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The
Gospel Observer
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August 11, 2019
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"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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Contents:
1) Some Bible "Excepts" (Bill Crews)
2) Babylon Clay Tablet Confirms Jeremiah (Ben M. Shropshire)
3) Never Give Up! (Greg Gwin)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
Some Bible "Excepts"
Bill Crews
The English word “except” is a strong word. It can be used as a
verb, either transitive or intransitive, and as a preposition. But
it is also identified as a conjunction, at least “archaically,” with
the meaning of “unless.” This simply means that in the past in the
English language the word was used as a conjunction and meant
“unless.” That is exactly how the word is used, and frequently, in
our English translations of the Bible. It has the meaning of “if
not,” “unless,” “but that” and “without.” It is used to emphasize
conditions that must be met. For example:
THE NECESSITY OF FAITH: “I said therefore unto you, that
ye shall die in your sins; for except ye believe that I am
He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Thus, it is
imperative that we believe that Jesus is He (the Christ, the One
sent from God). (The necessity of that faith is also stressed in
this way: “And without faith it is impossible to be well
pleasing unto Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He
is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him,”
Hebrews 11:6).
THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, and the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father
but (or except) by Me” (John 14:6). We cannot come
unto God unless we believe; we cannot come unto God except by His
Son. How do we come unto that Son? “No man can come to me except
the Father that sent Me draw him” (John 6:44). And how
does the Father draw men unto the Son? “It is written in the
prophets, and they shall all be taught of God” (that’s in
Isaiah 54:13, B.C.). “Everyone that hath heard from the Father,
and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). So the Father,
through His word, draws men unto His Son. This is the same way that
men are led to have faith (Romans 10:17 — faith comes by hearing the
word of God; Acts 15:7 — by Peter’s mouth the Gentiles were to hear
the word of the gospel and believe).
THE NECESSITY OF BEING BORN AGAIN: “Jesus answered and
said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one
be born anew (or again), he cannot see the kingdom of God”
(John 3:3). This is explained further: “Jesus answered, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John
3:5). On being born (or begotten) of the Spirit see James 1:18; 1
Peter 1:23; 1 Corinthians 4:15 — we are begotten by the word or the
gospel which was given by the Spirit. On being born of water see
Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 and 1:18 — we are brought forth from
the water of baptism as new creatures.
THE NECESSITY OF HONESTY AND SINCERITY: “For I say
unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise
enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Their
righteousness was only apparent, external and hypocritical. Ours
must be real, according to God’s word and from the heart.
THE NECESSITY OF HUMILITY: “And said, Verily I say unto
you, Except ye turn and become as little children, ye
shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). "Verily
I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein” (Mark
10:15).
THE NECESSITY OF REPENTANCE: “I tell you, Nay: but except
ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3,
5). Jesus addressed these words to some specific individuals, as He
compared them to others, but the words “Except ye repent,
ye shall all in like manner perish” can be applied in a
spiritual and eternal sense to all sinners. “The times of
ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now He commandeth men that
they should all everywhere repent” (Acts 17:30-31).
THE NECESSITY OF CONTENDING LAWFULLY: “And if also a man
contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have
contended lawfully” (2 Timothy 2:5). The Christian is likened
to a soldier (verse 4) and to a contestant in the athletic games
(verse 5). Like the soldier he must be dedicated and loyal. Like the
contestant in the games, he must abide by the rules that govern the
“race.”
For other “except” passages dealing with things that
are necessary for our salvation see Matthew 6:15; John 15:4, 6; 1
Corinthians 9:16; James 2:17; Revelation 2:2, 22, 3:3.
— Via Roanridge Reader, Volume 34, Issue 31, Page 3, August
4, 2019
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-2-
Babylon Clay Tablet Confirms Jeremiah
Ben M. Shropshire
The recent discovery of a cuneiform clay tablet by an Austrian
scholar at the site of ancient Babylon confirms the historical
accuracy of the book of Jeremiah. The recently deciphered tablet,
which dates from 595 BC, refers to an official in the court of
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, which is also mentioned by the
prophet Jeremiah. The tablet names a Babylonian officer called
Nebo-Sarsekim, who, according to Jeremiah (39:3) was present in 586
BC when "Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon and all his army came
against Jerusalem, and besieged it" (Jeremiah 39:1).
