Author: Tom Edwards (Page 1 of 40)

“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)  PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE: Examples of Reverence (Matthew Bassford)
2) Sword Tips #1 (Joe R. Price)
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PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE:

Examples of Reverence

Matthew Bassford

Synopsis: Reverence is reflected in our obedience (Heb. 11:7), worship (Heb. 12:28), and in sharing the gospel with others (1 Pet. 3:15). Matthew surveys Sacred Scripture for examples of those who exemplified reverence and those who did not.

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In creating their pantheons, the ancient pagans imagined gods who were much like themselves. The Greek and Roman gods frequently engaged in family spats, committed adultery, and were given to jealousy and pettiness. The God of the Bible is very different. We are created in His image, not vice versa, and we no more capture the fullness of His nature than a statue captures the fullness of the nature of a man. God has done many extraordinary things, but one of the most mind-boggling of all is that, through Him, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. I accept that in Jesus, the fullness of deity was contained in bodily form, but I cannot comprehend it!

God is very different from us, unimaginably greater, so it is right for the creature to worship and revere the Creator. Presumably, every reader of this article regularly worships God, but our very familiarity with worship can blind us to the depth of the reverence that we ought to be exhibiting. Apart from the blood of Jesus, none of us has any business anywhere near the throne of the Holy One.

If we have any doubt about this, we should consider the behavior of those who were permitted to see a vision of God. No man can see God and live, so even the men who experienced the great theophanies of Scripture did not encounter His reality. In Ezekiel 1:28, the prophet reports that he saw “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.” Ezekiel and the rest beheld only the shadow of a shadow of a shadow of the majesty and dread of God.

Nonetheless, to a man, the shadow of a shadow of a shadow of the divine overwhelmed them. In the same verse, Ezekiel recalls that he fell on his face and stood up only when God told him to get up. The same thing happens to John when he encounters Jesus in Revelation 1:17. During the dedication of Solomon’s temple in 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, the people bow low and worship when they see the glory of the Lord fill His house.

In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah describes what it feels like to meet God. He cries out, “Woe to me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

Isaiah was a righteous man. From the beginning to the end of his career, he served God faithfully. However, every imperfection in his life was harshly exposed in the light of God’s perfect purity and holiness. The man who proclaimed the word of the Lord exclaimed over the uncleanness of his lips! Once more, only a display of mercy from God allows him to continue.

None of us should believe that we are any more righteous than our fathers. If God were to reveal the merest fragment of Himself to us, we, too, would be reduced to abject terror. The experience of modern warfare is shattering, and veterans commonly have post-traumatic stress disorder. How much more shattering must it be to be exposed to more power than any human ever will unleash!

Of course, it is appointed to man once to die, and after that comes the judgment. All of us will experience God not just in metaphor but in His true fullness, and before Him, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess. We do well to prepare for the day when we will see God by showing Him proper reverence now, even though we cannot see Him.

Indeed, this behavior is evident in the most devoted worshipers among God’s people, even when He has not revealed Himself. Look, for instance, at the worship of the people of Judah after Ezra’s sermon at the Water Gate, in Nehemiah 9:1-3. Here there is no theophany, but all the other parts of the theophany pattern are present. The people acknowledge their unworthiness. They confess their sins. They worship. In fact, in Nehemiah 8:9-12, we even see the Levites having to prompt them to rejoice, much like the angel had to prompt Isaiah (cf. ch. 6).

Consider, too, the behavior of Daniel before the great prayer of Daniel 9. In the second verse of the chapter, he prepares himself with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Even a man like this, one of the few major Bible characters about whom nothing negative is said, comes before the Lord with deep reverence and a profound sense of his unworthiness. Great character does not produce great confidence in the flesh. Instead, it produces the opposite.

If we want to find those who approach worship with self-confidence, a casual attitude, and a lack of concern about coming before the Creator, we cannot look to the righteous. Instead, we find such people in places like Leviticus 10:1-3. Nadab and Abihu could not be bothered to treat God as holy by worshiping Him according to the commandment. God’s judgment on their insolence was as final as it was unmistakable.

In Malachi 1:6-14, the worshipers under discussion regard God’s worship as tiresome, a matter for disdain. Rather than bringing their best, they offer the blind and the sick and the lame, as though they were the masters and God was the suppliant, as though He ought to be content with whatever they felt like sacrificing. In answer, God describes their sacrifices as useless, unacceptable, and profane. He places them under a curse and expresses the wish that someone would shut the temple doors rather than allowing the continued defilement of His altar.

Worship is serious business. It is true that, like Ezekiel, we have been invited to stand before God. Like Isaiah’s lips, our lips have been purified. However, we must not confuse boldness through Christ with contempt for the Lord of heaven and earth.

We do not “have to” worship God every week because it is one of the five checklist acts of worship. We are allowed to worship, permitted to worship, and privileged to worship. When we appear in His presence, it is only because the most precious sacrifice ever offered put us there. We must be conscious that we are treading on holy ground.

When we are there, no prostrating of ourselves or exalting of Him ever can be excessive. This, of course, does not refer to outward form. When we worship God in spirit and truth, physical posture is neither here nor there. One is reminded of the hypocritical worshiper of Isaiah 58:4-5, who bowed his head as easily as a reed bending before the wind but with as little lasting impact.

Instead, we are called to true reverence, to the prostration of the heart. We must be awed that such a One as He would deign even to hear our praises. To draw near to Him without this spirit is very dangerous. The profane worshiper of today may not be judged as immediately as Nadab and Abihu were, but in the end, his fate will be no different. In all our days, may each of us heed the wise words of the Hebrews writer, who said, “Let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).

— Via Truth Magazine, February 2021, No. 2, Volume 65

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-02-feb/05_Praise.htm

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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #1  

Joe R. Price

 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

The parable of the prodigal (wasteful) son magnifies God’s mercy toward sinners by contrasting it with the unloving and unforgiving treatment of sinners by the Pharisees and scribes (Lk. 15:1-2). God is moved by compassion to forgive us when we repent and return to him; He is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4)! When we repent from the wastefulness of sin we can return to God and he forgives us. Therefore, let us remember to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32). If we refuse to do so, we will not be forgiven by God (Matt. 6:14-15).

Has someone sinned against you? If so, be rich in mercy and compassion. Forgive them as God has forgiven you.

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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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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)  PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE: The Need for Reverence (Matthew Bassford)
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PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE:
The Need for Reverence

Matthew Bassford

Synopsis: With the start of a new year, we begin a new column that focuses upon principles of praise. As a faithful gospel preacher and gifted writer of spiritual hymns, Matthew is well qualified to guide us in this study. Welcome, brother!

Introduction

Our society is not particularly given to reverence. To modern Americans, no human being is above mockery: not the President, not the military leaders, and not the heads of any religion. Furthermore, there is no being whom all of us acknowledge to be above us. Even as the philosophy of naturalism has reduced man to the level of an animal, it also has denied the existence of anyone superior. When we all are down in the mud together, no place remains for reverence.

Not surprisingly, modern Christians often struggle to feel the deep respect tinged with awe that is characteristic of reverence. We aren’t used to being reverential, so it is easy for us to develop a casual attitude toward the worship of God. This spirit is obvious—not so much in open disrespect but in a lack of appreciation of what we are doing when we praise Him. When we sing, we go through the motions, but too often, we don’t consider the awesome nature of the One whom we are addressing.

