Month: November 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) Thank You, God (Bryan Gibson)   
2) “With All Your Heart” (Kyle Pope)
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Thank You, God

Bryan Gibson

Thank you, God, for the gift of Your Son, a gift best described as “indescribable” (2 Corinthians 9:15). He loved ME and gave Himself for Me” (Galatians 2:20)–what more can I say?

Thank you, God, for Your grace, which “has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11), which is greater than all my sin (Romans 5:20-21), which is “manifold” (1 Peter 4:10), which is “exceedingly abundant” (1 Timothy 1:14), and which is “multiplied” to me (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2).

Thank you, God, for Your “tender mercy” (Luke 1:78); and for Your “much patience” or “much longsuffering” (Romans 9:22). You keep giving me opportunities to repent and I sincerely thank You for that (2 Timothy 2:24-26; 2 Peter 3:9-10).

Thank you, God, for the spiritual blessings you lavish upon me “in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), blessings like redemption and forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), adoption as a child of God (Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1), fellowship with both the Father and Son (1 John 1:3, 7), peace unlike anything the world can give (John 14:27), the privilege of prayer (Hebrews 2:16-18; 4:14-16; James 5:16), victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 2 Timothy 1:10); and an heir to the most wonderful inheritance I can imagine (Romans 8:16-17; 1 Peter 1:3-4).

Thank you, God, for revealing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:1-5; Acts 13:48), something I can clearly understand if I have the heart of a child (Matthew 11:25).

Thank you, God, for the wonderful plan of salvation revealed in the gospel–for choosing me in Christ, for calling me with your gospel, for saving and sanctifying me, and for promising me the best is yet to come (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Thank you, God, for those with good and honest hearts (Luke 8:15), who welcome Your gospel as the truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and who then gladly obey that same gospel (“God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered”–Romans 6:17). (In other words, my family in Christ).

Thank you, God, for my brothers and sisters in Christ…

1. For the grace given to them (1 Corinthians 1:4).

2. For the gifts/talents/abilities given to them by Your grace (1 Peter 4:10-11).

3. For the way their gifts better equip me to serve You (Ephesians 4:11-13).

4. For how they look out for my well being (1 Corinthians 10:24).

5. For their faith and love (Romans 1:8; 2 Corinthians 8:16; Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Philemon 1:4-5).

6. For their fellowship with me in the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5).

7. For the encouragement, comfort, and joy they continually give me (Acts 28:15; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10; Philemon 1:7).

8. For their generosity (2 Corinthians 9:10-14; Philippians 4:10).

9. For the many sacrifices they make (Romans 16:3-4).

Thank you, God, for the many doors You have opened for me and others to teach the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12-16).

Thank you, God, for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4)–put there by You “for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-7). Thank You, God, that at least in some instances their policies have contributed to peace and prosperity for me and my fellow man (Acts 24:2-3).

Thank you, God, for all my trials, tribulations, sufferings, distresses, infirmities, etc., because they help keep me humble; they make me more dependent on You (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 12:7-10); and they help to produce in me some things that are lacking (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4).

Thank you, God, for giving me food, clothing, shelter, good health, safe travel, and many other things I too often take for granted (Matthew 6:25-33; 15:36; Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6; Philippians 4:18-19; Philemon 1:22; 1 Timothy 4:3-5; 6:8; 3 John 1:1-2).

Thank you, God, for really every good thing in my life (Ephesians 5:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), because I know “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).

Thank you, God, for promising to always be with me (Hebrews 13:5-6), even when I “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalms 23:4).

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word  (This article was originally posted in 3 parts on November 20, 22, 24 for 2023 at Brian’s Facebook site.)
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“With All Your Heart”

Kyle Pope

Mark 12:30 reads—“‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment” (NKJV).  Our world often speaks of acting with “heart,” but unless we are talking health, this usually doesn’t mean the vessel that pumps blood through our body.  Instead, it refers to the seat of our emotion and sensation. We refer to those who pursue their interests as “following their heart.”  The stomach of a hungry man is playfully said to be, “the key to a man’s heart.” This use of the concept of the “heart” is often set in contrast to pure thought and reason. The foolish lover may be said to “follow his heart, but not his head.” The older woman may counsel the young woman to “listen to her head, and not her heart.”

