“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) “Get Real” (Kyle Pope)
2) The Best Seats in the House (Mark 12:38-40) (Warren E. Berkley)
3) Honor the Presence of an Old Man (Joe R. Price)
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“Get Real”

Kyle Pope

A few years ago, I found a little accessory for my computer on eBay and sent an e-mail to the seller asking him if he would take $18.00 for it. Apparently he thought that offer was far too low and responded rather bluntly, “$18.00?—Get real!” That was not the first time I had heard that expression. It was his way of saying, “$18.00 is not a realistic offer for this item.” Around that time, young people used variations of this as a form of greeting. Two kids leaving each other might say, “keep it real!” It was a way of saying, “be yourself,” or “don’t let anyone make you what you’re not.” It could even mean simply, “see you later—hope things go well with you.” Although these types of expressions, like others of the past, were short-lived and not used as often anymore, I have thought about the significance of such words if considered from a spiritual perspective. Let’s consider a few applications.

We Should “Get Real” in Our Treatment of Others. Far too often Christians allow themselves to be very inconsistent in their treatment of other people. A brother or sister may be kind and loving to others, but rude and cruel to members of their own family. A child of God may talk about God’s love while assembled for worship or Bible study then yell at a driver on the road or give a server in a restaurant a tongue lashing. Or, perhaps we show partiality to those who are wealthy and attractive but disregard those who are not. In doing so we may convince ourselves that we are good, faithful Christians all the while ignoring the reality of our condition before God. The apostle John taught, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7, NKJV). In defining love, Paul begins, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). We must honestly evaluate our treatment of others if we are to see how we really stand before God.

We Should “Get Real” in Our Understanding of Sin. Souls outside of Christ do not take a realistic view of their sin. It may seem to them as something fun and pleasurable. Taking an interest in spiritual things may seem boring and unnecessary to them. The reality of the situation is that sin against God is a vicious cancer that eats away at our souls, it separates us from God, and promises only condemnation. The alien sinner is not the only one who can fail to realistically understand his sin. Christians may excuse certain behavior saying, “that’s just the way I am!” They may imagine their good works eliminate the need for the saving blood of Christ. These attitudes reflect a view of sin that is unrealistic and spiritually deadly. Paul told the Romans bluntly, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). John declared plainly, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8). That’s reality.

We Should “Keep It Real” When It Comes to Our Behavior. The casual expression that was used by young people reflects an understanding of the fact that many of us, whether as adults or children, can be hypocritical in our behavior. We want to be Christians on Sunday and Wednesday but worldly the rest of the time. We may become timid around classmates or coworkers and ashamed to let people know our faith. We allow life circumstances to determine whether we will be faithful in our church attendance or we may lie to maintain appearances, get ahead, or take advantage of someone. When we do these things, we are trying to fool ourselves into thinking if no one else sees our duplicity it’s no big deal. The reality of the situation is that our duplicity nullifies our faith. The “part-time” Christian is a “full-time” sinner! James teaches, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jas. 4:8). The reality is, that if we live the double-minded life of the hypocrite, we can’t please God.

We Should “Keep It Real” When it Comes to Our View of this World. Nothing about this world should lead us to think that it is permanent. All plants, animals and people wither, decay, and die. Even rocks, mountains, and streams crumble, erode, and evaporate. Yet, many of us want to live our lives as if this world will last forever. We may not be able to see the spiritual side of our makeup, but the reality of the matter is that our soul is the only thing about us that is “real” in the sense that it is enduring. Yes, this world exists, and our bodies exist—but only for a time. One day they will both be burned up and dissolved into nothing! John said through the Holy Spirit, “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (I John 2:17). What plans are we making for the eternity? What provision are we making for what is truly real and enduring? We must “get real” about spiritual things.  

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 24, Issue 50 (December 11, 2022)

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The Best Seats In The House

Mark 12:38-40

Warren E. Berkley

When attending a concert, play or movie, you may want “the best seats in the house.” For optimum vision and listening, that desire is understood. In the Jewish community of Jerusalem in the time of Christ, there were men who desired the best seats in the house, but not in this sense. They wanted the best places or “chief seats” as part of their exaltation of themselves and their aim “to be seen of men” (Matt. 23:5).

