Category: Uncategorized (Page 4 of 46)

The Gospel Observer

August 13, 2023 / 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) Jesus, the Compassionate High Priest (Daniel H. King, Sr.)
2) Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB)
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Jesus, the Compassionate High Priest

Daniel H. King, Sr.

Synopsis: Down through history, countless men served as Jewish high priests—offering gifts and sacrifices, serving as intermediaries on behalf of the people. Jesus, our Great High Priest, excels them all.
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Introduction

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews stressed the overshadowing of the old covenant by the new in several well-planned and carefully orchestrated ways. The special position of the legal system (the Torah), its central shrine (the Temple), and its personnel (the priesthood), with its central figure (the kohēn gadōl, i.e., the high priest), the author argued, must give place to a different and superior reality under the aegis of the Messiah, Jesus. “If that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second,” he wrote (8:7). This position is forcefully advanced throughout the letter, suggesting that every aspect of the old Jewish system had been displaced by the work of Christ on the cross (cf. 9:11-28).

Early in his discussion, the author emphasized the High priesthood of Jesus, in comparison with that old order of things, saying, “Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted” (2:17-18). The word translated “succor” in this context is boētheō which means “to aid or relieve; to help or succor.” The context suggests that this aid and relief is given, especially in times of trial or temptation.

In the verses that follow, he urged his readers to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus” (3:1). Clearly, the high priesthood of Jesus is a significant element of his overall argument in the epistle. Throughout his further elucidation of this theme, he makes the following important points about that One whom he designates “our compassionate High Priest”:

Merciful

He was a merciful High Priest. This feature of His character is introduced at 2:17, but is emphasized at 4:15, which says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” For our part, this is perhaps the most critical aspect of the Lord’s priesthood, for it shows why the incarnation was central to the divine plan for human redemption. Christ was made flesh so that He could serve as a High Priest who understood the human condition and showed mercy to repentant sinners.

Faithful

He was a faithful High Priest. His faithfulness is stressed in 2:17. The author follows up on this notion in 3:5-6, noting how much more so He was, even than the great man Moses. No doubt, people of that time would have compared the transcendent figure of the flawless Christ, Jesus, to the extremely flawed high priests who served in the Jerusalem sanctuary. Caiaphas and his son-in-law, Annas (or Ananus ben Ananus; Hebrew: chanan, meaning “merciful” or “gracious”), were two men mentioned in the gospels. This unfortunate name for Annas may even have helped to cement the appropriateness of the term to describe Jesus, for it was common to refer to that Jewish high priest as a “viper” rather than a merciful man, despite his name.

Successful

As a High Priest, He was successful in an unprecedented way. The deliverance from sins, which His ministry affords, is without limitation. He is able “to save to the uttermost” those who draw near to God through Him (7:25). Previous priesthoods were limited by their human aspect—occupied by mere men, restricted by the limitations of their humanity, and often troubled by their faults and foibles. Jesus was not so, and His priesthood was not thus bounded. The saving power of His ministry had no precedent, only shadowy figures to presage it.

Eternal

He was a “for ever” High Priest. Previous human priests were limited by lifespan. Most died in office and were succeeded by sons or other relatives. Jesus abides a priest forever by the power of an endless life: “He abideth for ever” (7:17-24). Previous priesthoods brought great change to the community owing to the change in nature of the man involved. The high priest might be a good man, but he also might be a bad man. He might be greedy and self-serving. He might be quite immoral. Thus, with the changing of leaders, there was an accompanying change of atmosphere and climate in the religious circumstances of Israel. With Jesus as High Priest, however, all of that changed. Because His is an eternal priesthood, it is also an “unchangeable” one (7:24).

Holy

He was a High Priest who was holy, guileless, undefiled, and separated from sinners. All of these words are descriptive of a singular aspect of His nature. Each of these picturesque terms is employed to describe Him in Hebrews 7:26. They mean that He was pious and consecrated to God, that He was harmless or free from evil in His own being, that He was not defiled by stain contracted from others (temptation left no trace of evil in him). He was distinct from those who have themselves committed transgression, and thus need to be cleansed themselves for them to be in a position to purge the dross from other souls. Simply put, He was not personally a participant in any disobedience to God. Therefore, He was worthy to be, not only the High Priest proffering the sacrifice for human sin, but the offering itself, the sacrifice! He “through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God” (9:14). How efficacious was this offering? The writer proclaims, “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (10:10). Such a thing had never happened before, and it will never happen again. Furthermore, there is no need for it to be repeated (contra the “sacrifice of the Mass”).

Exalted

He was a High Priest made higher than the heavens. So the writer declares in 7:26b. Why so? Because, as it is further explained elsewhere (4:14), He “passed through” or “passed into the heavens.” So, the Gospel of Mark concludes with the words, “So then, the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” This was unprecedented. High Priests never sat down in the Temple complex. There were no seats as furniture within that holy place, nor was a need for them. In that former sanctuary, there was always more work to be done. They went inside to offer sacrifices, and when they had finished for the time, they left until it was needful for them to go there again to offer other sacrifices. There were always new sacrifices to offer under the law. Jesus offered one sacrifice and was finished. The Bible says He “sat down.” This was so because His work was complete, His sacrifice was singular and sufficient. “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified” (10:14); and, “when He had offered one sacrifice for ever, (He) sat down at the right hand of God” (10:12; 1:3; 8:1; 12:2).

Eternally Perfected

He was a High Priest who was eternally perfected. In 7:28, the author opined that human priests throughout history had all received appointment to their ministry, “having infirmity,” (or “in their weakness”), that is to say, imperfect in their humanity in all respects. Jesus, on the other hand, presented Himself as “a Son perfected forevermore” (huion eis ton aiōna teteleiōmenon). He had been made perfect for His sacrificial work by the things which He suffered (2:10; 5:9).

Conclusion

The high priests under the old covenant were inferior in every way, therefore, to our “great priest,” Jesus, “having a great priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. . .” (10:21). Here is the point: Our High Priest has performed all of His functions with flawless perfection. Now it is time for us to do our part. Rather than pulling away or drawing back, we must draw closer to God. After all, that is what He did in order to make possible (Heb. 7:19; Jas. 4:8).

