Month: November 2025

“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 Greatness of God (Psalm 86:8-10) (Mike Johnson)

——————–

-1-

The Greatness of God

(Psalm 86:8-10)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 86 is a prayer by David, who is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature.  However, verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people, who had no regard for God, were seeking his life.  Yet, amid his trouble, the Psalmist approaches God in prayer with complete confidence that the Lord will be merciful and deliver him.  The psalm is addressed entirely to God and has elements generally associated with prayer.  They are Petition (1-7, 11, 14-17), Adoration (8-10), and Thanksgiving (12-13).  Although it is a prayer, a strong element of praise runs through it.

In verses 1-7, David makes several requests of God and then gives reasons that God should fulfill them.  Then, in verses 8-10, he enthusiastically praises God and His wondrous works.  The verses say, “(8) Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works.  (9) All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.  (10) For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” Consider some observations from this adoration section.

He says, “Among the gods there is none like You.”  Some wrestle with this phrase because he says, “Among the gods . . .”  (Note also Ex. 15:11, Ps. 89:6).  They look at this wording as implying the writer’s acknowledgment of and the legitimacy of multiple gods.  However, we know this is not the case because the Psalmist at the end of this section says, “You are God alone.” So here, David speaks in an accommodative way of gods (i.e., “as they might be called”).

A similar passage is in Galatians 1:6-10, where Paul marveled that the Galatians had so quickly turned away to another gospel.  Then he quickly says there is not another.  Thus, what they had turned to might be called a gospel,  but there is only one.  Further, in 1 Corinthians 1:21, Paul says we are saved “through the foolishness of the message preached.”  Is the gospel message foolish?  It is not!  Earlier (1:18), he explains that the message is regarded as “foolishness” by those “who are perishing.”  Certain ones would call gospel preaching foolish.

Consider also an event that took place during the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah, when a vast army from Assyria surrounded them (Is.  36-37).  Their spokesman ridiculed Judah’s army and God.  At a certain point, Hezekiah prayed to God about the situation.  (It says he “spread it before the Lord.”)  In Isaiah 37:18-20, he prayed, “Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands — wood and stone.  Therefore they destroyed them.  Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”  Jeremiah 16:20 asks, “Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?”

David is not acknowledging the veracity of multiple gods.  Idols are crafted from wood or stone; they have no power and are only material objects.  David believed in only one God.

David knew that God listens and He is merciful and forgives.  Furthermore, he understood that God would be there for His people in times of trouble, which is the opposite of how pagan gods are often portrayed.

He also says to God, “Nor are there any works like Your works” (8b).  Claims made about the works of pagan gods cannot even compare to the works of the Lord.  But, of course, the pagan gods do not even exist.  Consider God’s great work of creation as Psalm 19:1 exclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

The Psalmist continues to praise God in verse 9.  “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.”   In Bible times, there would be regional and local deities whom the people served.  However, God is the creator of all, so it would stand to reason that He is the God of ALL and that ALL should worship Him and glorify His name.  Various passages speak of ALL coming to worship God (Ps. 72:11, 17; 82:8; Rom. 14:11; Is. 45:23).

When would this be?  There were many times when idolaters acknowledged God (Dan. 2:46-47; Josh. 2:11).  Also, speaking of the Messianic era and the establishment of the church, Isaiah 2:2 says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.”  Also, the gospel is for “all nations” and “every creature” (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16).  Therefore, the worship of God would be pervasive among all nations.

Further, the Scriptures tell us that ultimately, at the Judgment, all will bow their knee to God.  Consider Philippians 2:8-11, speaking of Jesus.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Note also Rev. 3:9; 15:4.)

