Month: October 2024

“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) Jesus, Our Mediator and Intercessor (Doy Moyer)
2) Our Habitable Earth (Jerry Fite)
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Jesus, Our Mediator and Intercessor

Doy Moyer

When we consider what Jesus does for us as His people, two terms are used to help us understand why it is so important to trust Him. Scripture teaches that Jesus is both our Mediator and our Intercessor. Let’s consider these terms.

Jesus Is Our Mediator

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time” (I Timothy 2:5-6).

Paul said that God desires all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). The plan for making this salvation possible entailed one mediator who made a sufficient sacrifice. As there is one God, there is one Mediator who is capable of offering Himself as a ransom. A mediator is a go-between who can sufficiently represent both sides in a dispute and thereby bring about reconciliation.

Why do we need a Mediator? Because of sin, we were separated from God, acting as His enemy and creating a breach in the fellowship that God initially put into place (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2). Jesus, by becoming a man, was able to provide the sacrifice suitable for reconciling God with humanity. He is God, but He became man. He knows both sides of the breach, even though He never sinned.

The point here is that the only path to the salvation God offers is through Jesus Christ and the ransom He paid to make this happen. “No one comes to the Father except through Me,” said Jesus (John 14:6). He is our “negotiator” and bridge between us and God. Paul also wrote, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). Because Jesus is our Mediator, we need not remain separated from God. “More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:11).

When we plead with others to be reconciled with God, we can only do so on the basis of what Jesus Christ did by His death and resurrection. As Paul wrote concerning their role as ambassadors for Christ, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:18-20).

Because Jesus is both God and man, He is uniquely qualified to carry out this vital role of Mediator.

Jesus Is Our Intercessor

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

In discussing the love of God, Paul also wrote, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

Jesus, then, is not only our Mediator but also our Intercessor. This is tied to Jesus’ permanent High Priesthood, as He continues to plead on our behalf so that we can draw near to God. Because Jesus lives forever in His unique position, we have continual access to God. Jesus is not the accuser who condemns but rather the Intercessor who pleads and saves.

Jesus is able to save “completely” or “to the uttermost.” There is no flaw in what Jesus did for us. The path to salvation is set and He is fully capable of doing what God intended for humanity. His appeals on our behalf perfectly accomplish His will. He can do this because “He always lives.” Jesus defeated death through the resurrection, and because He ever lives, He can provide life for those who turn to Him. This is why we must remain faithful, giving our total allegiance to Jesus as our King, our High Priest, and our Intercessor.

As the Mediator, Jesus reconciles us to God. He breaks down the wall between us and opens up the path to fellowship. As the Intercessor, Jesus continually goes to the Father on our behalf and is able to save us completely. We have a permanent High Priest through Christ who also gave Himself as our ransom so that we can be reconciled, saved, and drawn near to God through Him. The Lord does not just do this once upon initial salvation, but He ever lives to do this on our behalf. By His grace, He continues to be our Intercessor even now.

Without Jesus as our Mediator, we could not be reconciled with God. Without Jesus as our Intercessor, we would have none to plead our cause and save us completely. Through Jesus, we have both, and only through Him can we have hope. Let us remain faithful to Him.

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ, May 23, 2024

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Our Habitable Earth

Jerry Fite

In the context of Jehovah revealing His uniqueness and supremacy to the Persian king, Cyrus, God claimed that He created the earth and “formed it to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18). As we learn more about our Earth and other planets, the more we observe that life is peculiar to Earth. To men traveling in the parched darkness of space, the Earth’s bluish-green hue appears as an oasis for life.

The Earth tilts 23.3 degrees. If it were a 90 degree angle, much of the Earth’s surface would become a dry desert. The poles would become vast continents of massive snow and ice. This added weight would force the equator to bulge, and change drastically the Earth’s rotation.

As is, the Earth rotates at the right speed – about 1,000 miles per hour. If it turned much slower, life would eventually die due to too much heat during the long days, and extreme cold during the extended nights.

The Earth also orbits around the sun at the right speed. It takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45.51 seconds to make one round trip. If the speed were much faster, then centrifugal force would pull the Earth away from the sun, causing very cold temperatures. If the Earth traveled much slower, then we would drift too close to the sun causing Earth’s temperatures to be extremely hot.

The sun’s surface temperature is 12,000 degrees. If we were closer to the sun, like the next planet, Venus, we would be roasting in an average temperature of 1,006 degrees. The Earth, being some 93 million miles away from the sun, enjoys an average temperature of 59 degrees.

