Month: September 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) Where Love Is in the Home (Bryan Gibson)
2) How To Be Happy (Ken Weliever)
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Where Love Is in the Home

Bryan Gibson

Years ago, I remember hearing our brother in Christ, R.J. Stevens, along with some other men, singing a hymn entitled, “Where Love is in the Home.” It was written by Joe Parks, and the first line helps us to see what the song is all about: “Where love is in the home there’s happiness…” Not just happiness, but a whole lot of other good things, too, and this song details at least some of them.

The love of which this song speaks is not what the world typically defines as love; it’s the love rooted in the very character of God. 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” When both husband and wife have been born of God and know God, they will know love in its highest form. So, when this love is in the home, what else should we expect to find?

Where love is in the home, there’s strength, or stability, an element sadly missing in so many homes. Think about what is often said in traditional vows: “For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health…” These vows anticipate times of adversity, right? Ecclesiastes 7:14 speaks of a “day of prosperity” and a “day of adversity,” and says “God has appointed the one as well as the other.” How does love, then, behave in times of adversity? “Love bears all things…endures all things…love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:7-8). Think of the strength, the stability you can have in the home when the two at the forefront are both saying this: “My love, it’s here for the duration; come what may, it’s not going anywhere.”

Where love is in the home, there’s peace. Understand, there can’t be peace with one another unless there is first peace with God. One is designed by God to be a byproduct of the other. But in terms of peace with one another, think of that great command in 1 Peter 1:22, “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” Pure love means it’s free from impurities or contaminants, some of which would greatly disturb peace in the home. Think of the peace you can have when love is free from selfishness, and free from other fruits of selfishness, like envy, and bitterness, and vengefulness. Take those impurities out and here’s what love look likes in the home: “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…” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). Where you have THAT love in the home, there is peace.

Where love is in the home, there’s joy. We rejoice in God’s great love for us, right, so why wouldn’t we rejoice when we experience that same kind of love from one another? And that joy is not just in receiving it, but in giving it. One of God’s greatest blessings to us is the capacity to love, to love fervently, deeply, to love as Christ loved us. Yes, to be on the receiving end is pretty awesome, but Jesus did say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Where love is in the home, there’s truth. Marriage ceremonies often quote the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:6: “What God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus, of course, was speaking about husband and wife. But God has also joined together truth and love, and we best not try to separate them, because neither can be what it ought to be without the other (2 John 1:1-6). Love “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). What a beautiful thing indeed when you can see in a home an uncompromising stand for the truth.

Where love is in the home, it’s a beautiful thing.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, September 20, 2023
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How To Be Happy

Ken Weliever

Today is “National I Want You To Be Happy Day.” At least the calendar of weird and obscure holidays says so.

I chuckled a bit when I read it. (Hmm, I guess it’s working). But I thought of Abraham Lincoln’s thought-provoking insight, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

We live in a world obsessed with happiness. There are thousands of books on Amazon advertising how to be happy. Among them are “The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People.” “The 18 Rules of Happiness.” “9 Habits of Maximum Happiness.” “How to be Happy, or at least less Sad.”

In their excellent book, “Happiness is a Choice,” Drs. Frank Minirth and Paul Meier, observed that many are looking for happiness and seeking inner peace in the wrong places. “They seek for happiness in materialism and do not find it. They seek for joy in sexual prowess but end up with fleeting pleasures and bitter long-term disappointments. They seek inner fulfillment by obtaining positions of power in corporations, in governments, or even in their own families (by exerting excessive control), but they remain unfulfilled.”

The Bible has a good bit of advice about happiness that is applicable to the 21st century. Consider these three starting points.

(1) Real happiness begins with God. “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord” (Ps 144:15). Since God made man, He knows what makes him tick. What he needs. How he can enjoy life to its fullest. A genuine relationship with the Lord is the right starting place.

