Month: May 2023

“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) “I AM” (Kyle Pope)
2) Gentleness (Jesse A. Flowers)
3) Romans 5:6-8 (NASB)
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“I AM”

Kyle Pope

When the Lord manifested Himself to Moses, the future lawgiver asked God a question—“When I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” (Exod. 3:13, NKJV). In response to this the Lord declared, “‘I AM WHO I AM’. . . Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exod. 3:14). This name declared something profound about the nature of God; He is not one who has been or one who will be. Rather, He simply is—self-existent, eternal, and ever-present.

Jesus in the New Testament declares His own Deity with the same designation. In John 8:58 Jesus declared, “before Abraham was I AM.” There are seven times in the New Testament when Jesus declares more about His nature with the same designation. Consider these passages:

“I Am the Bread of Life”—At least four times in the sixth chapter of the book of John Jesus makes this statement. The first comes in verse 35. Jesus says, “. . . I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” With this Jesus declares His power to sustain human life. What man needs to live is not just material nutrients, but spiritual nutrition. The next comes in verse 41. Jesus declares, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” This shows two things about Jesus: 1.) He was from heaven, 2.) He, like the manna given to the Israelites in the wilderness, was what God has given man to provide for his needs. In the third instance in verse 48, right after declaring this, Jesus clearly makes the second point. If only men could realize this truth, how full the Lord’s Kingdom would be and how pleasant this world would be. In a fourth instance, Jesus adds a qualifying adjective. He proclaims, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (vs. 51). Unlike the manna that decayed if not gathered, Jesus did not decay even in the face of death. This suggests that the ability of Christ to fill the hunger of the soul is greater than any material bread provides. Those who ate manna died. Yet, the one who comes to Jesus in faith and obedience, feasting upon His word (see vs. 63), will live forever.

“I Am the Light of the World”—In John 8 Jesus offers another “I Am” declaration. In verse 12 He says, “I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Just as Jesus offers us spiritual food, He also offers spiritual guidance. Man dwells in spiritual darkness desperately in need of light. Jesus through His word gives this light.

“I Am the Good Shepherd”—Frequently in Scripture God’s people are pictured as sheep in need of a Shepherd. The shepherd not only feeds and guides the sheep, but also protects them from the dangers of thieves and wild beasts. In John chapter 10, Jesus asserts Himself as the Shepherd of God’s people. In verse 11 Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Three verses later He says again, “I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (vs. 14). This world has many dangers. There are thieves that would try to take us away from God. There are beasts that would devour us with sin and falsehood. Only by relying upon the Good Shepherd are we safe.

“I Am the Vine”—Jesus declares in John chapter 15, verse 5—“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much Fruit: For without Me you can do nothing.” It must have been most tempting to the Jews of the First Century to think of Judaism as the “vine” to which all faith should cling. It is very tempting to religious people today to think that any religious group that calls themselves “Christian” adheres to the vine. Jesus asserts in verses one and two, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” Verse 6 adds—“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they shall gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” The next verse tells us that abiding in Christ means keeping His word. What must be realized is that if people in this age claim to be in Christ and yet do not keep within the word of God, they are either already “cast out” or run the danger of being cast out unless repentance takes place. They are not clinging to the “true vine.”

“I Am the Way”—“I Am the Door of the Sheep”—In John chapter 14, Jesus tells His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). In the midst of His discussion regarding Himself as the “Good Shepherd” He declared in John 10:7—“Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” Two verses later He adds, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (10:9). These words teach us some very important points. How is it that man may have a home with God the Father? Through Jesus. If we want to be a part of God’s flock, how do we gain access into the flock? Through Jesus. How can we have salvation from sins and eternal life with God? Through Jesus. If only the world would understand this. All roads do not lead to heaven. All faiths are not the same. All saviors are not equally true. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only way to salvation in this age.

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”—A final declaration is found in John 11:25. Jesus had come to Bethany where His friend Lazarus lay dead. He was met by Martha, Lazarus’ sister. In anguish she declared to Jesus—“…Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you” (John 11:21-22). She was absolutely right. That very day God through Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus’ “I Am” declaration came just three verses after Martha’s declaration of her faith in Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). More than just being able to raise a man from death only to die again, Jesus is the means to escape the one thing to which all souls are subject—death. In Christ the faithful soul will one day rise from death to live forever with God. What a glorious Savior is Christ the Lord! 