The heart as it is portrayed in Scripture is not independent of thought and reason. Consider a number of passages that illustrate this. As Jesus taught He explained to His disciples why He used parables and why they were not understood. He said—“the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them” (Matt. 13:15). Here Jesus speaks of the heart being able to “understand” but failing to do so.  The heart as Jesus portrays it can grow dull.  When Jesus spoke of defilement, He helped the people understand that defilement is internal. He taught—“out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” In this text it is the “heart” that thinks. Jesus shows that the heart is the birthplace of defilement, in that it produces the types of behavior that defile the body and mind. In the same way, Scripture elsewhere teaches that it is the heart that can become hardened (Matt. 19:8), thus rejecting the rational influence of God’s word.  It is the heart that can doubt (Mark 11:23), thus minimizing the comfort that faith should offer to our thoughts and anxieties.

This is not to suggest that the heart is divorced from emotion.  It is the heart that forgives a person.  At the end of the parable of the unmerciful servant who refused to forgive although he had been forgiven, in speaking of the servant’s punishment Jesus said—“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matt. 18:35). “Heartfelt” forgiveness is not ritual with no substance.  It is genuine.  It is meaningful.  Although it may be “heart-wrenching” it must be sincere.  When Jesus spoke to the scribe about the “first and greatest commandment,” the man  said of the text above—“to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). Jesus said that this man was not far from the kingdom.

Unlike the modern concept of the heart that is separate from reason and thought, the heart as the Bible portrays it “thinks.” When Jesus perceived the disciples arguing about who was the greatest, He was said to know the “thought of their heart” (Luke 9:47).  How the heart focuses its thoughts, affects how the things of God are received.  This, in turn, affects the deeds that one does. The sinner “out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil” (Luke 6:45). The word grows when it is planted in the “noble and good” heart (Luke 8:15). This is what explains conversion.  The proud heart who hears the gospel doubts because his dull, hardened heart will not let it grow.  Yet, humble hearts, which hear the truth, just as those hearts on the day of Pentecost, will be “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and moved to obey the gospel. Paul told the Romans that it is the heart that “believes unto righteousness” (Rom. 10:10). From a Biblical standpoint the rational acceptance of the word of God produces faith.  This is not a faith that comes from imagination or wishful thinking.  While faith is not based upon sight (2 Cor. 5:7), it is wrong to hold that it is based upon nothing. God’s word is its source.  Paul also told the Romans that—“faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

Our love for God must be “with all of our heart.”  So many in our world claim wholehearted love for God, yet walk in sin, harbor ungodly thoughts and attitudes, and allow themselves to maintain ignorance of God’s word.  Let’s never make the mistake of thinking that giving our “heart” to God just means that we have strong emotions for Him.  The “heart” God wants is much more than just our feelings, passions, and emotions. It is that part of us which thinks, believes, forgives, is cut, and is able to motivate us to good works. That is what God demands from us and He will be satisfied with no less.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 44, October 29, 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).
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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 Need for Exhortation (David McClister)   
2) “Strong” Christians? (Bryan Gibson)
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The Need for Exhortation

David McClister

Synopsis: Exhortation is strong encouragement to obey the gospel and be faithful to its inspired message.
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According to the Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich lexicon, the various occurrences of the Greek word that is translated “exhort” in our Bibles can be put into five groups. Our concern here is with one of them, the one that is operative in 2 Timothy 4:2, namely the meaning “to appeal to, to urge, to encourage.” One way to understand a word is to note other terms that are used roughly synonymously with it. So, in 1 Thessalonians 2:11, Paul said “just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you.” The idea of exhorting is to promote or press an idea or action. (In the following quotations from the Bible, I have italicized the English word that represents the Greek term under discussion. Quotations are from the NASB.)

Given the basic meaning of the word, perhaps the first question that arises is “Encourage, urge, or appeal—to do what?” Again, the context reveals the answer. The basic charge to Timothy is “preach the word,” that is the gospel, the word of God. In that context, exhortation is part of, or a way to accomplish, what Paul charged Timothy to do in fulfilling his work as an evangelist. To exhort is to urge someone to follow the gospel, to encourage them to follow the example and teachings of Christ.

As someone once said, exhortation marks the transition from the indicative of the gospel (what the gospel is) to the imperative of the gospel (how we should live). Acts 2:40 captures the essence of it. After Peter preached the gospel, he “kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!'” That is, Peter encouraged them to obey the gospel they had just heard. Paul did the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 4:1: “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.” Ephesians 4:1 has the same idea: “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” In fact, preaching to Christians may consist mainly of exhortation (as the need arises). This is how Paul’s words to the Ephesian and Macedonian Christians are characterized in Acts 20:1-2: “After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece.” That is, Paul encouraged them to faithfulness.