This is a serious problem. In Malachi 1:6-14, God condemns the sacrifices being offered by the post-exilic Jews. The problem wasn’t that those sacrifices were idolatrous or directed toward the wrong god. Instead, it was the poor quality of the sacrifices being offered to the right God. The Jews dismissed the worship of the Lord as tiresome, so they offered Him the blind, the sick, and the lame rather than the unblemished sacrifices He deserved.

If we desire to please Him, we must do better. As His words in Malachi 1:10 make clear, God would rather have no worship at all than worship that is lukewarm and inconsistent with His greatness. When we sing, we must continually bear in mind the characteristics that make God worthy of our reverence.

His Nature

First, God is deserving of reverence simply because of who He is. The gods of the Greeks and the Romans were anthropomorphic. Though supposedly possessed of powers far greater than our own, their nature was the same as ours. They quarreled, pouted, and committed adultery just as human beings do.

God is different. Indeed, He is incomprehensibly different. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reports of Him, His ways and thoughts are as far above us as the heavens are above the earth. According to 1 Corinthians 1:25, His weakness is stronger than our strength, and His foolishness is wiser than our wisdom.

Humanists place man at the top of the cosmic heap. However, the Scriptures reveal that, compared to God, we aren’t even on the heap to begin with! We don’t like to acknowledge anyone as our superior, but an honest appreciation of the Holy One of Israel leaves us no choice.

Thus, we see the heavenly beings of Revelation 4-5 acclaiming God and Christ as worthy. They aren’t going through the motions. They aren’t doing the expected. Instead, they are overwhelmed by the revealed glory of God and are reacting in the only appropriate way. All of the continual casting down crowns and falling down in worship before His throne might seem a little over-the-top to us, but that is only because we have not seen what they have.

However, reverence for an unseen God is no less fitting than reverence for a God who is seen. The vast gulf between Him and us is no less real, and He intrinsically deserves our worship.

His Works

God is worthy of reverence because of who He is, but we also ought to revere Him because of what He has done. This concept is well captured in Psalm 95:1-7. God is the Creator, the One who controls the earth, from the depths to the mountains. He made the sea, the dry land, and all of us. Thus, we ought to shout joyfully to Him, to worship, to bow down, and to kneel before Him.

Particularly, we must acknowledge that God is more than merely the Watchmaker of the deist’s imagination. His activity did not cease on the sixth day of creation. According to Colossians 1:17, it is through Christ that all things continue to hold together. If He stopped upholding us with His powerful word even for a moment, the universe and we ourselves would cease to exist. We fear the things that could destroy us through the exertion of some force, but only God can destroy us by choosing to do nothing.

Several months ago, my family and I vacationed in Rocky Mountain National Park, just before it was devastated by wildfires. One morning, as my children and I were hiking through an alpine meadow, two bull moose emerged from the brush about twenty yards ahead.

The average bull moose stands about six feet high at the shoulder and weighs half a ton. Moose have hooves the size of dinner plates, and they injure more people than any other wild mammal in the Western Hemisphere. I tell you, we backed down that trail as quickly as possible!

If we show such respect to an overgrown version of Bambi, how much more should we revere the One who formed and sustains the universe?

Our Responsibility

Such a God does not behave capriciously. If He created us, He had a reason for so doing, and we see it explained in Ecclesiastes 12:13. The purpose of our existence is to fear and obey Him.

Irreverence, then, is not merely an insult to a Being of unimaginable greatness and power, but a rejection of the only activity that makes life meaningful. Without a reverential heart, we have nothing and are nothing.

The futility of godlessness is evident even in this life. There are few more ominous phrases in Scripture than the refrain of “God gave them over” in Romans 1. As we survey the catalog of the depravity of the Gentiles in the second half of the chapter, though, we must remember where their problems began. In Romans 1:21, Paul notes that although they knew God, they did not glorify Him or give thanks. In other words, they refused to show reverence.

From that failure, every other spiritual problem proceeds, from idolatry through sexual immorality to the rejection of everything that is good in Romans 1:28-32. The slaves of sin are never happy, and we see the misery of the devil’s thralls around us daily. Ultimately, though, they are enslaved not by some external force, but by their own pride, by their arrogant refusal to bend the knee to God as they were designed to do.

Of course, it is in the judgment that the full vanity of this vain rebellion will be exposed. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. Everyone, even the false prophet, even the atheist, will carry out God’s purpose for them in the end. However, on that day, their forced submission will do them no good.

By contrast, when we submit to God’s purpose for us now and glorify Him appropriately, every other aspect of our lives comes into focus. When we choose not to kick against the goads, we experience life as it is meant to be lived and gain eternal life as well.

Conclusion

Reverential worship, then, is no spiritual extra. It is the only reasonable response to a God who is so great and mighty. Indeed, it is the only proper way for us to exist.

The same spring will not produce both fresh and salt water. The heart that will not revere God appropriately will not serve Him appropriately either. Conversely, when we align our hearts with His will in worship, it becomes far easier to align our lives as well.

— Via Truth Magazine, No. 1, Volume 65, January 2021

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-01-jan/05_Praise.htm

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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 Classesand 10 a.m. Worship Service.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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) Life and Death Are In The Tongue (Larry Bilbo)
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Life and Death Are In The Tongue

Larry Bilbo

Jesus said, “. . . out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). With but casual thought we easily recognize the truthfulness of His statement. Our words are a reflection of the mainstream of our thoughts, and hence, our characters. If you associate with a person for but a short time you can soon determine the stuff with which his heart is filled, good or bad, by his speech.

One’s true character can not be long hidden. In his casual conversations, his intense discussions, in his passionate cries, in times of provocation, in times of frustration, in times of joy, his lips and tongue declare the arena of his heart’s activity. Solomon said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Pro. 18:21). Indeed it is true that we can buoy men to great heights of life and joy and success by our words, but we can also plunge them into abysmal depths of sin, sorrow, sadness and despair by our words.

Solomon has quite a lot to say about the proper use of the tongue in his book of Proverbs. Let’s focus on some of his statements. First the good:

“A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in a network of silver” (Pro. 25:11).

“Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones” (Pro. 16:24).

“A word in due season, how good it is!” (Pro. 15:23).

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Pro. 15:4).

The person who can spread abroad these kinds of sweet verbal fragrances throughout the sphere of his influence is one who is of inestimable value to his fellows. His company will be sought, and his presence will be cherished because of the positive influence his heart, his life and his words have on others. When his associates and friends are downtrodden, he can help them to stand again. When they are sad, he can make their hearts to sing again. When they are confused, he can point them in the right direction, and when they are prospering spiritually and in every other way he will exhort them to proceed circumspectly and cautiously and humbly lest they unwittingly fall into the snare of the devil.

This sweet-tongued, much loved and respected person was not born the kind of person he is. He could be as negative as the next person, but he knows there is no joy or profit in it for himself or others. Indeed, as Solomon said, “The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips” (Pro. 16:23). This person has trained himself to be of superior quality. Furthermore, “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge” (Pro. 15:7).  A person is not wise because his lips are able to disperse knowledge, but his lips are able to disperse knowledge because he is wise. And he is wise because he has sought wisdom as hidden treasure (Pro. 2:4). Such a person “. . . hath joy in the answer of his mouth” (Pro. 15:23).

Now, the bad tongue. . . It is amazing that the same mouth that is potentially capable of doing so much good can be productive of so much bad when directed by a godless heart (James 3:11)! “With his mouth the ungodly person destroyeth his neighbor” (Pro. 11:9). When a person has a wicked heart he, like a tornado skimming across the landscape, sows havoc everywhere he/she goes. Indeed, how much damage can be done by “fervent lips and a wicked heart” (Pro. 26:23).