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 16 (April 16, 2023)
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Gentleness

Jesse A. Flowers

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5).

How often do we really think about the need for gentleness in our lives? If we’re being honest, probably not very often. But gentleness is to be a godly characteristic that is possessed and practiced by every professing Christian. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). It is an indicator that we manifest the wisdom that is from above (James 3:17). It is something that we are to be pursuing (1 Timothy 6:11). It is a quality that is instrumental and essential in converting the lost (2 Timothy 2:24-26) and restoring brethren who are overtaken in any trespass (Galatians 6:1). And here in Philippians 4:5, the inspired apostle tells saints that our gentleness is to be evident to all whom we encounter. But is it? Do we speak to and treat our spouse and children with gentleness or harshness? Do we demonstrate a sweetness of disposition to our brethren? And do our interactions with non-Christians manifest a tenderness and calmness?

Gentleness does not mean that we are weak. On the contrary, it is an indication of great strength and maturity. It is something that is sorely missing in our world, but a vital attribute that you and I must possess if we are to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called (Ephesians 4:1-3). One reason that so many were drawn to Jesus was because of His gentleness. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

One very important way to imitate our Savior and to draw others unto Him, is by letting our gentleness be known to all men!

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, May 2023
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Romans 5:6-8

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (NASB).
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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.)

“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) “Not Dead, But Sleeping” (Kyle Pope)
2) Sword Tips #13 (Joe R. Price)
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“Not Dead, But Sleeping”

Kyle Pope

While Jesus was upon the earth the gospel of Matthew records a powerful statement He made just prior to raising a young girl from the dead. Her father came to Jesus declaring, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live” (Matt. 9:18, NKJV). As Jesus went to the house where the little girl’s body lay there was a crowd of people mourning for her. The text tells us, “He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him” (Matt. 9:24). A profound doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is articulated with these words. Jesus teaches us that death is not the end—it is merely sleep.

This truth runs throughout Scripture, but it is especially clear in Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. Near the end of the epistle Paul writes, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). Like the crowd mourning the little girl, death brings sorrow to the family and friends of those who pass away. But like Jesus, Paul says those who die are not gone—they have simply “fallen asleep.” Is Paul speaking metaphorically? Is he talking about sleep in some spiritual sense? No. The next verse connects it with Jesus’ death and resurrection. He writes, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14). Paul says the physical death and bodily resurrection of Jesus served as evidence that informs us about our own nature. The fact that He lived again after death foreshadows the promise that when He returns He will “bring with Him” those described as those who “sleep in Jesus.”

Again, Paul isn’t talking about some spiritual “sleep.” This is contrasted with those who are physically alive. Paul continues, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep” (1 Thess. 4:15). Those who “are asleep” are not those who are physically “alive and remain”—those who “sleep in Jesus” have died physically. Will they miss out on the blessings of the Lord’s return? No. When Jesus returns the dead will return also. But, in what sense will Christ bring them “with Him” when He returns? Paul continues, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16). The “dead in Christ” are those who “sleep in Jesus.” How will He bring them “with Him” when He comes? They will “rise first.” Is Paul talking about some type of spiritual resurrection? No. Nothing about Jesus’ physical death and bodily resurrection relate to a spiritual resurrection or simply the revival of a cause. Paul, like Jesus, tells the saints in Thessalonica that their brothers and sisters in Christ who have died are “not dead” (in one sense) “but sleeping.”

The dead will not miss out. They are not gone. Their life is not extinguished. Paul continues, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). Those in Christ can look forward to a grand reunion with those who have passed away in Christ. The living, together with the “dead in Christ” who have risen will be “caught up together” to meet the Lord. The Bible doesn’t ever teach a concept of “The Rapture” (as the world teaches it), but at the Lord’s return His people with the resurrected saints will be “caught up” with “them in the air.” This is not describing events before some imagined earthly kingdom. It is not describing our fellowship with one another in the church. When this happens God’s people are promised a time when “we shall always be with the Lord.” In this life we can separate ourselves from fellowship with God at any time we choose to reject Him. That will not be the case in the age to come. Paul ends by urging them to “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18). What a comfort it is to know that though life may pass from our body we need not fear. When it happens we will not be “dead, but sleeping.”