The need for exhortation arises from two fundamental considerations. First, living a Christ-like life, and following His teachings, is easier said than done. We all come short of it in many ways. Living the Christian life is difficult enough, but it would be even more difficult to try to do it alone. This is one reason the Lord has put Christians together in the local church, because we benefit from the strength, examples, and encouragement of each other. Thus the well-known verse: “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). It may take the form of encouraging the fainthearted and helping the weak (1 Thess. 5:14). Exhorting can be of a positive nature, as in 1 Timothy 1:3, where Paul said, “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines.” Even stronger, in 2 Thessalonians 3:12, Paul couples exhorting with commanding. It can also have a negative sense, as in Titus 2:15, which says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. . . These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.” In this sense, exhortation is similar to warning and reproof. Either way, the idea is to urge fellow-Christians to stand in the faith, excel in it, and to persevere. By such encouragement, we help each other be strong in our commitment to the Lord.

This brings us to an important point: Exhorting or encouraging in the New Testament is not simply speaking kind or motivating words to another person, or like giving someone a secular “pep talk.” In the New Testament, exhorting is always on the basis of the word, the gospel, and the relationship with Christ that it creates. God’s word is the source of our encouragement: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Paul also speaks of “encouragement in Christ” (Phil. 2:1). Biblical exhortation is specifically rooted in, and aimed at, the believer’s relationship with God through the gospel. We have not exhorted someone in the biblical sense if we have not mentioned God’s word or their relationship with the Lord Jesus.

The second reason exhortation is needed involves the “big picture” of things. Jesus has come and dealt the death blow to Satan and his kingdom of sin and death. By His death, He has liberated us from our imprisonment to sin (2 Tim. 2:26), and by His resurrection, He has broken the power of death (Heb. 2:14). The outcome for Satan and those who follow him has been determined. There is no way the enemy can win. All that remains is for Jesus to bring us into the final aspect of this great victory when He raises His saints from the dead in the end (1 Cor. 15:50-58). In Paul’s words, the time in which the world lay in darkness has begun to end. The light has now dawned with the victory of Jesus. It will culminate in the full shining of His glory, when the darkness will be fully destroyed. He calls all people now to join Him in His kingdom of light, life, and righteousness.

. . . it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:11-14).

The reason exhortation is needed is because our hope of eternal life with God and Christ is at stake. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to be faithful and strong. To fall from faithfulness is to miss out on the impending, eternal salvation, joy, and heavenly glory that is coming for God’s people. Thus Paul said, “We urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1).

We exhort each other because we love each other. We do not want anyone to fall short of the heavenly rest that God has promised to the faithful (Heb. 4:1). We must always exhort after the example of the meekness and gentleness of Christ Himself (2 Cor. 10:1), but always with a sense of the magnitude, seriousness, and urgency of our situation.

— Via Truth Magazine, August 2021, Volume 65, Number 8
 https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-08-aug/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_04.htm
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“Strong” Christians?

Bryan Gibson

We may look at two Christians and judge one to be strong, the other struggling and weak. God’s assessment may be just the opposite, because in this case the “struggling Christian” has a poor and contrite heart, whereas the “strong” one does not. The “struggling Christian” may not be doing as much good as the “strong” one, and presently may even have a greater struggle with sin, but he knows his condition; he takes correction well; he’s always willing to repent; he humbly seeks forgiveness; and he strives diligently to get better every day. And that’s more than can be said for some “strong” Christians.

“But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).

“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit…”. (Isaiah 57:15).

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalms 34:18).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).   

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, November 13, 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).
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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) Portrait of an Elder (using God’s word) (Bryan Gibson)
2) The Acts 17 Approach to God (Doy Moyer)
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Portrait of an Elder (using God’s words)

Bryan Gibson

It is the Lord’s will that qualified men be appointed elders in every local church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). How does God describe such a man who would serve in this important role?

If he’s an elder, he cannot be a “novice” (NKJ) or a “new convert” (NAS) (1 Timothy 3:6). He has continued in the faith long enough to become “grounded and steadfast” (Colossians 1:23). One danger in appointing someone not well grounded is he could “become puffed up with pride” and “fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).

He is a steward of God’s flock (Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:3), so he must be trustworthy—one who shows both the willingness and ability to handle responsibility (1 Corinthians 4:2; 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Luke 16:10-12), one who understands he will have to give an account of his stewardship (Luke 16:1-2; Hebrews 13:17).