During the last week of His life, our Lord described this evidence of selfish ambition, and wanted the people to beware of these scribes.

“As he taught, Jesus said, ‘Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely'” (Mark 12:38-40, NIV).

If Jesus says, certain people will be “punished most severely,” we should do two things: (1) Avoid that behavior and the attitudes that lead to it, and (2) Watch out for those who exhibit that behavior; we must resist their influence on us. While we must not act out of ugly anger, I believe we ought not to give them the reverent salutations they covet.

These men never missed an opportunity to parade their status, show their rank and remind people of their power. They wore religious garments to draw attention to themselves. Their carnal sanctimonious attitude was fed when common people saluted them. And in synagogues and banquets, they demanded VIP seating. These men were driven by the attention they believed they earned. They were hypocrites, with hearts filled with self-importance. Their “religion” had nothing to do with any love for God.

This is obvious when you consider (1) their ungodly, ostentatious practice of prayer, and (2) their dreadful mistreatment of widows. They were outwardly religious, but inwardly corrupt. That corruption was evident in their devouring of vulnerable widows. Some historical accounts suggest, these men robbed widows of property, peace and livelihood to enrich themselves, pretending the money was for the Lord!

Jesus warns us about self-exalted, unscrupulous people. He condemns them as worthy of punishment. “Pretension ever hides emptiness, and often guilt. Fixed for ever for our repugnance, hatred, and contempt is the character of the religious pretender in the Gospel. Men need to be warned that there is more danger to the soul in pretending to a piety we have not got, than in merely having none at all” (E. Johnson, Pulpit Commentary, Mark 12).

Notice in this context: Before this passage and after this passage — Jesus describes the opposite attitude and behavior. In Mark 12:28-34, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. In Mark 12:41-44, He gives an example of generosity from the very class oppressed by the scribes. In vivid contrast to the greedy scribes, there is the widow who gave “all that she had to the Lord.”

If I am personally serious about avoiding the hypocrisy of the scribes, I will love God, love my neighbor and give as the widow gave.

— Via Expository Files 9.1; January 2002

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Honor the Presence of an Old Man

Joe R. Price

“You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32).

Growing old is natural. The old were once young, and the young will become old. These things are too self-evident to warrant comment. Today’s command from the Law of Moses trained Israel to have respect for the elderly. But more than that, showing respect toward the aged is described as growing out of one’s fear of God. He is “Lord” (YHWH, Jehovah), the eternally-existing one. Ultimately, we do not have power over the aging process, He does. Being disrespectful toward an older person reflects a fundamental failure to respect God, who gives life (both young and old). So, when you come upon an older person in the grocery store who can no longer push the shopping cart as quickly as you, don’t become frustrated. When the older person is driving slower than you think he should, be patient. The “old man” should not be discounted because of his age, any more than the strength of the youth should be discounted by the aged. There is a place in this world for both. “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head” (Proverbs 20:29). Whether young or old, we must fear God because He is timeless.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, February 2019

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of 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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 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) Render Unto Caesar (Jon W. Quinn) 
2) Almost Persuaded (David Padfield) 
——————–

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Render Unto Caesar

Jon W. Quinn

The name “Caesar” was originally the name of a powerful Roman family and eventually became an imperial title. Perhaps the most renowned member of this family was Gaius Julius Caesar. After the dynasty ended with the death of Nero in 68 A.D., the name Caesar was retained to designate future Roman imperial rulers. Much later, leaders of Germany and Russia were called respectively “Kaiser” and “czar” even at the beginning of the twentieth century, both of these titles are derived from the word “Caesar.”

Augustus (27 B.C. – 14 A.D.)

“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth” (Luke 2:1). Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. His name was Gaius Octavius, and he assumed the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus in accordance with Roman custom. It was later that he added the title “Augustus” which in Latin (the Language of the Romans) means “majestic.” In Augustus’ reign we have the birth of Jesus, in which Augustus unknowingly plays a part in the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.