This person calculates to do wickedness with his words either with profanity, obscenity, dishonesty, discouragement or backbiting gossip. He wants to hurt someone by his words or at least hinder someone’s moral, mental and spiritual progress by keeping them in bondage to sin and Satan. “The words of the wicked are lying in wait for blood” (Pro. 12:6). By perverseness of his tongue he breaketh the spirit of those around him (Pro. 15:4).

Furthermore, Solomon speaks of the person who does a lot of meaningless talking. “In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely” (Pro. 10:19). This is not just a statistical matter like saying, the more a person spends driving his car, the more likely he is to have a wreck. Anyone who talks a lot will probably make a mistake occasionally. Solomon is not talking about that. He is talking about the person whose thinking is not in proportion to his talking — the one who talks much and thinks but little. He will eventually run out of anything constructive to say and when this happens, if he pushes himself to babble on, he begins backbiting and gossiping about other people. There is always someone who is ready to hear the gossiper’s slanderous words, and to him “the words of the whisperer are as dainty morsels” (Pro. 18:8). Such backbiting is harmful to everyone involved in it: the gossiper, the listener and the one talked about. Solomon says, “a fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (Pro. 18:6-7).

The Bible gives instruction to those whose experience puts them in proximity of a gossiper. “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips” (Pro. 20:19). So many problems in the world and in the church could be prevented if we would learn not to gossip. “For lack of wood the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth” (Pro. 26:20).

And finally, there is the problem of the person who wants to talk but does not want to listen. He wants to dominate the conversation and steam roll over anyone else who wants to speak. He is usually the person who wants to express his self-willed opinions without properly assimilating and analyzing the facts of the matter under consideration. Solomon says of this kind of person, “he that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him” (Pro. 18:13). James says “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…” (Jas. 1:19).

Indeed, “life and death are in the tongue.” But the tongue expresses only what is in the heart, the mind. We might say the tongue is a barometer of the mind of man. Make the mind what it ought to be: righteous, pure, holy, and clear; and the tongue will say what it ought to say. In that case, only life will be in the tongue, no death at all. What is it for you, for me?

Let us exercise ourselves unto godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall,” so said Oliver Wendell Holmes.

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church Of Christ, December 11, 2022

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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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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)  Smyrna (Mike Willis)
2) The Flesh (Heath Rogers)
3) Sword Tips #24 (Joe R. Price)
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Smyrna

Mike Willis

Smyrna is located on the western coast of Turkey in a natural harbor of the Aegean Sea, into which flows the Hermus River. Known today as modern Izmir, the ancient city of Smyrna has not and cannot be well excavated because so much of it lies beneath the modern city. The city was first settled in the 10th century B.C. (contemporary with King Solomon). That area is known as “old Smyrna” and it has been excavated.

Smyrna came into conflict with the emerging Lydian kingdom and was destroyed in about 600 B.C. The inhabitants scattered to surrounding villages. In 334 B.C., when Alexander the Great invaded the area, he refounded the city in its present location. King Lysimachus put the city on the map after his reorganization of Asia Minor, following the battle of Ipsus (301 B.C.).

Ancient Smyrna competed for trade with Ephesus and eventually became the leading trading center of the area. Some ancient coins called Smyrna the “first of Asia,” though this was contested, according to the coins of Pergamum and Ephesus (Ramsay, 1909, 255). Strabo called it the most beautiful of all cities (Blaiklock, 1983, 418). Smyrna boasted that it was the city of the famed Greek author Homer, who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey. Even today, Izmir is one of the largest and busiest commercial centers in the region.

William Ramsay writes, “As early as 195, when Antiochus was still at the height of his power, Smyrna built a temple and instituted worship of Rome; this bold step was a pledge of uncompromising adherence to the cause of Rome, while its fortunes were still uncertain” (1909, 254).

The town is only mentioned two times in Scripture (Rev. 1:11; 2:8). The church at Smyrna may have been established during the period that Paul preached in Ephesus and all Asia heard the gospel (Acts 19:10). There may be an allusion to ancient practices in the “crown of life” expression in Revelation 2:10. “Ancient writers often referred to the ‘crown of Smyrna,’ which perhaps referred to a crown of flowers worn by worshipers of the goddess Cybele” (Blaiklock, 1983, 418). However, Ramsay believes the “crown of Smyrna” “arose from the appearance of the hill Pagos, with the stately buildings on its rounded top and the city spreading down its rounded sloping sides” (1909, 256). Ramsay continues to write about the “crown” of Smyrna saying,

The comparison of Smyrna to a flower has a close connection with the “crown.” The crown or garland was usually a circlet of flowers; and the mention of a crown immediately aroused in the ancient mind the thought of a flower. Crowns were worn chiefly in the worship of gods. The worshipper was expected to have on his head a garland of the flowers or foliage sacred to the god whose rites he was performing. The guests at an entertainment were often regarded as worshippers of Bacchus and wore the sacred ivy: frequently, also, the entertainment was a feast connecting with the ritual of some other deity, and the crown varied accordingly. Thus the ideas of the flower and the crown suggest in their turn the idea of the god with whose worship they were connected, i.e., the statue of the god. The tutelary deity of Smyrna was the Mother-goddess, Cybele; and when Aristides pictured Smyrna as a statute sitting with her feet on the sea, and her head rising to heaven and crowned with a circlet of beautiful buildings, he had in mind the patroness and guardian of the city, who was represented enthroned and wearing a crown of battlements and towers (1909, 258).

Whether or not Ramsay is correct about his interpretation of the “crown,” the coins from Smyrna show the mother-goddess Cybele adorned with a “crown.”

The letter in Revelation indicates that there was at least one (perhaps more) Jewish synagogue in the city. “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Most probably the animosity of the Jews toward Christians was stirred by the conversion to Christ of many Jews and God-fearing Gentiles (see Acts 10:1-2, Cornelius; the term “God-fearer” is a technical term for Gentiles who attended the synagogue but were not fully converted to Judaism).

The text also indicates that saints in Smyrna would suffer persecution, even to the point of losing their lives. John writes, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). In A.D. 156, the eighty-six-year-old Polycarp was executed at Smyrna along with eleven others from Philadelphia (The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, 19). And, although the execution occurred on a Sabbath, the Jews were zealous in lending a hand to gather wood for Polycarp to be burned alive (The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, 8, 13).

 — Via Truth Magazine, Volume LVI, Number 3, March 2012,

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume56/2012_03_Mar_Truth_Magazine.pdf

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-2-

The Flesh

Heath Rogers

The New Testament reveals there is a battle waging within every Christian – a battle between the Spirit and the flesh. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:16-17).

The flesh in this passage is not our physical body. Flesh is translated from the Greek term sarx which Thayer describes as “mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.”

Consider the following facts about the flesh learned from Romans 8:5-8.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1. The flesh has appetites or desires (v. 5). Because of this, we can expect the flesh to be highly motivated to satisfy these desires.

2. The flesh is opposed to the Spirit (v. 5). There is no middle ground, no compromise between the two.

3. The consequences of the flesh are death (v. 6). Sin promises pleasure, but it is passing, leaving behind the penalty of death.

4. The flesh is an enemy of God (v. 7). It will always be hostile to the things of God.

5. The flesh is incapable of submitting to the will of God (v. 7). There is no hope of “converting” the flesh. Instead, we are instructed to crucify the flesh with its passion and desires (Gal. 5:24).