(2) Wisdom produces happiness. In Proverbs 3:13-18, the wise man expressed it this way:

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

Read those words again. Let them sink in. Wisdom is better than silver or gold? Wisdom is more precious than rubies and riches? Wisdom produces pleasantness and peace? Wisdom brings happiness? Yes. Yes. And yes!

(3) Happiness comes when we trust and obey. “He who heeds the word wisely will find good,” observed Solomon, “And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he” (Prov. 16:20).

There’s an old song by the 19th-century hymnist, John Sammis whose refrain repeats this truth.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

I believe that the Biblical definition of happiness leads to something even better–real joy. The joy of the Lord. The joy of faith. Joy in the Holy Spirit. And the joy of salvation. The Bible speaks of this kind of joy 158 times. The word “joy” is closely connected to “grace.” It is that which bestows or occasions pleasure or delight. Grace comes from God. And when you obey God you experience joy.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15:11)

Paul penned, “the fruit of the Spirit is joy” (Gal. 5:22).

And it is this joy that can sustain us even in times of trial and support us during days of suffering (Jas 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:13).

Actually, happiness is a by-product and not the goal. When we are seeking God, growing in wisdom, obeying His Word and trusting His guidance, we will find inner joy, peace of mind, and contentment of spirit.

– Via The Preacher’s Word, March 3, 2022

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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) The Providence of God in the Life of Ezra (Bryan Gibson)
2) The Zeal of Jesus (Heath Rogers)
3) Sword Tips #161 (Joe R. Price)
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The Providence of God in the Life of Ezra

Bryan Gibson

For an Israelite who lived under the law of Moses, no finer words could be said of a man than were said of this man: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

In the 7th year of King Artaxerxes (ca. 458 B.C.), Ezra led a group of Jews on a four month journey from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:6-9). About 1700 men took this trip, along with their families (Ezra 8:1-20). That God helped them on this journey is indicated by the repeated use of the phrase, “the hand of the LORD,” and other slight variations (7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31). Here are three specific ways God helped Ezra and his fellow-Israelites:

God helped provide them servants for the house of God (Ezra 8:15-20). Ezra noticed that among the group set to return there were no sons of Levi, and so he commanded certain men “that they should bring us servants for the house of our God” (Ezra 8:17). Servants were brought, and while human effort was certainly involved, Ezra attributes this provision to “the good hand of our God upon us” (Ezra 8:18).

God guided them on their journey to Jerusalem and protected them from harm. Traveling without an armed escort, they prayed to God for help and protection, and He answered their prayer (8:21-23). “And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road” (8:31).

We don’t know all the means He used, but in some way God influenced King Artaxerxes to provide the Israelites all the assistance they needed for this journey—and then some (7:6, 11-26). Ezra petitioned the king, and “the king granted him all his request, according to the good hand of the Lord upon him” (7:6). Here are some highlights of the king’s decree, issued in response to Ezra’s request:

Any Israelite who wants to go with Ezra, you’re free to go (7:13).

For all you need to make sacrifices at the temple—here’s a “blank check” (7:14-22).

Whatever God commands to be done for His house, let it be done (7:23).

No tax will be imposed on those who work at the house of God (7:24).

Appoint magistrates and judges who know the law of God to rule over you, and for those who don’t know the law of God, make sure you teach them (7:25).

Punish severely those who do not observe the law of God or the law of the king (7:26).

And what was Ezra’s reaction to these amazing concessions from the king? “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, and has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes.’ So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me” (7:27-28).

When I read the Book of Ezra, especially chapters 7-10, I’m impressed with Ezra, but I’m even more impressed with God. I want the “good hand of our God” to be upon me, too; but for that to happen, I need to become more like Ezra—I need to prepare my heart to learn the will of God, obey the will of God, teach the will of God, and pray fervently to God.

Remember what they said to the king, when they were ashamed to ask for an escort: “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him” (8:22).

