Month: September 2026

“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) Spiritual Tipping Points (David Diestelkamp)
2) Psalm 119:97-104 (Berean Standard Bible)
——————–

-1-

Spiritual Tipping Points

David Diestelkamp

There are moments that reach such intensity that all which is held sacred and true may be ignored and a threshold crossed to do unthinkable actions. These are called tipping points. They happen in everyday life, but they also happen in one’s spiritual life.

Let me tell you about a man who was supposed to stand for law and order. When challenged publicly to break the law and support injustice, he refused. He tried to reason with the accusers and rebuffed them multiple times with innocent verdicts. He even appealed to a tradition, but it didn’t solve the problem. Even after his wife warned him not to, he gave in. This man was Pontius Pilate, and his tipping point was politics: “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, ‘If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.’ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out…” and soon “delivered Him to them to be crucified” (Jn 19:12-16).
Law, justice, reasoning, innocent rulings, tradition, and a spouse weren’t enough to hold Pilate to do what he knew to be the right thing. He fought it until something was at risk that he valued more than law, justice, reasoning, his findings, tradition, and his wife’s input. This isn’t a case of a blind or ignorant decision. Pilate knew his decision to hand Jesus over violated law, justice, reason, judgment, tradition, and his wife’s advice. But politics and job security were his tipping point. The chilling part of this is that all of us probably have a spiritual tipping point too.

Managing Our Tipping Points

I don’t have one. We are tempted to deny our tipping points. Wicked men like Pilate are not the only ones who have tipping points. Peter didn’t think he would turn his back on what he knew to be true and deny the Lord: “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matt 26:35). The fact that we don’t see our tipping points is what makes them so easy to sneak up on us. The fact that we deny them is what makes them so dangerous. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Imagining the unimaginable. Pilate initially stood for the law and pronounced Jesus’ innocence many times – “I find no fault in this Man” (Lk 23:4) and “…nothing deserving of death has been done by Him” (Lk 23:14-15). Pilate is strong until he’s not and then does the unimaginable by authorizing the crucifixion of the innocent Jesus. Peter tried to imagine the worst that could happen, “If I have to die with You” (Mk 14:31), but he didn’t see confessing Christ when under pressure as his tipping point. Christians may be strong until something unimaginable happens and they “…crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb 6:6).

Avoid micro-compromises. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and the false charges were due to envy (Matt 27:18), yet he offered to have Jesus beaten and released (Lk 23:16, 17). He actually did have Jesus scourged, but instead of de-escalating things, “…when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” (Jn 19:1, 5-6). Some of these seem like innocent missteps, such as Peter sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:40-41), while others try to quantify and belittle sin. These can blind us and even cause our consciences to be “seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2). Consciously allowing any sin to dwell in our hearts and lives compromises our reverence for God and His will and dilutes our abhorrence of evil (Rom. 12:9). Compromises are wrong and will create additional unthinkable future tipping points.

Avoid abandoning knowledge and reason in intense situations. Pilate’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t know that the law said Jesus was innocent or that he was convinced by reason that Jesus was guilty. Peter’s triple denial wasn’t due to him not knowing the truth about Jesus. The problem is that things like fear and consequences can cause us to ignore what we know and accept bad reasoning (or no reasoning at all). God warns us to remain vigilant, clear minded, and thoughtful in all situations (1 Pet 5:8; Phil 4:8). If we fail to do so, we may cross our tipping point and do what we know we shouldn’t.

Avoid “I can do whatever I want” thinking. Pilate thought he could do whatever he wanted. He said to Jesus, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” (Jn 19:10). Jesus reminded Pilate that he wouldn’t have any power at all against Him “unless it had been given you from above” (Jn 19:11). When Peter denied what Jesus said about His suffering and death, Jesus told him, “…You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt 16:23). Thinking we know better than God or that we are in control tips us into things that are not the will of God.

Listen to warnings. While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, “…his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him’” (Matt 27:19). Pilate didn’t listen. Jesus warned the disciples, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night” (Matt 26:31). Peter was certain that he wouldn’t stumble, but Jesus warned him that he would deny Him three times (Matt 26:33). In the Garden, Jesus warned the disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). They didn’t listen. There is power to avoid tipping points in warnings, vigilance, and prayer.

Avoid siding with Jesus’ enemies. “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all…” and “…wanting to gratify the crowd… he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified” (Matt 27:24; Mk 15:15). Crowdsourcing and crowd-pleasing are often disastrous. And sometimes just being around those who are against Jesus takes us to our tipping point. It can be like after Jesus’ arrest with Peter warming himself by the fire in the courtyard of the high priest and exposing himself to his tipping point and denying Jesus. Being with the wrong people when we’re vulnerable can tip us to want to please them rather than God.