In verse 10, he continues, “For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” While praying to God, recorded in Deuteronomy 3:24, Moses spoke similarly.  He prayed, “O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?”  At another time, while trying to encourage the people to obey God’s Law, he said (Deut.11:7),“ . . . but your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did.” In that section of Deuteronomy, he speaks of some things they had explicitly seen.  They saw:

1. the signs and various acts in Egypt (3);
2. the parting of the Red Sea, and then how it was closed up again on the Egyptian army (4);
3. the wondrous deeds God did for the Jews in the wilderness  (5);
4. the swallowing up by the earth of the people during Korah’s rebellion (6).

Today, we can cite many examples of God’s great works.  Consider a few that would immediately come to mind:

1. Creation (Ps. 19:1)
2. Coming of Christ & Salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)
3. Miracles of Christ (Jn. 20:30-31)
4. Christ’s resurrection (Lk. 24:1-8)
5. Establishment of the Church (Mt. 16:16-18)
6. Prayer (1 Pet 3:12; Jn. 15:7)
7. God’s Providential Care (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 3:10-12: Rom. 7:19)

We are awed when we learn about God’s works from the past and witness them today.  God is not one God among many, but as the text says, “You alone are God” (10).

— Via Seeking Things Above, October 2022

——————–

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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Did Moses See the Face of God? (Kyle Pope)

——————–

-1-

Did Moses See the Face of God?

Kyle Pope

The apostle John, through the Holy Spirit wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). The Old Testament, however, records some instances where God’s people were said to see some aspect of God. Exodus 24:10 tells us that Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders “saw the God of Israel.” Moses was even said to have had the unique honor of speaking to God “face to face” (Deut. 34:10). Did Moses actually see the face of God?

To answer this, we must first understand one of the terms that Scripture uses. The word that is translated “face” in Exodus 33:20 is the Hebrew word panim. While this word can have a specific, literal, and anatomical sense in reference to the front of a person’s head (Exod. 10:28), it can also refer to the surface of something – “the face (panim) of the earth” (Exod. 33:16), the front of something – “the forefront (panim) of the tent” (Exod. 26:9), it can mean to be before someone – “your males shall appear before (panim) the Lord GOD” (Exod. 23:17), or it can even refer to the presence of someone – “they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence (panim)” (Exod. 10:11).

When it comes to God, it is clear that panim can have these same distinct applications in different contexts. For example, while God told Moses “My face (panim) shall not be seen” (Exod.33:23), He also promised the Israelites a few verses before this “My Presence (panim) will go with you and I will give you rest” (Exod. 33:14). What we must conclude is that there is some element of the grandeur of God that cannot be witnessed by human beings, that Exod. 33:20-23 calls His “face (panim).” At the same time, we must also conclude that there is some other limited aspect of His glory that can be seen, to which the same word can sometimes apply—and most translations call His “Presence (panim).”

Let’s notice a few things that support this conclusion. In Exodus 24:10 Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders go up on the mountain. We know that Moses was allowed to go further (Exod. 24:2), but the others were to “worship from afar” (Exod. 24:1). It is from this more remote distance that it is said:

…They saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank (Exod. 24:10-11, NKJV).

Now then, if this was all we had we might conclude that they saw the full grandeur of God but were spared death, since it says God did not “lay His hand” on them. However, there is more to it. What they were allowed to see, was some aspect of what Exodus 24:16 calls “the glory of the Lord,” that came down on the mountain. Its appearance is described as “a consuming fire” (Exod. 24:17). Was this the full glory of the Lord? No. After this even, Moses begs the Lord, “Show me your glory” (Exod. 33: 18). It is in response to this that God covers Moses in the “hollow of his hand,” sets him in the “cleft of the rock” and passes before Moses (Exod. 33:19-23). It is in this context that God allows Moses to see his “back” (33:23) but declares, “You cannot see My face (panim); for no man shall see Me, and live” (Exod. 33:20). It is clear in this text that when God says “see Me” He does not mean his “back” (Exod. 33:23), nor whatever aspect of His glory that Aaron and the other saw (Exod. 24:10). What God calls His “face (panim)” in Exodus 33:20 and 33:23 must be some fuller manifestation of His glory. As noted at the beginning of our study, New Testament writers confirm this distinction. When John wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12), he is clearly talking about that fullest part of God’s glory that no one has yet seen. To see some aspect of God is not to behold the fullness of His glory. That honor belongs only to the “blessed” in heaven. Jesus promised,“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