One factor helping to keep temperatures constant for Earth is the enormous bodies of water upon the Earth. Some 70 percent of the globe’s surface is covered by water. These vast pools absorb the heat during the day and release it during the night, keeping the Earth’s surface habitable at all times.

The Earth tilts, rotates and orbits at the right angle and speed. It possesses vast temperature stabilizers. These all combine to make the Earth a place to dwell. God says that He designed and created it for that purpose.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, September 2024

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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
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

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) Wilderness Warnings (Andy Diestelkamp)
2) Bring Them to Jesus (Doug Roush)
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Wilderness Warnings

Andy Diestelkamp

In general, throughout time, the gospel of Jesus Christ has not been well received. The Jews of Jesus’ day imagined themselves as being more receptive to God’s Word than were their forefathers, saying “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets” (Matt. 23:30). Yet Jesus called them “serpents” who as “sons of those who murdered the prophets” would “fill up … the measure of [their] father’s guilt” by their own rejection of Him and those He would send to them (vv 31-34).

After crucifying Jesus, the Jewish leadership focused on squelching any effort to resurrect the idea that Jesus was the Messiah (Matt. 27:62-66; Acts 4:1-3,17,18,21; 5:17,18, 26-28, 33,40; 6:9-15, etc.). They failed simply because “it was not possible that” death could hold Him (2:24); and those who witnessed His bodily resurrection boldly proclaimed it (2:32-36; 3:15; 4:8-12,19; 5:29-32; etc.).

It is in this context that Stephen, when hauled before the Jewish council on false charges, used the opportunity to review Israel’s history. He highlighted Israel’s pattern of rejecting God’s prophets. Specifically, he emphasized Moses as a type of the “Prophet” who was to come and to whom they should listen (7:37). Moses, too, had been rejected (vv 23-28); but it was Moses, though rejected, who God used to deliver His people from bondage (vv 35,36). It was Moses to whom God spoke and “who received the living oracles to give to” Israel. Yet their forefathers “would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt” and its idolatry and the bondage that came with it (vv 38-41).

Next Stephen adapted the words of Amos who—centuries after Moses—prophesied to the apostate tribes of Israel about their future Assyrian captivity. Yet, instead of saying “beyond Damascus” (Amos 5:25-27), Stephen said, “beyond Babylon” (Acts 7:42,43), making it clear that his present audience could not excuse themselves from his point. Both Israel and Judah were historically unfaithful to God. Their captivities went well beyond Assyria and Babylon as they were presently dominated and occupied by Rome!

Stephen’s lesson was masterful and his application blunt. “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. … they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers” (vv 51,52). Once again the Jews had rejected the One sent to rescue them. Still, Jesus willingly went to the cross to offer them and us deliverance.

The wilderness wandering of the children of Israel serves as a warning to subsequent generations for any with ears to hear and minds to learn from history rather than blindly repeat the sins of their fathers. Israel did not do a good job of this despite being repeatedly reminded to remember. Jesus calls His disciples to do better (cf. Matt. 5:20). Thus, even the earliest Christians were taught lessons from Israel’s failures to make them aware of the real threat of apostasy.

Using the events of the exodus and wilderness wandering, Paul presented a compelling comparison that should sober all followers of Jesus Christ. He observed “that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink” (1 Cor. 10:1-4). Note that the word all is used five times to emphasize their common experience. Using Moses as a type of Jesus, Paul inserted the word baptized into this historical sketch of Israel’s deliverance to make a point to all who had been baptized into Christ. Just as all who were “baptized” into Moses were saved from Egyptian bondage, so all who are baptized into Christ are saved from bondage to sin. Likewise, those so delivered all ate of the same food and drink which “was Christ.” Again, Paul inserts Christ into the picture to insure that Christians understand the point of this comparison: “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” (v 5). All Israel was saved, but most of Israel did not remain faithful and were not permitted to enter the land of promise! To Christians Paul writes, “These things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (v 6). “They were written for our admonition” (v 11). “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (v 12). Thus Paul wrote as an admonition to us to do likewise, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (9:27).

Similarly, the Hebrews’ author cited Psalm 95 which admonished ancient Israel to remember their “rebellion in the day of trial in the wilderness” (Heb. 3:8) and warned Christians, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (v 12). “To whom did [God] swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (vv 18,19). “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (v 14). Let we who call Jesus Lord beware lest we behave like Israel in the wilderness or like the Jews of Jesus’ day. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (2:3). Remember Christ. Trust in Him. Obey Him. Hold fast to Him to the end!