In the next chapter, however, Paul uses the figure of sleep in a different way. After comforting the saints with a lesson on the Lord’s return and our own hope of resurrection he addresses the question of timing. When will all of this happen? He writes, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:2). Jesus used this wording in His discourse with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. After talking to them about the destruction of Jerusalem and His final coming, He warned, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matt. 24:42). He then compares it to a thief coming in the night (Matt. 24:43), concluding, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matt. 24:44). Paul cites the Lord’s very teaching in his words to those in Thessalonica. When will this happen? We don’t know—it’s like the coming of a “thief in the night.” Paul continues, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:3). If we live our life imaging that all is “peace and safety” but never consider our accountability before God we are not following the Lord’s charge to “watch” and “be ready.” Paul urges Christians not to make that mistake. Christians must be “sons of the light” and “sons of the day”—not living “in darkness” lest this day over take us “as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4-5). What are we doing if we don’t heed that advice? What is our condition if we are not ready? Paul writes, “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). In what sense does Paul say in this verse that some “sleep”? Is he talking about physical death? No. This is a charge not to sleep. The sleep of death is not a matter of choice. Paul is talking about those who are living, but who are unwilling to “watch and be sober.” They are not living their lives prepared to stand before God. In their blind unwillingness to be ready for the Lord’s return, they (in a different sense) are “not dead, but sleeping.”

What is your condition today? Perhaps you have avoided thinking about your own mortality not knowing what lies beyond this life. Jesus offers the only source of true comfort and assurance after death. To die in Christ is not a fearful thing. John wrote, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’” (Rev. 14:13). If you are obedient to the gospel you need not fear. If death comes before the Lord’s return you can take comfort in the promise, you will not be “dead, but sleeping.” On the other hand, if you avoid preparing yourself for the Day of Judgment through fear or indifference, you may tell yourself you are truly living while stumbling through life with your eyes closed to its inevitable realities. In such a case you are “not dead, but sleeping” through the moments of life that the Lord has given you to prepare for His return. If so, we urge you “Wake up, O sleeper” don’t linger in the spiritual death of separation from God—“rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Eph. 5:14).

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 20, May 14, 2023
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #13

Joe R. Price                                          

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but 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 Peter 1:13-16)

Holy living is the result of holy thinking. Peter clearly tells us we must set our minds on the blessings we will receive when Jesus returns. By doing so we keep away from the lustful thinking and conduct in which we used to live before we became Christians. This helps us be obedient children who live holy lives.

You have control over your mind. You decide the thoughts, motives and intentions that drive your conduct and define who you are. So today, think about God’s holiness and let that motivate your decision to be holy. Determine to be like God. After all, God is your father. So, choose to be an obedient child. Put away the thinking and desires of the world and set your mind on the eternal life your heavenly father will give you when Jesus returns. This will help you be equipped to live a holy life every day.                            
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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. 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.)

“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) PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE: Examples of Devotion (Matthew Bassford)
2) Sword Tips #12 (Joe R. Price)
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PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE: Examples of Devotion

Matthew Bassford

Synopsis: Biblical examples of devotion challenge us to manifest love and loyalty, constancy and commitment—in worship, in service, and in suffering.
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Introduction

The transition from the old covenant to the new covenant is one of the most dramatic in the Bible, particularly in its implications for worship. Animal sacrifices of the Law of Moses have been replaced with the sacrifice of Christ and the Lord’s Supper under His law. Tithing has been superseded by giving as we are prospered. The instrumental music of the temple cult has given way to speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Nevertheless, these changes in form conceal a continuity in the heart that God wants to see from His worshipers. Decades of Bible-class generalizations to the contrary, even the Old Law never was about checking off worship boxes. Isaiah 1:10-15 reveals the lie to such mischaracterization! Instead, God expected the Israelites to come before Him, not merely with the outwardly correct form, but also with devoted hearts.

