Author: Tom Edwards (Page 2 of 50)

The Gospel Observer

November 10, 2024 / Tom Edwards

“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 Tree & Its Fruit (Mark Mayberry)
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A Tree & Its Fruit

Mark Mayberry

Introduction

Let us focus upon Jesus’ cautionary words regarding false prophets, and how such individuals may be identified (Matt. 7:15-23).

Beware of False Prophets

Sounding a warning, Jesus said, “Beware!” In this context, the Greek word prosechō calls us to a state of alert, watchfulness, and concern. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1-4). Later, He would say, “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles” (Matt. 10:17-22). After coming to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus said, “Watch out and beware of the leaven (i.e., teaching) of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:5-12).

Specifically, the Lord warned against false prophets. The Greek word pseudoprophētēs, translated “false prophet,” refers to one who falsely claims to be a prophet of God or one who prophesies falsely. While the falsity of such individuals can involve their claim, content, and/or character, the essential characteristic involves a repudiation of divine truth.

The (false) prophet Balaam, covetous and corrupt by nature, spoke only the words which God gave unto him, pronouncing blessings rather than a curse upon Israel. Nevertheless, he eventually earned his wages of unrighteousness by counseling King Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, enticing them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So, Balaam ends up proving the rule that a false teacher is one who promotes rebellion against God’s pattern and precepts.

In His discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus warned against false Christs and false prophets who would show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22). Sinful men praise proponents of error, speaking well of them (Luke 6:26). Nevertheless, they pose a deadly peril, seeking to turn men away from the faith (Acts 13:6-8). Just as false prophets threatened the people of God during the Mosaic era, false teachers imperil believers in the Christian age, secretly introducing destructive heresies, bringing swift destruction upon themselves, and also their followers (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Matt. 15:13-14). True disciples will test the spirits to see whether they are from God, recognizing that many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

Who Come in Sheep’s Clothing

Such individuals come in sheep’s clothing, acting with stealth and guile, disguising their true identity, character, and purpose (Matt. 7:15). Discussing the Judaizers who threatened the Corinthian church, Paul said, “such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:13-15). At the Jerusalem counsel, this same faction (identified as “false brethren”), demanded that Titus, a Greek, be circumcised; however, Paul remained steadfast, refusing to yield in subjection, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would not be compromised (Gal. 2:1-5; cf. Acts 15). We must not remain spiritual babes, easily beguiled by false doctrine; rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:14-16).

But Inwardly Are Ravenous Wolves

Despite appearances, false prophets are ravenous wolves, seeking to devour and destroy (Matt. 7:15). Ezekiel employed similar language describing the sins of ancient Israel: “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain” (Ezek. 22:23-31, esp. vs. 25-28).

Saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, the apostle Paul warned, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Their only protection from such dangers was this: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Moreover, their only weapon was “the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).

Interestingly, the Greek word harpax, translated “ravenous” wolves, is elsewhere rendered “swindlers” (Luke 18:11; 1 Cor. 5:10, 11; 6:10). Rapacious wolves and robbers and false prophets/teachers share a predatory nature: Unconcerned with the rights of their intended victims, they seek to satisfy their own cravings. The first takes the physical life of its victim; the second takes the property/possessions of his victim; the third takes the spiritual life of its victim, robbing him of the hope of eternal salvation.

Note the stark contrast between false prophets and a true apostle: “Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” (2 Cor. 12:11-18, esp. vv. 14-15).

You Shall Know Them by Their Fruit

How does one distinguish between one who is false and one who is true? Jesus said, “You shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16-20)! The Greek word karpos, translated “fruit,” refers to the product or outcome of something. What is the result of an individual’s teaching? Does it draw us closer to God, or lead us away from Him? We must properly distinguish between those who are true and those who are false.

Conclusion

Those who do the will of the Father bear good fruit (Matt. 7:21-23). Emphasizing the nature of spiritual kinship, Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:46-50, esp. v. 50). Concerning His personal aim and purpose, Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:27-38, esp. v. 34). Again, He said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). And again, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:35-40, esp. v. 38). Paul admonished the readers of his Roman epistle, “Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2). The mystery of Christ is both knowable (Eph. 3:1-5) and the will of the Lord is doable (Eph. 5:15-17). In contrast with the world and its lusts which are passing away, the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17).