Return. It appears that Pilate’s tip was a one-way trip, but it doesn’t have to be. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:31-32). Simon’s faith failed, but it wouldn’t be a total failure if he returned to Jesus. And he did! When Jesus rose from the dead, the angel told the women at the empty tomb, “…go, tell His disciples – and Peter – that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as He said to you” (Mk 16:7). When we stumble over our tipping points, our Lord prays that our faith will not fail and that we’ll return to Him – even after our worst denials. The angels of heaven say, “Go tell His disciples – and [your name].”

—  via Think on These Things, Vol. 57, No. 2, April-May-June, 2026
——————–

-2-

Psalm 119:97-104

Mem

⁹⁷O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.

⁹⁹I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.

¹⁰²I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

— Berean Standard 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 (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. Worship Service
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) Why We Love Daniel (Doy Moyer)
2) ‘Greetings!’ (Andy Diestelkamp)

——————–

-1-

Why We Love Daniel

Doy Moyer

Several lessons from Daniel lately remind us how important his example is for Christians today. Daniel lived in a time when Babylon overpowered Israel and took captives. So influential is Babylon in the story of Scripture that the name becomes a figure for a nation that opposes God and His people (e.g, the Book of Revelation). Yet Daniel not only survived Babylon, then Persia, he thrived without compromising truth or His devotion to God. He was likely a teenager when taken by Babylon and lived out most of his life in captivity. Even so, he became a voice that was heard in the courts of Babylon and Persia without having to cater to the evils that were present. The following is not a complete list, but here are some reminders why we appeal to Daniel as an example:

He was convicted. As young and competent as Daniel was, he still believed he needed God. He demonstrated this by his conviction when “he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” He was familiar with God’s Law. He knew the difference between what was clean and unclean, and his conviction led him to ask. This took some courage. How easy would it have been for the Babylonian officials to rebuff Daniel for thinking that he could do better than the king’s food and drink? Yet this was not Daniel being a food snob; it was conviction that was based on God’s Law. He asked; he spoke up, and this takes conviction and courage when you are in a hostile environment. Are we afraid now to speak up, to ask, to demonstrate conviction about right and wrong as we face hostility?

He was resolved. “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank” (Dan 1:8). Coinciding with Daniel’s conviction, we note that he had resolved not to defile himself. This may be a difference without much distinction, but the point to note here is that for Daniel to truly demonstrate the conviction, he had to first resolve that he would do what is right. He did not accidentally show conviction. It was purposeful and grounded in a decision he had already made. Perhaps he could have asked not to be defiled and then backed off when rejected by the officials. Yet his asking was not a weak question mark. It was resolute query that showed he was serious. Likewise, when we confront a hostile culture, we need to have already decided in the mind to do what is right. Then, when the time comes, we will be ready to show our conviction by our actions.

He always pointed to God. Daniel was humble, not seeking personal attention. He pointed to God as the source of his abilities and always sought to give God the glory. When Daniel went before Nebuchadnezzar to interpret the king’s dream, he affirmed that it was God who gave interpretations (2:27-28). Then as he gave the interpretation and showed Nebuchadnezzar to be the head of that statue in the dream, Daniel said that it was God who had given the king the kingdom, the power, the might, and the glory (2:36). This is consistent for Daniel. God rules in the kingdoms of men, and no matter how much ability or power one might have, God is the source of it all. There is no authority or power without Him. This is always true. Any power or ability that we might have today still relies on God.

He was devoted to prayer. Daniel was a man of prayer. It was because of his prayer life that his enemies were able to seek a charge against him. The “high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God’” (6:4-5). That ground was Daniel’s prayer life, and when Daniel found out about the decree not to pray to any but Darius, Daniel did what he always did. He prayed to God. We know the rest of that story, and we also know how God protected Daniel. We also note, as we have been taught, that Daniel’s prayer found in chapter 9 is a great example of how prayer can be effective. Here is a great example for us now.

He trusted the outcome to God. Daniel was in a stressful situation, and it would have been easy for him to fret over what might come. However, his attitude and prayer life demonstrates that he trusted all the outcomes to God. Daniel knew that God kept His promises, and his prayers demonstrate his faith that God would answer accordingly. He didn’t panic and try to force anything. He simply trusted God to be faithful to His own word.