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

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-02-feb/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_04.htm

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Hebrews 4:14-16

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

– NASB

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bible Classes

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

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

The Gospel Observer

August 6, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) I Am Resolved: To Study (David Dann)
2) Sword Tips #31 (Joe R. Price)
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I Am Resolved: To Study

David Dann

Synopsis: David challenges each of us: “Will you make up your mind to search the Scriptures daily so that you can become what God would have you to be?”
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The psalmist writes, “The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them” (Ps. 111:2). Our English word “study” is defined as: “to read in detail especially with the intention of learning” (Merriam-Webster). More than just reading, study involves properly understanding and learning from what you read. It may require looking up the definitions of words that appear in the text, pausing to define concepts, asking questions, and finding the right answers to those questions as we read a passage.

True study of God’s word involves reading, pondering, and seeking to understand and apply what we’ve read (Ps. 119:148). Ezra studied the Scriptures so that he would be prepared to do the will of God and help others to do the will of God (Ezra 7:10). Excuses for failing to follow Ezra’s example range from, “I don’t have time,” to, “I always forget to do it,” to, “I just don’t like to read.” Please consider the following reasons as to why we must put away such excuses and resolve to make personal Bible study a daily habit.

It Will Increase Your Knowledge

The apostle Peter wrote to those who had already become Christians, saying, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” (2 Pet. 1:5). Peter also exhorts Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (3:18). The only way we can grow and increase in spiritual knowledge is by taking the word of God into our hearts and minds, and the only way we can know the truth is to abide in the Lord’s word (John 8:31-32). We are constantly bombarded with lies about religious matters, morality, and man’s origin, along with the lie that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that all beliefs need to be treated as though they have equal value. How will you know what to believe and what to follow?

God’s word is truth (John 17:17). Spending time in God’s word will keep us from having our thinking shaped by false teachers, deceivers, and godless philosophers. When Paul preached to the Bereans, the Bible says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Each of us needs to search the Scriptures daily so that we know the truth and so that we can see the difference between truth and error.

It Will Spiritually Strengthen You

Paul writes that his prayer to God for the Ephesian Christians was “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16). We can be strengthened and built up in the inner man by taking God’s word into our minds and hearts (Acts 20:32). God’s word is able to build up and strengthen us so that we remain faithful to the Lord; yet, for this strengthening to take place, we have to read, study, and apply it. It is important to be reminded that only the faithful will be rewarded with a home in heaven (Rev. 2:10). Since the temptation to turn back from following the Lord or to engage in sin is always present, the study of God’s word is needed to defeat the fiery darts of the devil. Along these lines, the psalmist spoke to God, saying, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” (Ps. 119:11). Each of us needs to study the Scriptures daily so that we can be strengthened to overcome in the battle against temptation, sin, and error.

It Will Help You to Grow

In his letter to the saints in Rome, Paul writes, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Our faith grows as we read, study, and apply God’s word in our lives. Peter instructs Christians to “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). A Christian who lacks desire for the word of God is one who is spiritually dying. The Lord maintains a relationship with those who put forth the effort to learn and follow His word (John 14:23-24). If you want God to draw near to you, then you need to spend time drawing near to Him by reading and learning from His word (Jas. 4:7). Each of us needs to study the Scriptures daily so that we can develop a deeper faith and a closer relationship with God.

It Will Equip You to Serve

The life of a Christian is a life of service to the King of kings in which we do those things that are pleasing to Him. Paul instructed Titus, saying, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8). We are to constantly serve the Lord by maintaining the good works in our lives that God would have us to do. How do we know what those good works are? Paul writes, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We can know what kind of work the church should collectively perform and we can know what kinds of works that we, as individuals, are responsible for carrying out in our lives because the Scriptures provide that information for us. Each of us needs to study the Scriptures daily so that we will be equipped to do those things that are pleasing to God.

It Will Enable You to Teach Others

Jesus instructed His apostles following His resurrection, saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Nothing in this world is more important than receiving forgiveness of sins from the Lord and becoming one of His people. One of the basic problems with bringing the lost to salvation is that you can only teach someone else that which you already know yourself. Paul instructed Timothy, saying, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Just like Timothy, we will need to put forth the effort to study and learn the word of God ourselves so that we will be equipped for the work of teaching others. You can’t give someone a Bible answer if you don’t know what the Bible says. How many opportunities to help lost souls come to salvation have been squandered because we didn’t study and prepare ourselves to teach others? Each of us needs to study the Scriptures daily to enable ourselves to bring lost souls out of darkness and into the light of the Lord.

Conclusion

The psalmist spoke to God, saying, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). By studying and applying God’s word, we can know that we are following the right path in life. If we ignore our need for Bible study, then we will stumble in the darkness and follow the path the world has set before us. May we resolve to study the Scriptures daily so that we can please the Lord.

Sources

“Study.” Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/study.

Author Bio: David has been working with the Hebron Lane church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY since 2016. He and his wife, Cynthia, have been blessed with six children. The church website is hebronlane.com. He can be reached at ddann1@hotmail.com.

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 63, No. 1, January 2019

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2019/2019-01-jan/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_03.htm

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

Sword Tips #31

Joe R. Price

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

One of the magnificent qualities of God is his complete trustworthiness. He is always present to hear and to respond in love to cries of help from his people.

God hears and answers the prayers of his children. Do not hesitate to pour out your heart to the Lord; He is a “very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1).

Whatever storm you face today, put your faith in him.

He will never leave you or forsake you.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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

July 30, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Reflections on Psalm 2: The Son Rules (Joe R. Price)
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Reflections on Psalm 2: The Son Rules

Joe R. Price

Synopsis: The divine proclamation of God’s Son as His Anointed King prompts Christians to remain loyal to Christ when earthly rulers dishonor Him by denying His rule.
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Introduction

In unstable times, saints of God should recall settled veracities:

I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Ps. 2:7-9, NKJV).

America has just passed through a tumultuous election cycle. At this writing, some outcomes are facing unresolved court challenges. Citizens experience uncertainty, doubt, disappointment, and discouragement. What will come from our next leaders? Whose rule will prevail from sea to shining sea: The President? The Congress? The Supreme Court? We, the people? The Bible assures us that regardless of who rules earthly kingdoms, Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and He rules over the kings of the earth (1 Tim. 6:15; cf. Matt. 28:18; Rev. 1:5).

Also, at this writing, we continue to pass through the throes of the Covid-19 virus. Death tolls continue to rise. Hospitals are nearing capacity. Measures are mandated to stop the spread and lessen its impact. Businesses, livelihoods, families, and churches have not been spared. False points of friction occur between the rule of civil government and the rule of God. Christians and churches face the challenge of deciding what to render to Caesar and what to render to God (Luke 20:20-26). Faithless rulers and lawless citizens will continue to test our resolve to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

When seas of doubt churn and toss nations with doubt, discouragement, and dread, God’s sovereignty over the nations by His Christ assures and secures our faith. God “rules in the kingdoms of men,” and mortals do not overthrow His purposes (Dan. 4:25, 32, 34-35). Divine Providence protects and preserves the righteous through momentary trials and tears. Our hope in the promises of God in Christ anchors our souls (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:25-34; Heb. 6:16-20).