He is further described as a bishop or overseer (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2)—one who watches or looks out for the souls of his brethren (Hebrews 13:17); one who looks out for the good of all (“take heed…to all the flock”—Acts 20:28), and not just himself (Titus 1:7; Philippians 2:3-4). He has a sincere love for his brethren (Philippians 2:20), evidenced by the hospitality he extends to them (1 Timothy 3:2). He lives by the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Described also as a pastor or shepherd (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2), he must have the knowledge and the ability to feed the flock (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 5:2; Jeremiah 3:15). He holds fast to the truth he has learned, refusing to teach or practice anything that is not according to sound doctrine. He is willing and able to refute those who contradict sound doctrine (Titus 1:9-11). He is always alert for any wolves that might destroy the flock (Acts 20:29-31).

He is a ruler (1 Timothy 5:17), one who makes decisions to which others must submit (Hebrews 13:17), so he must be decisive, not wishy-washy. At the same time, he realizes he is not a lord over the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3), but a servant. His decisions, then, are made with the best interests of the entire flock in mind, not just a select few, and certainly not his own.

His ability to lead and care for others is exhibited in his home, where he and his wife have trained their children to be submissive, respectful, and above all, obedient to the Lord (1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6).

He is a humble man, one who readily acknowledges his dependence on God and His word (Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5).

He is temperate, sober, self-controlled (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8), so he is not given to wine (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:3), or to any other vice. His self-control can also been seen in how he deals with others. He doesn’t have to have things his way; he is “willing to yield” (James 3:17). He is strong and even occasionally sharp when he needs to be (Titus 1:14), but his general demeanor is one of gentleness (1 Timothy 3:3). He is not quick-tempered, or quarrelsome, and he is certainly not violent (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). He can be questioned without becoming contentious, and he can disagree without losing his cool (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

He is just and holy (Titus 1:8), so clearly His manner of life is different from the world around him (Romans 12:2). He has learned what the grace of God teaches: “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…” (Titus 2:11-12). When he does sin, he penitently seeks forgiveness, because his goal is to be blameless—in the sight of others, but especially in the sight of God (Titus 2:11-12; Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 John 1:9).

He has his priorities in order. He does not love money or the things of this world (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:3). He loves what is “good” (Titus 1:8)—what will endure. “Laying hold” of eternal life means more to him than laying hold of anything else (1 Timothy 6:10-12).

His faithfulness to the Lord is seen on a daily basis, making him a good example to both Christians and non-Christians alike (1 Peter 5:3; 1 Timothy 3:7).

May God bless us with more and more men just like this.

— Via Plain Words from God’s God, November 6, 2023
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The Acts 17 Approach to God

Doy Moyer

Acts 17 provides a framework for some basic understanding of God. Think especially about the phrase in verse 25: “as though He needed anything.”

In that phrase is found the essence of who God is. God needs nothing more to be complete or to function with the highest possible reason and power. He is not dependent upon anyone or anything else. God claimed to be “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14; cf. John 8:58), which, among other ideas, indicates that He is self-sufficient, self-sustaining, eternal, and needs nothing else to function and thrive. None is greater than He (cf. Heb 6:13). All glory goes to Him.

This highlights what is often thought of as the classical attributes of God. God does not need various parts to function. He doesn’t need to be assembled from the outside, as if there could be any greater who could do that. God is perfect and complete as He is, as He has always been. This may go beyond our ability to grasp, but would we want a God who is less than this? There is something incomprehensible about God, but this is also what makes God so amazing. He is beyond our full grasp, yet He made us, reached out to us, and provides a way back to Him even after we have rejected Him in our sins. He made Himself known to us in a particular way through Jesus that allows us to draw near to Him. He is not far from us.

God needs nothing. We cannot take anything away from Him to make Him less than He is, and we cannot add anything to Him to make Him more than He is. With that in mind, notice what Paul emphasizes about God in Acts 17:22-31.

1. God made the world and everything in it. He is the Creator (Gen 1:1; John 1:1-5), and therefore is the One on whom all things depend. His existence does not depend on us, but ours on Him.

2. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is the authority over all, ruling heaven and earth. As Creator, He has the right to command and expect obedience. He owns it all. He is not owned by anyone, controlled by anyone, or amenable to any higher power. He alone is Lord.

