Month: August 2021

“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) The Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy: A Reason to Believe in Jesus and the Bible (Tom Edwards)
2) Are Miraculous Gifts Still for Today? (video sermon, Tom Edwards)
3) News & Notes
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The Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy:
A Reason to Believe in Jesus and the Bible

Tom Edwards

By their very existence, the wonders of creation indicate the need for an eternal Creator with superior intelligence. The creation, therefore, is one of the reasons we can believe in God.

Another evidence of the reality of God is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.  So let us consider some of those prophecies this day. 

It has been said that there are 332 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus. Many of these are very specific in their application and not merely generalizations that could cover a wide range of possibilities. For instance, the Bible shows that Jesus would be betrayed for not 29, nor 31, nor 52, nor any other number except 30 pieces of silver.  How more specific could that be!  (See Zech. 11:1-13; Matt. 26:14-16; Matt. 27:3-10.)

Furthermore, the Bible prophesied hundreds of years before Christ came into the world that Jesus would be born in not just the land of Canaan, nor not just in the southern part of Canaan, nor not just in the territory of Judah; but, specifically, Jesus would be born in the little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; cf. Matt. 2:1). 

The Bible also foretells that Jesus would be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16; Matt. 2:1-2), that He would be conceived miraculously by a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25); that His hands and feet would be pierced (Psa. 22:16; Mark 15:25; Luke 24:38-40); that His garments would be divided among some individuals, and for His clothing they would cast lots (Psa. 22:18; John 19:23-24). The fulfillment of these latter prophecies are seen during the crucifixion of Christ. 

His death is also depicted as being one in which His “strength is dried up like a potsherd” (which is a broken piece of pottery, especially an ancient one), and His “tongue cleaves to” His “jaws” (Psa. 22:15).  Thus indicating the extreme thirst Christ would experience while on the cross, which has also been referred to as being one of the most excruciating aspects of the crucifixion. 

The significance in the prophetic statement that Christ could “count all His bones” (Psa. 22:17) is that the bones of the other two whom Jesus was crucified with were broken in order to speed up their deaths so that their bodies could be removed before the Sabbath. But that was not necessary for Jesus because His body had already died, after six hours of suffering on the cross (See John 19:31-33).  

After His death, another Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled when one of the Roman soldiers pierced the Lord’s side and out came water and blood (Zech. 12:10; John 19:33-37). 

Psalm 22 is one of the Messianic psalms that well describes the scene of the crucifixion. Try reading that along with Isaiah 53, which also contains Messianic prophecy of the Lord’s suffering and death at Calvary. 

In Isaiah, the deceased body of Jesus is seen to have been “with a rich man” (Isa. 53:9). The gospel narrative shows this “rich man” to have been Joseph of Arimathea who provided the Lord with a new burial tomb that had been hewn out of rock (Matt. 27:57-60). This then explains how that the Lord was involved with a rich man in His death. 

We must also bear in mind that these Old Testament prophecies were written hundreds of years before man even had the New Testament and prior to the Lord’s incarnation. The Old Testament, with its numerous inspired prophecies, was completed about 450 B.C.; and, therefore, the Bible was not written all at one time. Actually, it was written over a period of approximately 1,500 years by about 40 different men of various backgrounds. Yet, harmony is still seen throughout the many books that are part of the Bible. This refutes the misconception that simply one person made up the Bible to accommodate his fancy.  For without the help of God’s divine inspiration, the Bible could not have been written; and this is clearly seen in the account of Bible prophecies and their fulfillments which occurred hundreds of years after they were first prophesied. 

Years ago, I read a couple articles that made a lasting impression concerning the odds of Biblical prophecies if their fulfillments were merely by chance. Though some folks might feel that anyone could have fulfilled these prophesies about Jesus, they would be very wrong for thinking so.  For, as we have seen, some of these prophetic scriptures were very specific in their fulfillments and not generalizations. So unique were these prophecies to the Savior alone that the Christian Victory Publishing Company of Denver, Colorado, was once offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who could find someone other than Jesus — dead or alive — who fulfilled just half the prophecies in Fred John Meldeau’s book, Messiah in Both Testaments. This book deals with just some of the prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Lord, and the contestant would have to find someone who fulfilled only half of these — but no one was ever able to do so.  For Jesus is the only fulfiller of them.  