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, August 7, 2023
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The Zeal of Jesus

Heath Rogers

In just three and a half years, Jesus accomplished the greatest work ever done. He preached the gospel of the kingdom throughout Galilee. He did mighty works that proved He was the Son of God. He trained the 12 apostles. He offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus completed these amazing tasks because of His incredible work ethic, a work ethic driven by great zeal.

Jesus began at an early age. When He was 12 years old, His parents searched for and found Him in the temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions. When questioned about this, Jesus responded, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Jesus’ zeal is seen at the beginning of His earthly ministry (Mark 1:35-39). Knowing His days would be busy, He made it a habit to awaken early in the morning and find a secluded place to be alone with the Father in prayer. After preaching the gospel in one place, He made it His aim to go to other towns. “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43).

Statements Jesus made during His ministry reveal His zeal for the Father’s work.

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Jesus was hungry and tired when He encountered the Samaritan woman at the well (vv. 6, 8, 31-33). Despite these circumstances, He took time to initiate a life-changing conversation with her and help her come to a point of faith. He stirred up her zeal (vv. 28-29). Jesus came to finish the work the Father gave Him. The opportunity to reach this soul presented itself, and it wouldn’t wait (v. 35). How many times have we allowed opportunities to slip by because they conflicted with our schedules?

“I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). As our Lord’s ministry grew, so did His conflicts with those who opposed Him. He knew enemies were plotting against Him and that such efforts would eventually end in His death. Despite what the Jewish leaders thought and/or said, Jesus never backed down. He made it His aim to always do the things that pleased His Father. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). Are we always seeking to do the things that please God?

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Jesus and His disciples were escaping some Jews who were seeking to stone Him when they encountered a man born blind (John 8:59-9:3). The disciples asked about the man’s condition, and Jesus took the time to heal him. The Lord had a sense of urgency regarding the completion of His work. It had to be done because of the rapid approach of a time when no work could be done. Do we serve the Lord with a sense of urgency, or do we believe there will be plenty of time later?

“It is finished!” (John 19:30). Jesus died at the age of 33. With His dying breath, He could honestly say He had fulfilled His purpose. He had completed His Father’s will for His life. He worked right up to the very end. “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). Most of us will probably leave this world knowing we could have done more to serve and glorify God. Will we be motivated by our Lord’s example and work until the end?

Conclusion: Jesus showed great zeal in His work. It was motivated by His love for the Father and commitment to finish His task. Jesus did not come to earth to be served as a King. He came on a rescue mission. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). This work was urgent.

Jesus is our perfect example in all things. He shows us exactly how to please the Father. We need to develop Christ-like zeal for God’s work and honor.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, September 2023
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)

SWORD TIPS #161

Joe R. Price

“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” (Proverbs 29:11)

It is not wise to “lead with your emotions.” Our feelings can blind us and lead us down paths we later wish we had never traveled. Restrain your emotions and do not be rash with your words. Solomon went on to observe that there is more hope for a fool than for the person who speaks before he thinks (Prov. 29:20). Self-control is much wiser than “venting” your emotions. Words spoken in frustration, anger or hate, for example, can never be retrieved. The damage is done. How much better to be wise and control yourself so you will not have to say, “I regret having said that!”
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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.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1) Precious Kingdom, Precious King (Bryan Gibson)
2) The Christian’s Inheritance (Heath Rogers)
3) Sword Tips #27 (Joe R. Price)
4) John 8:31-32 (NASB)
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 -1-

Precious Kingdom, Precious King

Bryan Gibson

The kingdom of heaven is so valuable, so precious, that we should be willing to pay any price to be a citizen of it (Matthew 13:44-46; 11:7-11).

What is it that makes this kingdom so valuable? And why is it such a great thing to be in this kingdom? Clearly, it’s not the subjects of the King that make it so precious; it’s the King Himself. This kingdom is great, primarily because it has a great King. And here’s why Jesus is such a great King.

