Author: Tom Edwards (Page 6 of 50)

The Gospel Observer

February 4, 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) MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous” (Kyle Pope)
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MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous”

Kyle Pope

Synopsis: As Solomon wrestled with the meaning of life, modern-day disciples sometimes struggle with questions. Let us turn to God’s word for answers.
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Introduction

Have you ever come to a point in your life at which you asked yourself the question, What good does it do?—What’s the point? Persecution can often cause this. It was persecution that led Elijah to cry out to God, “It is enough; now O LORD, take my life” (1 Kings 19:4, NASB). In Peter’s first epistle, as he wrote to brethren “grieved by various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6, NKJV), one can almost hear underlying his words of encouragement these same kinds of questions that seek to make sense of life in Christ. The Holy Spirit, through Peter’s words, offers answers to all who would ever wonder if service in Christ really matters.

The Behavior of the Redeemed

As I study Peter’s first epistle, I can’t help but smile when I notice that, like many of us gospel preachers, Peter says “finally” when he is actually only about halfway through what he intends to say. We can see chapter three, verse eight, as the beginning of his conclusion to this epistle. This summation continues what he has already begun to address—he calls them to proper behavior. If they are truly those who were “redeemed” (1 Pet. 1:18), then they must “be of one mind, having compassion for one another” (1 Pet. 3:8a). Those who have “been born again” (1 Pet. 1:23) must “love as brothers” being “tenderhearted” and “courteous” (1 Pet. 3:8b, NKJV) or, as some manuscripts put it, “humble-minded” (ASV). Their Redeemer, when He “was reviled, did not revile in return” (1 Pet. 2:23), so those who follow Him will not return “evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9a, NKJV). This may be strange behavior by the world’s standards, but not for “sojourners and pilgrims” (1 Pet. 2:11). They will recognize that they “were called to this” because it is through this way of life that they “may inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9b). It is this promise of blessing that stands behind all of the Christian’s hope.

Whom Does the Lord Hear?

In the face of hardship, disappointment, persecution, and sorrow, it is a hope that one day the child of God may “see good days” that answers the underlying question, Why?—Why keep going? Peter paraphrases Psalm 34:12-16 to answer this question. The psalmist puts it in the form of a question: “who is the man who?” (Ps. 34:12a), but Peter just asserts, “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Pet. 3:10). To see life and “good days,” one must “turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Pet. 3:11). These “good days” must not be thought of in a limited sense of deliverance in this life. Sometimes, that may happen, but “sojourners and pilgrims” recognize that their hope rests elsewhere. If comfort and ease in this life indicated Divine approval then we would have to conclude that the ungodly, the sinful, and even those who persecute God’s people, are actually approved by Him. Who are those who truly stand approved before God? Peter and the Psalmist answer, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil” (1 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 34:15-16). The false teaching that an alien sinner can offer the “sinner’s prayer” and by it come into fellowship with God ignores this clear testimony of Scripture. God hears the appeals of His people. Souls must first be among the redeemed so that His ears might be “open to their prayers.”

Baptism Is Necessary for Salvation

Only a few verses later in this same chapter, Peter touches on the point at which one does come into fellowship with God in Christ. He raises it by way of comparison with a point he had made about Noah, who was “saved through water” (1 Pet. 3:20). Peter declares, “corresponding to that, baptism now saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21a, NASB).

Since the Protestant Reformation, many have rejected the idea that baptism has anything to do with salvation or is necessary (in any way) for us to enjoy fellowship with God. This was likely due to false doctrines that arose before the Reformation that distorted the scriptural teaching on baptism. Men were falsely taught that baptism could be a sprinkling or pouring of water. In the New Testament, baptism is always an immersion symbolizing burial (Rom. 6:1-7). Then, just as now, men improperly baptized babies. The New Testament teaches baptism is for those capable of belief (Mark 16:16).

Over Christendom’s long history, baptism has (in some cases) been forced upon people, regardless of whether or not they believed in Jesus. In the New Testament, baptism and faith are both necessary for one to “put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). Peter leaves no doubt that baptism is essential for salvation. Not because it is some meritorious work that earns salvation, but because it is “an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21c, NASB).

Suffering for Doing Good

The baptized believer can live in the assurance that God sees and is ever conscious of his condition. While God sees, hears, and knows all things (Prov. 15:3), in a special sense, His eyes are “on the righteous” and His ears are “open to their prayers” (1 Pet. 3:12). So, what good does it do to serve Christ?—why are believers allowed to suffer hardship and persecution? In some cases doing what is right prevents suffering. Peter asks, “who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” (1 Pet. 3:13, NKJV). If we do good, even to the ungodly, sometimes this will spare us from harm, but Peter continues, “But even if you should suffer” (1 Pet. 3:14a).

Remember, our condition in this life is not a guarantee of God’s approval. We may suffer, and actually “suffer for righteousness’ sake” (1 Pet. 3:14b). Is that a curse or a punishment? No. When it happens, actually “you are blessed” (1 Pet. 3:14c). Peter says, “it is better” when and if this should happen “to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Pet. 3:17). The criminal deserves his punishment. When the relationships of the ungodly are shattered, their behavior may well have merited the consequences brought upon their lives. However, when the Christian does good, and suffers for it, one day all will be vindicated. The persecutors of Christians will one day “be ashamed” (1 Pet. 3:16c), while the Christian who lives with a “good conscience” (1 Pet. 3:16a) can know that he will one day “see good days” (1 Pet. 3:10).

The Suffering of Christ

Where is the proof of this hope?—How can we know in the face of persecution we will “see good days”? Peter tells us the very One who redeemed us offers assurance to us of this hope and blessing. He declares, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust” (1 Pet. 3:18a). He suffered in the flesh but attained the resurrection, never to die again. His suffering purchased our blessing. He endured this “that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18b).

Peter challenges the reader to recognize a different perspective on the flesh and spirit. Jesus was “put to death in the flesh” (1 Pet. 3:18c), but this ultimate demonstration of persecution could not rob Him of the ultimate blessing—He was “made alive in the spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18d, ASV). Christ’s spirit (like our own spirit) lives beyond the death of the flesh.

Christ’s Deity made it such that His spirit was active not only after His death, but before His life on earth. Earlier in the book, Peter told the brethren concerning the prophets that it was the “Spirit of Christ who was in them” (1 Pet. 1:11) who allowed the Old Testament prophets to declare those things that would come about.

It was this same “spirit of Christ” who Peter now explains was working through Noah when “He (i.e., the spirit of Christ) preached to the spirits in prison (i.e., those now held in Hades awaiting judgment)” (1 Pet. 3:19). Jesus didn’t preach in Hades—there is no opportunity for repentance in that realm (cf. Luke 16:19-31). Jesus preached through Noah “in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared” (1 Pet. 3:20b) to the disobedient rebels before the flood.

What does that show us about suffering and the flesh versus the spirit? Jesus’s spirit was alive before and after His suffering. He saved His people “through water” before His life and suffering on earth. Likewise, He saves us “through water” after His life and suffering on earth. This can demonstrate to those who experience hardship in the flesh that it is more important to look at our spiritual condition than the condition of our flesh.

Ready to Give an Answer

What good does it do?—why keep serving Christ? These questions that seem to underlie Peter’s words of encouragement are not abstract, philosophical exercises that no one ever faces. They are real questions which our hearts must confront.

Peter challenges the Christians to whom his first epistle was written to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Pet. 3:15a). He calls them to prepare so that they may “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15b). Some, instead of “defense,” translate this “answer” (KJV, ASV, NIV). We need to be able to answer religious error. We need to be prepared to explain why we have “hope,” despite life’s conditions. Yet, if we genuinely sanctify God in our hearts, our preparation to give an answer may not just involve questions posed by others, but even the questions that we face within. This preparation can help us through persecution—it can help us hold onto “the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15b).

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

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-01-jan/00_TM-TOC.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).
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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

January 28, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents

1) Jesus the Living Water (Doy Moyer)
2) Finding Common Ground (Joel Raulerson)
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Jesus the Living Water

Doy Moyer

Jesus came into Samaria to a town called Sychar, where Jacob’s well was situated between mounts Ebal and Gerazim. Here a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus simply said, “Give me a drink.” The woman was taken aback because Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other, but this did not stop Jesus. He said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). While she was puzzled about how Jesus could draw water at this well, He said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). She wanted this water, and the conversation that ensued convinced her that Jesus was indeed the Prophet from God.