Those who practice lawlessness bear bad fruit (Matt. 7:21-23). The Greek word anomia, translated “iniquity” (KJV) or “lawlessness” (NASB), refers to behavior that is contrary to divine revelation. This is the state of unregenerate sinners (Matt. 13:41; 24:12; Rom. 6:19; 1 John 3:4); it is the status of those who turn aside from the truth to error, thus falling into apostasy (Matt. 7:23; 23:28; 2 Thess. 2:3, 7). What should we do if we are in such a state? Turning from sin, and turning to God, we must obey the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and enjoy divine forgiveness (Rom. 4:7; 2 Cor. 6:14; Titus 2:14; Heb. 10:17).

— Via Truth Magazine, January 2014

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_01_Jan_Truth_Magazine.pdf

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

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

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

The Gospel Observer

November 3, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” (Wayne S. Walker)
2) What I Learned from Reading Psalms (Bryan Gibson)
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“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

Wayne S. Walker

The Bible teaches us that God is omniscient. His eyes behold everything that occurs in this world. Jesus once said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). The point that Jesus was making was that if His eye is on the sparrow, then His eye is surely on us as well. What should this mean to us?

First, it means that God knows our needs and provides for them. “…For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). He provides for our physical needs. “Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Indeed, all good and perfect gifts come down from God above (James 1:17). He has promised in a special way to meet the needs of His people, for if we seek first His kingdom, what we shall eat, drink, and put on will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). However, the truth is that these blessings are indiscriminately given to all mankind (see Matthew 5:45).

But He also provides for our spiritual needs in Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). He sent Christ to die for us that if we believe on Him we might not perish (John 3:16). He offers salvation through the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). He revealed the Scriptures to guide us (2 Timothy 3:16-17), And He ordained heaven to be our eternal reward (1 Peter 1:3-5). Whose are these spiritual blessings? Even they are available to all mankind because God does not want any to perish but wants everyone to come to repentance (Titus 2:11, 2 Peter 3:9). But the benefit of these blessings can be received only by those who obey Christ (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Secondly, God sees our troubles and wants to help us. In Genesis 16:1-13, Sarah was impatient for God’s promise of a son for Abraham and so gave her husband her handmaid, Hagar, to be his concubine and bear him a child. But as soon as Hagar conceived, Sarah became jealous and drove Hagar out into the wilderness. But God found Hagar and promised to bless her. She called the name of that place “You-Are-the-God-Who Sees.” From our temptations, He offers escape. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is a great source of comfort that my God wants to assist me in overcoming temptation.

From our anxieties, He offers peace through prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). I do not have to spend my time worrying about my troubles; I can “take it to the Lord in prayer.” And from our cares He offers relief. “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, And the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Savior cares.”

Thirdly, God is aware of our sins and shows His mercy. We could never hide any of our sins from God. David said to the Lord, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:1-2), We shall be judged by the deeds of our lives, the words of our lips, and even the thoughts of our hearts. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). If at that time we have any sins in our lives that are unforgiven, we shall suffer eternal punishment, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Should such be the case, we shall “be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

But the good news of the gospel of Christ is that forgiveness of our sins is available. Jesus promised that “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men…” (Matthew 12:31a). When such occurs, God has said, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). To be thus, the alien sinner is told, “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). To receive forgiveness, the erring Christian is commanded, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22). Those who have been redeemed should say every day, “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Yes, God sees and knows. When dedicating the temple Solomon said to God, “…For You, only You, know the hearts of all the sons of man…” (1 Kings 8:39). God’s eye watches over us every minute, every day. He is cognizant of each action, each word, even each thought. Of course, this truth should be somewhat scary to the lost sinner. But it should provide great comfort and encouragement to the faithful Christian. “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me” (Civilla D. Martin).

— Via Search for Truth, Volume XVII, Number 14, November 3, 2024

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What I Learned from Reading Psalms

Bryan Gibson

On the Subject of Prayer

Constantly—morning, noon, and evening (55:16-17), as long as I live (116:1-2), that’s how often I should pray—when I desire to give thanks (68:19; 107:8), when I need forgiveness (32:1-5; 51:1-7), when I’m persecuted (142:5-6; 109:1-5), when I’m burdened with grief and anxiety (61:1-4; 147:3), when I’m in need of boldness and courage (138:3), etc.