We need the example of Daniel to show us how to respond to our modern Babylon. Thank God for this.

— Via the Bulletin Articles from the Vestavia church of Christ, August 23, 2026

——————–

-2-

‘Greetings!’

Andy Diestelkamp

It is common courtesy in communication to extend greetings to those with whom we interact and even to those with whom we may only briefly intersect. It was typical of Paul in his letters to the churches and to individuals to have some opening and closing remarks which included some form of greeting. For example, at the close of his letter to Titus he wrote, “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith” (Titus 3:15). To the churches in Rome, Paul closed his letter with an extensive list of greetings to specific brethren and then passed along the greetings of other specific co-workers in the gospel as well as the general “the churches of Christ greet you” (Rom. 16:16).

The word that is translated greet is the same word that in other contexts is translate rejoice. A greeting is something that is generally positive and expressed with joy and a desire for the recipient of the greeting to have joy.

In Paul’s time, a common form of greeting face to face was with a kiss (which would have been much like a brief embrace). Many are familiar with Paul’s admonition to “greet one another with a holy kiss” in some of his letters to the churches (1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; cf. Rom. 16:16; 1 Thess. 5:26). However, the emphasis of Paul’s command is not on the kissing part but on the need for it to be holy. Since kissing to greet was already a cultural norm in ancient times, Paul’s concern was with its holiness. Since our culture generally associates kissing with more intimate relationships, we might assume that Paul is concerned with keeping those common greetings morally pure. While certainly, Paul would want to encourage holiness in that sense, this is probably not what was foremost in his mind.

Paul wanted their greetings to one another to be sincere and genuine in their joyful expressions. That greetings might be insincere is no better exemplified than in Judas Iscariot’s kiss of Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he said with feigned loyalty and affection as he kissed Him (Matt. 26:49). This was not a holy kiss!

So regardless of the mode of greeting, we ought to be holy and sincere in our greeting of one another as brethren. We Christians ought to be holy greeters to all we come in contact with because we are also admonished to be hospitable (Heb. 13:2); and hospitality begins most simply with a holy and sincere greeting.

When strangers dare to venture into our assemblies, the least we can do is greet them, acknowledge their existence and their presence, and welcome them by showing a holy, genuine interest in them. When we leave such greetings only to others (e.g. the preacher, the elders, the extroverts, etc.), we are failing to be hospitable in this most basic and simple way.

Granted, some visitors may find greetings awkward and uncomfortable (as many of us do when interacting with strangers). However, a sincere welcome generally will be appreciated, and a failure to be greeted will be noticed. So, let’s greet one another with a holy sincerity and also be aware of and joyful toward outsiders who courageously venture into our assemblies. Introduce yourself with joy and rejoice at the possibilities that may come from a simple, holy greeting.

— Via Think on These Things, October-November-December, 2024, Vol. 55, No. 4

______________

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 (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. Worship Service
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) How Should Christians React (Doy Moyer)
2) The Gospel of Peace (Bryan Gibson)
3) Psalm 119:89-96 (Berean Standard Bible)

——————–

-1-

How Should Christians React?

Doy Moyer

We are constantly being influenced and, I dare say, manipulated, by images put forward daily in a social media world that virtually always has our attention. These images might be real, but in these days there is a good chance they are not. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) everywhere, along with considerable expertise in photoshopping and video editing, we are often fed images and videos that are deceptive or filled with half-truths. Add to this the number of parody news sites that are now almost indiscernible, where we see images and headlines that look real enough, so we go with it without vetting it further. Then, even if a story is real, we might be hearing only one side of it, and this can be quite dangerous. Consequently, we are open to the deception and respond with knee-jerk reactions and emotions that are not grounded in truth. Once we settle something in our emotions, it’s hard to give up. Then, we are called on to take sides and fight over something that we don’t even know for sure is real, though we react with absolute certainty and crushing partiality.

Does this mean we cannot know the truth of anything? No. Truth is knowable. But this does mean that we need to exercise extra caution and know the potential for deception that permeates social media circles. As with the wise of old, we need to be those who understand the times in which we live (cf. 1 Chron 12:32). Today, that includes a digital world that can feed on lies. Like it or not, this is where we are.

How should Christians react in a world that feeds on half-truths and manipulation? Here are some suggestions:

1. Don’t react in haste. Because of hasty reactions, stories get passed around that just aren’t true, and we then may become guilty of spreading rumors or slander. Slow down. Make sure a story is true, and if we can’t do that, perhaps hold off on passing it around. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Prov 14:29).