3. He does not dwell in temples made with hands. God cannot be contained by anything made by our hands. God’s existence is not dependent upon something humans can fashion and build (cf. also 1 Kings 8:27, Isaiah 66:1-2; Acts 7:47-50). He is not served by human hands. This does not mean that we do not try to serve God with our talents and time; but that, again, God is not dependent upon what we do with our hands. There is nothing we can offer that will make God better or help Him in ways that He could not be otherwise served.

4. As though He needed anything. This circles back to our starting point for understanding Paul’s argument. This implies that there are other reasons for which we were made than to add something to God’s nature. This also points in the direction of God’s love and grace. He made us out of His loving nature to reflect His image, and it is out of grace, not need, that He desired to make creatures to share in fellowship and dominion. He made what He made because He wanted to, not because He needed to.

5. He gives life, breath, and all things. He is the cause of all that is living. All creatures, human and animal, owe their existence and life to God. In providing life, He provides for all that is necessary for life, both physically and spiritually.

6. He made the nations from one and determined their boundaries. God is in charge of the nations (cf. Dan 2:21; 4:34-35). Two things will stand out here: 1) God has authority over all humanity, and 2) humanity is accountable to Him. Why? Paul continues:

7. He made man to seek Him and find Him, and He is not far from us. God has made Himself accessible, for it is in Him that we live, move, and exist. Yet in seeking God, we must realize that He is not like images formed by human thought and skill. Our thoughts cannot contain God any more than what we make with our hands. Our task is to seek, find, and glorify God.

8. God is Judge of all the earth and commands all to repent. He has the authority to command and the right to hold us accountable. He demonstrated this by raising Jesus from the dead. The time is coming.

There is so much more to be explored in Scripture, but Acts 17 serves as a solid starting point for both our own understanding and how we may begin to approach a culture that does not know the true and living God.

— Via Bulletin Articles from the Vestavia church of Christ, September 3, 2023

——————–

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) The Apostle to the Gentiles (Kyle Pope)
2) “He who DOES…” (Bryan Gibson)
——————–  

-1-

The Apostle to the Gentiles

Kyle Pope

After Paul left Philippi, Luke records that Paul passed through Amphipolis, Apollonia, and upon coming to Thessalonica went into the synagogue and taught “as his custom was” (Acts 17:1-2, NKJV). While this custom is demonstrated throughout the book of Acts, in Luke’s account of his earlier work in Pisidian Antioch we learn why Paul practiced this custom. When Jews in the city rejected his teaching about Jesus, Paul and Barnabas declared to them, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46).

Immediately after saying this, Luke records that they applied a text in Isaiah to their own work, telling them further, “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47). In the context of Isaiah, the text was describing the role the Messiah would play. Isaiah foretold that God would set the Messiah as “a light to the Gentiles,” Who would bring (as the Hebrew text puts it), “My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa. 49:6). Were Paul and Barnabas putting themselves in the place of the Messiah? No, they were drawing the necessary inference from Isaiah’s prophecy that if the Messiah was to bring God’s light and salvation to the Gentiles, His servants are charged to do the same.

Paul took this responsibility quite seriously. He told the Romans he was “an apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13)—a ministry he magnified (NKJV) or made much of (NIV). So why wouldn’t he go first to the Gentiles? Why would he make it his custom to go first to Jewish synagogues to preach the gospel? He continued to tell the Romans that he took pride in (Wey) his ministry “if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them” (Rom. 11:14, NKJV). Let’s consider some patterns Paul demonstrates to us about teaching unbelievers (and believers).

1. The Most Obvious Prospects are not Always the Ones Who Accept the Truth. The Jews knew the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul affirmed, “the voices of the Prophets . . . are read every Sabbath” (Acts 13:27). They were awaiting the Messiah. This made them the most obvious prospects to accept the truth about Jesus, but unfortunately many did not. In most instances “some of them were persuaded” (Acts 17:4; cf. 17:12; 17:34; etc.), but almost always many rejected the truth. In our day, we might assume that the most likely candidates to accept the truth are those who come from believing families or have some type of faith (even though steeped in denominational error). That isn’t always the case. If we only pursue these prospects we may miss others whose hearts are a “blank state” free of religious prejudice and preconceptions.

2. Opposition from Those Who Believe Sometimes Presents Opportunities. In Thessalonica “the Jews who were not persuaded” (17:5) became envious and turned out to be a source of great persecution to Christians throughout Macedonia. This was not the type of jealousy Paul hoped to provoke, but in some cases even this served the cause of Christ. Although the converts in Thessalonica had “received the word in much affliction” (1 Thess. 1:6), they had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9), thus becoming “examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:7). How Christians respond to the opposition that arises when we try to teach the more obvious prospects can open doors to teach those who are watching us.

