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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, NASB).
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October 6, 2019
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Contents:
1) Living As Christians Should Live (R.J. Evans)
2) Are You Noble-Minded? (Rick Lanning)
3) "Let This One Pass" (Steve Patton)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
Living As Christians Should Live
R.J. Evans
Throughout history, men generally have been selfish and lacked
genuine concern for God and others. In recent years, we have
had many describe those of this world as the "Me" generation.
And, not to be cynical, but in reality, we live in a world where
most people think only of themselves and their own interests.
So many think nothing of using or taking advantage of others; they
show hatred, envy, and jealousy toward those within their circle of
friends and associates; they never show sympathy, or are willing to
empathize with others; and they seek to gratify and fulfill whatever
desires they have for themselves.
While Jesus was here on earth, He taught many wonderful lessons in
what is referred to as "The Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5 -
7). One thing for certain, what He teaches "goes against the
grain" of what men naturally tend to do in their day-to-day
living. In the sermon, He taught the blessings of serving God;
being examples to others (salt/city/light); the sin of committing
murder and adultery in one's heart; going the second mile; loving
and praying for our enemies; not doing our good works for show; and
a host of other great lessons. This sermon tells us how we ought to
live, not as the world lives, but according to God's will for our
lives.
But when it comes to living the kind of life that pleases God, and
not self, there are many other instructions throughout God's
Word. In this article, here's just a sampling of living as
Christians should live:
1. Be open to and heed correction. "The ear that hears
the reproof of life will abide among the wise" (Prov. 15: 31).
The Apostle Peter had to correct and rebuke Simon the sorcerer for
his attempting to purchase the power of laying his hands on others
to impart miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-25).
The Apostle Paul had to openly correct the Apostle Peter by
withstanding him to the face for being a hypocrite at Antioch (Gal.
2:11-14).
2. Be interested and considerate of others. "Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). This characterized
the life of the Apostle Paul. He consistently prayed for his
brethren, as is evidenced in all his epistles. Beyond all his
physical difficulties, he stated: "Besides the other things, what
comes upon me daily: My deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor.
11:28).
3. See ourselves realistically. "For I say, through
the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as
God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3).
Again, this involves not being conceited and lifted up with pride
(Phil. 2:3).
4. Rejoice with others when they are happy and cry with
them when they are sad. "Rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep" (Rom. 12:15). This eliminates
envy and jealousy. Again, "if one member suffers, all the
members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members
rejoice with it" (1 Cor. 12:26).
5. Sympathize and empathize with others. We do
this when we practice what is sometimes called "The Golden
Rule." "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also
to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 7:12).
6. Deny ourselves. "If anyone desires to come
after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
Me" (Matt. 16:24). And, of course, denying self and following
Christ involves serving others. The Apostle Paul said it this
way: "And I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though
the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved" (2 Cor. 12:15).
Oh, what a blessing it is when we are living as Christians should
live. Many other things could be mentioned, but this
should be sufficient to help us see the need to do what the Lord
said in Revelation 2:10: "Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life."
— Via the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales,
Louisiana, September 29, 2019
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“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his
edification” (Romans 15:2, NASB).
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Are You Noble-Minded?
Rick Lanning
"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for
they received the word with great eagerness, examining the
Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
On Paul's second missionary journey, he came for the first time to
preach the gospel of Christ in the regions of Macedonia and Achaia
(modern Greece). He preached the gospel in the great cities of
Philippi and Thessalonica, but when persecution arose he moved on to
the city of Berea. At this place, the above remarkable statement is
made about the Jews who heard the word of God proclaimed. Luke
records that they were more noble-minded than the audience in
Thessalonica. Notice the reasons given for this noble attitude:
1. The text says "they received the word with great eagerness."
Literally, the word eagerness means, "a rushing forward." As one
would rush forward to greet and hug an old friend, these
noble-minded individuals "rushed forward" to eagerly receive the
word of God. But although they were eager, the next phrase teaches
us that they were in no way gullible.
2. Secondly, the text says that they were "examining the Scriptures
daily, to see whether these things were so." The word examined means
“to sift," or "to make careful and exact research." These
individuals were searching for the truth. They were sifting through
the word of God as an archaeologist sifts through the dirt at an
ancient tell. An archaeologist does not use a bulldozer to uncover
the remains of civilizations long buried. He carefully and patiently
examines every inch of dirt to find the valuable treasures that are
waiting to be discovered. The Bereans were sifters, carefully
examining the word of God. They had the Old Testament Scriptures,
and when Paul and Silas came preaching Jesus, and they carefully
examined the Scriptures to make sure that these things were so.
Are you noble-minded? Do you carefully compare what you are taught
by religious teachers with the revealed will of God found in the
Bible?
-- Via Online Articles of the Northwest church of Christ, New Hope,
Minnesota, April 12, 2012
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“Let This One Pass"
Steve Patton
He had been walking all morning and was tired. The day was hot and
the journey was not over. He was near a town full of people
who didn’t like his kind. So he sat down by a well and sent
his friends into town to get some food. A Samaritan woman came
to the well to get water, someone his people had nothing to do
with. This was certainly a time to just ignore the woman and
quietly wait for his friends to return with some food. But
Jesus didn’t do that. Though everything about the situation
said, “Let this one pass,” He did not do it. Here was a soul
to teach.
The result was a town full of people came out to hear the words of
Jesus and many people were led to the Lord. Who woulda
thought!
This account from John’s gospel (4:1-42) illustrates how open doors
are often where we least expect them. The secret is being open
and aware to the souls around you. We fill our mind with our
jobs, our daily chores, our recreation and entertainment, our
emails, games, family and friends. Nothing wrong with
that. Except all those things bring us into contact with souls
– lost souls – and we must see them that way. I know every
conversation we have can’t include an offer of spiritual
teaching. However, if we are sensitive and thoughtful about
other’s lives throughout the day we will begin to see how many open
doors God places before us. There are Christians in this
congregation today who are here because someone saw them as a
friend, neighbor or associate in need of the Lord. And they
talked to them.
How many open doors will be placed in front of you this week?
Pray for opportunities and then keep yourself aware each day of
doors God opens. God will lead you to a soul.
— Via the University church of Christ, Tampa, Florida
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News & Notes
An update on Ron Daly (10/04/19): “He can talk, and is
walking some without a walker. GOD is awesome.”
Pat Joyner has been having internal bleeding since February.
She will be seeing 3 doctors this week, and in hopes of finding the
problem.
Jan Bartlett will be having her next chemo treatment this coming
Friday.
Rick Cuthbertson will have another treatment this Wednesday for his
lung cancer.
Cheryl Corbit has been having some re-occurring sinus trouble, which
she is now on antibiotics for.
Also pray for A.J. Joyner, the Medlocks, Shirley Davis, Melotine
Davis, Joyce Rittenhouse, Barbara Thompson, Mary Vandevander; Rex
and Frankie Hadley, and Brandon Mullis.
WordPress Version of this bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2019/10/06/the-gospel-observer-october-6-2019/
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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
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)