Indeed, these two things go together. Whenever anyone insists that their adherence to God’s worship commandments doesn’t matter because their heart is good, we should be deeply skeptical. If your heart is so good, why aren’t you determined to honor God through your obedience?

The converse is also true. If a worshiper only is concerned about form and doesn’t worship with heartfelt commitment, that lack of inward involvement inevitably will erode outward obedience. Tithing mint, dill, and cumin is no substitute for working justice, mercy and faithfulness!

God calls us to be devoted worshipers, inwardly, outwardly, intellectually, and emotionally. The One who has given everything for us expects us to give our all to Him. However, in this pursuit, He does not leave us without guidance. Rather, biblical examples of godly worshipers in all times teach us what devotion looks like.

The Devotion of David

One of the best examples of devoted worship in Scripture is the Israelite king David. Unsurprisingly, the man after God’s own heart revealed a heart for God in the way he praised Him. There are many texts, including half the Psalms, that reveal David’s devotion, but one of the most striking is his great prayer in 2 Samuel 7:18-29.

Contextually, this story begins with David’s misguided determination to build a permanent temple for God. God then uses the prophet Nathan to warn David away from this inappropriate if well-intentioned course (please note, by the way, that devoted worshipers do not continue in unauthorized worship once they realize it is unauthorized). David is not to build a house for God; instead, God will build a house for David. David’s lineage, kingdom, and throne all will endure forever.

This is a big deal! Any student of the Old Testament knows how important having descendants was to God’s old-covenant people. Now David knows that his line never will perish. Of course, this news is better than even David can understand fully (though he understood more than most) because it turns out to be a prophecy that his heir will be the Son of God.

In response to this unanticipated promise, David worships. However, the content of his worship is revealing. To use the language of John 4, he clearly is worshiping in spirit and in truth. He praises God emotionally, but his praise focuses in specific detail on the nature and character of God. He is deeply thankful, but does not express his thankfulness using a dozen repetitive thank-you’s. Instead, he thoughtfully explains why. Even 3000 years later, his prayer remains both enlightening and moving. All of us can say, along with him, “Who am I. . . that you have brought me this far?”

The Devotion of the Apostles

We see similar devotion expressed in the worship of the apostles in Acts 4:23-31. Like David, they are provoked to praise God, not by what God already has done, but by what He has promised. However, unlike David’s situation, their position seems considerably less promising.

The day previously, Peter and John had been doing the Lord’s work, healing the lame man and proclaiming the Christ. However, even though they had broken no laws, their good work led to their arrest, and a night spent in jail. The next morning, the high council of their people calls them to account for their “unauthorized” preaching. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Peter turns the Sanhedrin’s accusation around on them, but the confrontation ends with the same people who had killed Jesus threatening to harm the apostles also.

It is in the face of this threat that the apostles join in worship—exalting God’s power and noting that He had previously predicted the troubles they faced (Ps. 2). Yes, these wicked men killed the Anointed One, but in so doing, they only carried out God’s purpose.

The apostles then pray for boldness, but it is the unspoken rest of Psalm 2 that provides their motivation. In it, David reports that the nations will rise against the Messiah, but He will shatter them with a rod of iron. The Sanhedrin and their Roman overlords may seem menacing, but Christ will ultimately triumph.

The apostles’ behavior highlights another aspect of devotion. Their emotional, content-rich prayer shows that their whole selves are engaged, but they also are wholly focused on God. Their powerful enemies do not concern them. Only His power does. If we are as God-focused in our worship today, He will bless us as surely as He blessed them.

The Devotion of Job

God’s blessing should stir our devotion even when, and perhaps especially when, its presence is not obvious. Starting with the crucifixion of the Lord Himself, the Scripture records many episodes of the suffering of the faithful, but one of the most striking worship responses appears in Job 1:20-22. At this point, Job’s sufferings have not yet been completed, but he already has endured enough to bring any of us to our knees. This same day has seen the destruction not only of his fortune, but also of his children. I know what it’s like to lose one child. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose all ten of them!

However, when Job falls to the ground, he does so in worship. His next words are surely among the most difficult to speak in the entire Bible. He says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Later, Job calls God to account for what has happened to him (and God still does not charge him with sin), but his initial response is magnificent. It shows an incomplete understanding of what has befallen him (though God allowed his suffering, Satan directly caused his misery), but it also reveals a deep connection to God. Through all of Job’s tragedies, the name of the Lord continues to be blessed!