— Via Think on These Things, Volume 55, No. 4, October-November-December 2024
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2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (NASB).
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Bring Them to Jesus

Doug Roush

The New Testament reveals that forty people who had the same disease were healed by Jesus. Of this number, thirty-four were taken to Jesus by friends, or He was taken to them. Only six of that number found their way to Jesus without assistance.

Consider the number today who have sinned and have come to Jesus in obedience. How many were brought by families or friends? How many were invited by someone they met during a normal day’s activities? How many found their way to the truth without assistance?

Statistics show that less than 2% of members of the Church came on their own. The other 98+% were invited and/or encouraged to attend by someone who cared about them. With this realization, let us genuinely care about the people with whom we come in contact daily. Let us look for opportunities to invite everyone to study the Bible with us or to worship with us. In short, let us be encouraging others to learn God’s will and become Christians. Every time you interact with someone in your daily walk of life, think how you are going to bring them to Jesus to be forgiven of their sin and live with a valid hope of eternal life in His presence. Statistically, their soul is in your hands.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, March 2024
——————–

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
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

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) Did Christ Die In Vain? (Jady W. Copeland)

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Did Christ Die In Vain?

Jady W. Copeland

The death of Christ is one of the most touching scenes in history. He was innocent, pure in heart and in life, and died for crimes He did not commit. No greater injustice could be imagined. Innocent men have died before and since because of imperfect laws and judgments by men, but Jesus died even though He had not sinned, and no “guile was found in His mouth” (1 Pet. 2:22). Tears well up in our eyes when we see children mistreated or a young girl is reported to have been raped, but when you think of the innocence of Jesus and His prayer in Gethsemane along with the agony He was undergoing because of the sins of the world, it is worse. Yet it was all necessary for the remission of our sins. The death of Christ is connected with salvation of men. The Hebrew writer said, “But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). Peter said, “Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). While we may not understand many injustices in this life, we know that the suffering of Christ, the agony on the cross, and the mental and physical pain endured by our Savior before the cross was necessary that God’s highest creation may be saved from sin. There could have been no other reason for such suffering and pain!

But to many, Christ died in vain! So far as many in the world are concerned there was no reason at all for Christ dying and suffering as He did. Let us look at some of these whose lives and doctrine tell us that Christ died in vain.

He Did If He Was Not Raised

What good would the sacrifice have been had not He been raised? Our final resurrection from the dead depends on His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-14). Paul poses the question that if one admits that Christ is raised why should they deny that all will be raised? But furthermore (on the other hand) if there is no resurrection, then why would they argue that Christ has been raised? So our resurrection depends on His resurrection. And if there is no resurrection, then His death is in vain. His death was necessary only if He was going to be raised from the dead. Truly, He was “raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). But if He was not raised the apostles were false witnesses (1 Cor. 15:15). Yet there are many who deny the resurrection. The resurrection is the very apex of His miracles and if we can believe this, the other miracles are not hard to believe. Why would some think the death of Christ is important and deny the resurrection?

He Died In Vain If The Law Of Moses Is Binding

Very few people in the religious world understand (evidently) the relationship between Moses’ law and the gospel of Christ. Almost universally they try to follow both. This has been a problem from the beginning of the gospel’s advent into the world by Christ and His apostles and in looking at the history of religion in America we can see it constantly remains. Alexander Campbell’s great “Sermon On The Law” which was preached at the annual meeting in 1816 of the Redstone Association of Pennsylvania when another speaker became ill received so much opposition that it led to his withdrawal from the association. And today, ask nearly any person (preacher or otherwise) and they will tell you that the Ten Commandments of the Law of Moses is applicable to all today. Possibly we do not spend enough time on this issue in converting people in our personal work classes or sermons.

In dealing with the false teachings of that time, Paul in his letter to the Galatians dealt with this issue. It continued to be a problem in the Jew-Gentile relationship (chapter two). In Galatians 2:21 he says, “I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Judaizing teachers insisted on keeping the law (Gal. 1:6-7). But Paul says that no flesh (Jew or Gentile) is justified (made right) by the law (Gal. 2:16). They had not received the Spirit by the hearing of the law, but by the gospel (Gal. 3:1-3). Christ redeemed all from the law for it was a curse to all who would continue to follow its precepts (Gal. 3:13). The Gentiles were not included in the law, and if the law could save, then the Gentiles would not have access to salvation (Gal. 3:14). The law was only added until the seed (Christ) came (Gal. 3:15-22) but now all are saved by Christ and His gospel, not by the law. But righteousness did not come by the law, but “a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe, for there is no distinction” (Rom. 3:21-22). Finally, Paul said, “Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” (Gal. 5:4). One purpose of the coming of Christ was to take away the law and make possible a way of redemption through His blood. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin so Jesus had to come and make that sacrifice. So the truth remains that if one can be saved by the law of Moses, Christ died in vain.