This theme of water is significant in Scripture. In John’s gospel, John the immerser baptized with water to identify the Messiah (John 1:19-34). Jesus turned water into wine (John 2). He then told Nicodemus that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). On the last day of the feast of booths, Jesus cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38). By the end of John’s account, when Jesus was pierced in the heart, “at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:34). Other references can be given, but these should suffice to show that water is an important theme.

Much can be said for each reference, but the brief focus here is on Jesus providing living water. In the Old Testament, living water (i.e., fresh or running water) was to be used to cleanse lepers and other defilements (Leviticus 14:5-6; 15:13; Numbers 19:17). Yet the living water provided in such contexts was limited to the time and place of its use. In John 4, the well was an important source of water, but it was still going to be limited. The water Jesus was offering is different. While the physical water was necessary to live, the water from Jesus leads to an even greater life, to eternal life. Koester offers these thoughts:

“The water in Jacob’s well was bound to a place; it needed to be hauled out by hand and it only quenched thirst for a short time. But the water Jesus promised was not bound to one place; it would spring up within a person so that he or she would never thirst again. The water from Jacob’s well could extend life for a while, but living water from Jesus would issue into life everlasting, which in John’s Gospel refers to life lived in relationship with God” [Craig Koester, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community, 189].

When God gave Israel water in the wilderness, the people sang, “Spring up, O well! Sing to it!” (Numbers 21:17). God provided for them the gift of water so that they could live. God cared for them, led them by the Holy Spirit, revealed His word, and gave them every opportunity to live with Him. Sadly, they ended up rejecting Him, as Jeremiah noted,

“For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me,
The fountain of living waters,
To hew for themselves cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13; cf. 17:13).

God was not done, though. His plan through the Messiah was to open up a fountain “for sin and for impurity” (Zechariah 13:1). In Jesus is fulfilled the psalmist’s thoughts: “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Psalms 36:9). His teaching is a “fountain of life,” as is the wisdom that pours forth from Him (Proverbs 13:14; cf Proverbs 18:4).

Drinking from the living water offered by Jesus means that we are partaking in His teaching and the Spirit. Again, He said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive …” (John 7:37-39). By committing to the living water, we are committing to God’s Son, His word, and living by His Holy Spirit, for “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

Jesus offers us Himself, the true Living Water from heaven who will cleanse us from our sins and give us eternal life. “There’s a fountain free, ’tis for you and me…”

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ, January 27, 2014

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Finding Common Ground

Joel Raulerson

After His resurrection, Jesus instructed His apostles, saying, “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” (Matt. 28:19-20). The gospel of Christ must be taken to the world so that souls can be saved. Sinners must hear, believe, and obey the gospel to be forgiven of sins and be saved (cf. Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-41; Rom. 6:3-4, 17-18; 10:9-10). To effectively teach the lost, we need to find common ground on which to build. The people we seek to teach will come from different religious backgrounds, have different levels of understanding as far as what the Bible teaches, and will be at different stages in their thinking about the Lord. They all need the gospel, but not all are prepared to start at the same place. How will we reach them with the good news?

Let us consider the following three examples of the apostle Paul’s work in the book of Acts. Note his emphasis on finding common ground to begin teaching.

Worshippers at the Synagogue. Upon arriving at the Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica, the Bible says, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’” (Acts 17:2-3). The common ground between Paul and those at the synagogue was a shared belief in the Old Testament Scriptures. Since this was the case, the apostle could simply appeal to the Scriptures to show that Jesus fulfilled that which was written in the prophets. While the worshippers at the synagogue didn’t understand God’s new law completely, Paul started at their level of understanding and built upon that foundation.

The Pagan Philosophers. Where the previous group had a religious background to build upon, the pagans further in Acts 17 were an amalgamation of idolaters, spending their days debating the validity of gods. Paul took that common ground and built upon it using the altar to the “Unknown God” that he had seen in Athens. Paul began to speak to the pagan philosophers, saying, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24-25). Since these men did not believe the Old Testament Scriptures, he could not start with them at the same place he started in Thessalonica. Instead, Paul looked for common ground in the concept of an absolute Creator who made men, who is to be worshiped by men, and who will eventually judge men (vv. 30-31).

The Roman Governor. When Paul was presented with the opportunity to preach Christ to Felix, the Bible says, “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you’” (Acts 24:25). Again, we have a very different background compared to the previous two examples, but that did not stop Paul from being able to find common ground. The governor was living an immoral lifestyle. In order to establish a common foundation in his efforts to teach Felix, Paul pointed out that God has issued a standard, man is expected to live in harmony with that standard, and man will be held accountable by God for transgressing His standard. Paul was no stranger to sin, even calling himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Paul was able to take the common foundation of living in sin and relating to Felix to prick his heart with God’s word.

Conclusion. Paul effectively spread the gospel in all three examples cited above, even though he needed to find a different foundation from which to build in each case. As we seek today to reach people of differing beliefs, various backgrounds, and diverse lifestyles, we will need to work to find common ground upon which to build to help them to understand and obey the gospel. May we never be ashamed of the gospel and continually seek out the most effective way to lead others to salvation (Rom. 1:16)!

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

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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

The Gospel Observer

January 21, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents

1) “A Man After God’s Own Heart” (Jarrod Jacobs)
2) Be Holy (Jesse A. Flowers)

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“A Man After God’s Own Heart”

Jarrod Jacobs

The statement above is well-known to most people. This statement, while not the exact Bible quotation, is based on the words of Scripture found in I Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22. In both passages, we see reference made to David, the second king of Israel. He was the one God describes as being “after His own heart.” In fact, God makes it clear that David “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (I Kings 15:5). What made David a man after God’s own heart? What characteristics stand out when we think of this wonderful Bible character? Can we possess those characteristics today? Let us answer these questions.

What Made David A Man After God’s Own Heart?

The answer to this question is not hard to find. In I Samuel 13:14, after Saul had sinned in offering the sacrifice before the battle with the Philistines (vv. 9-10), God inspired Samuel to condemn the action and then pronounce this judgment: “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you” (vv. 13-14).

I Samuel 16 records God’s selection of David as the next king of Israel. By simply reading I Samuel 13, we see that David was “a man after God’s own heart” because he was obedient to the Lord! Evidently, God saw in David a characteristic not found in Saul, and that was his consistency and fortitude to continue to obey God even when it was hard to do! Those who read of the life of David have to be impressed with his consistency and faithfulness to the Lord through his life.

Another attribute that makes David “a man after God’s own heart” would be his willingness to repent of sins. At no time should we equate “a man after God’s own heart” with sinlessness. This is not the case with David because he sinned at times. Some recorded occasions of sin include the time he sinned with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah (II Sam. 11-12). Also, the time he allowed the ark to be brought back on the new cart; (resulting in the death of Uzzah) rather than looking for the Levites who could correctly transport the ark back to Jerusalem (II Sam. 6). On another occasion, David committed the sin of acting when God had been silent when he numbered the people (II Sam. 24). This resulted in the deaths of 70,000 men. In each case, David repented and determined to do better in the future. He relied upon God and went to God for forgiveness. His attitude is probably best summed up in his words, “Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man” (II Sam. 24:14). With his godly attitude, it is not surprising that we read the following words of advice to Solomon: “Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn” (I Kings 2:2-3).

In connection with the above, we also see David as a humble man. He humbly repented before God when he sinned. Notice also that though he was king of Israel, and the victor in many battles, he still remembered, “The Lord is my shepherd …” (Ps. 23:1). He freely confessed, “I am poor and needy” (Ps. 86:1). He was truly a humble man.

David was a man of faith as well. Remember that when he went out to meet Goliath in battle, he said, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand” (I Sam. 17:45-47). This is but one of many examples we could cite that shows David’s great faith. He believed in God, and believed God! Doesn’t God expect the same of us today (Heb. 11:6)?