The decree mentioned in Luke 2:1 compelled Joseph and Mary to return to their ancestral hometown to register in the Roman census. So, despite Mary’s condition of late term pregnancy, the couple traveled from Nazareth of Galilee to Bethlehem of Judea where the baby was born. The Son of God was thus born in Bethlehem just as the prophet Micah had said about seven centuries before (Luke 2:1-11; Micah 5:2).

Tiberius (14-37 A.D.)

“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene…” (Luke 3:1) The emperor Tiberius, who succeeded his stepfather Augustus, ruled for about twenty-three years. He was a capable administrator but also the object of general dislike. He relied on military power and in Rome had his Praetorian Guard, the only organized troops allowed legally in Rome to keep his rule secure. It was Tiberius Caesar who was reigning during the ministries of both John and Jesus and also when the church had it’s beginning. The church also spread from Jerusalem due to a great persecution that rose against it. One of the persecutors, a “young man named Saul,” after having zealously persecuted the church would become a convert to Christ due to an appearance to him by the resurrected Jesus. Saul would become an apostle and change his name to Paul during the time of Tiberius.

Caligula (37-41 A.D.)

There is no mention of Caligula in the Bible. He was a cruel, insane and tyrannical leader who ruled for four years. During his time, the church continued to spread through Palestine; though some Christians who had fled from Jerusalem during the persecution returned.

Claudius (41-54 A.D.)

Claudius, whose rule of thirteen years was distinguished by the conquest of Britain, and who continued the public works and administrative reforms instituted under Augustus, was the emperor during the three missionary journeys of Paul (although the third journey had not yet been completed when Claudius died). The prophet Agabus had prophesied that a great famine would take place over the world, and Luke informs us that it came to pass during the time of Claudius (Acts 11:28). When the famine hit Judea particularly hard, churches from other places sent funds to relieve the needy saints in Jerusalem and Judea. Claudius didn’t know it, but he was responsible for Paul meeting Aquila and Priscilla when he did. “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them…” (Acts 18:2). Historical sources outside the Bible confirm that this did occur. Roman historians speak of this expulsion of Jews from Rome. Evidently, there was some turmoil and unrest over a man called “Christos” (Christ – J.Q.). Though the account does not elaborate, we remember well how the Scriptures of God relate that often there was discord, mob action and even riots associated with the early persecution of the Christians by the Jews. Among those forced to leave were Paul’s soon-to-be friends and co-workers, Aquila and Priscilla, who moved to Corinth where they first met Paul.

Nero (54-68 A.D.)

Nero’s rule at first was moderate, as a result of the wise counsel of advisors. But, he also faltered becoming paranoid (though the threats were sometimes real, often they were not) about all those around him, including his own mother (whom he had killed). It was during Nero’s reign that Rome began persecuting the church, Nero blamed them for a fire that had swept through Rome. His overthrow, which was caused by his later excesses, and his subsequent suicide marked the end of the line of Julio-Claudian emperors, though future emperors retained the name “Caesar.”

Ironically, Nero was the Caesar to whom Paul appealed for justice(!) (Acts 25:11). After Paul was delivered to Rome, Nero placed Paul under house arrest (Acts 28:19). Paul writes of teaching the gospel to some of the Praetorian Guard and that some members of Nero’s own household were Christians during his imprisonments (Philippians 1:13; 4:22). Paul was eventually released, but then later rearrested and executed. He writes of his coming execution in 2 Timothy 4, a chapter showing his great faith and confidence.

Galba, Otho, and Vitellius (68-69 A.D.)

Brief reigns.

Vespasian (69-79 A.D.)

Vespasian and his sons, the emperors Titus and Domitian, are known as the Flavians. Vespasian fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (with his son, Titus, being the commander in the field) (Matthew 24:1,2).

Titus (79-81 A.D.)

The famous eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii happened during the rule of Titus.

Domitian (81-96 A.D.)

Domitian became a cruel tyrant in the later years of his rule, and the period of terror associated with his name ended with his murder. John was exiled to the island of Patmos and wrote the Book of Revelation from there concerning a great persecution against the churches in Asia Minor. Emperor worship was commanded of the people, and Christians would not oblige (Revelation 16:2, et.al.). But the message from John assures them of complete and final victory if they would be faithful even unto death (Revelation 2:10). The message speaks of the fall and defeat of Rome, the defeat of Satan, and victory of Jesus and His faithful ones.

