“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).
——————–

1) “The Proper Order” or “The Prescribed Way” (Bryan Gibson)
2) The “Sons of God” in Genesis 6 (Joe R. Price)
3) Walk Carefully (Gene Samford)
——————–

-1-

“The Proper Order” or “The Prescribed Way”

Bryan Gibson

David wanted to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, something his fellow-Israelites agreed was the right thing to do (1 Chronicles 13:1-4). And so they went to Kirjath Jearim, where the ark had been for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:2), and began transporting it to Jerusalem. During this trip, “David and all Israel played music before God with all their might” (1 Chronicles 13:8). So far, so good.

It wasn’t long, though, before they ran into serious trouble. “And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God” (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). The law of Moses was clear—no one could “touch any holy things, lest they die” (Numbers 4:15). Turns out, Uzzah’s error was not the only error they made. They put the wrong people in charge of transporting the ark, and they were transporting it the wrong way. The Levites were supposed to carry it on their shoulders (instead of a cart), using poles inserted through rings on the sides of the ark (Exodus 25:12-15; Numbers 4:1-15; 1 Chronicles 15:15). Their failure is summarized in 1 Chronicles 15:13: “The LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” The NIV says, “We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” They should have gone to the law to find out exactly how they were supposed to do it.

The lesson in this story is crystal clear. God desires we do things His way, that we consult Him about the “proper order,” or “prescribed way.” Claiming something is done “in His name,” or, “to His glory,” doesn’t make it so. God is a stickler for doing things according to His will (Matthew 7:21-23; 12:50).

For example, on the question, “What must I do to be saved?” look to God, to the New Testament, for the “proper order,” or “prescribed way.” The full answer won’t be found in one “silver bullet” passage. John 3:16 is a wonderful passage, but it doesn’t give all the details. Consider everything God says on the subject; that’s the only way to find His answer.

On the worship, work, and organization of the local church, same principle. Please don’t make the mistake of saying, “there is no prescribed way.” The New Testament provides a clear pattern for each one of these. The Israelites learned their lesson. They eventually did move the ark back to Jerusalem, and this time did it God’s way (1 Chronicles 15:14-16:1). Here’s hoping we learn the same lesson—before it’s too late!

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, September 6, 2024

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-2-

The “Sons of God” in Genesis 6

Joe R. Price

Who were the “sons of God,” taking as their wives the “daughters of men” in Genesis 6:1-8? What can we possibly learn from this Bible text?

The context of Genesis 6 leads us to the conclusion that the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:2 were the descendants of Seth, the son of Adam (Gen. 4:25).

In Genesis 4 we are introduced to two families: (1) Cain and his descendants, and (2) Seth and his descendants. Cain’s descendants followed the pattern set by their father Cain and continued to live farther and farther away from God (Gen. 4:16-24). In contrast, Seth and his family “began to call on the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26). Genesis 5 records this family tree all the way to Noah (Gen. 5:32).

Genesis 6:1-8 tells us how the world became so wicked and vile that God determined to destroy sinful man (which He did with the flood). This occurred because those whose ancestors had previously “called upon the name of the Lord” began to compromise and cohabit with the “daughters of men” (that is, the men and their families who did not call upon the name of the Lord). They abandoned their spiritual heritage and “took wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (Gen. 6:2). When men began to be driven by their own lustful desires rather than the word and will of God they were influenced by the evil they grew to love. The result was a world full of violent attackers, robbers and tyrants (Gen. 6:4 says “giants” which is translated from a word which means “to fall upon” or attack) rather than one filled with people who “called upon the name of the Lord.” These men made a name for themselves among other men, but not in eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:4). It was Noah, a just man who walked with God who caught God’s attention and obtained God’s favor (Gen. 6:8-9).

The divine reaction to the wickedness of men was one of grief, sorry and ultimately judgment (Gen. 6:3, 5-7). He determined to destroy the earth and accomplished their punishment with the great flood (Gen. 6:13, 17; 7:1ff).

There is no compelling reason from the immediate context or the rest of the Bible to convince us that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 were heavenly creatures instead of human beings. Such is the stuff of human fancy and fiction. There is no basis for this view in the inspired text. The “angels who sinned” in 2 Peter 2:4 cannot be the “sons of God” of Genesis 6:2 because those angels were “cast down to hell and delivered into chains (pits, ASV) of darkness.” They were not sent to the earth (see also, Jude 6).

So, the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 were men who did not remain holy and separated from the sin that was around them. Instead, they married women who influenced them to forsake righteous living. The result was mankind’s ruin and destruction.

There are clear lessons for us to learn from this sad period in human history:

1) “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).

2) The person one chooses to marry will influence him or her for good or evil, so wisely choose a mate who will help you live in God’s favor (Prov. 18:22; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

3) God expects us to live holy lives, separated from sin: “…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

4) God will punish sin, so we must be careful to live in truth and holiness (Rom. 1:18; 2:1-11).

— Via The Spirit’s Sword, Volume IV: Number 50, Feb. 18, 2001

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Walk Carefully

Gene Samford

Psalm 1:1

1. Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

The temptation is always there to compromise what we know to be God’s will — and one of the most effective inducements offered by the devil is, “Everybody else is doing it.” Overcoming this temptation is not as difficult as some might imagine, though. All it takes is “walking carefully” — watching where we “put our steps.” In other words, being certain we keep to the “straight and narrow path” which leads to Heaven.

Easily said, but how do we do this? By making God’s word a familiar part of our lives. As we study and meditate on it, it becomes our whole direction.

Psalm 1:2

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

— via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, December 4, 2022

——————–   

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)
  
   

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) It is Not Enough (Irvin Himmel)
2) National Day of Encouragement (Heath Rogers)
——————–

-1-

It is Not Enough

Irvin Himmel

With disappointment a young lady walked away from the office where she had made application for a job. She knew she could do the work expected, having been trained in that field and having done the same kind of work for another company. “You must have a high school diploma,” she was informed. She had personality, ability, experience, and good references. “It is not enough to have all the other qualifications,” she was told, “the contract specifies that you must be a high school graduate.”

The New Testament is God’s contract with man for our age. It reveals the requirements for our receiving remission of sins. How utterly disappointed many individuals will be in the day of judgment when they are turned away from heaven due to sins which they suppose have been forgiven.