We can also say David was a patient man. Though chosen to be king over Israel (I Sam. 16), he did not lead some kind of coup, or rebellion against Saul. In fact, he would not lift a hand to harm “the Lord’s anointed” in any way, nor did he encourage others to do harm to him (I Sam. 24:4-7)! He was patient and waited until the time was right to serve as king of Israel. Only after Saul’s death, and the time of mourning was passed did he ask God if he ought to go to the cities of Judah (II Sam. 2:1). Even at that time, he did not just “assume the throne”! In addition to this, David’s patience is seen when he wanted to build the Temple, but God would not let him do it (II Sam. 7). He was satisfied to gather the materials and wait for his son to build the Temple (I Chron. 22:2-4, 14-16, 29:2-7). He did not overrule God’s decision and start building the Temple, but was patient and did as God wanted. What wonderful examples of patience by David.

Could It Be Said That You Are One After God’s Own Heart?

Notice David is not called “the” man after God’s own heart, but he is “a” man who fit this description. Evidently, God acknowledges that there are others who could also be described in this way. Friend, be honest and examine yourself (II Cor. 13:5). Could God describe us as a man/woman “after His own heart”? If not, why not? What part of our lives have we decided do not belong to the God of Heaven? Have we decided that we can’t be a “person after God’s own heart” because we’re not “good enough”? I hope that through this study, it is made clear that it is not a matter of someone being “sinless,” for this is impossible (Rom. 3:23). It is a matter of self-sacrifice for the Lord and the willingness to be corrected and repent to God when we see that we are in error. We need to learn to be that “living sacrifice” for the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2) and give Him our all. Let us stand as David and be someone “after God’s own heart.” When we determine we will show humility, faith, patience, and obedience to God in our spiritual lives, we will be someone “after God’s heart” won’t we? Let us learn a lesson from the life of David, and let us apply the attributes of his life to our own (Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10: 11). When we do this, we will grow closer to God and do much to prepare ourselves for an eternity in Heaven.

— Via The Old Paths, Volume 21, Issue 13, May 25, 2014

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Colossians 3:17

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

— NASB

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Be Holy

Jesse A. Flowers

“But 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 Peter 1:15-16).

Perhaps no attribute of God is emphasized more to us in the Scriptures than His holiness (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). God is holy in that He is absolutely pure. He is unstained by sin and evil. He is perfect in every way. As the apostle John expressed it, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). And based upon God being holy, we His children are called upon to be holy too (1 Thess. 4:7).

The root idea of holiness is that of separation from a life of habitual sin and all worldly defilement. Holiness entails dedication (consecration) to the service of God. A life of holiness has always been required of God’s covenant people (cf. Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:26), and such a requirement has always been based upon God’s own holiness – “be holy, for I am holy.”

The apostle Peter makes it abundantly clear to his Christian readers that we are not to simply be holy in certain areas of our life, but we are to be holy in ALL of our conduct (behavior). Our thoughts are to be pure and holy (Phil. 4:8). Our words (our speech) are to be completely holy (Eph. 4:29). Our lives are to be without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:14). The clothing we wear is to profess our godliness (1 Tim. 2:9-10). The things that we watch, the audio that we listen to, and the places that we go must be rooted in our holiness.

In fact, a life of holiness ought to be our daily pursuit, knowing that we will not see the Lord or be with the Lord if it is absent from our life (Heb. 12:14). As Paul penned: “Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). May we earnestly strive to “be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4).

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, January 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

The Gospel Observer

January 14, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Things to Bring to Worship (Mike Wilson)
2) Jesus, the Amen and the Beginning (Terry Wane Benton)
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Things to Bring to Worship

Mike Wilson

It’s another Sunday morning, and you are fighting to get everything and everyone ready on time. The kids are screaming, and someone is honking the horn. Most families know the feeling. As you come staggering to the car at the last second, did you forget anything? Do you have a checklist of things you must bring to church?

Most of us would do well to ponder every day, and especially every Lord’s Day, what it means to worship God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. If we listen to the word of the Lord reverently, we will find many reasons to be humbled at the very thought of the awesome grandeur of the One who is the object of our adoration. We will not approach Him lightly or frivolously. And when time for worship approaches, whether it is collective or private, we must take certain attitudes with us to His heavenly throne.

A Willing Spirit

King David wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). The psalmist’s attitude stands in stark contrast to that of the begrudging priests addressed in the book of Malachi. God charges them with despising His name, offering blemished animals, and saying to themselves, “My, how tiresome it is!” (Malachi 1:6, 13-14). Amos rebukes the Israelites of the mid-7th century BC because of a similar disdain for worship. They couldn’t wait for their religious obligations to be satisfied so that they could get on with business: “When will the new moon be over so that we may buy grain, and the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, to make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, and to buy with dishonest scales…?” (Amos 8:5). If you have any inclination to be spiritually minded, read Psalm 63 and make this prayer your own. With these words alive in your heart, you will never be able to permit the service of God to degenerate into a burdensome chore again. Worship time should invoke a spiritual adventure: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Going through the motions without heart involvement produces worship that is “vain” (Matthew 15:8-9).

A Reconciled Heart

Jesus says, “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24). If there is hatred and strife in your heart as you look horizontally down the pew, how can there be love in your heart as you look vertically up toward God? (I John 4:20-21). Dietrich Bonhoeffer comments, “If we despise our brother, our worship is unreal, and it forfeits every divine promise. When we come before God with hearts full of contempt and unreconciled with our neighbors, we are, both individually and as a congregation, worshipping an idol” (The Cost of Discipleship, p. 144).

Holy Hands

“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (I Timothy 2:8). Although Paul’s words might have implications for a common posture of prayer for early Christians, they say more about the posture of the heart. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). There will always be hypocrites in God’s church, but their prayers are not heard. How can any child of God devote himself to filth on Saturday night and then sing “Purer in Heart, O God” on the Lord’s Day morning? It is an abomination! We are all sinners, but God has graciously given us the opportunity to repent and confess our sins (I John 1:8-9) rather than continue in the lie (I John 1:6).

Absolute Submission

True worship must be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). It not only must express the genuine intents of the heart, but it must accord with “reality, which men grasp on the basis of revelation” (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, p. 891). God will look “to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). Every true worshiper experiences inexpressible joy when he praises God for the marvelous blessings He has so graciously given to us. However, this joy does not rely on artificial stimulation or anything external that is intended to induce a certain mood. It comes from trust in God and hope in His precious promises. These promises are made only to those who are willing to humbly follow His word, as laid down in the New Testament (John 8:31-32). This is why we do not burn incense, dance, clap, or blow trumpets in our church assemblies, even if all these things were done in the Old Testament period. The Old Law was only a shadow of what we now have in Christ (Hebrews 10:1; John 1:17). We are now obligated to remain within the parameters of the New Testament, as mediated through the apostles and prophets of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2; Acts 15:24).

When you worship God, do you bring these things with you?

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ, January 6, 2024

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Jesus, the Amen and the Beginning

Terry Wane Benton

“These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14).

The Amen

Jesus is the Amen, the One who validates us. When we say “amen” at the end of a prayer, we are validating our support for that prayer. Jesus validates us. He is our amen when the world will affirm how wrong they think we are. Jesus is the only amen we need. Jesus also validates our prayers. We can pray in His name, and the prayer now has validation in His name. Jesus does not validate the unbelieving until they repent and believe obediently in Him. The Jews who denied Jesus were adversaries, enemies, and persecutors of the early disciples of Jesus, but Jesus’ miracles, teaching, and resurrection proved them wrong and gave amen to the side of the disciples. The Romans were often involved in appeasing the Jews (Acts 12:1-3) and attacking, killing, and harassing the Christians. The government might not validate, honor, and protect the Christians, but Jesus is the Highest validation we can have. He is the amen that trumps all our opponents. We don’t need any higher validation than Him.

The Faithful and True Witness

He is also the “Faithful and True Witness.” He is God and has seen God the Father in all His reality and glory. So, His testimony is true, and cannot be trumped by any unbeliever’s efforts to cast doubt in His reality. How can a non-witness trump a witness? Jesus was there, and they were not. He also is a true witness of the reality of resurrection and the reality of heaven. He was “demonstrated” to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection (Romans 1:4), and of course, He came from heaven and was seen ascending back to heaven. So, heaven is real! Who has greater testimony about such realities than Jesus? His testimony as a true and faithful witness trumps all words of doubt and unbelief.

