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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" (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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October 28, 2018
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Contents:
1) An Eternal Perspective (Doy Moyer)
2) Regrets At Death (Bill Crews)
3) The Power of God to Salvation (Whit Sasser)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
An Eternal Perspective
Doy Moyer
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21, ESV).
Coming to grips with the reality of heaven is difficult for us when
we are so focused on the earth. Learning to “look at the things that
are not seen” because these things are eternal is a grand part of
the biblical worldview (2 Cor 4:18). While we long for the “new
heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13),
this present earth seems all too enticing a place for laying up
treasures, and we suffer for it. We cling to the hope of a better
life here, of better circumstances here, of better things here.
Meanwhile, “there” seems too far away, so we look back at what this
world offers and refuse to let go. The flesh is indeed weak.
Yet there are times when the eternal comes into sharper focus and
the things of this world seem far less significant, if only because
we are reminded of how temporary life really is. When death comes
knocking at our door, whether for ourselves or for loved ones, our
earthly treasures become as nothing. We would gladly give them all
up in order to have the beauty of an eternal relationship with the
ones whom we love. This is why “the heart of the wise is in the
house of mourning” (Eccl 7:4). The wise who are living take to heart
“the end of all mankind” (v. 2) and will always reassess their
current perceptions of this world and where they are continuing to
lay up their treasures.
With an eternal perspective, we can see why Paul’s desires and
attitude are so instructive. With respect to himself, he recognized
that living a little longer in the flesh was needed for the sake of
others, but his real desire was to “depart and be with Christ, for
that is far better” (Phil 1:23). That eternal perspective led him to
long for the eternal dwelling with which God would clothe us in the
resurrection, not to be “unclothed, but that we would be further
clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (2 Cor
5:4). Since God has given the Spirit as a guarantee of this
(v. 5), Paul continues, “So we are always of good courage. We know
that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for
we walk by faith, not by sight” (vv. 6-7).
With respect to others in Christ, Paul could be comforted by the
hope that they also had. This means that, while grief is a natural
part of letting go of one we love, it need not be a grief without
comfort: “that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1
Thess 4:13). Why? Because “we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who
have fallen asleep” (v. 14). Comforting one another with these words
(v. 18) is not reliance upon empty words just to feel better. It is
reliance upon the solid, historical foundation of the resurrection
of Jesus Christ. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20).
Death hits all of us. Hard. But Christ is coming. Resurrection is
coming. A great change is coming. “What is sown is perishable; what
is raised is imperishable” (1 Cor 15:42). While flesh and blood
cannot finally inherit the kingdom of God, “we shall all be changed”
(v. 51). The time is coming when we will finally and fully realize
how death is truly swallowed up in victory — “But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 57).
By the grace of God, we no longer need to be so wrapped up in the
things of this world that we are choked by the cares and riches of
this life and become unfruitful for Him (Luke 8:14). We no longer
need to see things or people according to the flesh, for “if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,
the new has come” (2 Cor 5:16-17).
When our perspectives truly change, then we can begin to appreciate
how important it really is to store up treasures in heaven as
opposed to this earth. What we continue to dwell on, what we
willingly spend our time on, what we steadily pour our energy into
will all show where our treasures reside; and "where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.”
Revelation 22:17-20 sums up our desires: The Spirit and the Bride
say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one
who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life
without price.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
— via Doy Moyer’s facebook site, October 23, 2018
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-2-
Regrets At Death
Bill Crews
I have never heard and I never expect to hear of one who, when about
to die:
-Regrets that he became a Christian.
-Regrets that he tried earnestly to live as a Christian.
-Regrets that he gave so much time to prayer and study of the Bible.
-Regrets that he gave a generous portion of his money to do the
Lord's work.
-Regrets that he tried to reach others who were lost in sin around
him.
-Regrets that he assembled conscientiously and regularly with the
brethren for worship, exhortation and edification.
But I have heard of many and expect to hear of more who, when about
to die:
-Regretted not becoming a child of the King.
-Regretted not trying earnestly to live as a Christian.
-Regretted that they had not given much time to prayer and study of
the Bible.
-Regretted they had not given a generous portion of their money to
do the Lord's work.
-Regretted they had not tried to reach others around them who were
lost in sin.
-Regretted they had not assembled conscientiously and regularly with
their brethren for worship, exhortation and edification.
What about you? When you are facing death, as each of us will one
day, will you have any regrets? Do not wait until it is too late to
set your priorities straight. What is important is what you can take
with you into eternity. Anything else has to be of much less value.
-- Via The Beacon, April 2, 2017
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-3-
The Power of God to Salvation
Whit Sasser
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power
of God to salvation" (Romans 1:16).
When churches try to lure people to their services by means of
gimmicks and big promotions, they make a big mistake. Bingo parties,
musical entertainment, films, dinners and such like, only cheapen
the gospel in the minds of thinking people. A bigger attendance may
be the short-term effect, but less respect for God is the long-term
effect. If you gain souls by carnal means, then carnal means will be
needed to hold them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of GOD
unto salvation, and though fewer may respond to it, salvation is
only therein.
- Via The Beacon, September 30, 2018
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-4-
News & Notes
Rick Cutherbertson started having pain in his left side.
C-scans show a small nodule in each lung and fluid in the bottom of
the left lung. He will also be having a PET scan to determine if
there is any cancer.
Pat Joyner is in need of two heart valve replacements.
I (Tom Edwards) appreciate everyone’s concern and
prayers for my prostate surgery last Monday. All went
well. I have no pain. After 74 days of having need of a
catheter, it became no longer necessary the day after the
surgery.
Let us also be praying for Shirley Davis’ upcoming knee
replacement surgery October 30; Joyce Rittenhouse (healing
from Bell’s palsy), Deborah Medlock (healing from recent
surgery), Bennie Medlock (aortic aneurysm), Jim Lively (collagenous
colitis), A.J. Joyner (health problem), and Mary
Vandevander in the nursing home.
Others to include: Danny Hutcheson (almost total paralysis
and loss of speech); Roger Montgomery (having
complications following his liver and kidney transplants); Mary
Aldrich (under-going rehab); Rex & Frankie Hadley,
Tommy Lindsey, Misty Thornton, and Michelle Rittenhouse.
WordPress version of the bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/the-gospel-observer-october-28-2018/
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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: 2 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)