3. The Truth is the Same, but the Starting Points Differ. It is significant to notice how Paul’s approach differs depending upon the background of the prospect or audience. When talking to Jews he pointed to Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (see Acts 13:16-41), but when talking to Gentiles this wasn’t where he started. This makes sense, because he couldn’t expect Gentiles (who did not know the Scriptures) to care about what the Jewish Scriptures foretold. Instead, he started with things to spark their interest. In Athens, he pointed to their own temple “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:23). He explained His nature (Acts 17:24-28a), quoting one of their own prophet’s claim that “we are also His offspring” (Acts 17:28b). Paul wasn’t equating pagan poetry with God’s word. He was establishing connections with those he was teaching. In Lystra, when Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man the people imagined that they were gods and tried to offer sacrifices to them (Acts 14:9-13). In response, they had to cut through their superstitions and explain limits of their own human nature in contrast to the power of the true and living God (Acts 14:14-18). In Ephesus, Paul worked with those who once practiced magic arts, leading them to reject this and even destroy the books that taught what they once practiced (Acts 19:13-20). When we try to teach unbelievers, although our goal is to lead them to God’s word, we too may have to start with things they understand. There will be superstitions and false ideas they have. Gently and respectfully addressing these erroneous beliefs and contrasting them with the truth can allow us to move them to consider what the Scripture teaches.

4. Have the Courage to Speak the Truth. Although Paul’s approach in teaching Gentiles was often more gentle than his approach to his Jewish brethren, that was not a reflection of timidity. He told the idolaters in Lystra to “turn from these useless things to the living God” (Acts 14:15). In Athens, he confessed to the intellectual philosophers of the Areopagus his confidence in a future day of judgment and resurrection from the dead (Acts 17:30-31)—a belief that led some to mock him (Acts 17:32). When Paul taught the Roman governor Felix, he courageously spoke to him “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” causing Felix to be “afraid” and send Paul away (Acts 24:25). Josephus tells that Felix had seduced a married woman to leave her husband and marry him (Antiquities 20.7.2). He was living in adultery (Matt. 19:9). He had good reason to fear. Even so, Paul was bold enough to speak the truth. As we teach unbelievers, we will undoubtedly encounter those who practice lifestyles and beliefs that are dramatically opposed to the doctrine of Christ. While we must certainly be gentle and kind as we teach them the truth that will expose the sinfulness of their condition, we must never in our gentleness fail to speak the truth to them in love (Eph. 4:15). Paul had the courage to tell the truth in all things, and we must do the same.

5. Failure in One Area, Can Lead to Success in Another. An interesting consequence of Paul’s custom of going to Jews first, then turning to the Gentiles, was the fact that it presented him with unexpected spiritual successes, on the heels of spiritual failures. That is, the rejection of the truth by those who would have been expected to accept it, presented unlikely prospects the opportunity to hear the truth. Paul told the Jews, “since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). Sometimes the fact that one person we teach rejects the truth leads us to become discouraged and fail to even try to teach others. What if Paul had done that? Bro. Norman Sewell tells of a situation he once faced where a man was converted as a result of a correspondence course. Although that man did not remain faithful this led to the man’s brother also obeying the gospel. The man’s brother became a gospel preacher and has led others to obey the truth. Paul shows us that one person rejecting the truth shouldn’t lead us to stop teaching the lost. Sometimes that is the very thing that leads us to the souls who need the truth and will obey it.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 26, June 25, 2023
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 -2-

“He Who DOES…”

Bryan Gibson

When you read 2 Timothy chapter 2, you can’t help but notice the many action words, all the things Timothy is told to DO: commit (v. 2); endure (3); consider (7); remember (8); remind (14); charge (14); shun (16); depart (19); flee (22); pursue (22); avoid (23); correct (25). And then the things he is told to BE, which also involves some DOING: “be strong” (1); “be diligent” (15); “be gentle to all, able to teach, patient” (24).

When studying the New Testament letters, especially the more practical sections, let’s make sure we clearly identify the rules, the admonitions, the commandments—the things God tells us to DO. Some will be explicitly stated (as in this chapter), others implied, still others shown by example; but whichever the case, let’s make sure we don’t miss them.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

“But be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word
——————–

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.)