God’s Anointed King Is His Son

Psalm 2 confirms our faith in God’s abiding care and the rule of His Christ while we face the rising challenges of secularism, humanism, skepticism, and atheism, both in the USA and around the world. This Messianic psalm is a prophetic call to the nations anticipating the rule of God’s Anointed. God’s Anointed King is none other than His Son, to whom God would give the nations for an inheritance (vv. 2, 6-8). Although opposed and rejected by Gentiles and Jews, God’s purposes prevail, gloriously fulfilled in the exaltation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (vv. 6-9). Earthly rulers are warned of divine wrath if they fail to honor the Son and trust the Lord God (vv. 10-12). Neither Gentile rulers nor Jewish leaders would prevent God from crowning His Son as King (Acts 4:23-28). Ruling in righteousness, the Son blesses those who honor and trust Him while punishing the wicked.

Psalm 2 paints a portrait of Christ as King on God’s “holy hill of Zion” (v. 6). The resurrection of Jesus and His subsequent ascension and exaltation at God’s right hand fulfilled this prophetic pronouncement (Dan. 7:13-14; Eph. 1:20-23). Today, Jesus, the Son of God, rules as “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

The expectation of a future earthly kingdom corrupts the nature of the King and His kingdom (Luke 17:20-21; John 18:36; Col. 1:13-14). This false doctrine necessarily rejects the fulfillment of Psalm 2 that is announced in the gospel by the resurrection and ascended exaltation of Jesus. Either Jesus rules as King today in fulfillment of Psalm 2, or He does not. If Jesus is King now, then earthly kingdom expectations are false (Mark 9:1). If Jesus is not yet King, then Psalm 2 remains unfulfilled. However, such a conclusion means that the multiple New Testament declarations stating this psalm’s fulfillment in Christ are false (Acts 4:25-28; 13:32-33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5).

Psalm 2:7-9 prophetically announces the Son of God’s rule as King. The New Testament fulfillment of this psalm assures our faith and strengthens our resolve to steadfastly serve Christ, confident that the Son continues to reign in these troublesome times.

God’s Son Rules Today as King

God Declared the Rule of His Son by Raising Him from the Dead (v. 7).

Another psalm records the Lord’s determination that His Son would rule amid His enemies (Ps. 110:1-2). To rule is to “have dominion, prevail against, reign” (Strong, 7287). Ruling power implies rank and the exercise of authority due to that rank. The rule of God’s Christ rests on the fact that He is God’s Son. He has been given power and might to command, enforce, and judge humanity (Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27).

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the day when God definitively declared that Jesus is His Son (v. 7). God’s decree is acknowledged by His Anointed, “Today I have begotten you” and fulfilled when Jesus was raised from the dead. With His resurrection, Jesus was brought forth by God, “declared to be the Son of God with power. . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). The resurrection of Jesus convincingly and conclusively fulfilled Psalm 2:7 (Acts 13:32-33).

God Gave His Son Rule over the Nations and Possession of the Entire Earth (v. 8).

Christ’s resurrection identified Him as the Son of God, the King, who received the nations as His inheritance. His ascension and exaltation at God’s right hand secured His authority as King. By God’s mighty power,

He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:20-23).

The righteous rule of Christ comforts those who willingly serve Him in the day of His power (Ps. 110:3). Christians persevere through life’s trials and uncertainties, knowing that, come what may, Christ’s throne prevails and endures (Heb. 1:8-13). He rules over the affairs of nations (Acts 17:24-26), sin and death (Acts 13:32-39; 1 Cor. 15:24-26, 54-57), and the house of God, the church (Heb. 5:5; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). Our trust in Him is not in vain.

God Gave His Son the Authority to Bless Righteousness and to Judge Evil (v. 9).

Jesus has been given “all authority” over “all flesh” both to provide eternal life and to execute eternal punishment (Matt. 28:18; John 17:2-3; 5:21-23). Every benevolent ruler and every despot, every unbiased judge and every partial jurist—all are under (and answer to) the authority of Jesus Christ, the King.

Behold the severity of God against those who rebel against His Son. The King will break them with the rod of divine wrath like one breaks pottery (v. 9). Consider this description of the “King of kings and Lord of lords” in the book of Revelation, as “in righteousness, He judges and makes war” against His enemies: “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:11, 15). Psalm 2:9 is the prophetic anticipation that God’s King is powerful to judge the wicked and defeat every foe. Anticipating the King’s just wrath is a proper and adequate incentive to honor Him (Ps. 2:10-12; Rom. 2:1-6).

Conclusion

God anointed and brought forth His Son to be King over the nations. Resurrected from the dead, Jesus is exalted on David’s throne at God’s right hand as “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:30-36). By the word of the gospel, Jesus Christ gives eternal life to the righteous and brings judgment upon the wicked (John 12:48-50; 5:28-29). Praise God that His King is exalted on high!

Sources

Strong, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

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

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-01-jan/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_04.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 Classesand 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

July 23, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) I Am Resolved: To Serve (Allen Dvorak)
2) Sword Tips #28 (Joe R. Price)
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I Am Resolved: To Serve

Allen Dvorak

Synopsis: Serving others is required for greatness in the kingdom and involves selflessness, sacrifice, and humility.

During His public ministry, Jesus taught His chosen disciples many things about being citizens of the coming kingdom, but it seems that they had difficulty with one basic concept—the nature of greatness in the kingdom.

On one occasion, Jesus and the twelve passed through Galilee from the mount of transfiguration to the city of Capernaum. On the way, the twelve argued among themselves. When they reached the house in Capernaum, Jesus asked them about the subject of their discussion. Perhaps embarrassed, they didn’t answer because they had been arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom (Mark 9:33-37). Jesus answered their question for them: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (v. 35). It is probable that His answer surprised them!

However, that wasn’t the end of the matter. As Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with His disciples for the last time, the mother of James and John brought her two sons to Jesus and requested a favor from Him. She wanted her sons to sit closest to Him, on His right hand, and His left hand, in the kingdom, i.e., she wanted her sons to have positions of honor in the coming kingdom (Matt. 20:20-28). When the other ten apostles heard of the request, they were indignant with James and John who were apparently behind their mother’s request. Likely, the other apostles were upset that the sons of Zebedee had “beaten them to the punch!” Mark’s parallel account shows that Jesus used the occasion to emphasize to the apostles how their relationship to one another was to differ from the way that “the rulers of the Gentiles” lorded it over their citizens. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44). In that way, they would be like their Master who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (v. 45).