1. It is not enough to pray. A man named Saul, from Tarsus in Cilicia, learned on the way to Damascus that he was a sinner. He asked what to do, only to be told, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). He had to wait until someone was dispatched to make known to him the terms of forgiveness. In agitation and without food and drink, he waited. Most men in such condition would pray. When the Lord directed a disciple named Ananias to go to Saul, the observation was made, “Behold, he prayeth.” We dare not doubt the sincerity of Saul, the genuineness of his repentance, nor the fervor of his praying. But all of that was not enough to wash away his sins. Ananias addressed him in this manner: “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

2. It is not enough to be charitable. A benevolent disposition is commendable. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). At Caesarea there once lived a man named Cornelius, an officer in the Roman army, a man of excellent character and reputation. Cornelius was devout, God-fearing, prayerful, just, of good report among all the nation of the Jews, and he gave much alms to the people (Acts 10:2, 22). Some would not hesitate to pronounce such a person a “Christian” in this modern world. On the basis of his charitableness alone, some would suppose Cornelius was already saved. But all the good in this man’s life could not remit a single sin. He needed Christ. To receive Christ he needed the gospel. Consequently, he was told by an angel to send for Simon Peter, “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).

3. It is not enough to worship God. The belief seems widespread that men who worship God are saved and it matters not how they worship, provided they are sincere. While God seeks men to worship him (John 4:23), not all worship is accepted, and not all who attempt to worship are redeemed. In Acts 8:27-39 there is an account of how a man who had been to Jerusalem to worship was converted on his way home. He worshiped God to the best of his knowledge, but that was not enough. Many Jews and proselytes continued to worship God after the manner of Moses even though the old law was fulfilled. This man, treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia, was enlightened by Philip the evangelist who preached unto him Jesus. The man believed, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing in the assurance of salvation through Jesus.

4. It is not enough to hear the word. In my limited experience I have known several people who seemed to delight in hearing the word, attending church services with some regularity, yet showing no interest in personal submission to Jesus. It is an enigma to me that anyone who shows interest in the gospel over an extended period of time would not obey it. Perhaps such persons are deceived into thinking that hearing alone will bless them. The Bible says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (Jas. 1:22). To hear and not obey is comparable to building a house on sand, according to our Lord in Matt. 7:24-27.

5. It is not enough to believe on Jesus. The living oracles state plainly that faith in Jesus Christ is indispensable to one’s obtaining salvation (Heb. 11:6). Many who believe that Jesus is God’s Son do nothing more than give the assent of the intellect to that fact. They do not subject their wills to His will, their lives to His doctrine, or their consciences to His divine standard. During Christ’s earthly ministry, many among the chief rulers believed on him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they be put out of the synagogue, loving the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42,43).

6. It is not enough to do good works. Religious people frequently give liberally of both time and money to support humanitarian endeavors. Their works are heralded as “wonderful.” In some cases, these works are connected with the name of Jesus. But the Lord said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils [demons, NASB]? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). Wonderful works are not enough. One must do the will of the heavenly Father.

7. It is not enough to be baptized. Some folks at Ephesus were baptized but not according to the terms of the New Covenant (Acts 19:1-5). They had to be taught and then baptized in the name of the Lord. Some who are baptized do not obey from the heart. (See Rom. 6:3-5, 17, 18.) One may submit to the wrong baptism, or not be a proper subject when baptized, or submit to an improper action called “baptism.” One must be baptized scripturally to be saved from his sins.

Let no one suppose that his sins have been remitted because he has done one or two good things. God forgives sins when men fully obey the gospel. We appropriate to ourselves the benefits of the blood of Christ and become heirs of grace when we cheerfully yield to the faith once for all delivered.

— Via Truth Magazine, XV: 21, pp. 5-6, April 1, 1971  https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume15/TM015325.html

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-2-

National Day of Encouragement

Heath Rogers

According to the calendar in my office, September 12th is designated as the “National Day of Encouragement.” This was the first time I had ever heard of this day of observance. Seems like nowadays every day is dedicated to something. What is this National Day of Encouragement?

This day of observance started with a group of young students at the National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, in 2007. They saw a lack of encouragement as one of the main obstacles that youth face. Recognizing an urgent need to help each other overcome negative influences, they came up with the idea of The Encouragement Project, which developed the National Day of Encouragement. September 12th was chosen because the events of 9/11 brought a great need for encouragement. Later that same year, President George W. Bush signed a document designating September 12th as the National Day of Encouragement. A Senate resolution for the day was introduced by Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor and was passed by unanimous consent on September 13, 2011.

Our young people certainly need encouragement. Standards of morality and respectful behavior that were understood by previous generations aren’t even recognized by some young people today. Many children are growing up in broken homes, repeating cycles of failure displayed before them. Statistically, many young people today are dealing with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, despondency, and despair. The children of faithful Christians are not immune to these challenges. They are being influenced by an evil world in ways that us older folks just can’t comprehend. Yes, our young people need encouragement.

However, all of us need encouragement. In addition to the common struggles of daily life, each of us faces unique challenges with things like our health, relationships, and finances – just to name a few. As Christians we struggle with temptations and concerns regarding the spreading of the gospel and the faithfulness of God’s people in this world.

The Lord saw fit to have His people involved in the work of encouraging one another. Numerous times in the book of Acts, apostles and evangelists were said to encourage Christians (Acts 11:23; 14:22; 16:40; 20:1-2; 27:22-25). Paul struggled in his efforts to preach so that “hearts may be encouraged” (Col. 2:2). He sent Timothy to the Thessalonians “to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith” (1 Thess. 3:2).

Christians are admonished to “warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14). We are to “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Heb. 12:12). We are to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

While the country may have its National Day of Encouragement, Christians know that every day is a day of encouragement. We benefit from the encouragement we receive from others. We must look for opportunities to be a source of encouragement to others. Do you know of someone who is discouraged? Go out of your way to see them. Speak kind words to brighten their spirits. Share Scriptures that are appropriate for their needs. Let them know you are praying for them today. Plan to spend time together with them. These are just a few ideas that can help us become a needed source of encouragement to others.   

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, September 2024

——————-

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Reaching the Lost (David Dann)
——————–

-1-

Reaching the Lost

David Dann

Synopsis: Reaching the lost is about helping people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they came to be freed from their sins.

——————–

Introduction

Most people are lost. “Few” are headed in the right direction, in contrast to the “many” who are bound for destruction (Matt. 7:13-14, NKJV). They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) and are “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (v. 18). Separated from God in sin, most people are destined for eternal misery in hell.

We should be moved with compassion and a sense of urgency, as we recognize that most of those around us are lost and destined for destruction. If you were lost, wouldn’t you want someone to help you correct your course? It is up to those who are already faithful servants of the Lord to help the lost turn from their sins and obey Him (cf. Matt. 7:12; 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

To know this is not enough. We must take action to reach the lost and bring them to salvation. However, a great deal of confusion exists over how to reach the lost. For much of the religious world, “outreach” to the lost involves offering people opportunities for entertainment, recreation, and social activities, hoping they will enjoy themselves so much that they might eventually see the benefits of joining a particular church. As a result, many people remain lost in sin, but are now part of some religious community. In order to reach the lost effectively, we must help people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they will be freed from their sins (cf. Acts 18:8). How can we go about reaching the lost today?