Finally, let’s notice a couple of things that help us further clarify this. The expression “face to face” is an important phrase used in Scripture. Throughout the Old Testament it is used of the close relationship that God had to Moses (and with Israel). It is first used when Jacob wrestled with the Lord and God named him “Israel.” Jacob says, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Gen 32:30). Now this can’t mean that he saw what God calls His face in Exodus 33:20 or he would be dead, and the New Testament claims that no one has seen God would be false. So, what does it mean? Jacob saw some aspect of God’s glory, but not His full “face (panim).” Even so, he was blessed with a close encounter (if you will) with Deity. As noted at the beginning, the same is said of Moses numerous times (Exod. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Deut. 5:4; 34:10), but it is also said of God’s treatment of the Israelites:

…You, LORD, are among these people; that You, LORD, are seen face to face and that Your cloud stands above them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night (Num. 14:14).

Now obviously the Israelites as a whole hadn’t even seen what Moses saw of God’s glory, but it is still described as knowing Him “face to face.” This makes it clear that what is being described is the closeness of the relationship between God and Israel and even more so, between God and Moses.

Another example of this is found in the book of Judges. What is called the “Angel of the Lord” appeared to Gideon (6:12) and Gideon later declared, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face” (6:22). It is often unclear in Scripture when the phrase “Angel of the Lord” is talking about an angelic being sent by God, and when it means some manifestation of God’s presence. Numbers 14:14 described Israel as seeing the Lord “face to face” but then refers to the pillar of cloud and of fire. Exodus 14:19 uses the term “Angel of God” to describe the glory of the pillar of fire. This seems to indicate that this was some manifestation of God. In the same context in which God passed before Moses, God’s “Angel” is promised to go before the Israelites in taking Canaan (Exod. 33:2). This is what allows them to be described as having a “face to face” relationship with God (Num. 14:14), and may even be called His “Presence (panim)” (Exod. 33:14). Clearly, however, this is a restricted aspect of His presence. If His full presence had come into “their midst” they would have been consumed (Exod. 33:3, 5). That consuming power probably refers to the same thing He calls His “face (panim)” elsewhere, that no one has seen, nor can see lest he die.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Issue 14.39, September 23, 2012

_______________________

Jeremiah 32:17

“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!”

— Berean Study Bible

——————–

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).
——————–

Contents:

1) Ordinary People with a Mustard Seed (Kyle Pope)
2) The Evil Eye (Bryan Gibson)

——————–

-1-

Ordinary People with a Mustard Seed

Kyle Pope

Most of us, by the world’s standards are very “ordinary” people. We wear ordinary clothes. We have ordinary jobs. We drive ordinary cars and live in very ordinary houses. There is no shame in this. In fact that has always been the nature of God’s people. Paul said –“…not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]” (1 Corinthians 1:26, NKJV). Sometimes we may feel that the relatively humble estate of our lives has left us with little influence on the direction of world events or the conditions of life. When we feel this way we should stop and consider something that the Lord said about something that we “ordinary” people who are Christians possess. Jesus said –“…The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matthew 13:31,32).