The Beginning of the Creation of God

Jesus is also “the beginning of the creation of God” which means He was the One who began the physical creation (Genesis 1:1ff; John 1:1-4). Nothing was made without Him. But Jesus is also the author of the greater creation, the antitype of the physical creation, the spiritual creation, the church (II Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24). To “begin” a creation means that He has a plan that will carry it to its intended climactic purpose. He did not abandon His creation and will not abandon His spiritual creation.

The Beginning and the Amen

He is the “author” and “finisher” of our faith, which means He is with us to help us finish our mission (Hebrews 12:2). Thus, He is the “beginning” and “the Amen.” The implication is that creations that are important enough to “begin” are important enough to sustain and see to the objective end. This is very satisfying to know that this is the One that is for us, so “who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Who are such enemies in comparison?

— Via Articles from the Lavista church of Christ, January 10, 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

The Gospel Observer

January 7, 2024 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) The Preservation of God’s Word (Kyle Pope)
2) Sword Tips #8 (Joe R. Price)
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The Preservation of God’s Word

Kyle Pope

How can we know the Bible is complete? Is something missing? Was something left out? Does Scripture offer any answers?
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My grandchildren have some puzzles we keep in a box of toys in the room where they stay whenever they visit. They are simple puzzles with only about 20 pieces but occasionally one or two of the pieces gets misplaced. When that happens, even if all the other pieces are in place, it’s not a complete picture—something is missing. We learned in our first lesson that the writers who wrote the Bible claim to have done so by the direct guidance of God. If we accept their claim, a question that immediately arises is how can we know that the Holy Spirit did not also inspire other authors to write other books not found in the Bible? Does the Bible have all of God’s revealed word or is something missing?

Three Facts About God and His Word

If we accept that God has revealed Himself through the written word we must notice some things God has revealed about Himself and His word.

1. God is All-Powerful.

Unlike gods of mythology and false religion, the God revealed in the Bible is omnipotent, a word that means “all-powerful.” Solomon declared, “our God is greater than all gods” (2 Chron. 7:5). Jeremiah wrote, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jer. 33:17). God is “the Maker of all things” (Jer. 10:16; 51:19); and Jesus, God in the flesh, said, “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). So that means while humans may try to resist God’s will, they cannot overpower Him.

2. God’s Word Accomplishes Its Purpose.

When God spoke to Isaiah, He compared His word to rain and snow that water the earth and cause growth. He declared, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:11). So if God sends forth His word and God is all-powerful, man cannot prevent God’s word from accomplishing its intended purpose. As a result…

3. God’s Word Endures Forever.

All throughout the Bible, it is taught that God’s word cannot pass away. David proclaimed, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Ps. 119:160). Isaiah was told to, “Cry out!” the truth that “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades… but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:6-8). Jesus, God in the flesh, declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32). Finally, Peter described the word of the gospel of Christ as an “incorruptible” seed that is “the word of God which lives and abides forever” going on to quote Isaiah 40:6-8 (1 Pet. 1:22-25).

So if God is all-powerful, and His word endures forever, what does that tell us about whether the Bible is missing something? If man could successfully remove, destroy, erase, or delete something from the divine revelation God intended to preserve, wouldn’t that mean human beings had overcome God? Yes. So along with the claim that the Bible is from God, we must also understand that it teaches the principle that God will preserve His word.

Free Will and Providence

How can that be true if we all have the freedom to choose right or wrong? I could make the decision right now to take a Bible and cut out all the pages that teach things I don’t like. I could burn every bookstore that sells Bibles and force everyone I could to give up their Bibles to be burned. Wouldn’t that succeed in destroying God’s word? No. We’ll see in future lessons that there actually have been times when people tried to do these very things, but even though human beings have free will (the right to choose right or wrong), an all-powerful God always exercises providence.

The word “providence” comes from a Latin word that means “to foresee.” It refers to the ways God provides things to His people. The Bible makes it clear that God knows everything that will happen long before it occurs. James declared, “Known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:18). Isaiah taught that God is One, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done…”. (Isa. 46:10). Imagine that you knew someone was about to hit you in the face—would you move your head to prevent him from hitting you? Would you take steps to try and make him change his mind about taking that swing? If you let him hit you would you put some ice nearby to soothe the pain? God is so far above us! God knows everything we will ever do, and can act in ways to make certain that even if people try to destroy His word, it will be preserved for those who need it or for the time when people will follow it.

Examples of God’s Preservation of His Word

Let’s notice two examples of this recorded in the Bible. Near the final days of the southern kingdom of Judah, the Israelites had become so wicked they had given themselves to the most extreme forms of idolatry ever practiced in ancient times including child sacrifice and temple prostitution (cf. 2 Kings 23:7-10). Any remnants of true worship according to the Law of Moses came only from traditions held in the memory of the people. This happened because God’s word fell into such disuse that the book of the Law had actually been lost! On one occasion when the temple was being cleared, Scripture records, “Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord, given by Moses. Then Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.’ And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan” (2 Chron. 34:14). When the law was read to king Josiah, he committed himself to lead the nation in restoration of true worship of God according to His word.

Unfortunately Josiah’s son, Jehoiakim, did not have the same respect for God’s word. When the Lord led Jeremiah to send a message from Him to the king, the Bible records, “And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth” (Jer. 36:23). Because he didn’t like what God said, Jehoiakim tried to destroy it! Did he succeed? No. God commanded Jeremiah, “Take yet another scroll, and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned” (Jer. 36:28).

Even though people disregarded God’s word so much that it was lost, God preserved it for the time when good hearts would obey its commands. Even though people tried to silence and destroy God’s word, God preserved it for those who would respect it. Today we can trust that God has preserved His word just as He intended. Nothing is lost. Nothing is missing. It exists just as God intended. In future lessons we will see historical examples of this in God’s providential preservation of His word through the ages.

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 62, No. 2, February 2017

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume61/2017-02-Feb-Truth-Magazine.pdf

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

Sword Tips #8

Joe R. Price

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

When people of the world define what is “good” they often do so by saying, “let your conscience be your guide.” But, people of faith know what is good accomplishes the will of God (Heb. 13:21).

Micah reminds us it is God who tells us what is good. He does that through the inspired Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Good things require that we “do” the will of God. Here, the prophet sets God’s requirements of goodness as practicing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God.

Today, concentrate on the good things God wants you to do – things like being fair in your treatment of others. Things like showing compassion and mercy to those who hurt.

Be humble before God and let him tell you through his word what is good – and then do it.

——————–

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

The Gospel Observer

December 31, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Greet, but Don’t Greet (Kyle Pope)
2) Remember Your Own Forgiveness (Joe R. Price)
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Greet, but Don’t Greet

Kyle Pope

It was recently pointed out to me that two commands found in the New Testament might easily be misunderstood as contradictory. Let’s take a look at these and consider what the Holy Spirit is teaching in each passage.

The first, comes in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus elaborates on His command to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). As He urges His disciples to exemplify the Father’s willingness to do good to both “the just and the unjust” (5:45), He asks parallel questions—“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (5:46a) and “if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?”(5:47a). He explains that “even the tax collectors” (the personification of wickedness) do these things (5:46b, 47b). The clear charge here is that if one is a follower of Christ he must not merely “greet” his brethren, but even his enemies.

The second command comes in the brief second epistle of the apostle John. After warning that a failure to abide in the “doctrine of Christ” puts one in a position in which he or she does “not have God” (2 John 9), the apostle then addresses how the Christian must treat those who have transgressed the “doctrine of Christ.” He commands,

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (10-11)

How is it that we must “greet” even our enemies, but we share in the “evil deeds” of another person if we “greet” the one who transgresses the “doctrine of Christ”?

To understand this we must first consider what is meant by the term “greet.” Although most translations simply put this “greets him” (NKJV, ESV) or “gives him a greeting” (NASB), there is a little more that can be gleaned from the Greek text. The Holy Spirit led John to use the Greek word chairō (χαίρω). Thayer defines it, “1) to rejoice, be glad; 2) to rejoice exceedingly; 3) to be well, thrive; 4) in salutations, hail!” The key concept is joy. 42 times the King James Version translates it “rejoice.” So why is it translated “greet”? In ancient Greek it was quite common to use the imperative form of this word as an initial greeting or when saying goodbye to someone. It would be like saying, “rejoice!” New Testament writers show examples of this in both the beginnings (Jas. 1:1) and endings of epistles (2 Cor. 13:11).