Even more interesting was the finding of Peter Stoner who in a book entitled Science Speaks had calculated the odds of Bible prophecy if their fulfillments were merely due to chance or coincidence. Mr. Stoner dealt with just 8 of the prophecies that point to Jesus, and he even omitted the prophecy about the virgin birth in order to lessen the odds. What were the odds of these 8 prophecies finding fulfillment through mere chance? It was 1 in 10 to the 17th power. To illustrate the magnitude of 10 to the 17th power, Mr. Stoner asked the reader to imagine the state of Texas (with its 268,597 square miles or 695,663 square km) two feet deep in silver dollars.  Just imagine how many would fill your living room at two feet deep, or how many would cover the block on which you live, or how many could be dispersed across your town until it was covered two feet deep, or for an amount this tall to blanket the county in which you reside.  Unquestionably, these amounts would be exceedingly massive, but even more so is the area that it really would cover, which is the size of the state of Texas and that two feet deep in silver dollars. The number of coins it would take to do that is 10 to the 17th power — or 1 with 17 zeros after it! 

Mr. Stoner continued his illustration by adding to it a blindfolded man who could travel anywhere over that state that he wished.  And if he could then choose on his first try that one specially marked silver dollar, out of that colossal, statewide mass, it would be the odds of 1 in 10 to the 17th power.

So that is also the odds of just 8 Bible prophecies  — had they randomly come to pass by mere chance.  

Next, Mr. Stoner dealt with 48 prophecies and found their odds of fulfillment, if by coincidence, to be 1 in 10 to the 157th power. This, of course, would require more than the state of Texas to illustrate it.  For 10 to the 157th power is said to be “more than the number of cubic centimeters, or subatomic particles like electrons and neutrinos, in the observable universe” (Wiki User).

As mentioned prior, however, there are more than just 48 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus — and more than even 300. But just in viewing the odds of the 8 and of the 48, if they were to have come to pass by merely sheer luck, is so astronomical that the possibility of chance is ruled out, and the inspiration of God’s word is confirmed.  Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:20-21 the following: “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Many people often marvel today at the so-called clairvoyants or fortunetellers who have some of their predictions come true, but according to Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God’s test for a true prophet was 100% accuracy — for anything less resulted in death!

Down through the years the Bible has been attacked by many an unbeliever.  Someone once said that Ingersoll, who was a 19th century U.S. lawyer, political leader, orator, and lecturer, once declared, as he held up a copy of the Bible, “In fifteen years I’ll have this book in the morgue.” Fifteen years rolled by, and it was Ingersoll, and not the Bible, who was laid in the morgue — the Bible living on!

As Jesus Himself states: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35, NASB). 

Neighbor, you can believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. For Bible prophecy is just one of the sources that clearly confirms this to be so. It is one of the reasons why we can believe in God and accept His word as truth. 

Real Bible faith, therefore, is not a mere “leap in the dark”; but, rather, it is a faith based on various evidences.  And Bible prophecy, along with its fulfillment, is one of them. 

— Via The Gospel Observer, June 2, 1991 (revised)
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Are Miraculous Gifts Still for Today?

Tom Edwards

To play the video sermon with the above title, just click on the following link while on the Internet:

https://thomastedwards.com/wordpress/Miraculous_Gifts.mp4

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News & Notes

Folks to be praying for:

It is good to hear that Mia Music has come out of her coma, had surgery on her neck last week, and is now able to eat soft foods. This week, she will be having surgery on the two breaks in her wrist.  

A.J. Joyner and his wife Pat are still dealing with Covid-19; but Pat is doing somewhat better.  Their daughter Pam Sanders, who had come to take care of them, has experienced some Covid-19 symptoms for about a week; but for the last 2 days, she has no longer had a fever. 

After 2 weeks in the hospital with Covid-19, Tim Kirkland is finally back home; but is to remain quarantined for a few days. His wife Barbara is also healing from it.