2. Watch the emotional reactions. We are emotional beings, and this can be played upon to manipulate those feelings and turn them into unrighteous anger (which does not produce the righteousness of God, James 1:20). The emotions may be screaming at us to say or do something, but remember that emotions themselves cannot tell us whether something is true. Our emotions react to lies as well as truth. That takes us back to point 1. “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Prov 18:2). In our desire to be heard, let us not become the fool.

3. Ask how necessary it is to pass something along, particularly something that foments division and encourages outrage. I may be furthering the devil’s work by helping keep division alive when it was never necessary to enter the fray in the first place. Pick your battles with great care so that when you do join in, you can do so with honesty and assurance (see Prov 10:19).

4. Calmly and kindly point people to truth (Prov 23:23). If you can establish the truth of something by solid evidence, then point people to the evidence and let it speak for itself. Out-yelling someone is not a sign of truth.  Persuade through proper reason, not manipulation. This needs to be done apart from party affiliations, for no worldly political party has the corner on the truth market. Be wary of special pleading by ignoring evidence.

5. Seek for unity and peace through love and respect (Rom 12:9-21). I realize that sometimes divisions are inevitable (cf. Matt 10:34-39). But unity needs to be the goal, and this only comes through love, diligence. and honesty in our work ethic.

6. Be open to hearing other perspectives. Is it possible that we have missed something? Have we jumped to conclusions only to find that another explanation makes better sense of a situation? Perhaps we are correct in our understanding, but truth has nothing to fear by investigation. “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (Prov 18:17). Have we fairly listened?

7. Always ask what will glorify God. If we hastily react, we might not stop to think about how God would want us to react. He is the Standard to which we look, so let us make sure we are seeking His glory above all. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17).

Over the years, I bear my share of guilt in violating these principles. In our age wherein deception can take hold quickly and spread like wildfire, Christians need to be cautious in how they react to the various stories and news cycles. This doesn’t mean there is no reaction at all; it does mean that actions need to be measured and reasonable. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Phil 4:5).

— Via the Bulletin Articles from the Vestavia church of Christ, April 26, 2026

______________

-2-

The Gospel of Peace

Bryan Gibson

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’” (Luke 19:42).

Let us be more determined than ever to preach the “gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15), to point others to the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), the ultimate peacemaker, the only One who can break down every source of division and enmity (Ephesians 2:14-18)—between us and God, and between us and our fellow man.

Tell your friends, your neighbors, your family members, the stranger you meet on the street the things which make for their peace. Open their eyes with the gospel; point them to Jesus. Tell them how Jesus “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). Show them how Jesus can give “rest” to their souls (Matthew 11:28), how sin is really the source of all “unrest.” Tell them how they can have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1), how that peace can be “multiplied” (2 Peter 1:2), and how that same peace can “rule” in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). Explain to them how the peace which Jesus gives is unlike any other (John 14:27), a peace so marvelous it “surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Tell them of the fellowship they can have in the “one body” with the redeemed of all ages, the redeemed “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15). “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

— Via The  Weekly Bulletin of the Prattmont church of Christ, December 5, 2021

______________

-3-

Psalm 119:89-96

Lamedh

⁸⁹Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.

⁹¹Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.

⁹²If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

⁹⁴I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.

⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is without limit.

— Berean Standard 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 (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. Worship Service
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) Where is the Gym? (Mike Johnson)
2) “No Greater Joy” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
3) Psalm 119:81-88 (Berean Standard Bible)

——————–

-1-

Where is the Gym?

Mike Johnson

Many people would be surprised if they visited a large church and found out it did not have a gymnasium or something called a “fellowship hall.” Many churches today have become more like social clubs than churches. They provide events as meals, dances, bingo parties, basketball games, and other social events. Some churches have better recreational facilities than the local YMCA.

Did God ever intend for the church to provide recreation and social events? What does the Bible say about recreation as a function of the church? Can these endeavors be proven by the Word of God?

What is the function or work of the church as ordained by God? This question is essential, and we can learn the answer in the Bible. If the Bible does not state the church’s work, it has no duty toward a particular purpose and can engage in anything it wants. However, if an objective exists, we must keep the church functioning within its God-given design.

The Bible teaches that the church has a threefold responsibility. First, it is to preach the gospel to the lost. 1 Timothy 3:15 refers to the church as the pillar and ground of the truth (also note Eph. 3:9-10, I Thess. 1:8, 2 Cor. 11:8). Next, the church is to teach or instruct its members, i.e., those who are Christians (1 Tim. 3:15, Eph. 4:11-12, Acts 20:28), and finally, the church can provide for needy saints (Acts 11:29-30).

