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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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May 12, 2019
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Contents:
1) Methuselah (Frank Himmel)
2) The Bible Exposes Sin! (Wayne Goff)
3) Hebrews 4:14-16 (exhortation from Scripture)
4) "Forever" (Greg Gwin)
5) News & Notes
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-1-
Methuselah
Frank Himmel
Most folks I know want to live as long as they can. Why? The answer
typically is because it gives us the opportunity to experience life
to the full—to accomplish as much as possible through our work, to
finish some long-term projects, to travel to exotic places, to watch
our children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren grow up.
But have we really pondered what a full life means?
Methuselah is mostly the answer to the trivia question, Who was the
oldest man? He lived an incredible 969 years. (Can you begin to
fathom the changes that have occurred from the year 1049 until the
present?) Apart from his record age, however, we know nothing about
Methuselah. Besides the brief record of his life in Genesis 5:22-27,
he is mentioned only in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1:3 and Luke
3:37.
Was Methuselah a man of faith? Did he obey God? Did he make any
lasting contributions to posterity? The Bible is silent. If the
Genesis genealogy can be used to establish a chronology—an
admittedly uncertain approach—he evidently died the year of the
flood. Was he among the wicked destroyed in it, or did he just
coincidentally die of “old age” that year? Living as long as he did,
he certainly had plenty of opportunities to serve God. What use of
them he made we do not know.
By way of contrast, Methuselah’s father lived only about a third as
long. Nevertheless, Enoch left an unmistakable mark. Jude mentions
him as a prophet (Jude 14-15). And Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith
Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not
found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that
before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”
Methuselah’s grandson also left his mark. “Noah found favor in the
eyes of the Lord. . . . Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his
time; Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:8-9). Surely you know the
rest of his story!
When it comes to life, quantity is not nearly as important as
quality. Even a short life brings glory to God if it is used in His
service. Remember, Jesus lived only to about age thirty-three! A
full life is fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes
12:13). Thank God for the time you have, and resolve to live each
day for Him.
— Via Pathlights, April 8, 2018
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-2-
The Bible Exposes Sin!
Wayne Goff
The idea of “sin” has almost disappeared from our society’s
vocabulary. “Mistake,” “error,” “misjudgment," “prejudice,”
“-phobia,” etc. have replaced the idea of sin. Perhaps that is why
the Bible and Christianity seem so unpopular today. The Bible is the
revelation of God’s solution for sin! It shows the introduction of
sin into the world with the first couple, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
It contains a Divine promise in that same chapter for the future
“seed of woman” to conquer Satan and sin.
Throughout several thousand years in Genesis, fifteen hundred years
of the Mosaical Age (Exodus-Malachi), and two thousand years of
Christianity (Matthew-Revelation), God has unfolded that plan and
commanded all men everywhere to repent of their sins (Acts
17:30-31).
The book of Romans is a detailed discourse on the subject of sin and
its solution. Paul wrote in Romans 1:5-6, “Through Him we have
received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all
nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus
Christ” (Romans 1:5–6).
And again he concludes the book with these words: “Now to Him who is
able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic
Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment
of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—” (Romans
16:25–26).
God displays His holiness as He justly deals with sin and graciously
offers a solution: “…that He might be just and the justifier of the
one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:23). A holy God cannot offer
an unholy solution to sin. So our holy God offered the perfect
sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins — Jesus Christ (Romans
3:24-25)!
The only thing left for us to do is believe and obey! But what a
wondrous picture of the workings of the Divine mind in lovingly
providing a solution to our sin problem while remaining perfect and
holy Himself. Read the Bible, and especially the book of Romans, in
this light.
— Via the Roanridge Reader, Volume 34, Issue 18, Page 1
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-3-
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize
with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as
we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence
to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help in time of need” (NASB).
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-4-
“Forever”
Greg Gwin
A highway billboard down the road advertises for a local restaurant.
Along with promises of "good home cookin" and "friendly service” is
the proclamation "OPEN FOREVER.” This caught our eye. It was not the
typical “open 24 hours per day," or "open seven days per week." This
was a far bolder claim. Forever, as you know, is a very long time!
While we may chuckle at, and even appreciate, the originality of the
folks at that restaurant, we know - and surely they know - that
nothing in this world is forever. James wrote:
"Come now, you who say 'today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and
such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make
a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then
vanisheth away” (James 4:13-14, NASV).
Sadly, too many of God's own children – who are supposed to know
better – still act as though their plans, their activities, and
their very lives will go on forever. These Christians become totally
involved with their work, their recreation, making money, having
fun, etc. In the process they woefully neglect their spiritual
service to God. Can it be that they have forgotten that nothing here
is forever?
Jesus told of a successful businessman who said to himself, I have
"much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and
be merry.” He imagined that his prosperity could last
“forever.” But God said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall
be required of thee” (Luke 12:16-21).
Many still need that lesson.
— Via The Beacon, April 28, 2019
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-5-
News & Notes
Folks to be praying for:
Jeannette King has been diagnosed with breast
cancer, which she will soon be having surgery for.
Myrna Jordan is healing from recent outpatient surgery.
Jon Newman is still in rehab, due to a recent stroke; and
making improvement.
Melotine Davis is awaiting the test results that will
determine surgery for her back.
Doug Pennock is still having some trouble from his
recent dental work.
Others to also be praying for: Pat & A.J. Joyner, Jim
Lively, Shirley Davis, Bud Montero, James Medlock, Deborah
Medlock, Penny Medlock, Mary Vandevander, Rick Cuthbertson,
Michelle Rittenhouse, John Stoval, Kayleigh Tanner, Amris Bedford,
Danny Hutcheson, Roger Montgomery, Rex and Frankie Hadley, and
Tommy Lin
WordPress version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2019/05/12/the-gospel-observer-may-12-2019/
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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)
281-9917
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 sermon)