Psalms confirmed for me that God has great power (33:6-9); that He has infinite knowledge, even of every single individual (147:5; 33:13-15); that He is longsuffering, compassionate, merciful, righteous, and faithful (86:15; 121:1-8; 143:1); and that He shows great lovingkindness (36:7). What I learned from studying these attributes of God is that He is both willing and able to answer prayers.

One sobering revelation, confirmed in the New Testament, is that God does NOT answer the prayers of everyone, but of the righteous (18:20-24; 34:15-18)—the prayers of those who fear Him (145:19), who call upon him in truth (145:18), and who come to Him with a broken and contrite heart (34:18).

About the Burden of Sin and the Blessing of Forgiveness

From the powerful poetry used in this wonderful book, I learned that no heavier burden exists than the burden of sin, that the greatest anguish I can experience is knowing I’ve sinned against God, and that His wrath is against me, even as one of His children (25:11; 31:9-10; 32:3-4; 38:3-8, 17-18; 40:12; 41:4; 51:4).

But, I also learned there is “hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption” (130:7). The anguish over my sins can be replaced with “joy and gladness” (51:8)—if my heart is broken and contrite (34:18; 51:17), if I acknowledge my sins to Him (32:1-5; 51:3-4), and if I repent (51:10-15).

God is “ready to forgive” (86:5), and so if I meet these conditions, “as far as the east is from the west” (103:12), He will remove my transgressions from me. Thank you, God, for this precious blessing.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, October 15 & 17 (2 articles on prayer combined)

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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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The Gospel Observer

October 27, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

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

Doy Moyer

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

Jesus Is Our Mediator

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus Is Our Intercessor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Our Habitable Earth

Jerry Fite

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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The Gospel Observer

October 20, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

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

Andy Diestelkamp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doug Roush

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

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

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

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

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, March 2024
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

October 13, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

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

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Did Christ Die In Vain?

Jady W. Copeland

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

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

He Did If He Was Not Raised

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

He Died In Vain If The Law Of Moses Is Binding

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

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

He Died In Vain If Morality Alone Saves

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service. Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

The Gospel Observer

October 6, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

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

Bryan Gibson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Quick to Forget

Zeke Flores

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Just As I Am”

Frank Himmel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service.   Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

The Gospel Observer

September 29, 2024 / Tom Edwards

1) “The Proper Order” or “The Prescribed Way” (Bryan Gibson)
2) The “Sons of God” in Genesis 6 (Joe R. Price)
3) Walk Carefully (Gene Samford)
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“The Proper Order” or “The Prescribed Way”

Bryan Gibson

David wanted to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, something his fellow-Israelites agreed was the right thing to do (1 Chronicles 13:1-4). And so they went to Kirjath Jearim, where the ark had been for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:2), and began transporting it to Jerusalem. During this trip, “David and all Israel played music before God with all their might” (1 Chronicles 13:8). So far, so good.

It wasn’t long, though, before they ran into serious trouble. “And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God” (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). The law of Moses was clear—no one could “touch any holy things, lest they die” (Numbers 4:15). Turns out, Uzzah’s error was not the only error they made. They put the wrong people in charge of transporting the ark, and they were transporting it the wrong way. The Levites were supposed to carry it on their shoulders (instead of a cart), using poles inserted through rings on the sides of the ark (Exodus 25:12-15; Numbers 4:1-15; 1 Chronicles 15:15). Their failure is summarized in 1 Chronicles 15:13: “The LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” The NIV says, “We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” They should have gone to the law to find out exactly how they were supposed to do it.

The lesson in this story is crystal clear. God desires we do things His way, that we consult Him about the “proper order,” or “prescribed way.” Claiming something is done “in His name,” or, “to His glory,” doesn’t make it so. God is a stickler for doing things according to His will (Matthew 7:21-23; 12:50).

For example, on the question, “What must I do to be saved?” look to God, to the New Testament, for the “proper order,” or “prescribed way.” The full answer won’t be found in one “silver bullet” passage. John 3:16 is a wonderful passage, but it doesn’t give all the details. Consider everything God says on the subject; that’s the only way to find His answer.

On the worship, work, and organization of the local church, same principle. Please don’t make the mistake of saying, “there is no prescribed way.” The New Testament provides a clear pattern for each one of these. The Israelites learned their lesson. They eventually did move the ark back to Jerusalem, and this time did it God’s way (1 Chronicles 15:14-16:1). Here’s hoping we learn the same lesson—before it’s too late!

