NOT
LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE
MOUTH OF GOD” (Matt. 4:4). When Jesus told His disciples, who were
concerned that He should eat, “I have food to eat that you do not
know about,” they were thinking of only physical food (Jn. 4:31-33);
but the Lord then explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who
sent Me and to accomplish His work” (v. 34). Jesus was a doer of His
Father's will, and we must be likewise. For since He had a
need to receive the nourishment of spiritual food by obeying His
Father, then how much more do we have that need toward doing the
same?
To grow strong in the Lord involves increasing in faith. Peter
closes his second epistle by exhorting the brethren to “grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet.
3:18). And Paul's final words to the Ephesian elders also pointed
them in that same direction: “And now I commend you to God and to
the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you
the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:31).
So in all this, we see the connection between learning God's word,
acquiring faith, and growing strong in the Lord. Our faith is based
on the Scriptures – rather than on personal feelings. And
corresponding with that, John declares, “These things I have written
to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may
know that you have eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:13). So, yes, we are to
look to God's word for faith and increase in our knowledge of that
message and put God’s word into practice in our lives so our faith
will also grow -- along with the assurance it brings.
As pointed out, the man in Mark 9:24 was humble to indicate that
there were areas in his life in which he lacked faith, but he sought
the Lord to help him in that. May we each also do the same, and by
using those sources of His word (Rom. 10:17) and the avenue of
prayer (2 Cor. 13:9) that God has provided for the Christian.
Paul told Timothy that by his teaching the word he would “be a good
servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the
faith and of the sound doctrine which you are following” (1 Tim.
4:6). Was that merely a special privilege for Timothy to be
able to be “constantly nourished on the words of faith”? As we
take the time to teach the gospel to others, it also helps us to
grow in the faith. For we are then doing what God has
commanded and find it rewarding in doing so. In addition, our
studying and researching to prepare to teach has us focusing on the
Scriptures and filling our hearts and minds with it, which is good
meditation for the soul.
We must also increase in faith because some have wandered from it (1
Tim. 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:18; 1 Tim. 6:21); and we need, therefore, to be
on guard against that. One of Paul's exhortations to Timothy was
that he would “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the
eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12). Faith
is to be “kept” (2 Tim. 4:7). It is to be lived by — rather than
shrinking back from (Heb. 10:38). For faith preserves the soul (v.
39), and its outcome is the salvation of our souls (1 Pet.
1:9). So we must “contend earnestly for” it (Jude 1:3).
And, to do so, as we have seen in this lesson, requires a faith that
is accompanied with obedient action. For “...faith
without works is dead” (James 2:14-26).
Let us remember that humble, honest, and sincere man who, after
talking with Jesus, “Immediately...cried out and said with tears,
'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24). And may we,
like him, also desire to have our faith increased and seek to
accomplish that by expanding our knowledge of God’s word, putting it
into practice in our lives, and spending time with the Lord in
prayer. For then, what a great comfort faith can be! Not
only is it then the saving faith that leads to heaven, but also it
is “...the assurance of things hoped for” and “the conviction of
things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
(All Scripture from the NASB, unless otherwise indicated.)
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-2-
News & Notes
Our sympathies go out to all the loved ones of Geraldine (Jerri)
Coop who passed away September 23. She is survived by
her husband Archie with whom she had been married for over 63 years;
her three sons Michael (Emily), Clifton, and Gregory (Lisa); three
grandchildren (Lauren, Mathew, and Geneva), her sister Shirley
(Tom) Bunting, her brother Harold (Wylene) Collins, and many other
loved ones. She was also a member of the church of Christ.
Anita Abbott had surgery last Monday, and all went
well. Let us pray for a swift healing.
Mary Kicklighter (Myrna’s sister) also had surgery that same
day for a complete knee replacement. It also went
successfully.
It was good to see Charles Crosby back with us, following
his surgery a few weeks ago. He still continues with receiving
antibiotics intravenously, twice a day, and which takes about 90
minutes each time.
Also for prayer: those who recently lost loved ones: the friends and
family of Kelli McDavid Fleeman, Ronald Ray Renfrow and Ladonna
Andrews. Those with health issues: Shirley Davis,
Cedell Fletcher, Judy Daugherty, Pat Joyner, Misty Thornton,
Michelle Rittenhouse, Rachael Gerbing, and Mary Vandevander.
And also for Cicily Thompson who is seeking employment.
WordPress version for bulletin (9/24/17):
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/the-gospel-observer-september-24-2017/
WordPress version for bulletin (9/17/17):
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-gospel-observer-september-17-2017/
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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 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.
(worship)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (Ladies' Bible class)
Wednesday: 7 p.m. (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)