Seek the Lost

Jesus is the perfect example for us to imitate in reaching the lost: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Rather than waiting for the lost to find their own way to salvation, the Lord actively sought those who needed spiritual help and direction. The first step to take in reaching the lost is actively to seek those around us who are separated from God in sin so that we can show them the way of salvation. Interact with them, talk with them, engage them in a discussion of spiritual matters, and invite them to learn about the Lord. Let us imitate the Master by seeking the lost in order to lead them to salvation.

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). While we may complain that no one seems to be interested in the gospel anymore, there are opportunities all around us. Who are the lost? Our neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, people with whom we do business, those we interact with each week, and perhaps even members of our own families. Some of them are living immoral lives, some are viewed as being good people, some are even religious, while others are atheists or agnostics, and many are just confused. It is up to us to invite them to investigate the message of the cross. We need to imitate the Savior by seeking those who are lost in sin in order to lead them to repentance and salvation (Mark 2:17).

Find a Common Foundation with the Lost

All lost people need the gospel, but they are not all prepared to start at the same place. Philip could preach Jesus to the Ethiopian “beginning at this Scripture” (Acts 8:35) because the Ethiopian already worshiped the true God and believed the Scriptures. At the synagogue, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (17:2-3) because they shared a common foundation in the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus. On the other hand, when encountering pagans, Paul had to begin with, “God, who made the world and everything in it” (17:24) in an effort to establish common ground—i.e., a starting point. Paul challenged Felix with the reality of “judgment to come” (24:25) as a foundation from which to work. However, when dealing with Agrippa, the same apostle found more of a common religious foundation from which to begin, saying, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (26:27). The New Testament serves as an instruction manual for finding a common foundation from which to teach the lost.

The goal is to take this lost person from where he is to where he needs to be by leading him to believe and obey the gospel so that he will be saved. As Paul puts it, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). If you are trying to reach someone who already believes in God, believes that Jesus is the Son of God, and believes the Bible is the word of God, then you have a very solid foundation to work with as you show what the Bible teaches one must do to be saved. If you are trying to reach someone who isn’t convinced that the Bible is God’s word, then you’ll have to establish that fact before moving on to what the Bible says one must do to be saved. Find out what this individual believes, spend time in prayer, and use wisdom and good judgment in working to bring this lost soul from where he is to where he needs to be in understanding and obeying the gospel. The inspired wise man points out that “he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). We need to put forth the effort to start from a common foundation in order to be as effective as possible in reaching the lost.

Present God’s Plan to the Lost

Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The message of the loving Savior who laid down His life at the cross in order to redeem humanity from sin is the power that God uses to convert the soul. Reaching the lost is not about catering to man’s physical or social desires, nor is it about helping people experience earthly success so they can live a better, more enjoyable life. Instead, the focus is on presenting a message of salvation from sin to those who are desperately in need of reconciliation with God. For those who are truly seeking, the gospel message is the sword of the Spirit that pricks the heart of the sinner so that he is turned to the Lord. Place your confidence in the gospel to accomplish its work.

To reach the lost and bring them to salvation, God’s plan must be presented in a simple manner so that people are led to understand, believe, and obey it. The lost should be shown from Scripture how sin entered the world in the garden of Eden and how God carried out a plan to save man from sin through the sacrifice of His Son. They need to be shown what the Bible teaches about sin, salvation, the church, the two covenants, Bible authority, and man’s eternal destiny. It is our job to help them understand that, in order to benefit from the sacrifice of Christ, they must repent and be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). The souls of sinners are purified “in obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). We need to present the plan of God to the lost so that they will be convicted to comply with the conditions He has set in order to receive salvation.

Conclusion

Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). No work in this world is greater and more urgent than reaching the lost with the saving message of Christ. Seek them out, find a common foundation from which to begin, and present God’s plan in all of its power and simplicity. Will you join in the work?

— Via Truth Magazine, No. 4, Volume 66, April 2022

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2022/2022-04-apr/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_01.htm

——————–  

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) The Lamb’s Book of Life (Cecil Willis)
2) Sword Tips #30 (Joe R. Price)
——————–

-1-

The Lamb’s Book of Life

Cecil Willis

One of the very beautiful expressions to me found in God’s Word is the reference to “The Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). The allusion is to the practice of enrolling all the citizens of a particular city upon a register, indicating that person is a citizen and entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship. When a person died, or did some dishonorable thing, his name was blotted from the roll. From this custom, the lessons about the Lamb’s book of life are taken.

(1) There is such a record kept. The prophet Daniel indicated that such a book was kept: “and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1). In Rev. 13:8, John speaks of those who “make war with the saints” as being those “whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.” Paul spoke of his fellow workers as those “whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).

(2) This roll is an infallible record. Inasmuch as this is the roll of the Lamb, surely the record is infallibly kept. Jesus is described in Revelation as one whose “eyes were as a flame of fire,” which probably alludes to his omniscience. The Lord is said to know “what was in man” (Jno. 2:25). He knows the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24). Indeed, “there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).

Hence, it follows that the Lord knows those who are his own. His people are a people for his own possession (Tit. 2:14). He loved his own (Jno. 13:1), and he knows those who are his own (Jno. 10:14). The Bible teaches that the Lord adds to his church daily those that are being saved (Acts 2:47). He does not add the names of any whose name should not be enrolled, nor does he fail to add the name of one whose name should he enrolled. Men sometimes keep church rolls, but their record keeping is not infallible. Man may add the name of some insincere person, or unrighteous men may strike from the church roll the name of some righteous saint of God. However, the authentic and infallible roll is kept in heaven. Jesus told the returning seventy, “Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20).

(3) The names of the Old Testament worthies were written there. Apparently from the beginning, God has kept a heavenly record of those who faithfully served Him. On one occasion when Israel had sinned grievously, Moses sought to intercede with God for them. Moses even sought to exchange himself for his sinning people. He pleaded with God: “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin –; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:32, 33). The ancient heroes of faith, such as those listed in Hebrews 11, were enrolled in the book of life.

(4) The names of Christians are written there. Again I refer to Phil. 4:3 where Paul stated that the names of his fellow-laborers “are in the book of life.” The Hebrew writer refers to the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb. 12:23). Only members of the church have their names written in heaven. If a person can be saved outside the church, he can be saved without having his name written in heaven. If one can be saved without being a member of the church, he can be saved without Jesus acknowledging him before the Father (Lk. 12:8, 9).

(5) If one’s name is not written there, he is lost. In the judgment scene in heaven, John saw that one’s name must be found in the book of life in order to be saved eternally. John stated, “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Rev. 20:12). John stated also that the destruction of the beast would cause wonderment on the part of those “whose names hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 17:8). In order to show categorically the absolute essentiality of having one’s name in the Lamb’s book of life, John said, “And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).