6. The flesh renders one incapable of pleasing God (v. 8). We please God by winning this inward battle and producing the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

To win this battle, we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5), bringing our thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). We must also walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16) – actively following the teaching of the Spirit in His word. Doing so will give us an advantage over the flesh and its desires.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, February 2023

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-3-

Sword Tips #24

“I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (Psalm 119:59-60).

Self-examination is crucial to spiritual success. Take a careful look at yourself today by using God’s word as your mirror. Are you living according to God’s will? If not, start obeying God’s commandments without delay.

If you put off obeying God your heart becomes calloused, making it harder to choose what is right.

Make today the day you turn away from sin and swiftly run to God.        

– Joe R. Price

——————–

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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1)  “The Gospel of Judas”? (Ron Lehde)
——————–

-1-

“The Gospel of Judas”?

Ron Lehde

Tonight (April 9, 2006) the National Geographic magazine is scheduled to present a television program that deals with an ancient work known as “The Gospel of Judas.” It is a 26-page manuscript (ca. AD 300) that is a Coptic translation of a Greek manuscript that is at least one hundred years older and was found in Egypt in the 1970s. The Copts are pre-Islamic inhabitants of Egypt and are believers in Christ. However, they have digressed in doctrine and practice to the extent they have their own pope. This “Gospel” presents a Judas that is doing the Lord’s bidding when he hands Him over to be crucified. At best this “show” will be a cynical attempt to gain “ratings” on TV and at worst it is – of course – an attempt by Satan to undermine faith in the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The following is from a news article about this false work.

“Although the full details have not yet been made public, snippets discussed in academic circles say it will prove Judas was acting at the behest of God when he sold Jesus to the Romans for 30 pieces of silver. Its publication will raise fears among traditionalists that efforts may be made to rehabilitate a man whose name is synonymous with betrayal. Sympathisers (sic) with Judas contend that had Jesus not been crucified, he would not have been subsequently resurrected to save humanity.”

There are at least three untruths in the above paragraph and even more in the newspaper articles you may have already read about this “Gospel.” To try and untangle this mess we must go back to the Bible and note a few things.

1. “Judas was acting by the command of God when he betrayed Jesus.” This is not so! The Bible plainly states: “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him” (John 13:2).

2. “Judas…sold Jesus to the Romans for 30 pieces of silver.”  Once again this is an effort to cover up the guilt of the chief priests and elders of the Jews of that generation. They are the ones who sent Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate, in an effort to hide their conspiracy in Jesus’ death. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:14-15).

3. “Sympathisers (sic) with Judas contend that had Jesus not been crucified, he would not have been subsequently resurrected to save humanity.” Critics of the Bible contend that Judas’ action was necessary for humanity to have salvation. However, just because God uses the deeds of an unrighteous individual to accomplish His ends does not mean that person will receive a positive reward. The unrighteous judge in Luke 18 finally did right in avenging the widow of her enemies; yet he did it only because she was wearing him out by her constant pestering him to do so. So we read: “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24).

Scholars have long known that a work called “The Gospel of Judas” existed. They have been on the lookout for it because of a reference to it in a text called Against Heresies, written by one of the so-called “Church Fathers,” Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, about the year AD 180. Irenaeus was a student of Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John. As John made every effort to repudiate the heresy of the Gnostics (cf. 1 & 2 John), so did Polycarp and Irenaeus. The Gnostics were a faction that had apparently (outwardly) obeyed the gospel and were Christians but then had gone after the false teaching of this sect. Their name comes from the Greek word for “revealed knowledge” (gnosis) and they claimed to have a secret knowledge regarding spiritual things. They taught that “sparks or seeds of the Divine Being fell from this transcendent realm into the material universe, which is wholly evil, and were imprisoned in human bodies. Reawakened by knowledge, the divine element in humanity can return to its proper home in the transcendent spiritual realm” (“Gnosticism,” Microsoft® Encarta® 98 Encyclopedia). In short, souls/spirits from the Divine Being were shaken out of heaven, fell to earth, and became imprisoned in human bodies. And the only way they can find their way back to heaven is to embrace this secret, superior, revealed knowledge that will guide it back.  Paul may have also warned against the beginnings of this heresy when he wrote: “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—“ (1 Timothy 6:20).

Three of the divisions within Gnosticism were: Ebonites, Cerenthians, and Docetaeans. Essentially all sects of Gnosticism believed that the world was evil; evil was all present; and therefore Deity could never assume/occupy sinful flesh.

1. The Ebonites believed that Jesus was only a good man like anyone else in an evil world. Hence His death only benefited Him.  This heresy the apostle John adamantly denied when he wrote: “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (I John 2:22). This passage also refutes the following belief of the Gnostics, the Cerenthians…

2. The Cerenthians believed that the body of the man called Jesus became occupied at his baptism by a demon named Christ, which then left him before the “passion.” This belief denies the Deity of Jesus.

3. The Docetaeans believed that Jesus Christ appeared to be real but his body was only a shadowy phantom (hologram?). This would mean that Jesus’ suffering/passion and death was only an illusion; therefore they denied the humanity of Jesus.

The apostle John, in refuting these Gnostic beliefs, said: “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” (I John 4:2-3).

All of these different aspects of Gnosticism actually came about because of one common hedonistic desire. It allowed them in their “state of superior knowledge” to be as indulgent in the lusts of the flesh as they wished because the body was evil, would die, and the spirit – being pure – would return to heavenly realms. Their analogy was that if a diamond fell into a pigsty it remained a diamond despite being covered with filth; and when it was removed from the sty it could be cleaned and again become bright and shiny.

The most revealing passages in this false gospel begins, “The secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a week, three days before he celebrated Passover.” The account goes on to relate that Jesus refers to the other disciples, telling Judas “you will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.”  This last phrase is very important to remember when you consider the aspect of Gnostic belief concerning the pure spirit being imprisoned in an evil body.

It is true that this “Gospel” is an old work, probably dating back to the 2nd century AD. But because it does not go further back than this it cannot be the work of an eyewitness of the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus; to which must also be added the death of Judas as recorded in Matthew and Acts. It is obviously a work espousing Gnostic heresy that we find at least in principle — if not out rightly — condemned in the writings of Paul and John.

In summation, we can see that “The Gospel of Judas” is a contradiction of what is in the Gospels of the New Testament. They – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – all agree that “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Because of the great truth (i.e., Truth never contradicts itself) it is easy to see that this is a false work and is to be rejected by all faithful children of God.

May our faith be strengthened through our confidence in God’s revealed will, the Bible…as we have it now!

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ

——————–

John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1)  The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Kyle Pope)
2) “They Shall Never Perish” (Joe R. Price)

——————–

-1-

The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant

Kyle Pope

Matthew 8:5-13 records a remarkable healing which Jesus performed for a most unlikely person. The account begins, “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him” (8:5, NKJV). A Roman centurion, lit. “an archos of one hundred,” was a position of great military authority. “They were the representatives of Roman law and order and were men of force of character” (A. T. Robertson, Commentary, 121). We are not told how this man learned about Jesus, but it is clear that he had a good relationship with the Jews of Capernaum. Luke records that he built their synagogue and loved their “nation” (Luke 7:5). Perhaps the centurion had heard from the Jews things that Jesus had done. However he came to learn about Jesus, this non-Israelite would demonstrate greater faith than many of the Jews had up to that point in Jesus’s ministry.