In 2 John there are actually three words that make up the phrase. The pronoun for “him,” the verb meaning “to speak,” and the word chairō. In verse 10 and 11 it literally describes “saying to him ‘rejoice.’” John is not teaching that Christians are forbidden from saying “hello” to someone. He is teaching that we must never communicate to someone who has stepped outside of the teaching of Christ that they can “rejoice” in such a condition. Alexander Campbell in his Living Oracles translation put this “wishes him success” (LO).

We can compare this to the similar Hebrew custom that continues to the present. To say “hello” or “goodbye” one might say shalom (שָׁלוֹם) that literally means “peace.” Jesus likely alludes to this when He sends out the Twelve to spread the gospel. He tells them, “If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matt. 10:13). These Jewish disciples quite likely went out teaching with the greeting “shalōm!” —“peace!” If their message was received, this appeal for the well-being of those who were taught would remain. If the people rejected it, Jesus says to “let your peace return to you”—in other words, do not wish them “peace” when they are not in a condition in which they can be at peace. That would actually encourage them in their rebellion to God’s word. In the time of Jeremiah the Lord rebuked those who said to His rebellious people “‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14; 8:11).

This is the key to understanding how Jesus’ command to “greet” even our enemies and John’s command not to “greet” the transgressor of the “doctrine of Christ” harmonize. In the example of Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve we just considered, just before this He said, “And when you go into a household, greet it” (Matt. 10:12). The word He uses here is not the same word John used, but it is the same word used in the Sermon on the Mount. It is the Greek word aspazomai (ἀσπάζομαι), meaning, “1) to draw to one’s self; 1a) to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to; 1b) to receive joyfully, welcome” (Thayer). Oddly enough, the King James Version translates this word “salute” 42 times. This is what we are to do even to our enemies. Like the Twelve, Christians are to welcome, receive, and attempt to draw to ourselves all people in the name of Christ. This is not a matter of wishing them “joy” or “peace” in their rebellion to God. It is kindness and courtesy, like God shows to “the just and the unjust.” We, like God are to do good to others whether they have done good to us or not (cf. Matt. 5:48). But also like the Twelve, if those whom we have tried to influence reject God’s word—or having received it do not “abide in the doctrine of Christ,” we must never in any way express to them that they can “rejoice” or be at “peace” in such a condition. If we do that we become complicit in their rebellion—we share in their “evil deeds.” Instead, like the Twelve, we must let “our peace” return back to us. We want the best for them. We are not rude or unkind to them. We hope for their change of heart and some future opportunity to correct the error of their ways, but we must never allow them to think that we sanction, approve, and encourage them to remain in rebellion.

This is the distinction in the two commands. There is no contradiction. The Holy Spirit is addressing two different conditions and two responses brought on by these differences.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 18, November 26, 2023

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Remember Your Own Forgiveness

Joe R. Price

If you have ever paid off a debt you know how liberating it is. To be out from under the pressure of making that monthly payment is a relief, no question about it.

Have you ever been freed from a financial obligation without having to pay off the debt? If so, I suspect you were very thankful for the kindness, generosity and mercy you were shown. At least, you should have been.

This is what happens in a spiritual sense when one is saved from his sins by Christ. By the mercy of God one is released from his debt of sin – a debt beyond his ability to repay. Divine compassion is extended to all through the death of Christ and obtained when the sinner will, in faith, obey the gospel instructions to repent of his sins and be baptized into Christ (Titus 2:11; Acts 2:37-41).

Jesus taught the motive and extent of forgiving those who sin against us in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:21-35). Is there any more tragic view of unmerciful selfishness than the one depicted by the Lord in this parable? The servant who was freed from an enormous debt to his master falls upon his fellow servant and demands payment of a paltry sum by comparison. Unwilling to show the same mercy and forgiveness he had been shown, the man reaped what he had sown. His master placed him under a torment which would last forever.

What is the point? “So my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matt. 18:35).

Why are we unwilling to forgive each other when we have been forgiven a much greater debt? Perhaps because we do not appreciate the value and depth of the forgiveness we have received. Perhaps because we do not love each other as much as we love ourselves. Clearly, one reason is because we fail to love each other the way the Lord loves us (1 Jno. 4:7-11).

Brethren, these things ought not to be so. Forgiveness may not always be easy. But it is always right (Col. 3:12-14). If we forgive we will be forgiven. If not, our sin remains. (Matt. 6:14-15)

— Via The Spirit’s Sword, XII, Number 4, December 28, 2008

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Romans 4:7-8

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT” (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

The Gospel Observer

December 24, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Fill Your Speech With Grace (Josh Coles)
2) My Attitude Toward God’s Word (Bryan Gibson)
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Fill Your Speech With Grace

Josh Coles

Have you ever been on the receiving end of grace? Here’s a good definition for the word grace: “the acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old/New Testament Words).

So, again, have you ever been on the receiving end of grace? If so, how did it make you feel or how did it change you? Wasn’t your heart immediately filled with thanksgiving, joy, and even humility? As a result, didn’t you respond by expressing that thankfulness, joy, and humility? Grace affects not only our actions, but our speech as well. So if you’ve been on the receiving end of grace, then your speech should be different afterwards –it should be filled with grace. Well, all Christians have been on the receiving end of God’s grace and He expects for us to speak gracious words. But how is this done?

Giving Grace to Those Who Hear

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Eph. 4:29, ESV).

Before we study Ephesians 4:29, let’s set up the context so we understand more fully what’s going on. In 4:17-23, it’s taught that once we become a Christian our lives should be radically different, so Paul discusses what this radical change should look like and in 4:29 he focuses on our speech.

First, “let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths….” This “talk” is rotten (i.e., in the sense of rotten fruit), worthless, unwholesome, or putrid. These words destroy and tear down quickly (James 3:5-6). This type of speech is the complete opposite of gracious; for no kindness, favor, or mercy would be included in it. How many times we say something only to realize the damage we did afterwards. Words are powerful. If used incorrectly and ungraciously they can do a lifetime of damage. So, as Christians who are attempting to fill their speech with grace, we don’t allow any corrupting talk to come out of our mouths.

Secondly, “… but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion.” You could use the word “edification” here as it means “to build up.” In order to be gracious with your words, you need to stop using worthless, harmful words and replace them with words that “only” help and encourage. You need to use words that make a person better once he hears them; however, this takes skill, wisdom, effort, and even courage to accomplish. Think of it in this sense: if you were constructing a building from the ground up, you would need to build it piece by piece and scrutinize which pieces to use in order to make sure it will be strong for years. In the same vein, when it comes to our words, we need to scrutinize which ones we’ll use in order to be as effective as possible in helping others grow and become better. This scrutiny is what Paul meant when he said, “… as fits the occasion.” Please note that this type of encouragement goes beyond just normal chit-chat. So, as Christians who are attempting to fill their speech with grace, we need to replace “corrupting words” with words that “build up.”

Giving Grace to Unbelievers

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Col. 4:3-6, NIV).

In Colossians 4:3-6, it seems the command to “give grace to those who hear” becomes much more target specific, with the emphasis placed on giving grace to unbelievers. By Paul requesting prayers from the Colossians for opportunities to speak with unbelievers, we learn that these occasions are incredibly valuable; thus, they should always be taken seriously and not dealt with haphazardly.

Paul begins by instructing that their speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Well, we already know what it means to fill our speech with grace, but what does he mean to “season with salt”? Let’s consider the uses for salt: it preserves, purifies, cleans, and enhances. Salt preserves, purifies, and enhances; therefore, our speech should preserve, purify, and enhance those around us and the conversations we’re involved in. Meaning, our speech should clean up the conversations at work, school, parties, etc. Yet, there is salt that will clean and purify a wound, but it may not be a pleasant process due to stinging. Likewise, there may be speech we use that will sting. Nevertheless, it’s still gracious speech because it’s building up. Sometimes we need to hear those tough words in order to grow and become better. For example, Jesus used tough words, especially with the Pharisees, but they were gracious because they were said in order to build them up.