(6) One’s name may be blotted out. Some try to use the fact that there is a heavenly book of life to prove the impossibility of apostasy. Albert Barnes, for example, said, “Names that are written in the book of life will not be blotted out.” Matthew Henry agreed, “But they whose names are written in heaven shall never perish.” It is true that man cannot blot your name from the Lamb’s book of life, but the Lamb can do so.

Moses realized that God could remove his name from his roll book when he asked to be blotted out (Ex. 32:32). Speaking of some who had become adversaries of God’s people, David said, “Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous” (Ps. 69:28). Obviously one’s name could not be blotted from the book of life if his name had never been written there. Thus the possibility of having one’s name blotted out shows without doubt the possibility of apostasy.

In the church at Sardis, there were some who had not defiled their garments. Of these, Jesus said: “He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Rev. 3:5).

Conclusion: John spoke of the heavenly city, and who shall enter it. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). You need to ask yourself the question we often ask in song: “Is my name written there, on the page white and fair? In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?” If not friend, you need to obey the gospel that you might be added by Christ to His kingdom, for only those in the church are enrolled in heaven.

— Via Truth Magazine, XVI: 11, pp. 3-5, January 20, 1972
https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume16/TM016163.html

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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #30                                 

Joe R. Price

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:18)

There are many fanciful and false interpretations of the book of Revelation, including the infamous “number of the beast,” 666.

Wisdom teaches us it signifies failure, upon failure, upon failure, as it thrice falls short of the perfect number “7.” Worldly forces that oppose God’s truth and God’s people will ultimately fail.

The Revelation assures Christians of victory in Jesus in the face of overwhelming odds.

Do not be dismayed or discouraged by the forces of evil that rise up and press against you in this world.

Be steadfast in your faith; “the Lamb will overcome them” (Rev. 17:14).

——————–

Psalm 37:3

“Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

— NASB

——————–

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

   

 

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) “Blessed is the Man” (Psalm 1) (Kyle Pope)
2) Sword Tips #23 (Joe R. Price)
——————–

-1-

“Blessed is the Man” (Psalm 1)

Kyle Pope

What characterizes the one considered “blessed” by God? Riches? Good health? A large family and friends? The first psalm in the Old Testament book of Psalms offers several characteristics that might surprise us:

1. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (1a). The man blessed by God does not look to the ungodly for advice. Having rejected the counsel of God’s word, the ungodly should be the last source we consider. If their deeds are sinful, their insights will be equally poisoned by a wicked spirit.

2. “Nor stands in the path of sinners” (1b). The “path” of those is sin as their course of life. The choices they make, the places they frequent, the responses they take to different situations all make up a “path” the blessed man will choose to avoid. He will neither follow it, nor stand in it, because he has chartered a better course.

3. “Nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (1c). Those who reject the guidance of God’s word seldom do so with a dispassionate indifference. To soothe the pains of a guilty conscience, the rebel finds it easier to mock the truth than to simply ignore it. The man blessed by God does not approach serious things with scorn but recognizes the true source of good counsel.

Having begun with three things the man blessed by God does not do, the Holy Spirit now leads the psalmist to one supreme positive characteristic:

1. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD” (2a). What delights you? A lover? A hobby? A favorite food? A law code?—probably not! God’s law is different than the volumes of books that line the shelves in a lawyer’s office. Yes, it offers mandates and prohibitions, but unlike human laws, every word revealed by the Holy Spirit gives to us the counsel of God regarding how best to live our lives.

2. “And in His law he meditates day and night” (2b). The blessed man doesn’t isolate his consideration of God’s word to a few brief hours on Sundays and Wednesdays. He reads it, reads it, and then reads it again. With every meditation he discovers some new jewel of wisdom from the mind of his Creator.

This devotion to God’s word bears great fruit. The Holy Spirit makes this clear in four graphic descriptions of the results of such focused delight:

1. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water” (3a). The tree growing by the riverside has a constant and unceasing source of water. It is not subject to that uncertainty of rain. It does not rely upon irrigation or the melting snows of some far away mountain. Its source of life stays always near. The blessed man who delights in God’s law finds in it a constant source of life and sustenance.

2. “That brings forth its fruit in its season” (3b). Doing the right thing at the right time isn’t always easy. One left to his own experience alone can miss opportunities, overlook serious dangers, and neglect important responsibilities. The blessed man, following the guidance of God’s word bears fruit at the right time and in the needed proportions.

3. “Whose leaf also shall not wither” (3c). Seasons of life wear upon all living things, but the soul who feeds upon the eternal nourishment of God’s word maintains a youthful spiritual vigor that defies the decay of the flesh. Whether he is a young man or an old man, the blessed man of God who feeds upon the rivers of God’s law maintains an undying vitality that does “not wither.”

4. “And whatever he does shall prosper” (3d). Most human efforts are a mix of failure and success. The athlete doesn’t always score the goal. The investor doesn’t always pick a winner. The farmer doesn’t harvest every seed planted. Unlike all other human endeavors, all efforts the blessed man makes in following the direction of God will “prosper.” No other activity carries such promise.

The Holy Spirit began this psalm by offering three things the man blessed of God does not do. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit ends the psalm by contrasting the hope set before the blessed man with the negative fate that awaits the ungodly:

1. “The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away” (4). It is commonly claimed that the Old Testament says nothing about life after death, the resurrection, or final judgment. The contrasting fates of the wicked and the blessed in this psalm refute these claims. While the righteous will not “wither” but “prosper,” the wicked are driven away like chaff in the wind. Is this annihilation of the soul? No. Because the psalm goes on to say:

2. “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment” (5a). What judgment is under consideration here? Many wicked avoid temporal judgments in this life, but none can avoid ultimate judgment before God. To “stand in the judgment” here expresses divine approval. Rather than being humiliated and shamed in judgment, those approved of God—those “blessed” shall “stand in the judgment.” The wicked shall not. They will face disgrace and punishment.

3. “Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (5b). This foresees a future “congregation” of God’s people. Who will be included in this assembly of the righteous blessed? Not sinners! Not only will they be unable to “stand” with divine approval at the final judgment, but they will be excluded from the gathering of God’s people into eternity. The psalmist does not teach universal salvation. The fate of the wicked is eternal exclusion from fellowship with God.

The contrast between the blessed man and the fate of the ungodly culminates in two clear statements regarding God’s knowledge of all men:

1. “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous” (6a). The wicked may receive the spotlight while the righteous fade into the background, but God is not blind to the true nature of every soul. The Lord knows the quiet deeds performed by the godly in secret. He sees their trials and knows the good they do. Nothing His people do escapes His notice. He knows “the way of the righteous.”

2. “But the way of the ungodly shall perish” (6b). When this world comes to an end—when human life expires, the deeds of the wicked will be brought to nothing. All popularity, beauty, wealth, and honor “shall perish.” The reality of the final fate of the wicked stands as a concluding encouragement to the righteous. The godly man devoted to God’s word will not find that his way perishes. The blessed condition of the one faithful to God will prosper into eternity.