This King is King of all kings, Ruler of all rulers,Lord of all lords. “All authority” belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), which puts Him “far above all principality and power and might and dominion…” (Ephesians 1:20-21). This kingdom “cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28), “shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44), because its King has the power to squash any threat to His kingdom (Revelation 11:15; 17:14; 19:15-16). You won’t ever find a more secure place than the kingdom of Christ.

Despite the absolute authority He possesses, this King is still a servant of His people. He served us by dying for us (Matthew 20:25-28), and He continues to serve us—as our High Priest, by interceding for us before God (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25); and as our Shepherd, by leading us, feeding us, and protecting us (Psalms 23; John 10:27; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4; Revelation 7:17). No one cares for His subjects like Jesus does.

This King will never lead us astray, because He rules with righteousness and justice, mercy and truth (Psalms 89:14; Jeremiah 23:5; Hebrews 1:8). None of His policies or laws will ever fail us; we can do everything He says with full confidence that it’s right and beneficial to all.

This King shares His wealth with His subjects, unlike other kings, who often live in splendor while their subjects live in poverty. This King even became poor so that we could be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). And just how rich did He make us? We have a vast storehouse of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3); we enjoy redemption and forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:8-9); we experience the kind of joy, peace, and contentment that cannot be found elsewhere (John 14:27; 16:20-22; Philippians 4:10-13); and we can look forward to living forever in the most wonderful place imaginable (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:4, 23, 27).

This King offers the same blessings and benefits to all, regardless of gender, nationality, social status, etc. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Of those who submit to Him, no one gets the crumbs or the leftovers; and no one is treated as a second class citizen, because this King “is rich to all who call upon Him” (Romans 10:13).

From the King Himself: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11). And now (at least in part) we know why.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, August 12, 2023
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The Christian’s Inheritance

Heath Rogers

Peter wrote his first epistle to Christians who were suffering for their faith. Such suffering is one of Satan’s efforts to get us to give up on the Lord, deny our faith, and lose our souls. The purpose of this epistle is to encourage faithfulness in the face of suffering.

The letter begins with a reminder of one of the greatest blessings found in Christ – we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3). This living hope is important to us. It is our anchor (Heb. 6:19). It has the power to sustain us in our sufferings.

Peter continues, “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (v. 4). The object of our living hope is the great inheritance that awaits us if we are faithful. Let’s consider the three descriptive phrases used by Peter.

1. Incorruptible. Translated from the Greek word aphthartos which means imperishable, not liable to corruption or decay. The treasures we can inherit and lay up for ourselves in this world are subject to decay and corruption – “where moth and rust destroy” (Matt. 6:19-20). Physical items I have inherited from my grandparents show the wear of age. The great monuments of the world, which were built to endure the ages, show the wear and tear of the passing of time.

Heaven is a spiritual existence. It does not consist of atoms that slow down and break down with the passing of time. It can’t wear out or be destroyed.

2. Undefiled. From the Greek word amiantos meaning unsoiled or free from contamination. It is taken from a word meaning to dye or stain with another color. We live in a world that places a premium on things that are free from contamination – preferring pure water, air, and food. Our heavenly inheritance contains no pollution or contamination. “It is free of all that would render it undesirable or soiled” (Hamilton 15).

John described the purity of the heavenly city with the following words. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27). Heaven doesn’t have a city dump. There isn’t anything there that needs to be taken out and burned or buried. It may be hard for us to imagine, but we can certainly see the appeal of an existence that is completely undefiled.

3. Does Not Fade Away. From the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading or perennial. Things of beauty can lose their attractiveness and appeal over time. A flower is beautiful when it first blooms, but the petals begin to wilt in a matter of days. The smooth skin of a newborn baby eventually becomes coarse and wrinkled with age. Colored photos lose their tint over time. The perfectly glossed finish of a new guitar will become nicked, worn, and dull with use. This is expected here on earth, but this will never happen to the things that make heaven beautiful.