Matthew records that the centurion “came to Him” and was “pleading with Him.”  Luke informs us that this inquiry actually came through the elders of the Jews whom the man had approached after hearing about Jesus. The elders came to Jesus and, “begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving” (Luke 7:4b-5). At this word Jesus went with them (Luke 7:6). Modern critics have argued that this difference between Matthew and Luke is a contradiction, but we contend that both accounts are given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16) and contain no elements that cannot be harmonized with one another.

The message which the centurion brought was simple, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented” (8:6). Matthew uses a word for “servant” (pais) that can mean either child or servant. The parallel account in Luke uses a word for “servant” (doulos) which would not be applied to one’s child (Luke 7:2). The affection and concern for the servant as one “dear to him” (Luke 7:2) may explain Matthew’s use of the more familial term. Luke adds the fact that the servant “was sick and ready to die” (Luke 7:2). Our English word “paralytic” is derived from the word Matthew uses here which the KJV rendered “palsy.” Most translations of this century and the last transliterate the word or refer to the servant as “paralyzed.” The centurion’s servant in our text was not only paralyzed but was also “suffering great pain” (NASB).

In response to the request from the centurion, Jesus replied, “I will come and heal him” (8:7). After the Jewish elders relayed the message, Jesus “went with them” (Luke 7:6a). As He approached the house, “The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed’” (Matt. 8:8). This discourse is also relayed to Jesus, but by friends of the Centurion. Luke records, “when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him” (Luke 7:6b). The words the centurion relayed to Jesus represent some of the most humble and moving words ever spoken. It is striking that this powerful Gentile officer speaks to a simple Jewish carpenter’s son, calling Him “Lord.” Most commentators see in his reluctance for Jesus to come to him a demonstration of respect for Jewish separatism from Gentiles. Yet the centurion’s declaration “I am not worthy” addresses more than ceremonial cleanliness. In Luke’s account he relays to Jesus, “I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you” (Luke 7:7). The fact that the centurion immediately turns to issues of authority and rank make it more likely that the centurion, recognizing Jesus’s miraculous authority, acknowledges his own deficiency in such matters. 

He then declares, “only speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (Matt. 8:8b). The centurion’s statement reflects both faith and a respect for authority. As was true of his own rank he knew that one in a position of authority could command others and carry out his wishes through subordinates. Did the man expect Jesus’s disciples to carry out the healing in His place, or did he understand that Jesus’s authority extended beyond the material world? In either case he treats Jesus, not as an inferior in a conquered land, but one worthy of respect, with authority greater than his own. In our day, how badly we need more souls like this noble man—souls who recognize that the power Christ possessed to “speak the word only” and accomplish His will, still resides in that word which has been revealed. We are “not worthy” to go beyond what has been spoken, so we must respect the authority of God which rests in His word.

The centurion continued, “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matt. 8:9). Jack Russell Shaffer thinks that part of this message may have been delivered by the centurion directly. He reasons, “Seeing Jesus near his house and having already sent the second delegation, the centurion came personally to meet Jesus and restates the problem in more detail” (“A Harmonization of Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10.” The Master’s Seminary Journal 17.1 (2006): 48). Whether Jesus personally spoke with the man or not, his faith and respect for authority impressed Jesus.

He identifies himself as a man “under authority.” As a Gentile, this man may have known only a little about the God of Israel, but he understood well the nature of authority. Since the centurion had come to believe that Jesus had power to heal disease, he reasoned that Jesus’s authority would function as his own authority did. He had power to command, and his word alone accomplished his will. Brother Kenneth Chumbley, in his commentary on Matthew offers the insightful analysis that “the centurion reasoned inductively that they were both under authority. He understood that only those who can take orders are allowed to give orders” (153). What a wonderful demonstration of faith that this man understood that Jesus could simply speak and his servant would be healed.

Those who would follow Jesus today must recognize that as servants of God we are “under His authority.” No, we do not hear the voice of Jesus commanding us directly, but as His servants we are given instruction through His revealed word in Scripture. This word guides us through all that it contains, in its direct statements, its descriptions of what pleases God, and in the truths it infers. To presume to direct our own steps in matters of worship, teaching, or lifestyle is to reject the authority of God. To respect God’s word is not “legalism” but a gesture of humble obedience and faith in the One who authored that word.

Jesus praised the man’s faith and went on to foreshadow the inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel message (Matt. 8:10-12). But what happened to the servant? The text records that Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matt. 8:13a).  Matthew tells us, “his servant was healed that same hour” (Matt. 8:13b). Jack P. Lewis notes that the phrase “that same hour”—“is for the Gospels a phrase unique to Matthew (8:13; 9:22; 15:28; 17:18)” (Commentary on Matthew 1.123). Jesus’s healings were immediate. Luke records, “those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick” (Luke 7:10, NKJV). When Jesus spoke, the servant was healed. If this Roman centurion showed such great faith in and respect for the word of Jesus, should we show any less?

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 5 (January 29, 2023)

——————–

-2-

“They Shall Never Perish”

Joe R. Price

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand (John 10:27-29, NKJV).

Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep (Jn. 10:11). He knows His sheep and is known by them (Jn. 10:14). Jesus used the language of Ezekiel to explain His relation to His followers: “‘You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,’ says the Lord God” (Ezek. 34:31).

Today’s passage addresses the security of believers. The Shepherd has the power to protect His sheep; that is beyond question: (1) Jesus speaks to His sheep, 10:27; (2) Jesus knows His sheep, 10:27; (3) Jesus gives them eternal life, 10:28; (4) His sheep are secure in His hand and in the Father’s hand, 10:28, 29. At the same time, His sheep make choices that contribute to their security in Christ: (1) His sheep hear His voice, 10:27; (2) His sheep follow Him, 10:27. Sheep are exposed to danger when they wander from the shepherd’s care. The same is true of Christians who stray from hearing and following Christ’s word (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Christians can fall away from Christ and be lost (Gal. 5:4; 1 Cor. 10:12). Falling away from Christ does not happen because Christ cannot save His sheep. It occurs when sheep refuse to hear and follow the Shepherd (1 Cor. 5:1-5). Hear and follow the voice of Jesus and be secure in Him.

— via The Spirit’s Sword, Volume 24, Number 30, September 18, 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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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) A Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Connie W. Adams)
2) Be Steadfast, Immovable (Joe R. Price)

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A Fire Shut Up in My Bones

Connie W. Adams

Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet from the start. When the Lord told him that he had ordained him a prophet before he came forth from the womb, Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jer. 1:6). The Lord reassured him, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatsoever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you says the Lord” (Jer. 1:7-8). Prodded by these assurances, Jeremiah began his work.

It was a troublesome time. The kingdom of Judah had followed the same crooked trail marked out over 100 years before by the northern kingdom. Judah had a few good kings (like Josiah), but then Manasseh came on the scene and practiced human sacrifice. “He made his son to pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger” (2 Kings 21:6). The warnings of earlier prophets had been ignored. God had used Assyria as a chastening rod to punish idolatrous Israel. But Judah refused to learn this lesson of history. Now the Babylonians were poised and ready to desolate the land and remove its hapless citizens from their own land and scatter them throughout the Babylonian empire.

Jeremiah’s message was not pleasant to hear. It spoke of desolation and destruction. He shouted “violence and plunder,” but they did not want to hear it. Moreover, they took out their anger on the prophet. First they tried to ignore him and then they mocked him and later openly persecuted him. So the discouraged prophet had enough. He said, “O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. For when I spoke, I cried out: I shouted ‘Violence and plunder!’ Because the word of the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20: 7-9).