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, September 6, 2024

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The “Sons of God” in Genesis 6

Joe R. Price

Who were the “sons of God,” taking as their wives the “daughters of men” in Genesis 6:1-8? What can we possibly learn from this Bible text?

The context of Genesis 6 leads us to the conclusion that the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:2 were the descendants of Seth, the son of Adam (Gen. 4:25).

In Genesis 4 we are introduced to two families: (1) Cain and his descendants, and (2) Seth and his descendants. Cain’s descendants followed the pattern set by their father Cain and continued to live farther and farther away from God (Gen. 4:16-24). In contrast, Seth and his family “began to call on the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26). Genesis 5 records this family tree all the way to Noah (Gen. 5:32).

Genesis 6:1-8 tells us how the world became so wicked and vile that God determined to destroy sinful man (which He did with the flood). This occurred because those whose ancestors had previously “called upon the name of the Lord” began to compromise and cohabit with the “daughters of men” (that is, the men and their families who did not call upon the name of the Lord). They abandoned their spiritual heritage and “took wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (Gen. 6:2). When men began to be driven by their own lustful desires rather than the word and will of God they were influenced by the evil they grew to love. The result was a world full of violent attackers, robbers and tyrants (Gen. 6:4 says “giants” which is translated from a word which means “to fall upon” or attack) rather than one filled with people who “called upon the name of the Lord.” These men made a name for themselves among other men, but not in eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:4). It was Noah, a just man who walked with God who caught God’s attention and obtained God’s favor (Gen. 6:8-9).

The divine reaction to the wickedness of men was one of grief, sorry and ultimately judgment (Gen. 6:3, 5-7). He determined to destroy the earth and accomplished their punishment with the great flood (Gen. 6:13, 17; 7:1ff).

There is no compelling reason from the immediate context or the rest of the Bible to convince us that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 were heavenly creatures instead of human beings. Such is the stuff of human fancy and fiction. There is no basis for this view in the inspired text. The “angels who sinned” in 2 Peter 2:4 cannot be the “sons of God” of Genesis 6:2 because those angels were “cast down to hell and delivered into chains (pits, ASV) of darkness.” They were not sent to the earth (see also, Jude 6).

So, the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 were men who did not remain holy and separated from the sin that was around them. Instead, they married women who influenced them to forsake righteous living. The result was mankind’s ruin and destruction.

There are clear lessons for us to learn from this sad period in human history:

1) “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).

2) The person one chooses to marry will influence him or her for good or evil, so wisely choose a mate who will help you live in God’s favor (Prov. 18:22; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

3) God expects us to live holy lives, separated from sin: “…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

4) God will punish sin, so we must be careful to live in truth and holiness (Rom. 1:18; 2:1-11).

— Via The Spirit’s Sword, Volume IV: Number 50, Feb. 18, 2001

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Walk Carefully

Gene Samford

Psalm 1:1

1. Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

The temptation is always there to compromise what we know to be God’s will — and one of the most effective inducements offered by the devil is, “Everybody else is doing it.” Overcoming this temptation is not as difficult as some might imagine, though. All it takes is “walking carefully” — watching where we “put our steps.” In other words, being certain we keep to the “straight and narrow path” which leads to Heaven.

Easily said, but how do we do this? By making God’s word a familiar part of our lives. As we study and meditate on it, it becomes our whole direction.

Psalm 1:2

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

— via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, December 4, 2022

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

September 22, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) It is Not Enough (Irvin Himmel)
2) National Day of Encouragement (Heath Rogers)
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It is Not Enough

Irvin Himmel

With disappointment a young lady walked away from the office where she had made application for a job. She knew she could do the work expected, having been trained in that field and having done the same kind of work for another company. “You must have a high school diploma,” she was informed. She had personality, ability, experience, and good references. “It is not enough to have all the other qualifications,” she was told, “the contract specifies that you must be a high school graduate.”

The New Testament is God’s contract with man for our age. It reveals the requirements for our receiving remission of sins. How utterly disappointed many individuals will be in the day of judgment when they are turned away from heaven due to sins which they suppose have been forgiven.