— Via the Bradley Banner, July 6, 2003, published by the Bradley Church of Christ in Bradley, Illinois

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Almost Persuaded

David Padfield

For two years Porcius Festus held Paul prisoner in Caesarea Maritima. When Felix succeeded Festus, “the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem — while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him” (Acts 25:2-3).

Unaware of the plot to kill Paul, Festus asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be judged. Paul responded by saying, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there  is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:10-11).

By exercising his right as a Roman citizen, Paul appealed his case to Augustus Caesar. While waiting for a ship to take Paul to Rome, Festus asked King Agrippa to help him “specify the charges” against Paul (Acts 25:27). Agrippa, the great-grandson of Herod the Great, had been appointed ruler of Abilene, part of Galilee, Iturea and Trachonitis by the Roman Emperor Claudius.

King Agrippa permitted Paul to freely speak concerning the charges made against him by the Jews. Luke records the moving sermon Paul preached to Agrippa in the twenty-sixth chapter of the book of Acts.

While speaking of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, Paul was interrupted by Festus and accused of being “beside” himself (Acts 26:24). Luke then records these words of Paul: “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (Acts 26:25-27). Agrippa uttered one brief sentence in reply to Paul. He said, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

One of the saddest words heard at the judgment will be the bitter cry of “almost.” To “almost” be a Christian is to be a child of Satan. To “almost” repent of your sins is to die in your sins. To “almost” be saved is to be eternally lost. To “almost” go to heaven is to be sent to hell. “Almost cannot avail; almost is but to fail; sad, sad, that bitter wail — almost, but lost.”

— Via Roanridge Reader, Volume 28, Issue 26, Page 1, June 30, 2013

——————–

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

Wednesday: 7 p.m. 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) Remember Shiloh! Jeremiah 7:1-7 (Jon W. Quinn)
2) What Would You Do? (Wayne Goff)
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Remember Shiloh!

Jeremiah 7:1-7

Jon W. Quinn

In the days of Jeremiah (ca. 600 B.C.), the people of Judah faced difficult times. The northern kingdom of Israel was history, taken into Assyrian captivity. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had defeated Assyria, and was making his way into Judah.

The people of Judah had developed a false trust. They were placing their confidence and hopes everywhere but the place where it would have done them some good. It is through the prophet Jeremiah that the Lord condemns as useless the false hopes created in the hearts of the people of Judah by the leaders.

It is still possible today to put our hope and confidence in the wrong place. We would do well to avoid making the same critical mistake as Judah did. We read of that false trust and how Jehovah responded to it in the seventh chapter of Jeremiah.

The False Trust of Judah

First, the people placed their confidence in the temple buildings themselves (vss. 1-7). The Lord responded, “Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD’” (Jeremiah 7:4).

The people were under the impression that the mere fact that the temple was located in Jerusalem would spare the city. The Lord sent Jeremiah to the temple itself to preach that it would take genuine repentance to reverse the situation (Jeremiah 7:1-7).

Then, as now, the Lord required more than rituals involving temple worship and outward piety. Repentance would mean not only true-hearted worship of the Lord, but also a change in how the people treated one another; that their dealings were to be just and honorable and without oppression.

Second, they sought to excuse their obvious sins (Jeremiah 7:8-11). Again, theirs was a false trust in that they were being led to think that they could sin and not be held accountable. “Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail” (Jeremiah 7:8). After committing transgression, they would go to the temple thinking that would absolve them: “…then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’ — that you may do all these abominations?” (Jeremiah 7:10). The Lord could see through such hypocrisy and responds by saying that this, too, is a false hope. He says, “Remember Shiloh!” (Jeremiah 7:12).

Shiloh is where the tabernacle had stood before the temple had been built at Jerusalem, and was at that time the center of the worship unto Jehovah (Joshua 8:1). The ark of the covenant was there. Somehow, the people had gotten the idea that if the ark was physically present with them, that they were invincible. They were not faithful to the Lord in their conduct and service, but they had the “magical” ark, so they would prevail in battle against the Philistines.

