“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) A Badge of Discipleship (John 13:34-35) (Mike Johnson)
2) “If You Are the Son of God” (Heath Rogers)
——————–
-1-
A Badge of Discipleship
(John 13:34-35)
Mike Johnson
In John 13:34-35, Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In our society today, people are often distinguished by their dress. For example, clothing worn might indicate a person works in the medical field, law enforcement, or serves in the military. People are also distinguished from one another by such things as wealth, learning, and fame. Jesus makes it clear that the distinguishing characteristic of his disciples would not be these types of things but their love for one another. Loving each other might be called their “badge” of discipleship. In the verses, Jesus taught in three ways that we must love one another. He taught it by:
1. Direct Command – He specifically commanded that they love one another. He says, “A new commandment I give to you.” If we want to practice authentic Christianity, we must love one another.
2. Example – He stated, “as I have loved you.” Jesus demonstrated love throughout His life. He loved us to the degree that He gave His life for our sins (1 Jn. 3:16). We must also practice this sincere and deep love for others.
3. Necessary Inference – He also says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples.” When non-Christians saw this great love among the early disciples, they concluded that they must be followers of Christ.
Many passages in the New Testament speak of the need to love one another. In 1 Peter 1:22, Peter told some they were to “. . . love one another fervently with a pure heart.” Paul told the Thessalonians that he did not need to write to them about brotherly love since they had been “taught by God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9). In his introduction to 2 Thessalonians, he wrote, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (1:3). The essentiality of love rings clear in God’s Word.
However, we do not just talk about love; our actions should reflect it. This concept is illustrated by our love for Christ, as Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Paul admonished the Corinthians to show their love by helping the needy Christians in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:24). Consider some ways we show our compassion today. We do so by:
1. Being sympathetic toward others (1 Pet. 3:8),
2. Forgiving someone who repents (2 Cor. 2:7-8),
3. Helping those in need (Gal. 6:10, Lk. 10:30-37, Jas. 2:14-16),
4. Restoring the erring (Gal. 6:1),
5. Showing kindness toward our enemies (Mt. 5:44),
6. Not taking vengeance (Rom. 12:19-21),
7. Teaching others God’s Word (Mt. 28:18-20).
Our love for others demonstrates that we have spiritual life, not just for others but also for ourselves. 1 John 3:14 assures us, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”
How are we known? Do people know us for traits like pride, having a volatile temper, unwillingness to help others, being a busybody, or a person with whom it is difficult to get along? When people hear your name, what enters their minds? Do they think of a loving and kind person? For example, if people you work with hear that you are a Christian, are they surprised? Are you wearing God’s “badge” of discipleship?
— Via Seeking Things Above
——————–
-2-
“If You Are the Son of God”
Heath Rogers
Jesus performed many miracles as signs to prove that He “is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). These signs provided evidence for sincere people to have faith in Jesus. However, there were times in His ministry when Jesus was challenged to perform miracles to prove that He was the Son of God. These challenges were not given by sincere truth-seekers. They were given by adversaries mocking His claim and attempting to spoil the purpose for His appearing in this world.
The first to so challenge Jesus was the devil. Our Lord had fasted forty days in the wilderness. “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread’” (Matt. 4:3). Having taken on flesh, Jesus was subject to the pains and weakness common to mankind. It would have been easy for Jesus to meet this challenge and satisfy His hunger, but He refused.
Satan continued his attack by taking Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and saying, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (v. 6). Jesus refused to tempt the Father’s care to satisfy the devil’s challenge.
At the very end of His ministry, as Jesus hung on the cross, “those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross’” (Matt. 27:39-40).
Consider the temptation this set before Jesus. He was being crucified because the Jewish leaders refused to believe He was the Christ and the Son of God (Matt. 26:63-65). He is now being challenged to vindicate Himself by coming down from the cross. The chief priests, scribes, and elders joined in mocking Him by saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God’” (Matt. 27:42-43). Jesus possessed the power to accept this challenge and deliver Himself from the cross. But, had He done so, what would have happened to our salvation? Refusing a challenge that many of us would have accepted to vindicate ourselves and end our suffering, Jesus remained on the cross and paid the price for our sins.
Enemies (both spiritual and physical) wanted proof that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus refused their demands, but the Father provided this proof in the Lord’s resurrection. Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). This triumph over death and the grave was a greater sign than turning stones to bread, landing in the arms of angels, or coming down from the cross. It was an act that secured our future resurrection and eternal salvation. Today we know with certainty that Jesus is the Son of God because of the empty tomb.
— 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.)