He Died In Vain If Morality Alone Saves

A large number of people believe that the death of Christ is unnecessary for they believe that they will not be lost if they live a moral life. It is rather a negative approach to salvation. Why should I be condemned if I haven’t done anything “that bad”? “I am a good person, and why should the Lord condemn me to hell?” it is said. But unless one says he has never sinned, then he must admit that he needs the blood (the death) of Christ, for only in the blood of Christ can one be saved (Eph. 1:7). Furthermore this admits that I can “merit” salvation, which the Bible teaches can never happen. It seems that some of the brethren are having a hard time seeing the difference in accepting God’s gift conditionally and meriting salvation. The fact that I must obey Christ to accept His gift is not to say that I merit or deserve salvation. But if God must save me because I am good then we must be saying that salvation depends on goodness of man. And if I am good, then God has to save me.

Let us look at it this way. There are only two possibilities regarding me and sin. Either I have or have not sinned, one of the two. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23; 1 Jno. 1:10). Now since all have sinned, there are only two dispositions that God can make of sin. First, sin must be punished, so God can take care of that for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). God cannot overlook sin and be true to His nature. Sin cannot go unpunished. So there is only one other thing that can be done. Since we have sinned we must either take the consequences or be forgiven of sin by the God of heaven. This is done through the blood (death) of Christ and Peter calls this redemption by the blood. We are not redeemed by material things “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18-19). We are “loosed” by His blood (Rev. 1:5). This is the reason Paul says we must be “baptized into His death” since it was in His death that the blood was shed (Rom. 6:3) as that is the only way we can appropriate the blood to our sins. When one is baptized into the death of Christ, he is washed in the blood. When one is baptized into Christ his sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38). When one is baptized into Christ, he “puts on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). When one is baptized into Christ, he is a child of God. How can one possibly say one need not be baptized into Christ when all these blessings come as a result of baptism? One cannot be saved by “morality alone” for there is nothing in this to take away sins. And since all have sinned, there must be a cleansing agent – blood.

He Died In Vain If One Can Be Saved Outside The Church

This statement sounds so unnecessary since the saved are the church. We are “reconciled in one body,” which is the church (Eph. 2:16). But the same writer says the Lord is “head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22-23). If we are reconciled (made friends again) in Christ, then how can one be saved if he is not in Christ? But Paul said in Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death (Emp. mine, JWC), to present you holy . . .” So we note that reconciliation unto God hinges on the death of Christ. If we can be saved outside of the realm of salvation (the church), then His death (which purchased the church, Acts 20:28) is unnecessary. It was through the mercy and loving kindness of God that Noah and his family were saved from the flood. Yet they had to build the ark (by faith) in order to be saved. It was inside of God’s providential care and planning that these people were saved by faith. The ark was necessary. It was God’s plan for their salvation. Through the cleansing power of Christ’s blood, salvation is made possible to mankind. When saved from sins (when God forgives), the people were called the church (Acts 2:47). It is a total misunderstanding of the way of salvation when men speak of being saved “outside of the church” for the saved compose the church. The church is nothing more or less than a group of saved people.

Christ Died In Vain If We Don’t Avail Ourselves Of His Power

Christ became the way of salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9). Polio vaccine will prevent this disease only if taken. It has the power to wipe out polio, but it will not prevent a single case if not applied. The same is true with the saving power of Christ. As long as one is not “baptized into His death,” it will not save. It was bad to have children and adults die of polio before there was a means of prevention; it seems worse in a way to know that some die of that dread disease when there is a cure. How terrible to think of millions dying where there is a cure for our sin-sickness. His blood will save from sin – but only if applied.

— Via Guardian of Truth XXVII: 13, pp. 387, 389-390, July 7, 1983

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume27/GOT027180.html

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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).
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Contents:

1) Divine Tact: Paul’s Epistle to Philemon (Bryan  Gibson)
2) Quick to Forget (Zeke Flores)
3) “Just As I Am” (Frank Himmel)
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Divine Tact: Paul’s Epistle to Philemon

Bryan Gibson

Onesimus was Philemon’s slave (v. 16), and not a particularly good one. He was “unprofitable” (v. 11), and may have even stolen from Philemon (v. 18). He “departed” (v. 16) from his master and made his way to Rome, where he was converted by Paul (v. 10). Paul has decided to send Onesimus back, and he wants Philemon to receive him (vv. 12, 15)—not just receive him, but “receive him as you would me” (v. 17). So why doesn’t Paul just tell him what to do, and leave it at that? We’ll let Paul explain: “Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you…” (vv. 8-9). “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” (v. 14).