This passage also clearly teaches that we must speak in this way so we’ll know how to respond to unbelievers and take advantage of these opportunities. Along these same lines, the Holy Spirit said, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Pet. 3:15, NIV). You see, these opportunities may be limited and what is said may affect the unbeliever for years to come – whether positively (grace) or negatively (corruption). So we cannot approach these situations thoughtlessly. In these delicate situations, too many believers confuse boldness with condescension, rudeness, and hostility. These characteristics are corrupting and certainly no grace, gentleness, or respect is involved with them. Now please don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying we shouldn’t staunchly defend the gospel, but this passage, among others (2 Tim. 2:24-26), states we must do so with grace-filled speech. Some believers may have good intentions, but a lack of preparation caused them to miss the moment and cause harm in the process. So play these situations out in your mind and plan what you’ll say so you can impart grace and not corruption.

Well, the verdict is in: we need to fill our speech with grace and this is the only appropriate reaction in light of the grace God has extended to us. As Christians, we are testimony to the power of God’s grace and if we don’t allow it to fully transform us, then the world will learn that God’s grace is insufficient and inadequate— which is blasphemy. Therefore, please examine your speech and pray for God’s help to cultivate gracious speech instead of corrupting speech.

God’s tremendous grace should transform us to the point we use speech that ONLY builds up and refrain from speech that corrupts— especially when it comes to our conversations with unbelievers.

—– Via Truth Magazine, Volume 58, Number 5, May 2014

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_05_May_Truth_Magazine.pdf?fb

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My Attitude Toward God’s Word

Bryan Gibson

Psalms 119 is a long tribute to God’s word. 176 verses, and all but two (122, 132) use some term to describe God’s word (testimonies, law, judgments, statutes, precepts, etc.). This ought to be a good place, then, to see exactly what my attitude toward God’s word should be.

I should regard it as the truth. “All Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right” (128). “Your law is truth” (142). “All Your commandments are truth” (151). “The entirety of Your word is truth” (160). See also 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

I should be in awe of it. “Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word” (161). One “who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2)–that’s exactly what God wants me to be.

I should delight in it. “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (16).

I should love it. “My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love” (48). “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (97). “I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!” (127).

I should hate anything contrary to it. “All Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way” (128). “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (104).

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, October 30, 2023

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Jeremiah 15:16

“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (NASB).

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

The Gospel Observer

December 17, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Luke and the Birth of Jesus (Doy Moyer)
2) The Ugliness of Selfishness (Bryan Gibson)
3) Sword Tips #25 (Joe R. Price)
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Luke and the Birth of Jesus

Doy Moyer

Luke’s intent to “compile an account of the things accomplished among us” as handed down by eyewitnesses begins with the birth of John the Immerser. John’s role would be to “turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God” by going “as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16-17). When his father, Zachariah, prophesied, he associated John’s work with redemption and salvation (Luke 1:67-79). How? He would be the one who would “go on before the Lord to prepare His ways.” Prophecies were being fulfilled, and John would level out the rough places and make a path for the Messiah to do His work.

Luke reveals the announcement about the birth of Jesus to Mary, prior to John’s birth. Gabriel came to Mary to tell her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” She did not yet understand what that would mean. She was told, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:30-33). Luke stresses the fact that Jesus would be the one who sits and rules on David’s throne with a kingdom that would never end (cf. 2 Sam 7:12-13). Mary’s response was one of acceptance, but far more than this. John’s mother, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, called her blessed.

Luke then records what is often called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Mary exalts God, rejoiced in “God my Savior,” and praises Him for His mighty deeds. She recognizes that she would be forever called “blessed” because of God’s favor upon her “humble state.” She praises God for His enduring mercy toward those who fear Him. What a glorious song of praise! God does indeed scatter the proud and exalt the humble. His mercy is from generation to generation, and this is best seen in the purposes of the coming of Jesus.

After John’s birth (highlighting that he is the forerunner), Luke moves to the birth of Jesus as the One who brings the redemption and salvation. Joseph and Mary had gone to Bethlehem where a full house lent itself to Jesus being placed in a feeding trough (note: mangers would be found in houses connected to a room for animals). These are humble beginnings for the Savior and Redeemer of humanity, but it fits His purposes in coming into this world to suffer, die, and rise again.

Also fitting is the fact that shepherds were told about Jesus’ birth. We might wonder why shepherds are an important part of the story, but we should not be surprised by this. Recall that God is the greatest Shepherd of all (cf. Gen 49:24), the One who led His people from slavery to the Promised Land. David was a shepherd, called to be a shepherd of the people as a king. All of this points to the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus Christ, who would lead the stray sheep from their sins into the abundant life (John 10). Since “all of us like sheep have gone astray” (Isa 53:6), we need the “Chief Shepherd,” the Guardian of our souls, to bring us back home (1 Pet 2:25; 5:4). The shepherds of the field foreshadow the work of Jesus, and they came to glorify the Shepherd of our souls.

The angelic message to the shepherds was about glory and peace: “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14). The Lord’s coming into the world would be about the manifestation of God’s glory and the bringing of peace.

When Jesus was taken to the temple, he was put into the arms of Simeon who recognized Jesus as the salvation promised by God, “a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). The Light of the world had come, and this was to the glory of God and His people. At the temple was also Anna, the prophetess, who came and began “giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38). Glory, peace, light, revelation, consolation, redemption, salvation — these are the terms Luke is associating with the birth of Jesus Christ. He is King, Savior, and Redeemer, fully deserving our worship and praise. Thank God for the incarnation!

— Via Doy Moyer’s Facebook site, December 15, 2023

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The Ugliness of Selfishness

Bryan Gibson

Here is God’s case against selfishness, at least in outline form: 1) He specifically condemns it (Romans 2:7-8; Galatians 5:20; James 3:14-16). 2) He shows us its ugly fruits, through men like King Saul (1 Samuel 18:8-9), and the rich fool in the parable (Luke 12:13-21). 3) He specifically commends (and commands) the opposite virtue of unselfishness (Mark 8:34; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24; 13:5; Philippians 2:3-4). 4) And He provides us great examples of unselfishness, of Christ Himself (Philippians 2:5-8), and men like Timothy (Philippians 2:19-24), and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30).

It’s time then, with God’s help, we rid ourselves of selfishness, and all its ugly fruits. But for now, let’s focus especially on our children. They too need to learn the ugliness of selfishness. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)—Jesus said it, and He lived it. And we need to help our children live it, too.

And it will get ugly if we don’t—if we let our children grow up with a self-centered approach to life. 1) They won’t give liberally (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), which means the needs of others will go unmet. 2) They’ll have a difficult time enduring the hardships of life (2 Timothy 2:3; 3:12). 3) They’ll likely develop some other ugly fruits of selfishness, like envy and revenge (James 3:14-16; Romans 12:17-21). 4) They may have trouble holding down a job (1 Timothy 5:8), unless, of course, the conditions are just right. 5) And they may not give enough time to their families. Can we see just how ugly this business of selfishness can get?

So how do we teach our children to be unselfish?

Point them to a cause much greater than themselves—the cause of Christ, a cause dedicated to the welfare of others, and especially the salvation of their souls (Luke 19:10).

Set a good example of love, a love that “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

Point out other good examples—from the Bible (e.g., Dorcas—Acts 9:36-39), and from people they know personally. Let these be the kind of people they truly admire.

Teach them to share possessions, time, money, etc. (Hebrews 13:16). Make sure they know who really owns these things, and that we are accountable to Him for how we use them.

Point out specific acts of unselfishness they can do (e.g., Matthew 25:34-40). Willingness is not always the problem; sometimes they just don’t know what to do.

Don’t always take their side, with teachers, coaches, administrators, etc. “The other person is always wrong” is a dangerous (and sinful) attitude for them to develop.

Don’t give them too much too soon, lest they become entitled like the leech’s two daughters, “Give and Give” (Proverbs 30:15-16).

Teach them everything the Bible says about unselfishness, in addition to those cited above. A couple good ones:

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, December 6, 2023
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #25

Joe R. Price

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3:17).

Godly examples are a great blessing.

They embolden our faith by showing us people of faith do exist. And, they show us that being faithful to God makes a difference in this world.

The example set by the apostle Paul (who wrote this passage) continues to help Christians be strong and courageous in their faith.

Make it your goal to follow the pattern of the apostles.

Then, you too will be a worthy example for others to follow.

——————–

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

The Gospel Observer

December 10, 2023 / Tom Edwards

The Gospel Observer
“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) Law, Grace, and Truth (Doy Moyer)
2) Hebrews 11: A Postscript (Bryan Gibson)
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Law, Grace, and Truth

Doy Moyer

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him (John 1:14-18).