So too, our mind-and-heart connection to God in worship should not be severed by anything that happens to us in our lives, whether good (which is more of a problem than Americans think) or bad. Even on the worst day of our lives, He still deserves our praise, and if we will only seek, we will find all the reasons we need.

Conclusion

Worshiping with devotion is a difficult goal to achieve, but it’s an important one. From the beginning, the God who searches the hearts has wanted the hearts of His people to be lifted up to Him. The greatest heroes of faith are frequently great because of the greatness of their worship. If we too offer our entire selves wholly to God through all of our days, it will transform not only our worship but also our lives.

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 65, No. 10, October 2021                                      

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-10-oct/05_Praise.htm
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #12                                        

Joe R. Price

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Continually be thankful to God! The greatest blessing of all is the victory we have over sin and death through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin has been utterly defeated by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Therefore:

 1) Be thankful today for God’s grace, by which Jesus died for everyone and brought salvation to all who will believe and obey (Heb. 2:9; Titus 2:11).

2) Be thankful today that you have received God’s gift of salvation by your obedient faith to Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 6:17-18).

Death has been utterly defeated by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The empty tomb is a constant memorial to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and that he has complete power over death (Rom. 1:4; Rev. 1:18). Therefore:

1) Be thankful today that death is no longer fearful – Jesus replaced the fear of death with confident hope (Heb. 2:14-15).

2) Be thankful today that death will be your doorway into eternal joy, peace and life (Phil. 1:21).

God gives you no greater blessing than victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ. Praise be to God!
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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 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.)

“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) Resisting the Victim Mentality (Kyle Pope)
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Resisting the Victim Mentality

Kyle Pope

Why do we do certain things? What made us have the strengths or weaknesses we do? If I am not what I should be in some area of life, is it my choice and my responsibility? Or am I helpless to shape my own character, behavior, and disposition?

This world certainly has more than its share of horror stories about souls who have suffered the abuse, mistreatment, disrespect, and exploitation of life circumstances or treatment by others. Living through such pain leaves scars, wounds, and obstacles that may never go away. This can make the path to happiness, healthy attitudes, and righteous living far more elusive for these injured souls than for those who have not endured such nightmares. Far too many people can look back on such a dark history in their lives. These victims deserve our kindness, love, sympathy, gentleness, and patience. The Hebrew writer urges Christians to, “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” (Heb. 12:12-13, NKJV).

Unfortunately, there have been times when our world failed to acknowledge the importance of support for those who have suffered such horrid things. Victims were ignored, abuse was “swept under the rug,” and those who had faced such mistreatment were stigmatized and shamed if they openly acknowledged what they had endured. They were looked down upon if they sought help to overcome what they had been through. While this may still happen at times, the willingness to address these realities is making this neglect less common. Yet, with this increased spotlight on conditions people have had to endure, I fear our world now suffers from another extreme attitude. More and more, it has become fashionable for more and more people to present ourselves to those around us and in our own minds as victims. Has life truly become that much harder? Is there more mistreatment now than in the past? That doesn’t seem to be the case, but even so, in our world there is a growing push for everyone to see themselves as victims.  

Why would people want to be viewed or view themselves as victims?

1. It garners sympathy. We like it when others look at us with care and compassion. If that doesn’t happen under normal conditions, we may come to relish painting ourselves in a light that draws attention, a listening ear, and the sympathetic encouragement that now comes to victims.

2.  It gathers allies. Victims must have those who have victimized them. If we can make others support us and hate those by whom we feel victimized, we don’t have to suffer alone. Although we may not be able to return the mistreatment we have received, if we can turn others against those who have hurt us we can subtly destroy them and make ourselves feel better in the process.

3. It excuses personal responsibility. While even the worst abuse and mistreatment does not excuse wrongdoing, that’s not always how we view things. If my life circumstances are bad enough, or someone else’s behavior towards me has been bad enough, my misdeeds don’t look as bad. If I can see myself as a victim, I can rationalize away things I do that are wrong.