It has been said that familiarity breeds contempt. I grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. It is very beautiful there, but I never thought much of it when I was growing up because I saw it every day. I remember hearing visitors say things like, “You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.” Like a typical teenager, I would say to myself, “Whatever.” This will not happen with our heavenly inheritance. Not only is heaven eternal – it is also eternally new. Heaven will never lose its original beauty, brightness, or shine. The awe, wonder, and amazement that we experience when we first enter heaven will never go away! We will never get bored with heaven or take it for granted.

“Imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (ESV). This is what is being reserved for us. Don’t lose faith. Heaven really will be worth it all.

— via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2023
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)

Sword Tips #27

Joe R. Price                                         

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

In this age of moral relativism we are bombarded with the same sort of foolishness and folly as Isaiah saw in his day.

There is evil in this world – and it must not be confused with what is good! It is a great deception to say there are no moral absolutes in our world.

Commit yourself to the truth (Jesus defined truth as God’s word, Jno. 17:17).

Sin is real, and it brings pain, sorrow and death. See it for what it is.

Furthermore, know the truth; it will make you free.

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-4-

John 8:31-32

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

— NASB

——————–

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).
 
2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

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

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

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

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

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

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents:

1) Humility Test (Bryan Gibson)

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Humility Test

Bryan Gibson   

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord” (James 4:10). “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). Humility is not optional, not if we want to please God and go to heaven. But exactly what is humility, and how does it manifest itself in our lives? How can we tell if we’re truly humble?

Understand, it’s not just making a few self-effacing remarks from time to time (“You know I’m not the smartest person in the world”; “I’m still working on myself, because I know I’ve got a long way to go”). Nothing wrong with these remarks, if said sincerely, but true humility is much more. It’s exhibited in real life situations—in one’s attitudes and actions—especially in situations that really test one’s humility.

So let’s do this—let’s take a humility test and see how we do. These questions may sound familiar if you’ve read Sewell Hall’s excellent book, “Hallmarks,” (page 267). I’ve taken some of his questions, expanded on them some, and added several more. We’ll need to do this over several articles, which is okay, because this subject deserves that much attention. Let’s make sure we give honest answers; it’s the only way to know if we have truly humbled ourselves in the sight of the Lord.

1. Do I ever question the righteousness of God’s actions (or inactions)? Job did, but he learned better: “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know…therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:3, 6). The Psalmist said, “My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness all day long” (Psalms 71:24)—it’s awful hard to do that and question Him at the same time.

2. Do I question the reasonableness of any commandment given by God? Maybe I don’t actually say it’s unreasonable, but if I neglect to keep it on the same basis, or reshape it to make it more “reasonable,” haven’t I “said” the same thing? For me to question the reasonableness of God’s commandments is to question both His righteousness (“the entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endure forever”—Psalms 119:160) and His love (“the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes…for our good always”—Deuteronomy 6:24).

3. Do I ever think in terms of what God owes me, or what I deserve from Him? “Who has preceded Me (“given to Me”—NAS) that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is mine” (Job 41:11). How humbling is that—to know that God doesn’t owe me anything, that to whatever degree I feel entitled or deserving, I couldn’t be more wrong. It’s humbling, but it’s also liberating, because I’m no longer burdened with thoughts of what God should do. Free from those thoughts, I can now express humble gratitude for every single day God gives me, and for every single blessing He bestows on me, including my soul’s salvation.

4. Do I take for granted what others do for me, or give me, or do I always express thanks? The extent to which they help me, the size of the gift, etc.—none of that matters. Am I thankful for each and every gesture of kindness, no matter how large or small? Paul sure was, for the many ways in which many people served him and the gospel—people like Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30), Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-4), Timothy and Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6-7; Philippians 2:19-20), just to name a few. Make no mistake about it; humility and a deep sense of appreciation go hand in hand.