They were wrong about that. It was at Shiloh where the ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines and the unfaithful people of Israel defeated (1 Samuel 4:10-11). It was as if they believed that the ark was like a lamp and God was a genie inside enslaved to whoever possessed the ark. That was certainly a mistake.

Jeremiah warns that God would do likewise with Jerusalem and the temple (Jeremiah 7:13-15). That is, just as He had withdrawn His protection from Shiloh and allowed the ark to be captured, He would withdraw His protection from the temple and allow it to be captured as well. This because of Judah’s failure to heed His prophets – (vs. 13).

Similar False Trust Today

Could we have a false trust as “members” of the church which Christ built? Are some like the Judeans who cried “The Temple of the Lord…” but did not give themselves fully and loyally to the Lord and His service? There may be those who cry “The Church of Christ…” behaving as if membership will cover over negligence and inactivity. It may be that some think as long as they are members of a faithful church that they are secure. But the Bible says that judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17) and the parable of the tares also tells us that such attitudes are misguided (Matthew 13:41-43).

The fact is, salvation is dependent on individual faith and loyalty, not by the crowd with whom we may be associated. While it is true that our associates may have an effect on what kind of character we develop, each one of us will be judged as an individual and not by group allegiance or association! – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Do some, like the Judeans, who disobeyed God, then claimed exemption, do likewise today? Living in and of the world part of the time, and then going to “church”? Do we find ourselves participating in worldliness in our manner of speech, conduct and/or style of dress but think of ourselves as being “faithful members” because we “go to church” the way they went to the temple?

Today, as then, God is a God of grace, but his grace instructs us to live holy (Titus 2:11,12). There is no sacrifice made for those who willfully transgress God’s law (Hebrews 10:23-31). Salvation is dependent upon God’s grace, not church ritual!

The Lord responded to the folly of such a false trust: As they were once told, “Remember Shiloh!” let us “Remember Sardis!” (Revelation 3:1-6). They had “a living name,” but that did not free them from the threat of condemnation – (vss. 1-3). As always, salvation was based on individual consecration (vss. 4-6).

To the folly of such a false trust we could also answer: “Remember Laodicea!” (Revelation 3:14-22). They had become “lukewarm” – (vss. 14,15). They were in danger of expulsion because of worldliness – (vss. 16,17 ). They were in need of repentance; full and complete repentance ( vss. 18-22).

Like Judah whose salvation from destruction depended upon wholehearted service to God, so our salvation depends on complete and faithful obedience to the will of Christ! We must avoid the fallacy of “virtue by association,” and remember that God has promised to do to us just as He did to Israel if we are not faithful – (see Romans 11:20-22). This is a call to personal commitment and endeavor. It is not enough to be associated with the faithful… each of us must become one of God’s faithful.

Note: Many thanks to my friend Mark Copeland for doing a sermon outline upon which many of the thoughts in this article are based.

— Via Expository Files 13.3; March 2006

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-2-

What Would You Do?

Wayne Goff

In studying the book of Isaiah, it is fascinating to study the psychological conflict between Judah’s good King Hezekiah and Assyria’s idolatrous, worldly-wise King Sennacherib (2 Chron. 32; Isaiah 36-37).

Sennacherib had already defeated most of Judah’s fortified cities and was laying siege to Lachish when he sent his ambassadors to Jerusalem to demand an unconditional surrender. His persuasive arguments were designed to destroy any faith or hope in winning the battle against Assyria. Systematically he tried to cast down every vestige of hope: (1) Your God will not deliver you from Assyrian siege; (2) King Hezekiah destroyed the altars and high places of worship to God; (3) What other nations or gods have kept me from defeating them? (4) He even lied and said that Jehovah had sent Assyria to punish Judah. (5) Sennacherib offered to transplant the Jews to a foreign land much like their own native country.

Now, dear reader, place yourself in Jerusalem at this time (ca. 700 B.C.) and ask yourself what you would do. A world power has come up against your nation and has defeated almost every other fortified city except yours. This powerful nation is vicious, cruel and heartless in their military ways. Your nation and king seem physically helpless against these great odds. Would you surrender?