1. It is not enough to pray. A man named Saul, from Tarsus in Cilicia, learned on the way to Damascus that he was a sinner. He asked what to do, only to be told, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). He had to wait until someone was dispatched to make known to him the terms of forgiveness. In agitation and without food and drink, he waited. Most men in such condition would pray. When the Lord directed a disciple named Ananias to go to Saul, the observation was made, “Behold, he prayeth.” We dare not doubt the sincerity of Saul, the genuineness of his repentance, nor the fervor of his praying. But all of that was not enough to wash away his sins. Ananias addressed him in this manner: “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

2. It is not enough to be charitable. A benevolent disposition is commendable. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). At Caesarea there once lived a man named Cornelius, an officer in the Roman army, a man of excellent character and reputation. Cornelius was devout, God-fearing, prayerful, just, of good report among all the nation of the Jews, and he gave much alms to the people (Acts 10:2, 22). Some would not hesitate to pronounce such a person a “Christian” in this modern world. On the basis of his charitableness alone, some would suppose Cornelius was already saved. But all the good in this man’s life could not remit a single sin. He needed Christ. To receive Christ he needed the gospel. Consequently, he was told by an angel to send for Simon Peter, “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).

3. It is not enough to worship God. The belief seems widespread that men who worship God are saved and it matters not how they worship, provided they are sincere. While God seeks men to worship him (John 4:23), not all worship is accepted, and not all who attempt to worship are redeemed. In Acts 8:27-39 there is an account of how a man who had been to Jerusalem to worship was converted on his way home. He worshiped God to the best of his knowledge, but that was not enough. Many Jews and proselytes continued to worship God after the manner of Moses even though the old law was fulfilled. This man, treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia, was enlightened by Philip the evangelist who preached unto him Jesus. The man believed, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing in the assurance of salvation through Jesus.

4. It is not enough to hear the word. In my limited experience I have known several people who seemed to delight in hearing the word, attending church services with some regularity, yet showing no interest in personal submission to Jesus. It is an enigma to me that anyone who shows interest in the gospel over an extended period of time would not obey it. Perhaps such persons are deceived into thinking that hearing alone will bless them. The Bible says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (Jas. 1:22). To hear and not obey is comparable to building a house on sand, according to our Lord in Matt. 7:24-27.

5. It is not enough to believe on Jesus. The living oracles state plainly that faith in Jesus Christ is indispensable to one’s obtaining salvation (Heb. 11:6). Many who believe that Jesus is God’s Son do nothing more than give the assent of the intellect to that fact. They do not subject their wills to His will, their lives to His doctrine, or their consciences to His divine standard. During Christ’s earthly ministry, many among the chief rulers believed on him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they be put out of the synagogue, loving the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42,43).

6. It is not enough to do good works. Religious people frequently give liberally of both time and money to support humanitarian endeavors. Their works are heralded as “wonderful.” In some cases, these works are connected with the name of Jesus. But the Lord said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils [demons, NASB]? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). Wonderful works are not enough. One must do the will of the heavenly Father.

7. It is not enough to be baptized. Some folks at Ephesus were baptized but not according to the terms of the New Covenant (Acts 19:1-5). They had to be taught and then baptized in the name of the Lord. Some who are baptized do not obey from the heart. (See Rom. 6:3-5, 17, 18.) One may submit to the wrong baptism, or not be a proper subject when baptized, or submit to an improper action called “baptism.” One must be baptized scripturally to be saved from his sins.

Let no one suppose that his sins have been remitted because he has done one or two good things. God forgives sins when men fully obey the gospel. We appropriate to ourselves the benefits of the blood of Christ and become heirs of grace when we cheerfully yield to the faith once for all delivered.

— Via Truth Magazine, XV: 21, pp. 5-6, April 1, 1971 https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume15/TM015325.html

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National Day of Encouragement

Heath Rogers

According to the calendar in my office, September 12th is designated as the “National Day of Encouragement.” This was the first time I had ever heard of this day of observance. Seems like nowadays every day is dedicated to something. What is this National Day of Encouragement?

This day of observance started with a group of young students at the National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, in 2007. They saw a lack of encouragement as one of the main obstacles that youth face. Recognizing an urgent need to help each other overcome negative influences, they came up with the idea of The Encouragement Project, which developed the National Day of Encouragement. September 12th was chosen because the events of 9/11 brought a great need for encouragement. Later that same year, President George W. Bush signed a document designating September 12th as the National Day of Encouragement. A Senate resolution for the day was introduced by Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor and was passed by unanimous consent on September 13, 2011.