5. In my marriage, which concerns me most—what my spouse does for me, or what I do for my spouse? Do I esteem my spouse better than myself—have I become her servant? (Philippians 2:3). Have I become too busy looking out for my own interests that I’ve neglected my spouse’s? (Philippians 2:4). I know what Christ gave up to look out for my interests (Philippians 2:5-8)—what do I give up for my spouse? And what about my brethren in Christ—am I waiting for them to do for me, or I am too busy doing for them?

6. Do I ever look with contempt or disdain on others due to their race, their less than stellar background, their lack of intelligence, poverty, ignorance, etc.? Are there people I consider “beneath me”? Job was held in high esteem, at least before he suffered so greatly, but look at the manner in which he spoke of his servants: “Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?” (Job 31:15). “Showing all humility to all men”—that’s what the Lord teaches us to do, for this important reason: “for we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:2-3).

7. Do I ever try to impress others with my superiority over them? Do I boast of my good works, my wealth, my education, or any other accomplishment? Or, do I perhaps try to do the same through my children? Could there possibly be some smugness in my speech and behavior toward others? Bottom line, is my speech and behavior consistent with the One who described Himself as “meek and lowly” (Matthew 11:29)?

8. Do I consider any act of service beneath my dignity? Do I consider myself too important to do “less important” things? Would I wash feet, or anything comparable to that? “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). A cup of cold water—doesn’t sound like much, but hear Jesus: “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). To keep a local church functioning properly, a number of “mundane” things have to be done. Can the Lord, and my brethren, count on me?

9. Am I as eager to serve when I’m NOT seen as when I AM seen? “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3-4). Which do I desire more, the honor of men, or the honor of God? (John 5:44). Quiet, humble service—the kind that receives little or no recognition from other people—am I okay with that? And another closely related question—am I as eager to serve those who can’t pay me back as those who can? “When you give a dinner…do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12-14).

10. Do I rejoice in the honors and accomplishments of others, or do I envy? “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). The second part typically comes much easier to us, but the first part, the rejoicing part—well, that can sometimes be a different story. When others have reason to rejoice, do I feel the need to “one up” them? Or, do I ever feel the need to “block” their moment in the sun, to do or say something that might diminish their good news? If any of this sounds even vaguely familiar to me, then I’ve got serious work to do.

11. Am I sensitive and easily offended, especially when it comes to advice or correction in spiritual matters? Am I that person everyone talks about, the one around whom everyone must “walk on egg shells”? If that’s me, eventually most people will give up on me—they’ll no longer give me the advice or the correction I so desperately need. Here’s the humble approach: “Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it” (Psalms 141:5). What we call thin-skinned is really self-centered.

12. Do I enjoy holding a grudge, or do I have the same spirit as my Savior? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). What if they DO know what they do—is it okay then? It’s awful hard to be “ready to forgive” (Psalms 86:5) and hold a grudge at the same time. If I continue to be upset over something said or done to me, it must mean I haven’t died—“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20). Indeed, Christ did live in Paul, because his spirit toward those who wronged him was the very same as his Savior’s: “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them” (2 Timothy 4:16).

13. Do I have any trouble saying, “I’m sorry”? It may be that I forgive easily, because at least in that situation, I’ve got the “upper hand.” But, when I’m the one in the wrong, the right words, the right attitude, may not come as easily. “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). “I’m sorry” is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength, the kind of strength which comes from true humility.

14. Do I listen to those older and wiser than me—those who are more experienced and mature in the faith? “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding” (Job 12:12). Yes, there are exceptions to this “rule,” but generally speaking, the older folks have a lot to offer—if we’ll just listen. King Rehoboam sure wishes he had (1 Kings 12:6-11).

“You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down” (2 Samuel 22:28).

— via Plain Words from God’s Word, August 31, 2023  

(This article was originally in three parts at Bryan’s Facebook site, but have all been combined for this bulletin.)
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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.)