First, King Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem as best he could (2 Chron. 32:5ff). Then he encouraged his people with remarkable words of faith in this dark hour: “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chron. 32:7-8).

The faith of Hezekiah led him to see the vast heavenly host and the God of heaven above the great Assyrian army and its King Sennacherib.

THE RESULTS? God struck dead 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight (Is. 37:36)! Every mighty man of valor, leader and captain was killed (2 Chron. 32:21)

THE LESSON? “…Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). So fight your spiritual battles with confidence!

— Via Roanridge Reader, June 12, 2011

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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).
——————–

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

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.  We also have a Song Service at 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).
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Contents:

1) Parables Of The Treasure In The Field And The Pearl Of Great Price (Mike Willis)

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Parables Of The Treasure In The Field And The Pearl Of Great Price

Mike Willis

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:44-46).

Jesus taught these two parables to emphasize how men should treasure and value the kingdom of heaven. “The whole point of the parable is the joy with which the man finds the treasure, and his abandonment of everything else in order to secure it” (B.T.D. Smith, Cambridge Greek Testament: The Gospel According to Matthew, p. 141). There are several lessons in this parable which deserve our careful study.

The Gospel Is A Treasure

In both parables, the gospel of Jesus Christ or the kingdom of heaven is presented as a treasure or a pearl of great price. The riches of earth, the pleasures of life, and the praise of fellow men are not worthy to be compared with the blessings which God has prepared for man in the gospel. Many who have attained the riches of this earth, personal fame, and political power manifest a dissatisfaction down deep in their soul. The rainbows after which many seek cannot satisfy man’s deepest longings.

In contrast to the lesser treasures which most men seek, the Lord has provided a treasure for us in the gospel. The treasure was expensive from the point of view of the cost to provide it. God the Father had to give up His dear Son to suffer the agonies of death on Calvary. God the Son shed His precious blood in order that mankind could be redeemed from sin. As one considers the high price of the gospel, he is impressed that it is a treasure.

The gospel is a treasure when considered on the basis of what it does for its recipient. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness of sin for mankind, a peace which passes all understanding, a guide to right living which provides for personal happiness now and eternal life when we die. The realization that there is purpose in life, the means of obtaining inner peace with one’s self, the hope for a bright tomorrow, the hope for justice to triumph, and other such human ideals can only find attainment through what God has provided for us in the gospel. Indeed, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a treasure, a pearl of great price.

The Discovery Of The Treasure And Pearl

The two parables have many points of similarity; however, they also have a significant difference with reference to how the two men found their respective treasures. The one man accidentally stumbled upon his treasure; the other man found the pearl after a long, arduous search for it. Let us consider the significance of each of these men.

1. The One Found The Treasure. The parable relates that a certain man found a treasure in a field. We do not know what he was doing in the field, whether plowing it for someone else, passing through it, or something else; that is unimportant. The point is that he accidentally discovered a treasure, recognized its value, and did everything necessary in order to obtain it.

There are men who find the Kingdom of heaven just as the man found the treasure in the field. They accidentally stumble onto the gospel. The woman at the well in John 4 did not go in search of eternal life; she stumbled onto it. The Philippian jailor was not looking for the gospel of Jesus Christ on the night when the earthquake freed his prisoners (Acts 16:26-34). There are many others who accidentally find the gospel. Some meet a friend who tells them about Jesus while on the job, some tune in a radio program, some pick up a tract, or otherwise happen to come in contact with the gospel of Jesus Christ without looking for it.

2. The One Who Found The Pearl. The man who found the pearl of great price was different from the man who found the treasure in that he was pursuing pearls. He found his pearl of great price at the end of a diligent search for valuable pearls. There are men who find the gospel in this manner as well. Lydia learned the gospel while assembled by the banks of a river in the worship of God (Acts 16:14-15). Cornelius was taught the gospel after diligently pursuing prayer, good works, and other acts of devotion to the Lord (Acts 10:1-2). The Bereans sought and searched diligently to be sure that the things which they were taught were so (Acts 17:11). These men were searching for the truth and recognized it when they found it.