Sometimes law, grace, and truth are represented to be at odds with each other. When John says that the Law was given through Moses, and grace and truth were given through Jesus, was he suggesting that law contains no grace, or that grace contains no law? Neither option can be sustained. What, then, is the point John is making?

First, we should not take John’s point to mean that there was no grace or truth in the Law. Multiple Old Testament Scriptures speak of the lovingkindness (chesed) of God, and it would be unreasonable to suggest there was no truth, for “The sum of Your word is truth” (Psa. 119:160). Note how the psalmist brings together God’s lovingkindness and compassion in according with the Torah: “O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant. May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight” (119:76-77). Passages can be multiplied to show that the people under the Law were still able to see God’s mercy extended to them. For this reason, it is incorrect to think that the Jews automatically equated being under the Law as “legalism” (if by that is meant trying to earn salvation through perfect law-keeping). They were well aware of their need for God’s mercy and compassion, and they knew the Torah was God’s truth. David could plead for God’s mercy, delight in the law (Psa. 1), and rejoice in the truth without thinking that he was flawless or merited anything. The Psalms are a strong testimony to the proper attitude and balance between law, grace, and truth. Even so, the law was incomplete. Something was missing that only God Himself could ultimately supply.

In giving the commandments, God warned the people that He would punish iniquity, but that also He would show “lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Deut. 5:10). “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (7:9; cf. v. 12). There was no rift between law and lovingkindness. God gave both.

Further, some passages explicitly put together lovingkindness and truth. For example, when Moses met the Lord on the mountain, the Lord passed in front and said, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…”. (Exod. 34:6-7). See also 2 Samuel 2:6 where David ties “lovingkindness and truth” together. God’s lovingkindness and truth are both found in the Law, but it was going to take more. It was going to take the incarnation of God Himself.

Jesus became flesh in order to finalize God’s plan. He stated, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). He did not come in opposition to the Law or to destroy the Law. He came to complete and fulfill it, to bring about the full realization of what God intended all along. Grace and truth weren’t completely missing in the Law; they were just incomplete. Jesus, therefore, came to complete it.

Being under the Law did not mean being under a system of earning and merit by itself as a result of it lacking God’s grace and truth. Rather, it meant being under a system that was incomplete and unfulfilled. John’s point is about fulfillment. How was this lovingkindness and truth to be fully realized? How was it to be demonstrated and find its fruition? The answer is Jesus, the word who became flesh. Jesus was the perfect embodiment of grace and truth even as He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. Through Christ is found “grace upon grace” – God lavishing His grace upon His people through Jesus in the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7-8). Truly, of His fullness we have received. If the “sum of Your word is truth,” then surely Jesus, the incarnate word, is the apex of God’s truth — a truth that demonstrates lovingkindness and grace in the greatest of ways. Everything that law, grace, and truth could point to is fulfilled in the Son of God. This is the truth that expresses, in broad terms, what the Gospel is all about. Jesus Christ has shown us the true way of God.

Since grace and truth are fully realized through Jesus Christ, this means “grace upon grace” if we partake of His fullness. The purpose of the Law was finally realized in the full expression of grace and truth brought about by the work of Jesus. Only Jesus could fulfill and complete what the Law anticipated. While the Law showed God’s lovingkindness and truth, even as it exposed sin, it was still only a partially drawn picture of what God fully intended to do through Jesus Christ. Now we are able to see that picture completed, and what a beautiful one it is!

Given that Jesus fulfilled the law, brought the fullness of grace and truth, and offers to lavish this grace upon us, should this not be the consistent theme in our preaching today? The King of Kings is pouring out the riches of His grace. He died and rose again to secure these blessings for us, and His truth frees us from sin. His glory has been seen in His love. Grace and truth have been fully expressed in the flesh. Let this message ring out loud and clear!

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 58, Number 5, May 2014

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_05_May_Truth_Magazine.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3qV8OGTepcbNqSLEMA3k4LUaO59sj9pFJ65N-a-NgHx1v0zYUSk9CVqHA

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Hebrews 11: A Postscript

Bryan Gibson

Often called the roll call of faith, Hebrews 11 details what different Old Testament men and women accomplished by faith in God. Let’s put a little postscript on the end of that chapter to include some New Testament men and women.

By faith Crispus obeyed the gospel of Christ, despite the fact it cost him his “job” (Acts 18:8).

By faith the Ethiopian eunuch insisted he be baptized immediately (Acts 8:35-39).

By faith the Christians in Ephesus made a clean break from the past, when they burned the books they used in their sinful practices, books worth 50,000 pieces of silver (Acts 19:18-20).

By faith many of the Corinthians also repented, when they turned to the Lord and stopped practicing things like fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, stealing, covetousness, drunkenness, reviling, and extortion (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

By faith, Eunice, without the help of a believing husband, raised her child in the training and admonition of the Lord (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 3:14-15).

By faith, Priscilla, working side by side with her believing husband, did much to promote the kingdom of God (Acts 18:2-3, 18, 24-26; Romans 16:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:19).

By faith Peter and John withstood threats against them and continued to boldly preach the gospel of Christ (Acts 4:13-22).

By faith, Antipas, a member of the church at Pergamos, gave his life for the Lord (Revelation 2:12-13).

By faith Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God—in prison, with their feet in stocks, and still suffering from the beating received earlier in the day (Acts 16:22-25).

By faith Barnabas sold his land, not to benefit himself, but to meet the urgent needs of others (Acts 4:32-37).

By faith Dorcas did many good works, especially for widows (Acts 9:36-39).

By faith Gaius showed hospitality to those who preached the truth, and in so doing became a fellow-worker for the truth (3 John 1:5-8).

By faith the church at Philippi sent material aid to Paul time and again (Philippians 1:3-5; 4:10, 14-18), thankful they could join with him in preaching the gospel.

By faith Paul walked through the door God opened for the gospel in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:5-9).

By faith, Philemon, a member of the church at Colosse, showed love for all the saints, and in so doing brought joy and consolation to the hearts of many (Philemon 1:4-7).

By faith Epaphras prayed fervently for all his brethren (Colossians 4:12-13).

By faith Titus rejoiced in the obedience of his fellow-Christians (2 Corinthians 7:13-15).

By faith a few in the church at Sardis continued to faithfully serve the Lord, even when most in the church did not (Revelation 3:1-6).

“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Demetrius (3 John 1:12) and Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16:15) and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30), also of Onesiphorous (2 Timothy 1:16-18) and a host of other faithful Christians: who through faith walked in the way of truth, withdrew from those who didn’t, devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints, refreshed the hearts of their brethren, confronted and rebuked false teaching, and were beheaded for the gospel.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, December 1, 2023

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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

The Gospel Observer

December 3, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) “The Lord Gives Grace and Glory”: Was There No Grace in the Old Testament? (Kyle Pope)
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“The Lord Gives Grace and Glory”:

Was There No Grace in the Old Testament?

Kyle Pope

The Holy Spirit led the apostle John to write, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17, NKJV).

Through the centuries this beautiful contrast between the Old Covenant and the gospel has led some to imagine that God’s grace played no part in His relationship to man under Mosaic Law. John Calvin, for example, in commenting on this verse claimed of grace and truth “the law had neither the one nor the other” (Commentary on John 1:17).¹ Was grace only introduced with the proclamation of the gospel? Was there no grace extended by God prior to Christ?

Did God Show Grace in the Old Testament?

The simple answer is yes, God clearly extended grace to His people in the Old Testament. “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8) and was spared from the flood. Jacob declared, “God has dealt graciously with me” (Gen. 33:11). God tells Jeremiah that Israel “found grace in the wilderness” (Jer. 31:2). The blessing Mosaic priests were to offer over the people proclaimed, “The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you” (Num. 6:25). During the days of Jehoahaz, “the Lord was gracious” unto Israel (2 Kings 13:23) protecting her from utter destruction. Jonah resisted preaching to Nineveh knowing that God was “a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness” (Jon. 4:2). In sparing a remnant after the exile, Ezra recognized “grace has been shown from the Lord our God” (Ezra 9:8). The wise man proclaimed that God “gives grace to the humble” (Prov. 3:34), a text that both Peter and James quote in the New Testament (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). The psalmist declared, “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psa. 84:11, NASB). In the face of Israel’s rebellion, “the Lord was gracious” to the people “because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (2 Kings 13:23, NKJV). There can be no question that Old Testament covenants were covenants of grace.