During the passion week, Jesus pronounced several woes against the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23). He described them as loving the attention of others and seeking honor for themselves. In contrast, Jesus instructed the disciples not to seek titles/accolades that elevated them above their fellows. He said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (vv. 11-12).

A few days later, Jesus observed the Passover with His apostles on the night of His betrayal. In the previous weeks, Jesus had informed the apostles of the events soon to transpire—His betrayal to the Jewish leaders, His death at the hands of the Gentiles and His subsequent resurrection (Matt. 20:17-19). The mood at the supper appears to have been somber. Jesus informed the apostles that one of them would betray Him (Luke 22:14-23). It is amazing that, in these circumstances, the apostles once again disputed among themselves “as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest” (Luke 22:24)!

John’s gospel doesn’t record this Passover observance, but tells the story of Jesus washing the apostles’ feet on that same night (John 13). The apostles’ surprise at His action is seen in Peter’s initial refusal to allow his feet to be washed (v. 8). That was a task usually reserved for servants or slaves—not appropriate for the Master! I suspect that Jesus’ actions were prompted by the continuing competition among the apostles to be considered the “greatest” in the kingdom. When He had finished washing their feet, Jesus said to them,

Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him (John 13:12-16, ESV).

It certainly seems that the apostles were slow to learn the lesson of greatness in the kingdom. Yet, perhaps we shouldn’t judge them too harshly; it seems that disciples today sometimes have trouble with the same principle. In the business world, the person who climbs the corporate ladder to a position of authority over many people is considered a success. Although we definitely can find public examples of people who serve others, common opinion in our culture is that serving someone else is humiliating or degrading. “I want to be served, not to serve.” In contrast, as kingdom citizens, we need to use what God has given us to serve others, “as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV).

Serving Involves Selflessness

Every moment of time, every ounce of energy, every cent spent in the service of another is just that much that cannot be spent on oneself. Those committed to serving others have decided to put the needs of others before their own. I am not suggesting that disciples must neglect themselves, but Paul (the Holy Spirit!) said it well, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).

The planned evening at home may end up being a visit to the hospital or taking food to someone who is sick. A Saturday off from work may turn into a day of work for someone unable to do yard work. A shopping trip may have to be postponed in order to babysit the young children of a harried mother, or one who is sick. Instead of several relaxing hours at one’s favorite hobby, it may be that a troubled marriage needs immediate help in the form of counsel.

Serving Involves Sacrifice

Serving others is often inconvenient. It doesn’t just cut into the time, energy and money that we might expend upon ourselves, but we often have to “extend” ourselves. In the scene of the final judgment pictured by Jesus, the “sheep” are commended for having provided food, drink, hospitality and clothing to the Lord and for having visited Him when sick and in prison (Matt. 25:31-36). Providing for the physical needs of others consumes time and assets. We must remember, however, that when we serve others, we are also serving the Lord (vv. 37-40).

Serving Involves Humility

Someone has said that the most difficult instrument to play in the orchestra is second fiddle. Everyone wants to be “first chair” (just like the apostles during Jesus’ public ministry). Yet, service to others means accepting the role of a servant. Because the proud man finds it difficult to serve others, the Scriptures often link the concepts of service and humility (e.g., Phil. 2:3-8; Matt. 23:11-12). Jesus “emptied himself” and took the form of a servant to provide salvation for mankind.

These three facts about serving others also apply to our service to God; serving one another is simply one aspect of our service to Him. Let us be resolved to serve one another. There are innumerable ways that we can show our love for others by serving them. If it becomes known that we are willing to serve, it may not be necessary to look for opportunities; opportunities will find us!

— Via Truth Magazine, Volume 63, No. 1, January 2019

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2019/2019-01-jan/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_01.htm

Author Bio: Allen has worked with the Kelly Spring Road congregation in Harvest, AL for twelve years. He and his wife, Debbie, have two married sons and four wonderful grandchildren. The church website is spreadingtruth.org. He can be reached at allen.dvorak@reagan.com.

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

Sword Tips #28

Joe R. Price

“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Christians anticipate their opportunity to worship together. Worshiping God is the first thing to consider when planning your Sunday, not the last.

Assembling together to worship not only serves the purpose of honoring God with our prayers and praise, it also gives us an opportunity to encourage one another to remain faithful and true to the Lord.

How will you spend your time this Lord’s day?

Set the habit of worshiping God.

You will be encouraged, and you will encourage your brethren.

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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

July 16, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Reflections on Psalm 2: The Lord Responds (Warren Berkley)
2) Sword Tips #10 (Joe R. Price)
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Reflections on Psalm 2: The Lord Responds

Warren Berkley

Synopsis: God’s people can be confident that no enemy or enemies of God will ever defeat or destroy any purpose or plan of God.

Introduction

As already observed, this royal psalm depicts the enmity and rebellion against His God that David knew was part of his world. Yet, he knew something else. The uproar of nations and arrogant despots never threatens the Lord, nor can it ever obstruct His plans. While evil men confer, consult and conspire, here is heaven’s response:

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, “As for me, I have set My King on Zion, my holy hill” (Ps. 2:4-6).

This had wonderful meaning for David. He knew “his” throne would someday be occupied by the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:13; Jer. 33:17; Acts 2:29-35). He recognized that this would come to pass without any concern that the vain plotting of men on earth would stop the coronation.

Indeed history confirmed that neither punishment of Messiah nor death kept God from fulfilling His promise. As it turned out, the plans and plots of evil men were used by God to accomplish His purpose: On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared that Jesus was “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” The apostle affirmed that this Jesus, crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, God has raised! (cf. Acts 2:22-24). Thus, David’s “heart was glad,” assured that the evil devised against God’s coronation of Christ would not only not succeed, but God would use their plan for His purpose.

Divine Laughter

“He who sits in the heavens laughs.” When this is first read, it may seem odd. We associate laughter with humor or pleasure. There is ample evidence in human history of this physiological response, where mind and body contract spontaneously to something festive or comedic, typically with vocal expression. There is also a darker side to laughter, i.e., a maniacal excitement of evil intended or accomplished.

Divine laughter doesn’t fit either of these two categories. It isn’t merely a response to humor and certainly is not expressive of some evil intent. Rather, it is the writer’s way of telling us that God isn’t worried about the threats of His enemies on earth, singular or in league.