Our young people certainly need encouragement. Standards of morality and respectful behavior that were understood by previous generations aren’t even recognized by some young people today. Many children are growing up in broken homes, repeating cycles of failure displayed before them. Statistically, many young people today are dealing with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, despondency, and despair. The children of faithful Christians are not immune to these challenges. They are being influenced by an evil world in ways that us older folks just can’t comprehend. Yes, our young people need encouragement.

However, all of us need encouragement. In addition to the common struggles of daily life, each of us faces unique challenges with things like our health, relationships, and finances – just to name a few. As Christians we struggle with temptations and concerns regarding the spreading of the gospel and the faithfulness of God’s people in this world.

The Lord saw fit to have His people involved in the work of encouraging one another. Numerous times in the book of Acts, apostles and evangelists were said to encourage Christians (Acts 11:23; 14:22; 16:40; 20:1-2; 27:22-25). Paul struggled in his efforts to preach so that “hearts may be encouraged” (Col. 2:2). He sent Timothy to the Thessalonians “to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith” (1 Thess. 3:2).

Christians are admonished to “warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14). We are to “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Heb. 12:12). We are to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

While the country may have its National Day of Encouragement, Christians know that every day is a day of encouragement. We benefit from the encouragement we receive from others. We must look for opportunities to be a source of encouragement to others. Do you know of someone who is discouraged? Go out of your way to see them. Speak kind words to brighten their spirits. Share Scriptures that are appropriate for their needs. Let them know you are praying for them today. Plan to spend time together with them. These are just a few ideas that can help us become a needed source of encouragement to others.

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

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).

2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).

5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service. Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

The Gospel Observer

September 15, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Reaching the Lost (David Dann)
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Reaching the Lost

David Dann

Synopsis: Reaching the lost is about helping people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they came to be freed from their sins.

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Introduction

Most people are lost. “Few” are headed in the right direction, in contrast to the “many” who are bound for destruction (Matt. 7:13-14, NKJV). They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) and are “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (v. 18). Separated from God in sin, most people are destined for eternal misery in hell.

We should be moved with compassion and a sense of urgency, as we recognize that most of those around us are lost and destined for destruction. If you were lost, wouldn’t you want someone to help you correct your course? It is up to those who are already faithful servants of the Lord to help the lost turn from their sins and obey Him (cf. Matt. 7:12; 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

To know this is not enough. We must take action to reach the lost and bring them to salvation. However, a great deal of confusion exists over how to reach the lost. For much of the religious world, “outreach” to the lost involves offering people opportunities for entertainment, recreation, and social activities, hoping they will enjoy themselves so much that they might eventually see the benefits of joining a particular church. As a result, many people remain lost in sin, but are now part of some religious community. In order to reach the lost effectively, we must help people hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ so that they will be freed from their sins (cf. Acts 18:8). How can we go about reaching the lost today?

Seek the Lost

Jesus is the perfect example for us to imitate in reaching the lost: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Rather than waiting for the lost to find their own way to salvation, the Lord actively sought those who needed spiritual help and direction. The first step to take in reaching the lost is actively to seek those around us who are separated from God in sin so that we can show them the way of salvation. Interact with them, talk with them, engage them in a discussion of spiritual matters, and invite them to learn about the Lord. Let us imitate the Master by seeking the lost in order to lead them to salvation.

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). While we may complain that no one seems to be interested in the gospel anymore, there are opportunities all around us. Who are the lost? Our neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, people with whom we do business, those we interact with each week, and perhaps even members of our own families. Some of them are living immoral lives, some are viewed as being good people, some are even religious, while others are atheists or agnostics, and many are just confused. It is up to us to invite them to investigate the message of the cross. We need to imitate the Savior by seeking those who are lost in sin in order to lead them to repentance and salvation (Mark 2:17).

Find a Common Foundation with the Lost

All lost people need the gospel, but they are not all prepared to start at the same place. Philip could preach Jesus to the Ethiopian “beginning at this Scripture” (Acts 8:35) because the Ethiopian already worshiped the true God and believed the Scriptures. At the synagogue, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (17:2-3) because they shared a common foundation in the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus. On the other hand, when encountering pagans, Paul had to begin with, “God, who made the world and everything in it” (17:24) in an effort to establish common ground—i.e., a starting point. Paul challenged Felix with the reality of “judgment to come” (24:25) as a foundation from which to work. However, when dealing with Agrippa, the same apostle found more of a common religious foundation from which to begin, saying, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (26:27). The New Testament serves as an instruction manual for finding a common foundation from which to teach the lost.