Ronnie & Melotine Davis had to be rescheduled to September 9 for the injections to help with their back pains.    

Bennie Medlock’s eye surgery has been re-scheduled for the middle of September.

Also to keep in prayer: Rick Cuthbertson, Jeff Nuss, Alisha Hunter, Michael Rittenhouse, Nell Teague, Rex Hadley, and our shut-ins.
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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 Class and 10 a.m. Worship Service.
(Sunday afternoon and Wednesday services are temporarily canceled, due to Covid-19; but we do have a “Song Service” at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month, in which several different men lead the singing.)

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).
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Contents:

1) Missed Opportunities (Wayne Goff)
2) God’s Wings (Anonymous)
3) To Desire Life,  to Love and to See Good Days (video sermon, Tom Edwards)
4) News & Notes
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Missed Opportunities

Wayne Goff

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!” (Jeremiah 8:20).

The Weeping Prophet?

As prophets go, Jeremiah was a real downer! He was always prophesying doom, gloom and destruction! I mean, who did he think he was?! Besides all the other religious leaders of his day — prophets, priests, etc. — were saying things were not nearly as bad as he was proclaiming. Maybe Jeremiah was just depressed. Maybe he needed some pills to pick up his sadness. After all, isn’t someone who goes around crying all the time full of mental issues?

The reality was that Jeremiah was speaking exactly what God was telling him, and the nation of Judah was in denial! Their denial was caused by their unbelief, their lack of faith in what God was telling them. Those who only want a positive message do not really want to serve the Lord.

Jeremiah’s Prophetic Calling

“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant’” (Jeremiah 1:9–10). Notice what God said to Jeremiah. He was to “root out,” “pull down,” “destroy,” “throw down,” then “build” and “plant.” Gospel preachers in the past noticed that Jeremiah’s message would be 2/3 negative and 1/3 positive. Jeremiah would have a hard time finding a job today. Then again, he wasn’t popular in his day either!

But anyone planting a garden knows that a healthy garden begins by rooting out and pulling down the weeds that hinder healthy, productive growth. That is not a negative; it is a positive. When we break up fallow ground and get the weeds out, we are preparing the ground for something good. Only then can we “plant.”

Likewise, anyone who wants to build on a site where there is a dilapidated building knows that he first must “destroy,” and “throw down” the old building to make room “to build” the new. Is that a bad thing? No, in fact, it is a good and necessary thing. Imagine trying to build a new building on top of a condemned one! Entire companies do nothing except “demolition” work.

Jeremiah’s Job

So Jeremiah was being commissioned to “root out” and “pull down” the wicked, immoral, idolatrous hearts of men and women in Judah. His work was difficult and was about as well-accepted as a root canal! But God had previously destroyed the Canaanite people for the same crimes! “And the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 29:28).

Jeremiah was commissioned “to destroy” and to “throw down” the idolatrous high places which littered the land and the hearts of the Jews of his day, Jeremiah 2:5; 8:19; 10:8; 16:18; 18:15. “But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; a wooden idol is a worthless doctrine” (Jeremiah 10:8). “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation” (Jeremiah 10:10).

The people were having their consciences soothed with the salve of falsehoods, and Jeremiah was applying the painful medicine of truth! “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:31). Notice the important question: “But what will you do in the end?” Well, the people of Jeremiah’s day rejected God’s message through Jeremiah! It was too negative, too hard, and too much to accept.

Consequently the nation of Judah was destroyed within about 50 years time (587 B.C.)! The people died or were placed in servitude, and the nation and its temple were destroyed! The sad truth was that if it were all to be done over again, the people would have chosen the same path of destruction! People then and now are in denial about God and His will. It just amazes me to see it. It is sickening.

Didn’t God Know?

God absolutely knew that Judah would not receive His message. But he sent Jeremiah to preach it anyway — just in case one poor soul could be saved. Listen further to God’s instructions at the beginning of Jeremiah’s ministry: “But the LORD said to me: ‘… And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:7–8). “They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to deliver you’” (Jeremiah 1:19).

Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted Jeremiah’s job. Then again, Jeremiah didn’t want his job either! But God’s word through Jeremiah accomplished exactly what God wanted it to accomplish. If there were any precious souls who listened and believed in his message, then they were saved when the nation was destroyed. But the majority of the people hardened their hearts against the truth, substituted lies instead, and found it was easier to believe a lie than to believe the truth. And that was their fatal mistake.

You can read the historical record of Judah’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon in 2 Kings 24-25. I suggest you read these two chapters to refresh your minds. Nations today are not immune from God’s punishment. People are not immune today from God’s judgment. The easy path is the road to destruction.

“And the LORD sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets”(2 Kings 24:2).

The sins of Judah and Jerusalem are the sins of America and many churches of Christ today. Perhaps we should revisit the prophet Jeremiah, learn the lessons God spoke through him, and possibly avert our own personal and/or national doom.

It turns out that the “weeping prophet” had something to cry about! Dear reader, are you mourning our present spiritual condition?

— Via Roanridge Reader, Volume 30, Issue 31, Page 4, August 1, 2021
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God’s Wings

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to access the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, the ranger reached out to knock the bird over with a stick. As he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under the dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but she refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze reached her, the heat had scorched her small body, but the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings had lived.

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4).

Remember the One who loves you, and then be different from the masses of the world because of that love.        

— Author unknown (via Bulletin Fodder)
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To Desire Life, to Love and to See Good Days

Tom Edwards

To play the video sermon with the above title, just click on the following link while on the Internet:

https://thomastedwards.com/wordpress/1_Peter_3_10.mp4

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News & Notes

Folks to be praying for:

A.J. & Pat Joyner have been diagnosed with covid-19, are experiencing symptoms, and are now on medication.

Mia Music is now in a critical state and coma from a serious car accident Tuesday. She has also been diagnosed with covid-19.

Olivia McCarthy no longer has any symptoms from the Covid-19 and seems to be doing very well. Tori thanks everyone for their prayers.  

Benny Medlock will have a pre-op Monday for his eye surgery on the 16th, and will be seeing his heart doctor on the 12th.

The device to alleviate pain worked. So Deborah Medlock will be seeing a counselor Thursday about receiving a permanent replacement.

Also to keep in prayer: Rick Cuthbertson, Jeff Nuss, Alisha Hunter, Michael Rittenhouse, Nell Teague, Rex Hadley, and our shut-ins.
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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 Class and 10 a.m. Worship Service.  We also have a Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

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) “One More Night With The Frogs” (Kenneth Thomas)
2) Be Not of a Vengeful Spirit (video sermon, Tom Edwards)
3) Changing Text Size in Your Email and Web Browser (a helpful tip)
4) News & Notes
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“One More Night With The Frogs”

Kenneth Thomas

Many years ago in northern Illinois, we had a gospel meeting that featured two brethren from somewhere in Texas, preaching on alternate evenings. Their names were John Sherro and Bill Wiley. I was anxious to hear the sermon that Bill Wiley announced he would be preaching the next evening of the meeting. He titled it “One More Night With the Frogs.” It was, of course, taken from the story of Moses and Aaron when they went into Egypt to deliver, by the power of God, the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. I really got a lot from his sermon. The following outline was taken from an article by Terry Frizzel and given the Ken Thomas touch. Hopefully, you will benefit from this article, as I did from that sermon in the distant past.

Someone has likened sin to a thread. If another person wrapped a thread around you once, it would be easy to break it and escape. But what if you stood there until that thread had been wrapped around you 100 times, or 200 times? Eventually, several strands of that little thread would become strong enough to prevent your escape. Sin works in much the same way. If we would choose to obey God when we first have opportunity, and turn away from sin when we first realize we are involved in it, it would be much easier. Too many people are like Pharaoh; they would rather spend “one more night with the frogs.” I once read a story about an eagle that saw a little lamb stranded on an ice flow. The powerful eagle swooped down and landed on the ice and began to eat the helpless lamb. Up ahead was a giant waterfall over which, in a few minutes, both the eagle and his prey would fall if he did not take to the skies in time. He continued to feast on the lamb, thinking that just before the flow of ice in which his prey was trapped went over the edge, he would spread his powerful wings and take to the skies, thereby avoiding certain death.