The problem is that when we allow ourselves to adopt this victim mindset it can lead to some unintended consequences.

1. It puts the focus all on us. Was the situation that made us feel abused one-sided? Are we the only one who felt pain? Was there nothing else going on in the world of any importance as we faced this experience? A victim mentality makes us forget everything else around us except how we feel; how things affect us. That can be a selfish, narrow, and shortsighted perspective.

2. It creates warring sides. As allies are gathered to support us, our adversaries are likely doing the same thing. Their allies view us as the enemy and grow to hate those who support us. This makes enemies of those who had nothing to do with the things that originally caused us pain. But it results in spreading our pain to increasing circles of supporters on opposite sides in this escalating conflict.

3. It can lead us to excuse our own behavior. What if I did wrong? What if I had the wrong attitudes or beliefs in a given situation? The victim mindset shuns self-examination. It’s not my fault! Even if I do wrong, it is justified because of what I have been through. Is that sound reasoning? Paul taught that, “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

4. It minimizes the seriousness of worse things that others have suffered. All of us have seen toddlers with a bruised knee act as if their world is coming to an end. We may also have seen the irony of a grandparent, suffering under the pains of arthritis or undergoing chemotherapy for life-threatening cancer kneel to the ground in compassion to comfort the child in tears over such a small hardship. We all recognize in this the “upside-down” picture of things in such a scene. When I treat pains that I have suffered with the same terminology, gravity, and importance that the most horrid victims of life’s circumstances and mistreatment deserve I do them a disservice. I trivialize their pain in order to elevate mine. That is not right, nor is it helpful to anyone involved.

Does the Bible teach us to foster such a victim mindset? If anyone could have allowed such a spirit of victimhood to shape his mindset, it would have been Paul. In answer to those who questioned his status as an apostle, he recounted his suffering. Among other things, he wrote:

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” (2 Cor. 11:24-26).

That’s quite a list! Who of us could write a comparable history? Not many! Yet, amazingly, Paul never allowed himself to see himself as a victim.

First, because he recognized how his sufferings compared to what Christ endured for us. He told the Colossians, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24). What if instead of a victim mentality we chose to see anything we suffer as sharing just a small degree of what Christ went through for us?

Second, he recognized the depth of his sin and the glory of the mercy and hope he had received. He said to the Corinthians that he was “not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor. 15:9). He considered himself the “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), but recognized that he had  “obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Tim. 1:16). We may not have persecuted the church—and I’m not saying we should think that because of our sin we deserve any mistreatment we have endured. But, what if we chose to see any hardship we face (in the present or the past) as “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18b)? That’s how Paul said we should view “the sufferings of the present time” (Rom. 8:18a).

Yes, Paul had enemies, but amazingly he was able to look beyond the bad attitudes others had towards him and consider the cause of Christ above his own discomfort. He told the Philippians:

“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:15-18).

Does that mean we should ignore wrongdoing? No. Jesus taught, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3b). But He began these words by saying, “Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 17:3a).

Does this mean we should never reach out to others for encouragement as we go through trials? No. Paul taught the Corinthians:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

We should support one another. We should encourage one another. But that doesn’t mean we have to announce with a trumpet how bad we have it, how everyone has mistreated us, and how deserving we are of sympathy. God has called us to a better mindset.

Ultimately, we are responsible for ourselves. Even the most reprehensible oppression one must endure does not have to determine who we are, what we do, and how we see our lives. Paul taught, “let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:4-5). Perhaps what you have had to face presents some obstacles to you that are much more challenging than what I have ever faced. I am so sorry! But you have a choice how you will let that shape your life going forward. Will you view yourself as a helpless victim or will you take the reins of who you are, how you will act, and what your life will be from here on out?

The Christian is not a victim, but a conqueror! We once were “slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:6), but in obedience to the gospel of Christ we have been “delivered” (Rom. 6:17) and “set free from sin” (Rom. 6:22). Now, God “leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14). That would lead Paul—the very man we saw who suffered so many things, to write:

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:37-39).

We don’t have to be victims. In Christ, we can be conquerors, an even “more than conquerors.” Thanks be to God!

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 17 (April 23, 2023)

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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 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.)