History confirms this. God’s plan was not defeated by the tower of Babel. Pharaoh wasn’t able to keep the descendants of Abraham in bondage. The Assyrians and Babylonians could not hinder God in any way; instead, He used them for His purposes. Seeking to preserve his power, King Herod sought to kill the Christ child. Yet, after Herod died, the family of Jesus came out of Egypt and settled in Nazareth. Likewise, as mentioned above, God’s plan was not defeated but carried out by those who crucified Christ.

Consider the following quotations by Dale Ralph Davis and G. Campbell Morgan:

God is not fazed! The mighty politicians, the dictators in their military fatigues, the terrorists with their bomb loads strapped to their backs—God is unimpressed. If you have imbibed a western sentimental view of God as the great soupy softie in the sky, then you will not understand this picture of verse 4. In fact, it will likely ‘offend’ you. But the psalm implies that nations may strut out their nuclear bombs—it only convulses the Almighty in laughter! To think that a few swaggering sovereigns could destroy God’s kingdom with such trifles! After you hear the kings in verse 3, you need to see this picture of the laughing God in verse 4 in order to get refocused on the truth (Davis).

This derisive laughter of God is the comfort of all those who love righteousness. It is the laughter of the might of holiness; it is the laughter of the strength of love. God does not exult over the sufferings of sinning men. He does hold in derision all the proud boastings and violence of such as seek to prevent His accomplishment of His will (Morgan).

Divine Vocal & Active Wrath

“He will speak to them in His wrath and terrify them in His fury.” With us, wrath may be felt but not expressed (in some cases, this is necessary in administering proper discipline or showing forbearance [cf. Jas. 1:19). God, too, can “relent” or hold back (cf. Joel 2:13). However, in this context—of rebellious men who plot against God—His wrath is vocal and active. His wrath was vocal on this page (in this passage), as the Lord is responding. His words and actions carry the just intent to “terrify them in His fury.” This is that element of fearing God that each believer should recognize: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). We are blessed to know this about God, as was David.

Divine Affirmation

The schemers and rebels needed to hear this: “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” This carries the force of “this is what I will do. You cannot stop me. No matter the energy or numbers or power you think you have, My King will reign on Zion!” This conveys the absolute certainty of God’s innate power and His response to those who challenge Him.

This text was not only meaningful to David and those of his time; it became the “go-to” passage for early Christians who were suffering persecution. When Peter and John were threatened and as they prayed together about the difficulty, they referred to this psalm (Acts 4:23-31). To believe in the rule of Christ is one thing. To live under His authority is the point! Those who so live have the consolation announced in the second psalm.

Conclusion

What is so strongly expressed here has likely become one of our texts of consolation in 2020. Preachers have mounted pulpits with this Psalm open. Bible class teachers have postponed scheduled lessons to plug this passage into the curriculum. Men have prayed this psalm. Livestreams have broadcast that Christ is King. World leaders, revolutionaries, and dictators who stand against the Lord may not be listening to this or reading the Psalms. God’s people continue to rejoice in the Lord, knowing, singing, and thanking God—that those who are at variance with God, though they seem destined to win, will ultimately hear Him speak in His wrath. In closing, consider another quote from Dale Ralph Davis:

So you live in a world that hates. But you lift your eyes and see the throne that consoles. I rather like the way the Jerusalem Bible translates verse 4a: ‘The One whose throne is in heaven sits laughing.’ It is the same message as in Revelation 4: there is a throne—and One who is sitting upon it. Keep your eyes there. Sometimes that’s all that will keep you sane (Davis).

Sources

Davis, Dale Ralph. Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life. Kindle Edition. Christian Focus Publications, 2010.

Morgan, G. Campbell. Searchlights from the Word: Being 1188 Sermon-Suggestions, One from Every Chapter in the Bible. Fleming H. Revell, 1926.

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

https://truthmagazine.com/kindle/2021/2021-01-jan/08_Monthly_Theme_Lesson_03.htm
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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)

Sword Tips #10

Joe R. Price

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

We’ve all heard, “you are what you eat.” In a very real sense, we are what we think. Solomon said a man is what he thinks in his heart (Prov. 23:7). The Lord Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35). We speak what is in our heart. Period.

Begin to make a deliberate effort to think about what you are thinking. Think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and commendable (Phil. 4:8). By thinking on such things your words will reflect godliness and righteousness.

Meditate on what is right and speak what is good.

This is acceptable in the sight of God, our Redeemer.

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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 Classesand 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

July 9, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) “New Creation” (Kyle Pope)
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“New Creation”

Kyle Pope

Often, whenever a child is born the event is so moving it affects many who hear about it far beyond just those related to the child. The knowledge of a new life can regenerate even the most bitter and cynical heart. There is something about a new birth that reminds us of our own days of youth and innocence. This is true not only of physical birth, but spiritual birth as well. It is a joyous thing when a sinner turns from the darkness of sin, putting faith in Christ, to have his or her sins washed away in baptism by the blood of Christ. Sometimes brethren who may have felt discouraged or downhearted can have their spirits lifted by seeing a new soul brought to the Lord. The encouragement and innocence of a new life in Christ can cause the gloom and darkness of burdens we carry to fade far from view. Let’s consider a few questions about such times of spiritual birth.

I. What Really Happens? Those who witness a person being baptized into Christ know well enough what can be seen with the eyes. The person repents of past sins (Acts 3:19). In the presence of those around the person, confession is made of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Rom.10:8-10). This culminates in immersion in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Yet, beyond what the eyes can see, the Bible teaches that some other very important things happen spiritually. Paul told the Ephesians that apart from the grace of God that comes through Christ, all accountable souls are dead in a spiritual sense. Because of God’s love, “even when we were dead in trespasses,” through obedience to the gospel He “made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:5, NKJV). This grace is not extended to us because of our works of merit. Paul affirms it is, “not of works lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:9). It is Christ’s blood that merits salvation. When a sinner turns to Christ in obedience to the gospel, the mercy and grace of God revives them spiritually. The soul spiritually dead and separated from God because of sin, lives again in a reconciled relationship to God. Paul told the Corinthians “all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18).