We’re not told how Philemon responded, but we can’t help but think it was a favorable response—for the following reasons:

Paul’s description of himself: “…for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (v. 9). Hard to turn down an appeal from an aging brother, who just happens to be in prison for his faithfulness to Christ.

The praise Paul gives Philemon: “For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (v. 7).

And the way he uses that praise in his appeal: “Yes, brother, let ME have joy from you in the Lord; refresh MY heart in the Lord” (v. 20). Here’s an opportunity for Philemon to do for Paul what he had always done for other brethren.

The change in Onesimus (whose name means “profitable”): “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (v. 11); “receive him…no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—a beloved brother” (vv. 15-16). Philemon won’t be receiving the same man who left, mainly because Onesimus is now a Christian, a “faithful and beloved” Christian (Colossians 4:9).

The close relationship between Paul and Onesimus, and between Paul and Philemon: “You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart” (v. 12). “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me” (v. 17). How could Philemon say no, when receiving Onesimus would mean the same as receiving Paul?

The sacrifice made by Paul in sending Onesimus back: “whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel” (v. 13). Not surprising that Paul would put what’s best for all ahead of what’s best for him.

What seems to be a suggestion of God’s providence: “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever…” (v. 15). Doesn’t excuse Onesimus for what he did, but it does shift the focus—from the wrongs done by Onesimus in the past to the wonderful way it all turned out.

Paul’s willingness to pay Onesimus’ debts: “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account…I will repay” (vv. 18-19). Paul was more than happy to remove this potential stumbling block to reconciliation.

The debt Philemon owed Paul: “…not to mention that you owe me even your own self besides” (v. 19). “Not to mention”—but he still mentions it. Seems that Philemon owed Paul what money could never repay.

The confidence Paul expresses in Philemon: “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (v. 21). Just can’t imagine Philemon betraying the confidence this beloved brother has placed in him.

Why do we love the Bible so much? This beautifully worded, very tactful appeal is just one more reason.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, March 13, 2024

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Quick to Forget

Zeke Flores

How many times have you heard a thing, yet forget what you heard in a matter of minutes? The older we get, the more we are “quick to hear, fast to forget.” Or, as we’ve all heard it, it’s in one ear and out the other. But the malady isn’t merely age-related.

Jesus warned about the problem in His parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8), which is more of a story about different kinds of “soil” or attitudes of the heart. Jesus explains that the seed sown is “the word of God” (Luke 8:11). You’d think such an important message would immediately be held fast, protected, and practiced. You’d think.

Unfortunately, after hearing such crucial information, we read about many who immediately forget all about its requirements and make no changes to accommodate themselves to it. While some people are willing to bask in the glow of such good news for a while, they are quick to leave it alone.

Ezekiel, the prophet, spoke of some who sang God’s message with “a beautiful voice” but still didn’t live according to it (Ezekiel 33:32). Isaiah mentioned some who delighted to know God’s ways but not enough to practice them (Isaiah 58:2). Not much has changed since then.

Hearing is not always believing, and believing is not necessarily doing. If we want God’s word to abide deeply in us, we’ve got to let it take root and root deep. This is done by hearing and then doing what He says.

Hearing and heeding, ah, now that’s the ticket.

“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:11-12).

— Via the La Vista church of Christ, September 7, 2024

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“Just As I Am”

Frank Himmel

The song “Just As I Am” is one of our most commonly used invitation songs. The idea in the song is that we cannot make ourselves right with God on our own; apart from Jesus’ blood we have no hope. That is precisely the New Testament picture (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5; etc.).

I fear, however, that some folks have an erroneous idea about Jesus saving us “just as we are.” They seem to think that He saves us without any change in our conduct. That is opposite to the New Testament picture.

Jesus’ charge to the apostles was “that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations” (Lk. 24:47). Forgiveness is extended to those willing to abandon sinful conduct, not to those who insist on continuing in it.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you…” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). He did not say such are some of you, but such were. They changed their conduct in connection with being washed, sanctified, and justified (v. 11).

“Just as I am,” if referring to our own helplessness, is a comforting sentiment. But to suggest it means salvation without repentance is to hold out false hope.

— Via the church of Christ at Greenwood, August 25, 2024

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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.)