This parable has less to do with the nature of heaven itself than it does with the power that establishes one as a citizen of its kingdom. Consider how the kingdom was first brought forth: Jesus began with twelve very ordinary men (Matthew 10:1-15). Sometime later he chose seventy others whom he sent out two by two (Luke 10:1-12). At His ascension there were only 120 disciples (Acts 1:15); yet after the preaching of the twelve, as they spoke through the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the number grew to 3000 (Acts 2:41). A short time after this Acts 4:4 tells us that the number of men had grown to 5000, suggesting that the number including women was even greater. By the end of the first century the message of the gospel had gone out from Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, Syria, and into the whole world (Colossians 1:5,6). How could a handful of “ordinary” people do so much in such a short time? Because they had something that was not “ordinary,” the powerful message of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. Did Christians then have something that we do not? The miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit confirmed and fully revealed the gospel message, but there is no indication that this added any greater motivational power to the message than we possess today. In many respects spreading the gospel then was much more difficult than it is today. Early Christians faced persecution, travel by foot or donkey, no quick methods of communication such as phones, e-mails, or instant messaging, and in general an economic status much lower than even the poorest Christians of our world. Yet, simply because of the strength of their conviction and the power of their message these “ordinary” people “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

What if Christians today believed as much in the power of the truth as these Christians did? Imagine that every Christian in his or her lifetime could bring two people to Christ. Imagine nurturing these two converts to maturity, strengthening them so that they in turn could lead two more to Christ. In only a few generations the actions of a single Christian could have an impact on thousands of lives. What if a Christian couple raised two children whom they lovingly lead to obedience to the faith? Imagine these children following this faithful example and doing the same. By the forth generation (not counting any influence on spouses or friends) the faith of the first couple would have influenced thirty souls!

As Christians we must realize that while we are “ordinary” people, we are entrusted with something that is most “extra-ordinary,” the glorious message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Every word and deed that we do has influence in ways that we may not even realize upon our homes, our churches, our communities, and throughout the entire world for generations to come. May God help us to see our ability to influence the world has little to do with our status and everything to do with what we believe. 

— Via Faithful Sayings, Issue 11.51, December 20, 2009

——————–

-2-

The Evil Eye

Bryan Gibson

These questions all have the same answer. Why did Cain kill Abel? (Genesis 4:4-8; 1 John 3:11-12). Why did Joseph’s brothers first conspire to kill him, and then sell him into slavery? (Genesis 37; Acts 7:9). Why did Korah and others lead a rebellion against Moses? (Numbers 16:1-3; Psalms 106:16-18). Why did King Saul make numerous attempts to kill David? (1 Samuel 18:7-9; 18:28-29; 20:31). Why did the Jewish rulers deliver Jesus to the Roman authorities to be crucified? (Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10; John 11:47-48). The culprit in every case was envy, the “evil eye” Jesus speaks of in Mark 7:22 (“envy” in some translations).

Envy was a problem for these Bible characters, and it’s now our problem—perhaps a bigger problem than we realize. We can become envious of those who make more money, those in a higher position, those more gifted, those who receive more praise, those who have better behaved children, etc. And because we’re envious, we either treat them poorly, or we just don’t treat them quite as well as we might others. They’ve done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment, mind you, but that’s the nature of this sin—it makes us do and say crazy things.

Look again at the examples above. They illustrate at least three major points about envy (and its close cousin, jealousy). 1. Envy is a powerful force. When it gets rolling, it can wreak a lot of havoc—in families, in churches, in relationships in general. “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4). 2. Envy never stands alone—it will always be accompanied by other evils. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16). 3. Envy may actually cause us more harm than the object of our envy. “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). If you doubt that, just ask King Saul, whose envy practically consumed him. Sir Thomas Fuller once wrote, “Envy shoots at others and wounds herself.” That’s the truth, because the Bible confirms it.

Clearly then, envy has no place in the life of a Christian (Mark 7:21-23; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 2:1)—for the reasons given above, but also because it had no place in the life of Christ. You can’t “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and still have envy in your heart (Romans 13:13-14). It may have “once” had a place, when we were apart from Christ (Titus 3:3), but no more. It hurts us; it hurts the object of our envy; and it will cause our souls to be lost in hell.

So how do we get rid of it? First, get rid of pride, which is really the source of envy. “Let us not become conceited…envying one another” (Galatians 5:26). “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts…” (James 3:14). Did you notice how the two are joined together? Secondly, love the way God intended—the very way Christ demonstrated. “Love does not envy” (1 Corinthians 13:4); what it does instead is “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, October 8, 2025

——————–

1 Peter 5:5

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

— 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
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).