Here was a man ready to quit. What was the use of continuing to prophesy to an indifferent people. They were headed for captivity and he could not stop it. Besides that, who wants to be scorned for simply delivering the Lord’s message? But how could he quit? The message he had been given to declare was not his but the Lord’s. That word had not been placed in him to hold it to himself. He said, “when I tried to hold back, it was like a raging fire” shut up in his bones and he just had to speak.

While none of us these days are prophets in the sense Jeremiah was, we need preachers with a fire in them that will not be quenched. The apostles of our Lord hazarded their lives for the cause of the Lord. Neither beatings, threats, nor prison walls could silence them. They had a commission, a charge. Duty called and they had to answer. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). The treasure was the light of divine inspiration that God had “shined” in their hearts (v. 6). They were the vessels and the light was the treasure. They had to speak. Paul said, “we believe and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13). The “fire” in these men changed the course of civilization.

There were other preachers and Christians in the first century who would not be silenced. “Then Phillip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). He was on fire with the gospel. Think of Timothy, Titus, Aquila and Priscilla, those noble men and women whom Paul described as “fellow helpers to the truth.” Think of the persecuted saints in Jerusalem who were scattered but still “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

Duty Demands That We Speak

Evangelistic efforts have been criticized in recent times because “religion ought to be a private thing.” Even presidential candidates have been objects of ridicule because they openly expressed their faith in Christ. One columnist after another has opined that “religion is a private thing.” But they just don’t get it. Whether these who have professed faith in the Lord have truly obeyed his will is a question of great importance. But one thing I know — true Christians are under orders. We cannot be true to our Lord and remain silent about the gospel. The good news must be told. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). The spirit of evangelism is the very life blood of the church. The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The church at Thessalonica “sounded out the word of the Lord” (1 Thess. 1:8). They were aflame with the gospel.

And what of us? Can we afford to hold back when the world around us is marching straight into Hell? There are wars and rumors of wars. Immorality in high places is the order of the day. Where will the next school shootings take place? How many more times must we watch as the “experts” wring their hands and try to explain to us why these things happen? Divorce keeps on tearing families apart. Fornication, alcohol, drugs, stealing, lying, and murder are commonplace. What is the answer?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written. ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Rom. 1:16-17). Here is the remedy for every sin.

Now, whose work is it to make known the remedy? Men are starving for want of spirit­ual food. Are we not compelled to direct them to the “bread of life”? People are thirsting, shall we not lead them to “the water of life”? The world is stumbling in darkness, shall we hide our light under a basket? Can we not tell them of the “light of the world”? Knowing that those who know not God and obey not the gospel shall be lost eternally, can we hold back and not warn them of the wrath to come? “Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).

“But Lord, you know I am timid. I don’t know what to say or how to start. Besides others can do that much better than me.” Even some preachers are known to say “Well, I am better in the pulpit than in a one-on-one situation.” Don’t forget that Paul taught “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20).

What preacher has not faced discouragement after preaching his heart out only to see sinful people turn a deaf ear or at worst persecute the preacher. How many have called it quits when opposition arose? How many have been sidetracked into business pursuits so they would not be a “burden on the brethren” when the real problem was that the fire went out.

God grant that all of us may have a raging inferno shut up in our bones so that we have to speak to others the saving message of the gospel. Time flies. What are we waiting for?

— Via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p3 February 17, 2000,                                            
https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume44/V44021703.htm

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Be Steadfast, Immovable

Joe R. Price

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The Corinthian church had problems. Every church does. That’s because every church is composed of sinners, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. We struggle with temptations and sins, with our faith and our failings. Christians in every congregation must address weakness and weariness, responsibilities and relationships, and much more (Rom. 12:3-21). Paul exhorted the Corinthian brethren to remain true to the Lord as they faced spiritual challenges from within themselves and from the world without.

Like them, we must be “steadfast” (settled, firmly situated) in our faith. The roots of our faith must run deep within us, anchored by the word of God, in order for spiritual growth to flourish. By building our personal faith we become stabilized, standing firmly in the faith, and able to resist the enticements of sin (Col. 2:7; James 1:14). By such steadfastness we become “immovable” (unmoved) against the external forces of error and evil (Col. 2:8; Eph. 4:14-16; 1 Pet. 4:1-3). (Remember, the devil is always probing for our vulnerabilities, 1 Pet. 5:8.)

Spiritual stability enlivens our duty (“work”) in the Lord with purpose, devotion, endurance, and fullness. Our incentive to fulfill our duty to the Lord is clear — our labor is not useless in the Lord. A full, everlasting harvest awaits the faithful (Gal. 6:7-8).

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, December 2019

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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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm/ (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1) Joshua’s Encouragement (Doy Moyer)
2) Seed and Soil (Jim R. Everett)
3) Silence of the Scriptures (Irvin Himmel)
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-1-

Joshua’s Encouragement

Doy Moyer

As the children of Israel were preparing to go into the Promised Land, Moses delivered a series of speeches to help them understand how important their love and obedience to God would be (see Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Moses would not enter the Land himself, but Joshua had been chosen as the successor who would bring the people across the Jordan River. Before this happened, God spoke to Joshua to give him encouragement and help him know that God would be with him (Joshua 1:1-9). The essence of that message is an important reminder for God’s people today:

Moses My Servant Is Dead

Didn’t Joshua and the people already know this? They had been mourning Moses’ death for thirty days (Deuteronomy 34:8), so why would God say this? Sometimes people need simple reminders that the past really is in the past and it’s time to move forward. It’s obvious, yet there are times we let what happened in the past get in the way of what should happen in the future. Moses was a servant who was a good example and leader for them, but they could not afford to get stuck on what was. Compare this with Paul’s point in Philippians 3:13-14. “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Don’t allow the past to keep us from moving forward.

Arise and Go

Again, Joshua needed to get moving now that the days of mourning were over. Even knowing that the past is behind us does not mean we feel ready to get back to work. There needs to be the resolve and will to “arise and go.” There is a time to mourn, but then we must get up and get going because great work lies ahead. Compare this with what Jesus told the disciples when they had slept through their opportunity to watch and pray: “Rise, let us be going” (Matthew 26:46). There is work to do and we must engage the will to get it done.

I Will Be with You

God has always been with his people, so His promise stands. Joshua needed to know that God would be with him just as He was with Moses. The fact that Moses died did not mean that God had abandoned the people or the promises given through Moses and those before him. In times of disappointment and loss, it is easy to think that God has left us, but this passage reminds us that God stays with His people through the tears and difficulties. “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Be Strong and Courageous

It would take strength and fortitude to do what needed to come next for Joshua and the children of Israel. Their task would not be easy. If they imagined the enemies they would face or the problems that could seem insurmountable to them, they could become discouraged and give up before going any further. This was the problem faced by the previous generation who had sent spies into the land only to come back and report that there were giants and they were like grasshoppers (Numbers 13-14). The lack of faith in God and obedience to His will led to their rejection and inability to go into the Land (Hebrews 3-4). This new generation had another opportunity. Their courage would be tested and Joshua would be leading the charge.

Don’t Turn to the Right Hand or to the Left

This passage is about success: “For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Yet this success was also grounded in their faithfulness to the covenant. The “Book of the Law” was not to depart from them. They were to be careful to do all that was written in it. They were not to turn from it “to the right hand or to the left.” They could not expect success if they turned from God’s revelation. And neither can we. We want success and blessings, but if we turn from God’s revealed will, how can we expect God to bless us in that?