Another important thing also happens. Paul taught the Christians in Galatia, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). In baptism a person does not join some denomination, instead he or she puts on Christ. There are several ways in which this may be understood. First, through baptism we are said to be united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Paul explained to the Colossians that we are “buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raised with Him through faith in the working of God” (Colossians 2:12). He told the Romans, that in baptism we have been “united together in the likeness of His death” granting us hope that one day we may be united together“in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:5). Second, we put on Christ in the relationship we share with others who are in Christ. After the preaching on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit tells us “those who gladly received his word were baptized” resulting in the fact that “about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). These disciples, are identified as “the church” in the verses that follow (Acts 2:47, KJV, NKJV; 5:11; 8:1). In the New Testament the church is identified as Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22-23). When one is baptized into Christ, the Lord adds him or her to that group identified as Christ’s body in this world, which must be understood as another sense in which the new convert is said to put on Christ.

Another change unseen to the eyes that takes place in obedience to the gospel concerns the soul. Peter spoke of Christians having “purified your souls in obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). He described this as one being “born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible” (1 Pet. 1:23). A soul who turns to Jesus Christ in true faith and obedience not only dies, but is spiritually reborn unto a new life. Paul, once again in speaking of baptism explains that in it “our old man was crucified with Him” (i.e. Christ) “that the body of sin might be done away with” (Rom. 6:6). When the old self is done away with, a new life begins. Paul told the Corinthians, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all thing have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). No matter what may have plagued our life in the past, the new convert has the promise that in conversion to Christ “all things have become new.”

II. When Is This Fully Realized? Our world thrives on trying to change things. We either want to redefine things that have been clearly revealed, or consider something complete when it is only partially fulfilled. So it is with spiritual birth. Millions of souls have been convinced that this “new creation” is complete at a stage long before the babe has come out of the womb (so to speak). In physical birth life begins at conception, but a child is not said to have been born until it opens the womb, the cord is cut, and the baby boy or girl starts to breathe on its own. We would find it strange indeed if a mother and father spoke of a child still growing in the womb as if it had already been born. In Paul’s words to the Galatians he did not stop with the words, “you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus”—he went on to describe when they became sons of God—“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Paul himself was not born again when he first spoke of Jesus as “Lord” (Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:15), but after Ananias told him, “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

This is not to say that our world does not go through the motions of things it calls baptism. Our world immerses babies long before they are even capable of belief. Jesus said “he who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Our world sprinkles or pours infants and adults and calls it baptism. When both Jesus and the Ethiopian eunuch were baptized they went down into the water and came up out of the water (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:9-10; Acts 8:38-39). New Testament baptism was always a complete immersion. Still others in our world are baptized long after they are told by religious leaders that they are “saved” in order to join a denomination, or as “an act of obedience.” The Bible teaches that baptism is part of salvation. Peter said clearly, “baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21, NASB). New Testament baptism was not to join a denomination, and baptism for a purpose not taught in the New Testament is not obedience.

So what must one do if he or she has faith but was not baptized into Christ? What must one do if he or she was baptized but at the wrong time, for the wrong reason, or in an unscriptural manner? Thankfully, the New Testament addresses this very problem. When Paul came to Ephesus he encountered some who had followed John the Baptist. John had prepared the Jews for the coming of Jesus. The disciples Paul met in Ephesus didn’t yet know about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explained to them, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4a). These disciples had been baptized, but not into Christ (Acts 19:3). So what were they to do? The Holy Spirit tells us, “when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). One must be baptized for the right reason, and at the proper stage of accountability to be born again into Christ.

III. What Happens Next? Far too often, even within the church, it may be that brethren work hard to baptize a soul into Christ, then we leave the new convert like a fish floundering on the shore. A new convert must grow and be encouraged. Simply dunking a person in water means nothing if he or she does not continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Pet. 3:18). Peter speaks of new Christians as “new born babes” who should “desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). Being a Christian involves a process of maturity. Peter lays out a good blueprint for this process of maturation in his second epistle. He speaks of building upon one’s faith knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7), warning that if we fail to do this we are “short-sighted, even to blindness” having forgotten that we were purged from old sins (2 Pet. 1:9). The Hebrew writer speaks of this as growing in order to have our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).

Beyond just remembering the importance of growth we must also keep in mind the danger of falling. As appealing as it might be to believe that once a person obeys the truth he or she is eternally secure, the Bible does not teach that. Yes, if we remain within the grace of God by walking in the light (1 John 1:7) and appealing to Him for forgiveness when we sin (1 John 1:9), God will forgive. If we, however, choose to reject His grace and return to the world, there are some fearful warnings that are given to us. The Hebrew writer warns, “If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:26). Such a person has “trampled the Son of God underfoot” and “counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). Christians who would do this “crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). The new convert is reconciled to God, but he must remain faithful to the Lord to continue in this relationship.

Finally, although the babe in Christ must grow and remain faithful, Christians can always have the assurance that they are never alone. Jesus promised His disciples that He would be with them until the very “end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). For the believer, there is the promise of peace and comfort from God through prayer (Phil. 4:6-7). Paul spoke to the Romans of the comfort we receive from the Scriptures as we look to its examples and instructions (Rom. 15:4). But also, the fellowship we share with those of common faith is one way God helps us. The Hebrew writer urges us, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25). May we who are Christians strive to remember who we are in Christ, what truly happened in our conversion, and what that challenges us to be from this point forward, looking unto the goal of our faith—an eternal home in heaven with God.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 8 (February 19, 2023)

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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

July 2, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) God’s Joyous People and Their Guarded Hearts, Philippians 4:4-7 (Warren E. Berkley)
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God’s Joyous People and Their Guarded Hearts

Philippians 4:4-7

Warren E. Berkley

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Phil. 4:4-7.

When we come to an expression like this, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” it is necessary for us to give this joy a very specific and biblical definition.

There is a big difference between earthly happiness and spiritual joy. Earthly happiness is produced and maintained by events, by things, by experiences, often involving money and moods and materialism. Spiritual joy is a product of one’s good relationship with God through Christ and is constant (so long as faith is active). Earthly happiness fluctuates greatly as things happen or do not happen.

You can be broke and in jail yet “rejoice in the Lord.” Paul did not enjoy good living conditions when he wrote these words. He was in chains and most certainly, a condemned man in the eyes of the Roman authorities. But, because of the activity of his faith in Christ, there was a constant joy he had. And he urges every Christian to have it.

This word “rejoice” cannot be understood properly if you equate this with earthly happiness. Earthly happiness depends on circumstances that change daily. This spiritual joy is a product of one’s faith in Christ, and this joy can endure changing earthly circumstances. It is that constant hopeful, peaceful, joyful state of mind – knowing that even when things here on earth are against you, God is for you – and you, by faith in Christ, are firmly attached to Him. If you don’t have this joy – it is time to examine your faith, your depth of trust and your obedience to God. It is time to plow deeper, take more time to be holy, spend more time in prayer and Bible study and make serious effort toward consistent application of Bible truth every day.