The Tutor and Shadow

Far from being a concept absent from the Old Testament it is because of what we learn about grace under the Old Law that its significance may be understood in Christ. Paul taught the Galatians that “the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ” (Gal. 3:24). The Hebrew writer described it as “a shadow of the good things to come” (Heb. 10:1). The Law taught the responsibility of obedience. The Law commanded, “You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord” (Lev. 18:5). All too often, however, Israel failed to meet this responsibility leading this principle to become a point of emphasis throughout the Old Testament Period. To a rebellious people during the exile, for example, the Lord repeated these words through the prophet Ezekiel reminding them of His judgments “which, if a man does, he shall live by them” (Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21). During the restoration following the exile, Nehemiah called upon the people to keep the Lord’s judgments, repeating the same words – “which, if a man does, he shall live by them” (Neh. 9:29). Paul calls this principle “the righteousness which is of the law,” quoting these same words, “The man who does those things shall live by them” (Rom. 10:5). God never revoked this responsibility under Moses nor under Christ. Concerning the two greatest commandments, Jesus told a teacher of the Law “do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28).

In spite of the emphasis on this principle, man’s repeated failures to fulfill this “righteousness which is of the law” demonstrated (by Israel’s own history) mankind’s need for “a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness” (Jon. 4:2). The Law revealed man’s need for mercy. Its own sacrificial system showed that man could not remove his own sin when he failed to “do” the things of the law. Since the beginning of man’s history it has always been “blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Lev. 17:11). Christians have often made it sound as if there was no forgiveness that was granted in the offering of animal sacrifices. That is not so! We can see this in the many times we find the phrase “shall be forgiven” in connection with various offerings under Mosaic Law (e.g. Lev. 4:20, 26, 30, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22; Num. 15:26, 28). When the Israelites made the proscribed sacrifices, had they merited their forgiveness? No! Nothing in their action or in the intrinsic value of animal sacrifices earned forgiveness. In obedience to Mosaic Law the Israelites accepted the terms under which God promised to grant forgiveness. This very provision was God’s grace. We see this in a powerful command concerning honesty. The Lord commanded, “Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked” (Exod. 23:7). In specifying whom He would not “justify” the Lord made the clear inference that He is the one who holds the power to justify! When Paul told the Romans, “It is God who justifies” (Rom. 8:33b), he was not stating something that was purely a New Covenant principle. Whenever man has received forgiveness from God, it has been by an act of God’s grace.

Old Testament Grace Anticipated Christ

If animal sacrifices did not possess any intrinsic value that merited forgiveness, why were they offered? The New Testament reveals to us that they brought forgiveness looking forward to the sacrifice of Christ. The Hebrew writer tells us that, “by means of death,” Christ brought “redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant” (Heb. 9:15). Paul told the Romans that Christ offers “propitiation by His blood,” because “in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed” (Rom. 3:25). Christ’s sacrifice did possess the intrinsic value necessary to merit forgiveness. Old Testament sacrifices brought forgiveness, but only because they prefigured what Christ’s sacrifice would actually provide. Let’s notice how the Hebrew writer explains this after referring to the Law as a “shadow of the good things to come” (Heb. 10:1a). When we see a shadow of a person on the ground, we can infer that it was cast by the body of the man or woman who caused the shadow. The Hebrew writer says first that the offerings that constituted this “shadow” could not make those who offered them “perfect” (Heb. 10:1c). We have noted above, this doesn’t mean they didn’t receive forgiveness, but it did not make them perfect or complete, or else they would not need to be offered “continually year by year” (Heb. 10:1b). Instead, these offerings served as a “reminder of sins” (Heb. 10:3), because the “blood of bulls and goats” could not “take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). What could take away sins? The Hebrew writer quotes from the Greek Old Testament of Psalm 40:6 to answer this – “sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body [Gr. soma] You have prepared for Me” (Heb. 10:5b).² This is very similar to a statement Paul makes in his letter to the Colossians. After telling them no one can judge them any longer concerning elements of the Old Law, he speaks of these as “a shadow of things to come; but the body [Gr. soma] is of Christ” (Col. 2:17, KJV). Jesus is the body that casts the shadow. All Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of what He would accomplish. The grace of God that sent Jesus to die offers forgiveness of sins to the righteous in the Old Testament just as it does to Christians in the New Testament. God’s grace has been given to His people all along.

Conclusion

We have seen that grace has always characterized God’s relationship with His people. How then are we to understand texts such as the one with which we began – “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17)? We might note that this is not the only place we see such contrasts. Paul told the Romans “you are not under law but under grace” (Rom. 6:14-15). Paul does not mean that in Christ there is no law that governs behavior. He told the Corinthians he was not “without law toward God, but under law toward Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21). Paul and John contrast law and grace to emphasize the distinctive nature of the Mosaic system of faith, and the gospel system of faith. Both involved law, both involved faith, and both were dependent upon the grace of God. Yet, in the sacrifice of Jesus as the ultimate atonement for our sins God’s grace was poured out as it had never been. This was part of what was promised in connection with the coming of the Messiah – a time when God would pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem “the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zech. 12:10). Jesus was the Divine one whom “they pierced,” He was the “firstborn” who was God’s “only Son.” Only those who look to Christ in obedience and faith can know a measure of grace and mercy unknown to the world before the coming of Jesus.

¹ This is the literal translation of Calvin’s French wording (“la Loy n’a eu ne l’un ne l’autre”). Calvin’s words may sound more harsh than he actually believed. He explains in the context his belief that the grace and truth that were brought by Christ gave life to a lifeless system of law without Christ. Even so, his words illustrate the concept many have held regarding grace under the Old Covenant.

²The Hebrew text of Psalm 40:6 reads “my ears you have opened” (NKJV), but the text of the Greek Old Testament done before the time of Christ, quoted by the Hebrew writer, and preserved in the Sinai, Vatican, and Alexandrian manuscripts all read “a body you have prepared for Me.” This is likely either evidence of a Hebrew variant or a paraphrase taking preparation of the ears as a part of the body standing for the whole. Unfortunately, the Dead Sea Scroll that would have contained this passage (11QPsa^d, frag. 6) is missing all of this Psalm after the first word.

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 58, Number 5, May 2014

https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_05_May_Truth_Magazine.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1z05ss-7P9S3sgH9S4YxYnhraiWy-lG6dMDrOc94SLXbbZ5pLc6Uf2RGQ

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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

MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous”

Introduction

The Behavior of the Redeemed

Whom Does the Lord Hear?

Baptism Is Necessary for Salvation

Suffering for Doing Good

The Suffering of Christ

Ready to Give an Answer

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Jesus the Living Water

Finding Common Ground

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

“A Man After God’s Own Heart”

What Made David A Man After God’s Own Heart?

Could It Be Said That You Are One After God’s Own Heart?

Colossians 3:17

Be Holy

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Things to Bring to Worship

A Willing Spirit

A Reconciled Heart

Holy Hands

Absolute Submission

Jesus, the Amen and the Beginning

The Amen

The Faithful and True Witness

The Beginning of the Creation of God

The Beginning and the Amen

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Preservation of God’s Word

Three Facts About God and His Word

1. God is All-Powerful.

2. God’s Word Accomplishes Its Purpose.

3. God’s Word Endures Forever.

Free Will and Providence

Examples of God’s Preservation of His Word

Sword Tips #8

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Greet, but Don’t Greet

Remember Your Own Forgiveness

Romans 4:7-8

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Fill Your Speech With Grace

Giving Grace to Those Who Hear

Giving Grace to Unbelievers

My Attitude Toward God’s Word

Jeremiah 15:16

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Luke and the Birth of Jesus

The Ugliness of Selfishness

So how do we teach our children to be unselfish?

Sword Tips #25

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Law, Grace, and Truth

Hebrews 11: A Postscript

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

“The Lord Gives Grace and Glory”:

Was There No Grace in the Old Testament?

Did God Show Grace in the Old Testament?

The Tutor and Shadow

Old Testament Grace Anticipated Christ

Conclusion

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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