— Via Focus Online, November 12, 2020

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-2-

“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #23

Joe R. Price

“Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored” (Proverbs 13:18).

Nobody is always right. Yet, to hear some people talk, wisdom will die with them! Such arrogance refuses correction when it is needed. Remember, pride goes before destruction, but wisdom “regards a rebuke.”

Be willing to accept God’s correction that turns you away from spiritual danger. His correction is contained in the holy Scriptures.

Avoid the shame and eternal loss that is produced by pride.

Honor will come to you as you yield up your heart and your life to God.

——————– 

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

 

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Zephaniah 3:16-17—The Loud Singing of the Lord (Berry Kercheville)
2) Stealing Our Hearts Away (Jerry Fite)
——————–

-1-

Zephaniah 3:16-17—The Loud Singing of the Lord

Berry Kercheville

“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’”

The consistent theme of the prophets of Israel and Judah was their brutal descriptions of the judgments God would bring upon them because of their rebellious spirit. Their sins were worse than the Canaanites before them. Even the nations around them were appalled at their wickedness. Zephaniah described Judah’s religious leaders with these words: “Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God. Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law” (Zeph. 3:1-4).

God grieved over the nation. He put his prophets through severe trials to illustrate the pain he experienced in seeing their rejection. Hosea was told to marry a promiscuous woman who would cheat on him so he could deliver his message with the same pain God felt. Ezekiel, among other things, suffered the death of his wife to illustrate the shock that was coming when Jerusalem fell. And Jeremiah delivered his painful message as one who was not allowed to marry at all, and seems to not have had one happy day his whole life. Isaiah said, “In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit” (Isa. 63:9-10). Jesus displayed a similar reaction to those who accused him when he healed on the Sabbath: “He looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts” (Mark 3:5).

We are accustomed to reading of God’s pain and disappointment over his creation. How can we not be reminded of the pain we have caused him? Yet, do we live more carefully with this knowledge? God loves, God is merciful, God is kind, God is tenderhearted, God has joy, God has anger, and God can hate that which is evil. God’s emotions remind us that he has placed the same feelings in us because they are an extension of him. We relate to these emotional swings as we raise our children. Our children can be our greatest joy, but they can also inflict on us our greatest hurt.

We have inflicted on God the greatest hurt. That hurt is quite evident when we look at the cross. The cross rightly shames us for what we have done. That is why Zephaniah’s words describing God rejoicing and loudly singing over us are so amazing and insightful. God had no intention of leaving us to our sins so that we became his greatest disappointment. The cross was not just forgiveness, the cross was intended to melt our hearts and change us (Ezek. 36:25-27). Zephaniah foretold God’s emotions once that change took place. I am deeply moved when I think of God rejoicing over you and me with gladness, quieting us with his love, and exulting over us with loud singing.

Did you know God is singing loudly as he sits on his throne? Just imagine the angels listening as God sings. “Lord, why are you singing?” they ask. “I am singing because my people have changed, I’m dwelling in their midst, and I’m so full of joy, I just have to sing.” And forever and ever, our God sings loudly over us, filling heaven with his beautiful voice. What a wonder.

— Via Focus Online, April 23, 2020
——————– 

-2-

Stealing Our Hearts Away

Jerry Fite

One of the first lessons we learn when we buy something valuable is that we probably need to secure our prized possession from being stolen. Whether we are talking about a chain lock for our new bicycle or a sounding alarm system for our new car, we understand that our valuable assets can be stolen away from us. We must proceed with wisdom to keep them.

Once we become Christians, the Devil does not stop trying to accomplish our ruin. Peter, in writing to Christians, says the Devil is “your adversary.” He is walking about seeking whom he may “devour” (I Peter 5:8). Just because we are now children of God, does not mean we cannot become children of the Devil in falling away (I Timothy 4:1). We should pay attention to things that can steal our hearts away from God.

 Pride causes us to no longer listen to God’s instructions. We become our own “lord” and no longer come to God. Israel did this in Jeremiah’s day. Jehovah searched why Israel no longer heeded God. He sees His people saying, “We are broken loose, we will come no more unto thee”(Jeremiah 2:31). Their minds are separated! Their hearts are stolen! Pride had moved them to think their connection to God was holding them back. Therefore, they are breaking loose from God’s constraints, and will do what they want and come no more to God. Later Jeremiah says, “But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride, and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah’s flock is taken captive” (Jeremiah 13:17).

Prosperity can steal our hearts away from God. Ezekiel saw this among God’s people in his day. They were doing worse than their “sister, Sodom” who was guilty of “pride,” when they had “fullness of bread, and prosperous ease…” (Ezekiel 16:49). God had warned his people in Moses’ day of the prosperous times when “…thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God…” (Deuteronomy 8: 14). Times of prosperity elevates us to think we alone are the reason behind our good fortune, and not God. So, we focus on ourselves and forget God. The Giver of every perfect gift sees our hearts being stolen from Him. 

Prosperity and possessions are echoed in the New Testament as potential heart stealers (Mark 4:19, Colossians 3:5). But false doctrine can also carry us away. Paul offers the antidote of growing up in the Lord: “that we be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error…” (Ephesians 4:14). We must demand that only the doctrine of Christ be preached (2 John 9). Anchored in the truth revealed to us by Christ through His apostles, we can combat a potential heart stealer. Anchored in the love for Truth, even plausible theories couched in eloquent speech fail in moving us away from God into divisive error. (Romans 16:17-18). 

“Peer pressure” can steal our hearts and move us away from God. Peter quit eating with the Gentiles after caving under the pressure of the presence of Judaizing teachers. Sadly, peer pressure enabled by hypocrisy stole the hearts of other Jews, including Barnabas. They were “carried away” by the dissimulation of others (Galatians 2:12-13). 

Brethren, follow God even when the pressure is strong to please others. A humble spirit, a knowledgeable mind and a godly heart will guard us from being carried away.  

— Via   Glad Tidings, Vol. XXIX, No. 32, August 11, 2019
——————– 

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) God’s Greatest Desire for Us (Berry Kercheville)
2) Rebels (Russ Bowman)
3) Part of the Prophecy of the Lord’s Crucifixion (Psalm 22:15-18)
——————–

-1-

God’s Greatest Desire for Us

Berry Kercheville

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:14–21 ESV).

Have you given thought to what God wants from you more than anything else? What is God’s greatest desire from his creation? Paul’s prayer is a detailed conclusion to the prayer he began in 1:15-20. Let’s break the prayer down so we can get a glimpse of God’s ultimate purpose.

“For this reason”

This is the third time Paul used this phrase (1:15; 3:1), each time breaking off his prayer to give explanation to a central thought in his requests.