Do you see what this is about? This spiritual joy doesn’t mean you will never suffer grief or be disappointed or be sad. It means – these temporary emotions will not defeat you or hinder you from serving the Lord.

Sometimes – the one thing you know for certain is, God loves you and you are doing your best to obey Him. You don’t know if you will be flush with cash or broke. You may have good health today – but don’t know what will happen to your body tomorrow. Your relationships may all be solid and stable today – but torn by conflict tomorrow.

But the one thing you know is – God loves you and you are doing your best to obey Him. It was that knowledge that enabled Paul to rejoice while in jail under threat of death – and that knowledge, he was now writing: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”

Verse 5: “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

In various translations the word is, “gentleness …forbearance…moderation.” Now take a moment and think about what you would associate with these words: Gentleness, Forbearance, Moderation. Maybe it will help to think of the opposite: Harsh, Impatient, Imposing. So this is a call to be gracious, patient, showing forbearance or moderation, even though your outward circumstances may be far less than satisfactory. This is the composure of the one who rejoices in the Lord. This is the thought and emotional discipline that will be visible and known among those who rejoice in the Lord.

“I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ – I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!” (2 Cor. 10:1)

If you need help with this – just keep reading into verse 6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Now here is a current problem we know about.

Anxious about finances? Things are broke you can’t afford to fix; will you continue to have a job; what’s happening in the economy; what about retirement? We are anxious about health – especially as we grow older, we may wonder if we will have cancer or Alzheimer’s, or be disabled. We worry about our children and grandchildren. Will they turn out OK? Will they avoid the temptations of our age? Will they marry a good person? Will they have a happy home? We worry about the neighborhood, the church, the nation and our friends.

As Christians, we must learn to identify anxiety, and then learn to apply what God’s Word says to handle it. This may be harder for some people, but this is absolutely true. As Christians, we must learn to identify anxiety, and then learn to apply what God’s Word says, to handle it.

Now this says, “Be Anxious For Nothing!” This may be one of those statements in the Bible we read and we don’t just jump on board right away. We may try to figure some way to take the edge off of it, or give it some interpretation that makes it easier to digest. I’m not going to give you any help in that. “Be anxious for nothing.” That’s what it says to you, and that’s what it says to me, as hard as it may be to accept.

In the NIV: “Do not be anxious about anything.” If you are living right, in the Lord, and rejoicing in the Lord, and letting your gentleness be evident to all men . . . there is nothing that should drive you crazy! Maybe this will help.

This word “anxiety” means – excessive care that distracts. The Bible doesn’t say – don’t care about anything, or don’t worry about anything. But when that care reaches a point, where you are paralyzed and distracted from doing your duties in life – you need to stop that! You stop it, by seeing the anxiety as unreasonable – and re-establishing or strengthening your trust in God.

“Be Anxious For Nothing.” And it may also help to remember, Jesus made it clear – in His sermon on the mount – anxiety stems from a lack of faith and from a wrong focus on the things of this world, instead of the things of the Kingdom. (See Matt. 6:25-34, especially verses 30 & 33.)

To deal with anxiety – with excessive care that distracts us from good living – ONE, recognize it as excessive. TWO, trust in God. THREE, remember that worry accomplishes nothing. That third point is directly from the words of Jesus in Matt. 6. He said, “Do not worry.” And He said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

If I’m wrong in what I’ve said about this – you can certainly challenge me – but when we have that conversation or email, we will have to have the Bible open to this passage – and talk about what it says and means. (I’m at w_berkley@yahoo.com.)

Now back to verse 6 in Phil. 4. It would be one thing for Paul to say, “Be anxious for nothing,” and end that with a period. He doesn’t do that. After telling us what we should not do. He tells us what we should do.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

What if I gave you this paraphrase: Don’t worry yourself to death … pray! Would that be a fair statement of what this teaches? It sounds so utterly simple, and should be something that each of us know about through experience.

Do you have a free hour? You can use that hour to either worry or pray. Which would be the better use of the hour? Of course, prayer would be better. Try that. And in these prayers we pray – three things should be present, captured by three words in verse 6: Supplication, Thanksgiving & Requests.

So, let me put this together. If you are excessively concerned . . . if worry is keeping you up at night, and keeping you from your responsibilities during the day, and just driving you crazy – Recognize that problem. Re-commit yourself to trust in God. And take that time you spend fretting, and pray – including in those prayers, confessions of your need; gratitude, and asking God to help . . . always trusting, He will respond wisely to His people.

Got it?

“Do you think we should pray about the little things in our lives, or just the big things?” My answer would be – everything in your life that bothers you and distracts you, is big to God. Give it to Him.

There is another critical part of this. Right in the middle of this text, there is a statement that may seem to be almost parenthetical – at the end of verse 5, “The Lord is at hand.” This is about the presence of God in the lives of His people. The closer we move to Him, the better we are able to cope. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you,” (Jas. 4:8).

Scripture teaches we should obey the Gospel and hold God close and follow the teaching of Christ, so that in time of trial, God is already there – and I’m saying, if He is already in your life, He will move closer to you when you are crushed, oppressed or opposed.

That’s the idea here in Phil. 4:5, “The Lord is at hand.” This is not about the Lord coming soon. This is not about the end of the world, or the second coming at all.

This is about God’s nearness to His people, especially when His people are under pressure, anxious, worried and feel defeated by their earthly conditions and moving closer to the Lord. If you have a right view of God and a right relationship with God before those wrenching periods of difficulty – God’s presence in the trial will be real, helpful, and perfectly dependable.

So, let me conclude with these two thoughts we can take with us:

ONE, it is urgent – to form a close, personal relationship with God now . . . before you find yourself broken under the difficulties of life on earth.

TWO, it is urgent – if you are being crushed and worn down by stress now . . . to turn to God, repent of neglecting Him . . .

Let your requests be made known to Him, and put Him first from now on. When life is hard – God is your perfect and best equipped helper. And here’s what you receive: “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” That “will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Interested?

– Via Expository Files 18.9; August 2011
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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

June 25, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Casting Pearls Before Swine (Kyle Pope)
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Casting Pearls Before Swine

Kyle Pope

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a command to His disciples that presents some questions and challenges to all who would follow Him. He declares, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7:6, NKJV). What is the Lord teaching here and how should it be applied in our lives?

What Is the Context?