The goal is to take this lost person from where he is to where he needs to be by leading him to believe and obey the gospel so that he will be saved. As Paul puts it, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). If you are trying to reach someone who already believes in God, believes that Jesus is the Son of God, and believes the Bible is the word of God, then you have a very solid foundation to work with as you show what the Bible teaches one must do to be saved. If you are trying to reach someone who isn’t convinced that the Bible is God’s word, then you’ll have to establish that fact before moving on to what the Bible says one must do to be saved. Find out what this individual believes, spend time in prayer, and use wisdom and good judgment in working to bring this lost soul from where he is to where he needs to be in understanding and obeying the gospel. The inspired wise man points out that “he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). We need to put forth the effort to start from a common foundation in order to be as effective as possible in reaching the lost.

Present God’s Plan to the Lost

Paul writes, “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 for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The message of the loving Savior who laid down His life at the cross in order to redeem humanity from sin is the power that God uses to convert the soul. Reaching the lost is not about catering to man’s physical or social desires, nor is it about helping people experience earthly success so they can live a better, more enjoyable life. Instead, the focus is on presenting a message of salvation from sin to those who are desperately in need of reconciliation with God. For those who are truly seeking, the gospel message is the sword of the Spirit that pricks the heart of the sinner so that he is turned to the Lord. Place your confidence in the gospel to accomplish its work.

To reach the lost and bring them to salvation, God’s plan must be presented in a simple manner so that people are led to understand, believe, and obey it. The lost should be shown from Scripture how sin entered the world in the garden of Eden and how God carried out a plan to save man from sin through the sacrifice of His Son. They need to be shown what the Bible teaches about sin, salvation, the church, the two covenants, Bible authority, and man’s eternal destiny. It is our job to help them understand that, in order to benefit from the sacrifice of Christ, they must repent and be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). The souls of sinners are purified “in obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). We need to present the plan of God to the lost so that they will be convicted to comply with the conditions He has set in order to receive salvation.

Conclusion

Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). No work in this world is greater and more urgent than reaching the lost with the saving message of Christ. Seek them out, find a common foundation from which to begin, and present God’s plan in all of its power and simplicity. Will you join in the work?

— Via Truth Magazine, No. 4, Volume 66, April 2022

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2022/2022-04-apr/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_01.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 Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service. Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

The Gospel Observer

September 8, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) The Lamb’s Book of Life (Cecil Willis)
2) Sword Tips #30 (Joe R. Price)
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The Lamb’s Book of Life

Cecil Willis

One of the very beautiful expressions to me found in God’s Word is the reference to “The Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). The allusion is to the practice of enrolling all the citizens of a particular city upon a register, indicating that person is a citizen and entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship. When a person died, or did some dishonorable thing, his name was blotted from the roll. From this custom, the lessons about the Lamb’s book of life are taken.

(1) There is such a record kept. The prophet Daniel indicated that such a book was kept: “and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1). In Rev. 13:8, John speaks of those who “make war with the saints” as being those “whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.” Paul spoke of his fellow workers as those “whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).

(2) This roll is an infallible record. Inasmuch as this is the roll of the Lamb, surely the record is infallibly kept. Jesus is described in Revelation as one whose “eyes were as a flame of fire,” which probably alludes to his omniscience. The Lord is said to know “what was in man” (Jno. 2:25). He knows the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24). Indeed, “there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).

Hence, it follows that the Lord knows those who are his own. His people are a people for his own possession (Tit. 2:14). He loved his own (Jno. 13:1), and he knows those who are his own (Jno. 10:14). The Bible teaches that the Lord adds to his church daily those that are being saved (Acts 2:47). He does not add the names of any whose name should not be enrolled, nor does he fail to add the name of one whose name should he enrolled. Men sometimes keep church rolls, but their record keeping is not infallible. Man may add the name of some insincere person, or unrighteous men may strike from the church roll the name of some righteous saint of God. However, the authentic and infallible roll is kept in heaven. Jesus told the returning seventy, “Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20).