“That; So That”

Four times in the text Paul used these words (typical in Ephesians) to express purpose and the end-goal of our spiritual growth. Notice these purposes:
“…that he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…” (16)

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts…” (17)

“…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend…and to know the love of Christ…” (17-18)

“…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (19)

“Strength; Power”

The words, “that” and “so that” direct us to see the purpose of the prayer and what we should desire to attain from God. Strength and power from God’s Spirit is needed if we are to attain “Christ dwelling in our hearts.” This cannot be accomplished by our own strength; it is attained by the power from God’s Spirit in his revealed word. The words, “strength, power, and might” were also used in the beginning of the prayer (1:15-20) in which Paul prayed that we know “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us…according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead…” Chapters two and three give us detailed descriptions of God’s power toward us.

“Christ Dwelling in Our Hearts”

If Christ is dwelling in our heart, our heart and lifestyle actually looks like Christ lives there. Our homes reflect our presence by the way we decorate. If Christ makes his dwelling with us, our manner of life will reflect his presence.

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”

If Christ has “redecorated” our lives, we will become solidly anchored in his love for us, making it nearly impossible for us to turn our hearts toward anyone or anything else as our primary love.

“Strength to Comprehend…”

Paul prays that we comprehend the breadth, length, height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. This strikes deeply at any casual approach to Bible study instead of desiring to know every facet of the mind of God. We must ask, “To what extent am I lacking this fullness, and what am I going to do about it?” Knowing God in his fullness will lead us to have an experiential knowledge of the love of Christ that causes us to live sacrificially in everything we do.

“Filled with All the Fullness of God”

Here is the end-goal. It has always been God’s goal. He created us in his image, and after we fractured that image through sin, all scripture has been about renewing our minds so that we are “created after the likeness of God” (Eph. 4:24). We must study to comprehend the fullness of God and experience his love so that the world sees him in us.

Seem impossible? Far beyond what you can imagine or attain?

“He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (20, NKJV).

Why is this prayer so important? Because when this happens,

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus…forever and ever. Amen” (21).

Now, who among us has been praying this prayer? Hmmm.

— Via Focus Online, February 18, 2020
——————–

-2-

Rebels

Russ Bowman

“And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of
Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: ‘We have no share
in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to
his tents, O Israel’” (2 Sam. 20:1).

Why is it that there always seems to be a rebel around? It is the case
in almost any circumstance, almost any collective effort or
organization, and particularly when some authority is recognized.
Someone is dissatisfied. Someone stirs trouble, incites opposition,
complains, undermines, subverts, gossips, suggests, deceives, lies.
Perhaps it is the result of ego and selfishness, envy or jealousy. Maybe
it grows out of poor leadership and failure of inclusion. For some
reason, some men are given to a competitive drive for ascendancy, and
submission to another man or group of men is repugnant. Almost certainly
Satan is involved. It is ugly. It is sad. It is destructive. It infects
God’s people all too often.

Unity is a difficult part of our service to God – not unity with God so
much (although that has its challenges and we often don’t like what He
demands either). More complicated is unity with others. Eph. 4:4ff
reminds us that God has offered a number of singular elements upon which
we are to build commonality – one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith,
baptism, God and Father. But the admonition of vs. 1-3 begins with a
determination to unity and the humility which makes it possible. Unity,
like rebellion, begins with my deportment and my decision.

I don’t know what stirred up Sheba. Perhaps, like Shimei in the same
story, he felt that David had destroyed Saul and usurped the throne. We
are simply not told. What we are told is that he rebelled, led others to
rebel, and eventually had his head removed and thrown over the wall of
the city of Abel – a fitting end to one who opposed God’s anointed. A
fitting end for a rebel.

God help me that I am not the rebel.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, June 2024
——————–

-3-

Part of the Prophecy of the Lord’s Crucifixion

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And You lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs have surrounded me;
A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
They pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones.
They look, they stare at me;
They divide my garments among them,
And for my clothing they cast lots.”

Psalm 22:15-18, NASB   
——————– 

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) What Do You See? (Paul White)
2) Jesus: Our “Underwriter” (Jerry Fite)
——————–

-1-

What Do You See?

Paul White

Just look at the kind of world in which we live. Just think about the various attitudes people manifest that can so easily bring doubt and distrust to even the noblest of heart. It’s easy to grow cynical. It’s even easier to make excuses for periods of inactivity. At times, all of us need our faith strengthened. We just need to be reminded that God is awesome and able, and our work is not in vain. If the apostle Paul had moments wherein he needed encouragement and assurance from the Lord, then so will we.

During Paul’s second missionary journey, having left Athens, Paul found himself in Corinth. Paul was facing an enormous challenge among such sinful circumstances. No doubt the Lord knew that even a man like the apostle Paul needed encouragement. And so He spoke to Paul in the night and said, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). Paul was obedient to such a vision and remained in Corinth “a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). Now we know the Lord is not going to speak to us in a vision today as He did Paul, but surely we believe He speaks to us through His word and invites us to trust Him as we go into a world of darkness preaching the gospel of light. What’s interesting is that it took a vision from the Lord to move Paul toward Corinth. Of all places and people, even Paul could not envision this being ripe for evangelism. Ever felt that way about your city?

I believe what the Lord wanted Paul to see, He wants us to see as well today. Let’s consider a few things the Lord wants us to see with an eye of faith.

He wants us to see souls. The Lord said to Paul, “I have many people in this city” (vs. 10). For our purposes, we are reminded that it’s people who need the gospel. It’s those who are yet in their sins that must “call on the name of the Lord.” “But how are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Rom. 10:14). It’s in seeing souls, lost people who are in need of the saving gospel of Christ that motivates us to keep looking for opportunities to open our mouths and “go on speaking and not remain silent” (vs. 9).

He wants us to see His power. After telling Paul to speak and no longer remain silent, He then assured him, “I am with you.”  What a promise! What power! But we need to be tapping into such Divine power. The Hebrew writer assures us that the word of God is “living and powerful” (Heb. 4:12). James assures us that the prayer of a righteous person “has great power” (James 5:16). What a promise! What a privilege! We just need to open our eyes and see how God’s presence and the assurance of such power can change everything. The Lord promised to be with Paul, and He promises to be with us today as we go among the lost seeking to “make disciples” of all the nations (Matt. 28:19-20). Therefore, we have no reason to be afraid.

He wants us to see the stamina necessary in seeking souls. Paul stayed at the task of preaching and teaching for a year and a half (vs. 11), perhaps even longer (vs. 18). He would not be easily discouraged or deterred from his work of seeking the lost. How we need such a spirit of determination. Seeking the lost and praying for doors of opportunity is hard work, work that can be filled with frustrations. But we must stay on task. We can’t afford to drift into despair or give up because we haven’t seen fruit in over a year. Let us have endurance for the mission. Let us “not lose heart in doing good” (Gal. 6:9), but remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). God promises that our labor will not be in vain.