——————–

Contents:

1) The Day of the Lord (Richard Thetford)
2) The Lord’s Word Accomplishes His Purposes (Joe R. Price)

——————–

-1-

The Day of the Lord

Richard Thetford

Peter, the apostle, writes some words which each one of us should take to heart. In 2 Peter 3:9-11 he writes: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” In these verses Peter encourages each and every one of us to repent and live our lives here on this earth in holy conduct and godliness. Why? Because there will come a time that no man knows, when the Lord will return. When the Lord does return, we better be ready or we’ll burn in eternity. Let’s look at some key points concerning “the day of the Lord.”

How Do We Know “the day” Will Come?

Every Bible student knows that “the day of the Lord” will come simply because God said so. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 the apostle Paul wrote: “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them.” Peter said that the day of the Lord would come in 2 Peter 3:10 and Jesus Himself told us: “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt 24:43-44). We learn from these scriptures that the day of the Lord will come, but no man knows when it will come.

What Will Happen When “the day” Comes?

It should be plain by Peter’s explanation of the event that this means that the end of the world is taking place. When the earth is melted with fervent heat all will be destroyed. But what will happen to those that are righteous in the sight of God? The inspired writer Paul said: “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor 5:5). Those that are in sin should be made aware of their sin, that it is lawlessness to God (1 John 3:4). Being aware of sin (Rom 3:23), man must make themselves right before God so when the day of the Lord happens we can be saved. Truly there will be some that will rejoice when the Lord returns. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he said: “holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Phil 2:16). If we will strive to be obedient to the Word of the Lord while we live, then we can rejoice when Christ returns because we know that we have obeyed His Will (Matt 7:21).

How Should We Be Found When “the day” Comes?

If we are living as we should be living in holy conduct and godliness then we should be found looking forward to Christ’s second coming. “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:12-13). If we are walking in the light we have nothing to fear. However if we should be walking in darkness, which has NO fellowship with the light, then we better be concerned. If we are in darkness the day of the Lord will come upon us as a thief. Paul said: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thes 5:4). True disciples, lovers of Christ, will be ready for Jesus! Each Christian should possess a genuine desire to be found in favor with God when His Son returns. When we are walking in the light, favorably toward God then we will glory when the day of the Lord comes upon us.

How Can We Be Found Obedient When “the day” Comes?

For us to be ready to meet the Lord on His return we must prepare right now! We must get rid of sin in our life and be determined to follow the ways of the Lord. In Romans 12:1-2 it says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We must understand that heaven is the MOST important goal to obtain in our life. Understanding this, then how should we act? What must we do? We must transform ourselves, having our mind set on things above, not on things of the earth (Col 3:2). We must constantly live in such a way that we approve of only those things that are good and acceptable to God. Paul said that we “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thes 5:21-22). The Christian must live their life in such a way as to show others that they are determined to live for Christ and not for man. The alien sinner, those not IN CHRIST, must get In Christ to be saved. The way to get IN Christ is through baptism (Gal 3:27). If you are not IN Christ why not do so today? “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” so you can be saved when “the day of the Lord” comes!

— Via Bulletin Articles from Thetford Country

——————————

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

“Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

— NASB

——————————

-2-

The Lord’s Word Accomplishes His Purposes

Joe R. Price

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:8-11, NKJV).

The thoughts and purposes of God are infinitely greater than our feeble intellect and reasoning capabilities. Although God has blessed human beings with great intellectual capacity, human intelligence pales in comparison to the Almighty’s knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, we ought to believe what God’s word teaches and commands without arguing with God, saying, “We would do things differently!” (“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” Rom. 11:34). Who are we to fight against God?  The Lord’s word accomplishes His purposes; therefore, we trust God and follow His word. This singular truth forms the basis for who we are and how we live each day.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, September 2025

——————–

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.)