God has given the church this threefold mission or purpose. Does this constitute a pattern? Surely, it does. We must act with Bible authority. We are not to “add to” or “take away from” God’s Word (Rev. 22:18-19); we must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). It would be sinful to add a work for the church that God does not give. Nowhere does the Bible teach that recreation and social affairs are the church’s work. To add this function would be to add to the Word of God.

The church can spend money from its treasury and provide facilities for God’s assigned work. It cannot use its funds or provide facilities for that which is not its work. Clean recreation and entertainment are great. However, they are not to be provided by the church. I do not know of a single passage that would authorize such practices. Why can’t people be content to let the church be the church?

— via Seeking Things Above

——————–

-2-

“No Greater Joy”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

John told Gaius, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III Jn. 4). This statement, though short, teaches us several things. Let us break this verse down, see what John was saying, and make some applications to our lives.

“I Have No Greater Joy” – This phrase emphasizes that John’s greatest joy was knowing that Gaius, Demetrius (v. 12), and other Christians (i.e.,“friends,” v. 14) were holding fast to the Lord. This highlights the importance of spiritual priorities. He had his joy set on things eternal and not temporal (II Cor. 4:18). In other words, John’s joy did not rest in men’s opinion of him or some physical pursuit. John’s joy was in knowing that faithful Christians were doing their duty for the Lord! (See: II Jn. 4)

Friend, what gives you joy? Is it vacations? Physical pursuits? Work? Children? Cars? Hobbies? These things might bring momentary happiness, but what brings joy? Is our true joy found in spiritual things? If we truly love the brethren as we ought (I Pet. 2:17), we will be able to speak as John concerning the well-doing of brethren all over this country and world!

“Than To Hear” – Though he was not there in body, John was concerned for the brethren. He wanted “to hear” about Gaius and others and learn about their welfare. I know brethren who look down on such concern for others, but John (and the other apostles) showed us the proper example (I Cor. 4:16, 11:1; Phil. 3:17; Eph. 5:1-2). Please understand, John was not interested in gossip or idle talk, but genuinely concerned for their souls. This attitude of sincere care should be ours as well (Prov. 25:25).

Other apostles showed concern for the brethren as well. We see Paul’s care for brethren through all of his epistles (II Cor. 11:28; Rom. 16:1-15; I Cor. 1:11; Phil. 4:21; Col. 4:15, 17). The same goes for Peter (I Pet. 1:1, 2:17; II Pet. 1:1).

How concerned are we for our brethren? Do we show it through prayers? Through financial support or other means? Are we so caught up in ourselves that we don’t have time to “hear” about the welfare of other Christians?

“My Children” – This does not refer to his physical lineage, but to those he had been instrumental in bringing to the Lord. The apostle Paul used the same language for those he taught (I Cor. 4:15, 17; I Tim. 1:1-2; II Tim. 1:1-2; Titus 1:4).

I think it is interesting to note that we are never told about the apostles’ physical children. (Though we know that men such as the apostle Peter had children, I Pet. 5:1!). I wonder if this was done so we would keep our eyes on the apostles who pointed us to Christ, rather than on their descendants, whom we might treat as “royalty” or give some special position in the church that God never intended?

Brethren, what is our attitude toward fellow Christians? Do we strive for closeness? Do we treat one another as brethren? Let me ask this another way: How many can we consider “children” in the sense that John and Paul used the word (II Tim. 2:2)?

“Walk In Truth” – The word “walk” describes one’s manner of life or behavior. This was seen as Gaius showed hospitality toward others and set the right example to fellow Christians who were not traveling (III Jn. 5-8). In other words, Gaius was faithfully following God despite the difficulties that surrounded him. He didn’t merely give lip-service to the truth, but was walking in it! John said those, like Gaius, who were walking in the truth brought him great joy. Why did he have joy? It is because he knew that what they were doing pleased the Father (II Jn 4; III Jn. 4). Let us examine ourselves so that when the Lord returns, He will find us walking in truth.

—- Via The Ancient Landmark, August 9, 2026

——————–

-3-

Psalm 119:81-88

Kaph

⁸¹My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.

⁸²My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”

⁸³Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.

⁸⁴How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?

⁸⁵The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.

⁸⁶All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me!

⁸⁷They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.

⁸⁸Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.

— Berean Standard 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 (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. Worship Service
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.)