There are men like that who find the gospel today. Some of them have wandered in and out of several denominations. Some of them put us to shame in the good deeds which they have done. In their searching for the truth, they come into contact with the gospel of Jesus Christ, recognize it for what it is, and give up everything necessary in order to obtain it.

The Effort To Obtain The Treasure And The Pearl

The parables are similar in demonstrating the effort which each man made to obtain his respective treasure. The two men in the parables are alike in two respects: they know a very valuable thing when they see it, and they are willing to pay the highest price in order to secure it. The attitude of both men was to make the discovered treasure their own at whatever price it cost them. Each sold all that he had in order to obtain his treasure. The man who discovered the treasure was beside himself with joy at having found the treasure. Neither man begrudged what he had to give up to obtain his treasure. Each man thought that his treasure was worth more than the things which he gave up to obtain it.

In order to obtain the gospel treasure or the pearl of great price, men have had to be willing to pay the price. Moses gave up all of the riches, political power, and fame of Egypt in order to be identified with the Christ (Heb. 11:24-25). Paul had to give up his position in the Jewish religion in order to become a Christian (Phil. 3:4-11). The rich young ruler was called upon to sell all that he had and give it to the poor in order to be Christ’s disciple (Matt. 19:16-22). Some men have had to sacrifice their families in order to be faithful to Jesus (Lk. 14:26). Other men have had to sacrifice life itself for Christ (Acts 7:54-8: 1; Acts 12:1-3; Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). Yet, these men gave their lives joyfully because they valued the kingdom of heaven as being of more value than life itself.

“We are inclined to say that a person who discovers treasure anywhere or in any form and then walks away from it is a fool. But many do that with the gospel” (James Montgomery Boice, The Parables of Jesus, p. 32).

What we commonly find is that the kingdom of heaven is not so esteemed. “We see men hesitating to part with anything for it, looking at it as a sad alternative, as a resort to which they must perhaps betake themselves when too old to enjoy life any longer, as what they have to come to when all the real joy and intensity of life are gone, but. not as that on which life itself can be spent. Entrance into the kingdom of heaven is looked upon much as entrance into the fortified town is viewed by the rural population. It may be necessary in time of danger, but they will think with longing of the fields and homesteads they must abandon; it is by constraint, not from love, that they make the change. In short, it is plain that men generally do not reckon the kingdom of heaven to be of such value that they sacrifice everything else for its sake” (Marcus Dods, The Parables Of Our Lord, p. 104).

The fact remains that, in the minds of most people, the gospel is not worth nearly so much as the treasures of this life. Consequently, when they come into contact with the gospel, they have to be exhorted and beseeched to make them give up anything to obey the gospel. Churches are filled with “Christians” who are unwilling to weather three drops of rain to attend worship services, who would think nothing of missing an evening worship service to watch a ball game or attend a game, who never find time to read their Bibles, and who pray very little on a day-to-day basis. The problem is that the gospel or the kingdom of heaven is not considered by them to be a treasure worth much of anything at all.

When sacrifices are made in order to “put Jesus first,” the sacrifices are made amidst groanings and complaints. What is sacrificed is done with a sour-puss attitude and disposition which is attractive to no one — not even to their own children who frequently grow up with this mistaken concept of Christianity and turn away from it, being repulsed by it. Christianity which makes a man miserable is not worth much to its owner.

Merchants who go from one end of the earth to the other, and venture everything in search of worldly gain, may well put to shame many Christians who care so little for the Lord, and their own salvation.

Conclusion

“The idea embodied in the parable is to this effect: the Messianic Kingdom, as being the most valuable of all possessions, can become ours only on condition that we are prepared joyfully to surrender for its sake every other earthly treasure” (H.A.W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Hand-Book To The Gospel Of Matthew, p. 262). To adorn the body with pearls, but to forget the pearl of great price will bring one to shame in the day of judgment. What is your disposition toward the kingdom of heaven? Do you truly consider it to be a treasure or pearl of great price for which you are willing to surrender everything else in the world?

— Via Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 4, pp. 98, 114-115, February 16, 1984, https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume28/GOT028051.html

——————–

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

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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.)