The only problem was that the eagle failed to realize that his feet had caused the ice to thaw and sunk down into the chunk of ice, which then froze over his feet. When he lifted his powerful wings and began to flap them for his takeoff, low and behold, he was trapped and was swept over the waterfall to his untimely demise.

Remember David? Rather than turning from his lust when he saw Bathsheba bathing, he chose to “spend one more night with the frogs,” and eventually committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:2-5). David could have avoided adultery if he had broken the thread of sin when he first lusted after Bathsheba. But that little thread became David’s cocoon, which led to his having a drunken feast (2 Samuel 11:13), and eventually to Uriah’s murder (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Why didn’t David take care of this sin when it would have been so simple to defeat?

The question is a little difficult when we apply it to our own lives. Why do we spend “one more night with the frogs?” Why do we choose to continue in sin? “Next week I’ll change my life.” “Next month I’ll be more faithful in attendance.” “Some day I’ll become a Christian.” “Some day I’ll…” Sadly, we need to remember the sober words in the book of James, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). In Pharaoh’s case, “one more night with the frogs” eventually cost his son’s life. Will it cost you your soul?

This article caught my eye because of the title. Our good brother has done a masterful job of taking an old story and making a good present-day application. While the article speaks for itself, I would like to add some “food for thought” for our readers.

Christians are often the very best at “putting things off” until a later date. Why do we do it? I’m afraid it is due to lack of respect for, and understanding about, the uncertainty of death or of the Lord’s return. The scriptures clearly teach both things. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10-12). We know God cannot lie, so why do we leave undone those things that will cost us an eternity of separation from God?

Time is not on our side. We do not control the clock’s ticks, and we never know when it will stop — either for the world or our own lives. God has given ample warnings, examples, and reasons to obey Him while we have time and opportunity. Unfortunately, many are squandering their opportunities. Only their hearts know the reasons why. So many times when I offer the invitation, I wonder why those who know what to do — do not act. What can I say? What could I do to touch their hearts and persuade them to obey? Truth is — the ball is in their court, and they must choose — I cannot do it for them.

Dear reader, please consider the brevity of life, the blessing of time, and the certainty of death and eternity. One more “night with the frogs” might be one night too many!! (KMG)

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, March 2003
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Be Not of a Vengeful Spirit

Tom Edwards

To play the video sermon with the above title, just click on the following link while on the Internet: 

https://thomastedwards.com/wordpress/Vengeance.mp4

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Changing Text Size in Your Email and Web Browser

If the words in the bulletin look too small for you, you should be able to enlarge what you see by holding down the Control Key (Ctrl) and tapping on the Plus Key (+).   To then make it smaller again, hold down the Control Key (Ctrl) and tap on the Minus Key (–).  Or you can also hold down the Control Key (Ctrl) and then press the Zero Key (0) to restore to the normal view.

If you have a MAC, it uses the Command Key along with the Plus and Minus Keys for adjusting the size.
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News & Notes

Folks to be praying for:

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Alex Wilson who passed away in Ohio on July 28.

A.J. & Pat Joyner have both been diagnosed with Covid-19.

Tim & Barbara Kirkland also have the Covid-19.

Alisha Hunter has been very sick with Covid-19 and various of her family members have been exposed.

Becky Lindsey is ill and can also use our prayers.

Olivia McCarthy is recuperating well from Covid-19.

Martha Lively is also healing from Covid-19 with no longer a fever, but still with some congestion and headache.

Jim Lively has had some more falls recently — 3 in one week.

Also to keep in prayer: Rick Cuthbertson, Jeff Nuss, Michael Rittenhouse, Nell Teague, Rex Hadley, Deborah Medlock, and Shirley Davis.

It is good to resume our 9 a.m. Bible class today!  Danny Bartlett will be teaching on the book of Ephesians.

It is also good to resume our “song service” for the first Sunday of every month, beginning at 5 p.m. today.
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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 Class
10 a.m. Worship Service. 

We also have a Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

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.)