So the next time Satan tries to use doubt and fear to keep you from seeking some soul to save, how about seeing God’s power and trusting in His presence. Isn’t it time we started walking by faith and not by sight? What do you see?

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, November 13, 2022
——————– 

-2-

Jesus: Our “Underwriter”

Jerry Fite

Greek youngsters were taught to write during ancient times when writing materials were not as plentiful and comparatively expensive. Students would have a wax tablet with a stylus which was pointed on one end and flat on the other. The pointed end was used to write on the soft wax, and the flat end was used to smooth over the wax so the tablet could be used again.

The writing teachers would either write a sentence with a moral message or a line containing the important letters of the Greek alphabet at the top of the tablet. The teacher would also draw parallel lines on the tablet in which the student would write. The student would then take their stylus and follow the pattern of making each letter, keeping their writing straight by staying within the parallel lines.

William Barclay, in his work entitled New Testament Words, informs us not only of the above way of teaching Greek young people to write from Plato, but he also speaks of a way learned from Quintilian in his work, Education of an Orator. The teacher would write the letters on the student’s wax tablet and then the student would follow the grooves of the master’s work with his own hand. At first, the student’s hand was placed over the teacher’s hand as each letter was traced, then the student, “guided along the grooves,” could follow the pattern, not “straying beyond the boundary” (pages 139-140).

The line the teacher would provide for the student, and that which the student was to follow was called the “hupogrammos,” literally meaning, “the underwriting.”

There is only one time this word occurs in the New Testament. Peter uses the word in pointing to Jesus who left us “an example…”. (hupogrammos) that we should follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21).

These steps are not easy, for they are taken in the context of persecution and suffering. The Christian may have to suffer wrongfully for doing right (I Peter 2:19). It would be understandable to do wrong and be buffeted for the wrong. But in living in good conscience, one has done nothing wrong but lives as God directs, and he or she is still punished by others. Can he or she endure such suffering patiently? Yes, because one has already written the line to follow, and we can walk in the grooves of Jesus’ steps: “who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered, threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously”(I Peter 2:22-23).

Jesus as the master teacher has drawn the parallel lines so our walk can be straight, and has shown us the pattern to follow in difficult times. He did not retaliate with evil when wronged by others, but with the mental stroke of the stylus, He committed Himself to the hands of God who will judge all men “righteously.” God will handle “the wrong,” so we can continue in lines “of right.”

In times of suffering for doing right, we need a gentle hand helping us to remain in the grooves. Paul received assurance when His thorn in the flesh was not removed. He had a comforting hand to follow as he traced out the letters of life: “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus is a great “underwriter!”

— Via Glad Tidings, Vol. XXXIV, No. 27, July 7, 2024
——————– 

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

    

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Self-Love (Jerry Fite)
2) Escaping Satan’s Clutches (Ken Weliever)
——————–   

-1-

Self-Love

Jerry Fite

Is loving self a sin? Should a Christian eliminate the love of self from his or her thinking?

Answering these questions may be a little tricky. But relying on the principle that truth harmonizes in all circumstances, we can answer these inquiries for ourselves Scripturally.

Loving self was one of two fastening nails upon which hung the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Jesus reminded his questioners, as they tested Him regarding the greatest commandment, the great and first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. The second commandment is to “love thy neighbor as thyself” adding, “on these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul reminds the Christians in Rome that the section of the Law dealing with one’s relationship with man “is summed up in this word, namely, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’” (Romans 13:9). James encourages Christians that when they “fulfill the royal law…Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8). If we do well in carrying out the Lord’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, must we not maintain a love for self? 

A husband’s self-love is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with his wife. Paul connects the Lord’s perspective of His body, the church, with the husband’s attitude toward his wife. He exhorts, “Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself: for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29).

If a Christian does not have a healthy love for self, how will he or she relate compassionately with others? How will a husband relate positively in his care and protection of his own wife if he does not have a healthy love for self in caring for his own body? Surely, we can see that God demands the Christian to maintain a sound love for self in his or her walk with Christ. 

While the love of self should be securely rooted within us, we must guard against it succumbing to “selfish root rot.” We must continually apply a healthy dose of “loving God first,” allowing it to absorb into our hearts. This encourages a healthy root system characterized as “not my will, but Thy will be done.” Self-love flourishes in responding compassionately and helpfully when loving God first surrounds the root of self-love. 

Paul warns us grievous times will occur when people are “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2). These are the times when self-love spreads without a godly perspective. A perverted self-absorbed perspective crowds out a healthy self-love. The priority of being “lovers of God” is sadly absent. People are not lovers of God but “lovers of pleasure” and “lovers of money” instead (2 Timothy 3:2,4). Ungodly self-absorption issues into “boastful,” “haughty” and “unthankful” people who believe all others exist to praise and admire them. Woe to the poor soul who doesn’t feed the self-absorbed cravings, the lover of self will betray you as a “traitor” and discard you in “slander” (2 Timothy 3:3). This “implacable” (2 Timothy 3:4) headstrong “my way or the highway” lover of self will not generate healthy relationships.  

When the love for God is absent in the heart, worldly self-absorbed living will arise. Loving others as you love yourself is Scriptural. Make sure your self-love is rooted first in the love of God! 

— Via Glad Tidings, Vol. XXVIII, No. 46, November 18, 2018
——————–

-2-

Escaping Satan’s Clutches

Ken Weliever

Not long after daylight on July 4th our daughter, Rachél, was attacked by an alligator in the shallow water of the Hillsborough River at her Temple Terrace home.

Rachél instinctively screamed but the gator wouldn’t let go of her right leg. After hitting it with a rock, she punched it in the nose with her fist. But the gator held on. Tight.

Fearing she was about to be dragged into deeper water, Rachél described to Bay News Nine reporter Matt Lackritz who interviewed her on Friday, how in desperation she reached her hands to either side of the gator’s jaws and pried them open. After crawling back to her yard, Rachél wrapped her leg in a towel, and called a neighbor to take her to the hospital.

In describing the rush of adrenaline she felt, Rachél told Matt, “I was not ready to leave my family yet.”

By God’s grace, Rachél is home from the hospital recovering after a successful surgery for a fractured Fibula, as well as tissue damage. Thankfully, no major nerves were severed. The prognoses is 6-8 weeks before the bone is healed.

Rachél’s spunk, determination, and strong will allowed her to escape the gator’s clutches. In a similar way, we need the same resolve to escape the Devil’s attacks on our soul.

While not described as an alligator, the Bible does depict the Devil as an old serpent, a roaring lion, and a great, fiery dragon (Rev. 20:2; 12:3; 1 Pet. 5:8) who seeks our harm. The metaphors are designed to warn us about the danger he poses. The seriousness of his attacks. And the need to be wary of him.