As Israel did then, so today we face difficulties in a world that has little respect for God and His message. We need similar reminders. The past is gone, so let us not get hung up on it. Let us get up and get to work for the Lord! Know that God is with us and will strengthen us in His will. We need to be strong and courageous, as Paul reminds us: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). Let us be faithful to the Lord and His revealed will, for the Lord will be with us and give us success!

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ, January 3, 2023

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Seed and Soil

Jim R. Everett

The productivity of seed is directly proportionate to the fertility of soil. It matters not how good the seed is, if it is planted in bad soil; either it will not germinate or, having germinated, it will produce a sickly plant. So it is with the word of God and human hearts.

In the parable of “The Sower,” stress is laid, not on the power of the seed, but, on the kind of soil in which it is sown. Four kinds of soil are mentioned in which the seed is sown — the wayside, rocky places, soil in which thorns are abundant, and good soil (Lk. 8:1-15; Matt. 13:1-23). Each of these represents four different kinds of human hearts, while the seed is called “the word of God” (Lk. 8:11).

The deficiencies of the first three kinds of soil do not, in any way, cast reflection upon the power of the seed to produce life. The problem is in the soil and not in the seed. Neither should men speak of the word of God as powerless to convert men — the potential to produce new life and to change men is found in the word of God (see Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:22-25). So why doesn’t it always bring forth an abundant harvest? — because the soil, the human heart, is not receptive or it is encumbered with the cares of the world. So, let’s not blame God for our lack of productivity — the kind of soil we are has been our choice.

What are the ingredients of fertile soil? Jesus defines it thusly: “… they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Lk. 8:15 ). I believe there are still human beings with good hearts that want the word of God. Is your soil Good?

— Via The Beacon, January 23, 2023

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Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (NASB).

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-3-

Silence Of The Scriptures

Irvin Himmel

The Bible is silent about the use of any elements in the Lord’s supper except bread and the fruit of the vine. The bread brings to remembrance the body of Christ, and the fruit of the vine brings to remembrance his blood (1 Cor. 11:23-25). It would be presumption on our part to add cheese to the bread, or to suggest that mutton be served to remind us of the Lamb of God!

The Bible is silent about churches taking monetary collections at a time other than the first day of the week. The first day of the week is the time specified to lay by in store (1 Cor. 16:1,2). We are taking undue liberties to contend that a congregation may take up a collection on Wednesday night!

The Bible is silent about Christians offering any kind of music in praise to God except singing. We are to offer “the fruit of our lips” (Heb. 13:15), singing and making melody in the heart (Eph. 5:19). We venture beyond the New Testament when we add playing to the singing!

Some people say they speak where the Bible speaks. But where the Bible is silent, they speak whatever they please. It is best to be silent where the Bible is silent. Let us learn to speak as the oracles of God and show respect for the silence of God. Silence does not give authority to speak. Silence is not our religious guide.

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, October 2, 2022

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Psalm 119:17-18

“…Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law” (NASB).

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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.  We also have a Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm/ (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1) “Does God Work Providentially Today?” (Mark Mayberry)
2) Strengthened with Adversity (Wilson Adams)

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-1-

“Does God Work Providentially Today?”

Mark Mayberry

Answering the question, “Does God work providentially today?” requires a proper understanding of the term and a clear understanding of Scripture.

How does one define “providence”? Dictionary.com says “providence” refers to “(1) the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth; (2) God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence; (3) a manifestation of divine care or direction; (4) provident or prudent management of resources; prudence; (5) foresight; provident care.”

The Greek word pronoia, occurring twice in the New Testament, refers to foresight or forethought, i.e., “thoughtful planning to meet a need” [BDAG]. When Paul was tried before Felix, the prosecuting attorney, Tertullus, began his speech by praising the governor: “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness” (Acts 24:2-3). Note its usage in Romans 13:13-14, which reads, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not  in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Stated positively, Felix was praised/flattered for his beneficent oversight of the Jewish people; stated negatively, we must not deliberately purpose to fulfill the lust of the flesh. Men can act with forethought, either for good or ill. In contrast, God’s providential forethought is always for good, in furtherance of truth and right.

Does God work providentially today? Let us answer this question by asking several other related questions:

Does God answer prayer today? Teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus emphasized things important to God (praise, purpose, proper response) and significant needs of men (provision, pardon, and prevailing over temptation) (Matt. 6; Luke 11:1-3). Other objects of prayer are enjoined in Scripture: We should pray for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Tim. 2:2). We should pray for those who are sick, that they might be restored (James 5:14). We should pray for the spiritual growth and maturity of fellow-Christians (Col. 1:9-10).

Does God still rule in the kingdoms of men? Indeed. The Book of Daniel repeatedly affirms that God reigns in the kingdoms of men, giving power to whomever He chooses, raising up and casting down (Dan. 2:21; 4:17, 26, 32; 5:18- 21). Presenting his sermon on Mars Hill, the inspired apostle said, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27). By urging disciples to pray for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead tranquil lives in all godliness and dignity, Paul affirms the continuing validity of this principle (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Has this reality changed? Has God’s power and authority diminished? Of course not.

Does God still have a purpose for mankind? Certainly. Ephesians 3:10 speaks of the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are called according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:9). Will He preserve the church of Christ? When Peter made the good confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus answered “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). Believers have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28).

Does God still provide for His people? Yes. The Psalmist said, “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread” (Psa. 37:25). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus affirms that God will provide food, clothing, and shelter to those who faithfully serve Him (Matt. 6:24-33). Do faithful disciples today enjoy this same assurance? Of course!

Does God still protect His own? Absolutely. No malicious foe can snatch us from the Father’s hand (John 10:27-30); no malignant power can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:33-39). No temptation has overtaken us but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that we will be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13). Again, the apostle said, “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).

Does God still remember His promises? Without doubt. Providence is clearly implied in the many “I will…” passages of promise. Consider God’s threefold promise to Abraham of land, nation, and Seed (Gen. 12:1-3, 7). Note His assurance of deliverance from Egyptian captivity (Gen. 15:12- 16). Reflect upon His oaths relating to the restoration of Israel (Isa. 44:26; Jer. 7:19; 16:14-15; 30:1-3; Amos 9:11). Consider His commitment regarding the Messiah/Christ (Deut. 18:18; 2 Sam. 7:12; Jer. 23:5).

Conclusion

God still answers prayer today. He still rules in the kingdoms of men. He still has a purpose for mankind. He still provides for and protects His own. He still remembers His promises. Therefore, we assuredly believe that God works providentially today.

Yet, we must recognize the relationship between divine providence and personal responsibility. God provided a ram to sacrifice in the place of Isaac after Abraham demonstrated willing obedience (Gen. 22:1-14). God provided for the physical needs of Israel when they walked in His statues and kept His judgments (Lev. 26:3-10). God delivered Esther and the Jews as she courageously brought the report of Haman’s plot before King Ahasuerus (Esth. 4:1-16). God will provide us with the physical necessities of life, but we must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:24-33). He has blessed us with the spiritual necessities of life, but we must diligently study and apply His word (2 Pet. 1:2-3). He will deliver us from temptation, but we must diligently look for that way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 58, Number 3,  March 2014

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_03_Mar_Truth_Magazine.pdf

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Esther 4:13-14

“…Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”    — NASB

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Strengthened with Adversity

Wilson Adams

What went wrong with the bio-dome? (that rhymes — almost).

It was the quintessential social experiment of the 80s — near Tucson. Scientists used indoor technology to create the perfect space should humans be unable to make Planet Earth great again. The bio experiment didn’t go that well.