The clay tablet relates that Nebo-Sarsekim bestowed a gift of gold
on the Temple of Esangila in the city of Babylon. It does not
mention that he was with Nebuchadnezzar when he laid siege to the
city of Jerusalem and then destroyed it. The cuneiform inscription,
therefore, just confirms that Jeremiah was accurate when he reported
there was an official (Jeremiah refers to him as a prince of the
king of Babylon) of the Babylonian government whose name was
Nebo-Sarsekim. The dating of the tablet from 595 BC, which was just
nine years prior to the event reported by Jeremiah, demonstrates the
likelihood that the tablet and Jeremiah were both referring to the
same person.
This is just another evidence, along with many others, that the
Bible is not just a collection of legends, fables and hand-me-down
stories, but that it is a historically accurate document. Believing
that the Bible was inspired of God, we would expect it to be
historically accurate.
-- Via Lifeline, July 15, 2000
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-3-
Never Give Up!
Greg Gwin
Winston Churchill is remembered as one of the great motivators of
the past century. His leadership qualities were a deciding factor in
helping the British people through the darkest hours of World War
II.
Later in life Churchill was invited to return to the preparatory
school he had attended as a youth. He was to address the students,
and they had been told to expect “one of the greatest orators of all
times.” Their instructions were to listen carefully, and take notes.
Churchill’s speech to the student body was incredibly brief. You, no
doubt, are familiar with the entire text of that speech. Sir Winston
said, “Young Gentlemen, Never, never, never, never give up!” That
was it. No more. But it was a message that could not be
forgotten.
Others have pointed out that the key to success is not necessarily
talent, or training, or luck. It is patience, persistence, and
perseverance that wins the prize.
This principle also applies in spiritual pursuits. We’ve known of
some incredibly talented folks who have given up. And others who
have received the finest opportunities have simply quit.
We need determination to continue on, no matter what comes our way.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Don’t whine and drop out at the
first sign of adversity.
The book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were tempted to
give up. The words of encouragement written to them are needed by us
today: “Cast not away therefore your confidence. . . ye have need of
patience. . . we are not of them who draw back (10:35—39) . . . Let
us run with patience the race that is set before us” (12:1).
Never give up!
-- via The Beacon, August 4, 2019
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“By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:19, NASB).
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-4-
News & Notes
Folks to be praying for:
Last Sunday, Barbara Thompson had a TIA (a “mini
stroke”). It caused no paralysis, but did affect her
speech. She returned home Thursday and is to be kept in for a
few days. This Tuesday, she will be having a non-invasive
procedure to repair a hole in her heart .
Joyce Rittenhouse was bitten by an insect that has left quite
a mark and had her feeling ill. Her blood pressure had been up
to 202/102 several days afterwards, but then dropped a few hours
later to 149/98. She is also experiencing other symptoms. If
not better by today, she will begin antibiotics and see her doctor
tomorrow morning.
Doyle Rittenhouse has still been having some trouble with a
fast pulse and will soon begin wearing a heart monitor to better
determine the problem.
Melontine Davis has healed well from her recent back surgery;
but a fall, following that surgery, has caused a herniated disk that
is giving her much pain. She will soon be seeing her doctor
about this.
Bennie Medlock has been having painful trouble with his back
and legs.
Jan Bartlett has a decision to make about what kind of
treatments (and possibly two) to have following her recent surgery
for breast cancer. The cancer was removed.
Our shut-ins: Mary Vandevander and Shirley Davis.
Our other members with health issues: Pat & A.J. Joyner; Jim
Lively; Myrna Jordan, James and Deborah Medlock, and Bud
Montero.
WordPress version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2019/08/11/the-gospel-observer-august-11-2019/
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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)
Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
https://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)