“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents:
1) Where is the Gym? (Mike Johnson)
2) “No Greater Joy” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
3) Psalm 119:81-88 (Berean Study Bible)
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Where is the Gym?
Mike Johnson
Many people would be surprised if they visited a large church and found out it did not have a gymnasium or something called a “fellowship hall.” Many churches today have become more like social clubs than churches. They provide events as meals, dances, bingo parties, basketball games, and other social events. Some churches have better recreational facilities than the local YMCA.
Did God ever intend for the church to provide recreation and social events? What does the Bible say about recreation as a function of the church? Can these endeavors be proven by the Word of God?
What is the function or work of the church as ordained by God? This question is essential, and we can learn the answer in the Bible. If the Bible does not state the church’s work, it has no duty toward a particular purpose and can engage in anything it wants. However, if an objective exists, we must keep the church functioning within its God-given design.
The Bible teaches that the church has a threefold responsibility. First, it is to preach the gospel to the lost. 1 Timothy 3:15 refers to the church as the pillar and ground of the truth (also note Eph. 3:9-10, I Thess. 1:8, 2 Cor. 11:8). Next, the church is to teach or instruct its members, i.e., those who are Christians (1 Tim. 3:15, Eph. 4:11-12, Acts 20:28), and finally, the church can provide for needy saints (Acts 11:29-30).
God has given the church this threefold mission or purpose. Does this constitute a pattern? Surely, it does. We must act with Bible authority. We are not to “add to” or “take away from” God’s Word (Rev. 22:18-19); we must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). It would be sinful to add a work for the church that God does not give. Nowhere does the Bible teach that recreation and social affairs are the church’s work. To add this function would be to add to the Word of God.
The church can spend money from its treasury and provide facilities for God’s assigned work. It cannot use its funds or provide facilities for that which is not its work. Clean recreation and entertainment are great. However, they are not to be provided by the church. I do not know of a single passage that would authorize such practices. Why can’t people be content to let the church be the church?
— via Seeking Things Above
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“No Greater Joy”
Jarrod M. Jacobs
John told Gaius, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III Jn. 4). This statement, though short, teaches us several things. Let us break this verse down, see what John was saying, and make some applications to our lives.
“I Have No Greater Joy” – This phrase emphasizes that John’s greatest joy was knowing that Gaius, Demetrius (v. 12), and other Christians (i.e.,“friends,” v. 14) were holding fast to the Lord. This highlights the importance of spiritual priorities. He had his joy set on things eternal and not temporal (II Cor. 4:18). In other words, John’s joy did not rest in men’s opinion of him or some physical pursuit. John’s joy was in knowing that faithful Christians were doing their duty for the Lord! (See: II Jn. 4)
Friend, what gives you joy? Is it vacations? Physical pursuits? Work? Children? Cars? Hobbies? These things might bring momentary happiness, but what brings joy? Is our true joy found in spiritual things? If we truly love the brethren as we ought (I Pet. 2:17), we will be able to speak as John concerning the well-doing of brethren all over this country and world!
“Than To Hear” – Though he was not there in body, John was concerned for the brethren. He wanted “to hear” about Gaius and others and learn about their welfare. I know brethren who look down on such concern for others, but John (and the other apostles) showed us the proper example (I Cor. 4:16, 11:1; Phil. 3:17; Eph. 5:1-2). Please understand, John was not interested in gossip or idle talk, but genuinely concerned for their souls. This attitude of sincere care should be ours as well (Prov. 25:25).
Other apostles showed concern for the brethren as well. We see Paul’s care for brethren through all of his epistles (II Cor. 11:28; Rom. 16:1-15; I Cor. 1:11; Phil. 4:21; Col. 4:15, 17). The same goes for Peter (I Pet. 1:1, 2:17; II Pet. 1:1).
How concerned are we for our brethren? Do we show it through prayers? Through financial support or other means? Are we so caught up in ourselves that we don’t have time to “hear” about the welfare of other Christians?
“My Children” – This does not refer to his physical lineage, but to those he had been instrumental in bringing to the Lord. The apostle Paul used the same language for those he taught (I Cor. 4:15, 17; I Tim. 1:1-2; II Tim. 1:1-2; Titus 1:4).
I think it is interesting to note that we are never told about the apostles’ physical children. (Though we know that men such as the apostle Peter had children, I Pet. 5:1!). I wonder if this was done so we would keep our eyes on the apostles who pointed us to Christ, rather than on their descendants, whom we might treat as “royalty” or give some special position in the church that God never intended?
Brethren, what is our attitude toward fellow Christians? Do we strive for closeness? Do we treat one another as brethren? Let me ask this another way: How many can we consider “children” in the sense that John and Paul used the word (II Tim. 2:2)?
“Walk In Truth” – The word “walk” describes one’s manner of life or behavior. This was seen as Gaius showed hospitality toward others and set the right example to fellow Christians who were not traveling (III Jn. 5-8). In other words, Gaius was faithfully following God despite the difficulties that surrounded him. He didn’t merely give lip-service to the truth, but was walking in it! John said those, like Gaius, who were walking in the truth brought him great joy. Why did he have joy? It is because he knew that what they were doing pleased the Father (II Jn 4; III Jn. 4). Let us examine ourselves so that when the Lord returns, He will find us walking in truth.
—- Via The Ancient Landmark, August 9, 2026
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Psalm 119:81-88
Kaph
81My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.
82My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”
83Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
84How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?
85The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
86All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me!
87They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
88Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.
— Berean Study Bible
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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 (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. Worship Service
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.)