(3) The names of the Old Testament worthies were written there. Apparently from the beginning, God has kept a heavenly record of those who faithfully served Him. On one occasion when Israel had sinned grievously, Moses sought to intercede with God for them. Moses even sought to exchange himself for his sinning people. He pleaded with God: “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin –; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:32, 33). The ancient heroes of faith, such as those listed in Hebrews 11, were enrolled in the book of life.

(4) The names of Christians are written there. Again I refer to Phil. 4:3 where Paul stated that the names of his fellow-laborers “are in the book of life.” The Hebrew writer refers to the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb. 12:23). Only members of the church have their names written in heaven. If a person can be saved outside the church, he can be saved without having his name written in heaven. If one can be saved without being a member of the church, he can be saved without Jesus acknowledging him before the Father (Lk. 12:8, 9).

(5) If one’s name is not written there, he is lost. In the judgment scene in heaven, John saw that one’s name must be found in the book of life in order to be saved eternally. John stated, “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Rev. 20:12). John stated also that the destruction of the beast would cause wonderment on the part of those “whose names hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 17:8). In order to show categorically the absolute essentiality of having one’s name in the Lamb’s book of life, John said, “And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).

(6) One’s name may be blotted out. Some try to use the fact that there is a heavenly book of life to prove the impossibility of apostasy. Albert Barnes, for example, said, “Names that are written in the book of life will not be blotted out.” Matthew Henry agreed, “But they whose names are written in heaven shall never perish.” It is true that man cannot blot your name from the Lamb’s book of life, but the Lamb can do so.

Moses realized that God could remove his name from his roll book when he asked to be blotted out (Ex. 32:32). Speaking of some who had become adversaries of God’s people, David said, “Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous” (Ps. 69:28). Obviously one’s name could not be blotted from the book of life if his name had never been written there. Thus the possibility of having one’s name blotted out shows without doubt the possibility of apostasy.

In the church at Sardis, there were some who had not defiled their garments. Of these, Jesus said: “He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Rev. 3:5).

Conclusion: John spoke of the heavenly city, and who shall enter it. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). You need to ask yourself the question we often ask in song: “Is my name written there, on the page white and fair? In the book of Thy kingdom, is my name written there?” If not friend, you need to obey the gospel that you might be added by Christ to His kingdom, for only those in the church are enrolled in heaven.

— Via Truth Magazine, XVI: 11, pp. 3-5, January 20, 1972
https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume16/TM016163.html

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-2-

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

Sword Tips #30

Joe R. Price

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:18)

There are many fanciful and false interpretations of the book of Revelation, including the infamous “number of the beast,” 666.

Wisdom teaches us it signifies failure, upon failure, upon failure, as it thrice falls short of the perfect number “7.” Worldly forces that oppose God’s truth and God’s people will ultimately fail.

The Revelation assures Christians of victory in Jesus in the face of overwhelming odds.

Do not be dismayed or discouraged by the forces of evil that rise up and press against you in this world.

Be steadfast in your faith; “the Lamb will overcome them” (Rev. 17:14).

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Psalm 37:3

“Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

— 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).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service. Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

A Tree & Its Fruit

Introduction

Beware of False Prophets

Who Come in Sheep’s Clothing

But Inwardly Are Ravenous Wolves

You Shall Know Them by Their Fruit

Conclusion

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

What I Learned from Reading Psalms

On the Subject of Prayer

About the Burden of Sin and the Blessing of Forgiveness

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Jesus, Our Mediator and Intercessor

Jesus Is Our Mediator

Jesus Is Our Intercessor

Our Habitable Earth

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Wilderness Warnings

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Bring Them to Jesus

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Did Christ Die In Vain?

He Did If He Was Not Raised

He Died In Vain If The Law Of Moses Is Binding

He Died In Vain If Morality Alone Saves

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

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

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Divine Tact: Paul’s Epistle to Philemon

Quick to Forget

“Just As I Am”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

“The Proper Order” or “The Prescribed Way”

The “Sons of God” in Genesis 6

Walk Carefully

Psalm 1:1

Psalm 1:2

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

It is Not Enough

National Day of Encouragement

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Reaching the Lost

Introduction

Seek the Lost

Find a Common Foundation with the Lost

Present God’s Plan to the Lost

Conclusion

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Lamb’s Book of Life

Sword Tips #30

Psalm 37:3

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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