One issue… trees. Outfitted to reflect earth’s diversity (simulating desert to rainforest), the trees inside the biosphere grew quickly. But they kept falling over before they reached maturity. From soil to sun, they had all they needed. However, one condition that could not be recreated in this man-environment? Storms.

Without storms, the trees were unable to develop strong roots. The wood became soft and, although they were fast growing, the lack of wind resistance became their downfall (literally).

Trees grow from sapling to strong because they endure seasons of storms. Hmm. Like us?

A life without storms may give us what we think we need, but it’s really the opposite. Instead of sheltering ourselves, storms test our resolve. The harder the winds, the greater the roots. Thus, resistance is a huge part of our resilience. In other words, storms make us strong. All of which says…

There’s grace in the gale — grace we may not see at the moment. The storms of suffering move us into new stories of life — strong. What seems like chaos may actually be His creation — slow growing our roots while strengthening our resolve… to be more like Him.

— from an untitled post at Wilson Adam’s Facebook site, January 2023

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James 1:2-4

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
NASB

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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.  We also have a Congregational Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm/ (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
——————–

Contents:

1) A Tale of Two Prophets (Andrew Dow)
2) God Does Not Forget His Own (Greg Gwin)
——————–

-1-

A Tale of Two Prophets

Andrew Dow

It was the worst of times! Rehoboam became king over Israel following the glorious reign of his father, Solomon. After King Rehoboam refused the advice of his wise counselors, “none but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David” (1 Kings 12:20, NASB). While Rehoboam unsuccessfully attempted to force the northern tribes into submission (1 Kings 12:21-24), Jeroboam became king over those northern tribes and constructed idols for his people to worship (1 Kings 12:25-33). This sharp division plagued the Kingdom that once thrived under the rule of David and Solomon. Thus a downward spiral began that would ultimately end in captivity.

As we turn to the thirteenth chapter of First Kings, we find “a man of God” traveling from Judah (the Southern Kingdom) to Bethel (the Northern Kingdom) in order to confront Jeroboam concerning his newly constructed idols (1 Kings 13:1-3). During this encounter, God displayed His power by withering and restoring Jeroboam’s hand (1 Kings 13:4-6). The King was so impressed by this display that he asked the man of God to come into his home (1 Kings 13:7). The Prophet responded, “If you were to give me half your house I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came’” (1 Kings 13:8-9). With these words, the man of God left the presence of King Jeroboam.

At this point, our story gets particularly interesting. The text introduces a new character to the story: “Now an old prophet was living in Bethel” (1 Kings 13:11a). This old prophet found out about the exchange between King Jeroboam and the man of God, and he quickly went out to find his young counterpart (1 Kings 13:11b-14a). The prophet found him and invited him into his home, but the man of God reiterated the instructions he had received from God (1 Kings 13:14b-17). The old prophet lied to the young man, “I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water’” (1 Kings 13:18). Having heard the old prophet’s words, the young prophet abandoned God’s instructions, and followed the man home (1 Kings 13:19). At the home of this prophet, the Lord spoke again to the young man, but this time his message was one of condemnation (1 Kings 13:20-22). “Now when he had gone, a lion met him on the way and killed him, and his body was thrown on the road” (1 Kings 13:24).

Why Did All of This Happen?

Why did the events of this story take place, and, perhaps more significantly, why are they recorded in Scripture? The events recounted above may seem troubling to some. Why did God send the young prophet on this journey? Why did the old prophet tempt the young prophet to disobey the Lord by lying to him? The young prophet was obviously misinformed, why did God see fit to punish him so severely? Why is the old prophet not punished like the young prophet? These kinds of questions are worthwhile questions to consider. I will not pretend to possess all the answer to these questions, but let me suggest two things along these lines.

First, perhaps these events transpired to show the absolute authority and seriousness of God’s word. God had sent this prophet to condemn the idolatrous worship that Jeroboam was setting up in the Northern Kingdom. He had given him very precise instructions (cf. 1 Kings 13:9, 17), just like He had offered Israel precise instructions on how to worship (see Exodus-Deuteronomy). As Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom were deviating from God’s instructions, God demonstrated through this unfortunate situation that He expects His people to follow His commands. After the young prophet’s death we read, “And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road” (1 Kings 13:25). It is almost as if this young prophet’s body is left as a monument for all to see the authority and the seriousness of God’s instructions. Later we find the words of the old prophet, “the things shall surely come to pass which he cried by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria” (1 Kings 13:32). Even the old prophet recognized that God’s word is authoritative and would be accomplished! The chapter ends by pointing out that “Jeroboam did not return from his evil way” (1 Kings 13:33-34). If God punished the young prophet for a seemingly trivial disobedience, how much more would Jeroboam and Israel be punished for abandoning the Law of God?

Second, perhaps these events came about to demonstrate that God’s Word was the final standard, even above the wisdom of old age. This event provides an interesting contrast to Rehoboam’s downfall in chapter twelve. After consulting both young men and old men, “the king… forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him” (1 Kings 12:13). In this instance, it was wrong for Rehoboam to refuse the wisdom of the aged men. The very next chapter introduces us to “an old prophet” (1 Kings 13:11). Of course, as we pointed out, this old prophet led the young man of God to act contrary to God’s instructions. In this instance, then, it was wrong for the young prophet to accept the foolishness of the aged prophet. Perhaps this is the point: listen to God above EVERYONE else. Sometimes (if not most times) it is advantageous to hear and obey the wisdom that accompanies old age, but there is absolutely no substitute for hearing and obeying the final standard, God’s Word.

What Do We Learn?

The two lessons mentioned above are valuable and important lessons we can learn from this biblical story. First, we need to always remember that God means business. Even if He doesn’t strike us down the instant we sin, God will punish us for our disobedience throughout eternity! Second, we need to always remember that God’s Word is the final word. Regardless of what man has to say, we must understand that God’s Word will judge us.

Christians are in much the same position as this young prophet. We have been given a message from the Lord that is complete in every respect (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3). Our obligation is to follow that message despite all the noise going on around us (cf. Gal. 1:8-9). It is easy for us to come across an idea that an elder, preacher, teacher, or scholar promotes and accept it as God’s Word. We must not be like the young prophet, but instead we must “examine everything carefully” (1 Thess. 5:21). Some hear new ideas from televangelists, self-help books, or favorite religious publications and quickly abandon what God has revealed to them through His written Word. Brethren, let’s make it our habit to examine “the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11) and make it our aim to “obey God rather than men” (cf. Acts 5:29)!

— Via Faithful Sayings, June 14, 2015

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-2-

God Does Not Forget His Own

Greg Gwin

Facing difficult and uncertain times, God’s people felt that He had possibly abandoned them . . . “But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me’” (Isaiah 49:14).

But God offered them the positive assurance that they so desperately needed . . . “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands . . .” (vs. 15-16).

He assured them that it would be more likely for a woman to forget her own child than for Him to forget His people. Just as we sometimes write important reminders on the palm of our hand, even so the Father had them written on His hand. Although their circumstances seemed bleak, God had not forgotten them.

In our own lives we sometimes face a combination of trials and troubles that can raise doubt and uncertainty. At such times we must also remember God’s promises . . . “He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

We have “great and precious promises” from the Creator of the entire universe (2 Peter 1:4). He loves us and cares for us, and He desires all good things for us (Jeremiah 29:11). It should surely comfort us to know that our Heavenly Father has our names written on His hand. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31).

— Via The Beacon, November 28, 2021

——————–

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.  We also have a Song Service at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. for 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.)