The Bible speaks of our struggle against Satan’s schemes and how we wrestle with his temptations. Resisting is not always easy. We must fight against his wiles (Eph. 6:10-17).

Satan seeks to ensnare us today with the age old tactics of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15-17). It requires our determination and resolve to resist. To fight against feelings we know that are injurious to our spiritual health and well-being.

Today the devil has so many people in his clutches. It may be an addiction. A harmful habit. A destructive relationship. A crippling emotional dependency. Or even spiritual indifference.

Unlike the alligator whose grip is obvious, hurtful, and life threatening, Satan employs means that are more subtle. Through delusion, deception, deceit and disinformation, we may find ourselves in his grip. But it doesn’t seem so bad. It might even feel fine. That’s why the Bible warns us to be alert. Be vigilant. Be watchful. And to pay attention to the devil’s attacks. To be ready to fend off his advances.

When you find yourself in the devil’s grasp, you need the resolve and courage Rachél possessed in fighting the gator. Are you ready to scream? To punch him in the mouth? To pry away his grip from your heart, mind, and soul?  To do whatever it requires to find release and be rescued from certain spiritual death?

Like the gator, the Bible says Satan will devour us if we don’t resist and fight against his aggression. The apostle exhorted, “fight the good fight of faith.” That includes fighting against spiritual temptation. Sinful desires. And Satan’s schemes.

We are so relieved and grateful that Rachél was spared from this awful ordeal. In the same spirit, we pray that you can fend off the Devil’s dangerous attacks on your soul. That you can be successful in your spiritual struggles. And that you can strengthen your resolve to live for the Lord.

“Be strong and of good courage” (Josh. 1:6).

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, July 2024

——————– 

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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

                

“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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Psalm 63: Thirsting for God (Berry Kercheville)
2) Sword Tips #20 (Joe R. Price)
——————–

-1-

Psalm 63: Thirsting for God

Berry Kercheville


“1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:1–8 ESV).

A number of years ago I baptized a woman who had been in evangelical churches most of her life. She was a terrific student of the scriptures and passionate about her pursuit of God. However, after attending worship and classes for a number of months, she was discouraged with what she was seeing in many Christians. Her words to me were basically this: “I readily admit that evangelical churches have missed many of the details about how we are to serve and worship God and especially about baptism. But in my limited experience in churches of Christ, I find that though the culture is careful obedience, passion for God and who he is, is lacking.” I agreed that her perception was true of many, but it wasn’t true of all churches or all Christians.

Psalm 63 addresses this failure as David describes his relationship with God. It should cause us to pause and consider our own approach before God.

Twice in the psalm David speaks of his lips uttering joyful praise. But when is praise truly praise? Is it praise simply because we say the words? Is praise when we sing an upbeat song that chants, “God is great?” Everything David says in the psalm explains the foundation for praise. David clarifies when praise is truly praise, and by implication, when praise is the song of a hypocrite.

In verses 1-2, David expresses strong desire for God. This should challenge us. Do we earnestly seek God? Does our soul thirst for God? Does our flesh faint for God in the same way we would for water in a dry and weary land? These inner spirit emotions are a fair test of our spirituality and our pursuit of God. Notice carefully, it is not simply God’s word for which David is earnestly seeking or thirsting, it is God himself. The word of God certainly is the means by which we learn and know God, but study of the word can be mechanical – simply discovering the right side of morality, behavior, and hot-button issues – but not truly developing a passion for God himself (Cf. John 5:39). It is the failure to know God in an experiential way.

Verses 2-3 explain why David has a deep desire for God. First he has “looked upon” God “in the sanctuary” and beheld “his power and glory.” We should ask ourselves whether we have looked upon God? Have we beheld his power and glory? I remember when I would have answered that question with, “Huh?” In the Prophets (especially Isaiah), God offers us beautiful descriptions of himself that cause us to long for him and thirst for him. As John records in his gospel (12:38-41), “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.” Isaiah saw the glory of God (John’s context, Jesus), and then revealed that glory to us in his prophecy. When we study to see God, we respond as David responded.

David also thirsted for God because his “steadfast love is better than life.” Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness is how God described and revealed himself to Moses (Ex. 34:5-6). It was that steadfast love to which Moses repeatedly appealed when he would intercede for the people. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment, “and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). To appreciate God for his steadfast love requires us to be in touch with our sin and deeply moved by our failure. Ezekiel said we would “loathe ourselves for our iniquities and abominations” (36:31). The sinful woman of Luke 7:36-51 loved much because she was forgiven much. That cannot happen until we look on God and behold his power and glory.

Verses 5-8 give us David’s contrast between one’s soul in a dry and weary land and being filled and satisfied with God. When God is our desire and our soul thirsts for him, we will be satisfied “as with fat and rich food.” Physical food is frustrating. Regardless of how good and filling it can be, in a few hours the emptiness returns. But when we hunger for God, he is the all-satisfying object; nothing else comes close. We look in vain to be filled elsewhere but we always end up in that “dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Again, David offers the mechanism by which one is satisfied by fat and rich food. He looked back and “remembered” God. On his bed at night he rehearsed God’s presence and work in his life. He replayed how God had always been his help and protection. He saw himself “under the shadow of your wings” and as a result would “sing for joy.” Oh what a song to sing! David wrote this psalm while living in the wilderness as he escaped Saul. He was able to meditate on how God had rescued him and sustained him. David had truly experienced God’s presence, which drove him to say, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

There are two primary lessons that are sorely needed by every Christian:

1. God is our ultimate goal and pursuit. To speak of the Christian life without the knowledge and experience of the ever-present and all-satisfying God is to miss what it means to “know what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:18-19).

2. Praise is a result of God being our all-satisfying joy. Praise happens when we taste the fat and rich food, tasting “the pure spiritual milk…that the Lord is good” (1 Pet. 2:2-3). Why is praise such a prominent part of the Psalms? It is because all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. We praise what we love. We praise that which fills us. John Piper says it this way: “God is not worshiped where he is not treasured and enjoyed…Not to enjoy God is to dishonor him. To say to him that something else satisfies you more is the opposite of worship. It is sacrilege.” Indeed, to go further, to assemble and “sing songs of praise” when we have never been filled with fat and rich food is like praising a restaurant we have never visited or a person we have never known. 

— Via Focus Online, November 3, 2020
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #20                              

Joe R. Price

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

The anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor is December 7, 1941 – “a date which will live in infamy.” The enemy was underestimated, with devastating consequences.

Self-control is designed to protect you against sin. But, you must cultivate self-control by making right choices every day.

Do not underestimate your enemy, the devil. Like Christ, “refuse the evil and choose the good.”

Don’t be left defenseless; exercise self-control in all things.

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; 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: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)