These words come at the end of a section on judging others (7:1-6) and just before the charge to “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (7:7), which begins a new section on God’s willingness to provide for His children (7:7-11).

How does this command fit into instructions about judging others? The Lord begins with the prohibition, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (7:1), warning that our own judgment by God will be determined by the attitude we show in our judgment of others (7:2). Ironically, this command about what we give to “dogs” and “swine” requires that we make some judgments about how to treat different people. This makes it clear that Jesus is not condemning all types of judgment (cf. John 7:24), but the harshness of our judgment (7:2) or making hypocritical judgments focusing on the “speck” in someone else’s eye while ignoring the “plank” in our own eye (7:3-5).

If Jesus is referring back to what He has just taught, His words about “dogs” and “swine” may relate directly to what He has just said about the types of judgment Christians should not make. Harsh or hypocritical judgment of others may be like taking a holy and precious thing (such as God’s forgiveness) and abusing it in such a way that it becomes destructive to us. If so, this may be understood as a different way of restating His earlier words—“with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (7:2b).

On the other hand, it may be that as Jesus ends this section, He slightly shifts the focus away from personal judgment of others to a focus on the consequences of subjecting ourselves to the judgment of others. Dogs were often used as a figure of that which was unclean or sinful (cf. Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15). Swine were unclean to eat (Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8) but they were also dangerous. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament done before the time of Jesus, as Hushai warned Absalom about pursuing David, the fleeing king was compared to “a bear robbed of her cubs in the field and as a savage sow in the plain” (2 Sam. 17:8). In the United States feral hogs have attacked and even killed people. When Christians interact with unbelievers their reaction to what we consider “holy” or precious may provide opportunities for them to “trample” those things “under their feet” and abuse and persecute us. This is the most common interpretation of Jesus’s command in this text.

How Do We Apply This?

If Jesus was merely restating His teaching on avoiding harsh or hypocritical judgments the application is clear. Do we expect God’s mercy but refuse to give it to others? James echoed the Lord’s teaching, writing, “judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy” adding that “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas. 2:13). No one likes to be wronged, but we all need the mercy of God. Do we give what we hope to receive, or do we hold a grudge and burn wrongs done to us deeply into our hearts and memories?

Some judgments have nothing to do with a wrong done to us but to God or others. In the time of Jesus, some “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 18:9). Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to rebuke this spirit, ending with the warning “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14). Harsh judgment of others may one day cause us to be humbled. If we act as if we could never fall, we will be humiliated when our self-confidence fails. Hypocritical judgment can also lead to humiliation. As we overlook our own sins while unmercifully condemning others, when the truth of our deeds is exposed our self-exaltation will result in being torn “in pieces” in shame and embarrassment.

If instead, Jesus shifts to focus on the consequences of being judged by others this is a call to use wisdom and discretion in our dealings with those in the world. Certainly, Christians are to be light in the midst of darkness (Matt. 5:14-16). We must not hide that light “under a basket” (5:15), but does that mean we subject ourselves to every opportunity for abuse and persecution that comes along? Later, Jesus would say to the Twelve, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). How should this wisdom be used “in the midst of wolves”? Sometimes it must involve choosing when to speak and when to avoid the opportunity to be abused. On the same occasion, He also told them, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matt. 10:23a). Disciples are still “the light of the world” even when they choose to avoid some situations that lead only to rejection and abuse of the truth.

Why would Jesus speak of fellow human beings as “dogs” or “swine”? Is He teaching us to view some people in this way? We must remember that Jesus “knew all men” (John 2:24). He could know who would choose not to accept the truth of the gospel. In such cases, even the best efforts to enlighten and teach them would never result in changing their rebellious hearts. We can’t know that, but we can evaluate behavior. Jesus is not teaching His disciples to make judgments about matters only God can know, such as the heart of another person. He is teaching His disciples to be good stewards of the time and opportunities set before us. A Christian could easily exhaust all of his or her time and energy on the stubborn, rebellious heart of one we might hope to convert, while missing the good and honest hearts all around us. We are to judge some as “dogs” or “swine,” not because of their value—all souls are made in the image of God (Jas. 3:9). We judge them in this way based on the reaction they demonstrate to “what is holy” and the danger they pose to our efforts.

This is often a difficult course to determine. We live in a time when we now have opportunities like never before to reach the lost with the gospel. Yet, with these opportunities we are also seeing an increasing hatred, aggression, and opposition to faith in Christ. When should we act on opportunities and when should we “flee” to pursue other opportunities? Perhaps a few questions can be helpful:

Why am I speaking to someone? Do I honestly hope to bring a soul to Christ or am I just looking for a fight? Paul taught, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

How are they responding to what has been said? Are they open and receptive or disrespectful and abusive? Does their reaction stem from misunderstanding or an attempt to harm our efforts? Paul told the Jews of Pisidian Antioch, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). Some today will make the same choice and we must turn our efforts to others.

How am I presenting the message? If I believed as the unbeliever does, how would I need someone to speak to me in order for my heart to change? Jesus commanded, “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12).

How am I using my time? Is this the best use of the time God has given me? Am I missing more productive opportunities because of the time I have devoted to this interaction with someone? Christians must, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:5-6). Our time is a precious and limited resource. We must use it wisely.

Why am I avoiding or fleeing from a situation? Have I judged the person’s response to be unproductive or am I ashamed to stand up for the truth? Jesus warned, “whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). May each of us always have the courage to speak the truth without fear but the wisdom to know when to speak and when to refuse to “cast your pearls before swine.”

– Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 11 (March 12, 2023)

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classesand 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

June 18, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Jesus is the Bread of Life (Kyle Pope)
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Jesus is the Bread of Life

Kyle Pope

Since the beginning of man’s life outside the Garden of Eden bread has been the food God has set forth to sustain man’s life. In Adam’s punishment for sin he was told, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground” (Gen. 3:19a, NKJV). The word translated “bread” in this verse is the Hebrew word lechem, which refers to both bread in a specific sense and food generally. When Israel was in the wilderness God fed them with a substance they named “manna,” meaning literally, “What is it?” Moses explained to them, “This is the bread (lechem) which the Lord has given you to eat” (Exod. 16:15). It was not a typical grain used to make bread, but it was ground into flour and baked into cakes (Num. 11:7-8). While it sustained them in the desert, they were told later that it served another purpose. In Deuteronomy the people were told that God had given them this unusual bread, “that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3b). Jesus appealed to this very text in His own temptation in the wilderness when Satan challenged Him to make bread from stones (Matt. 4:3-4). There is great irony here. The God who sentenced man to live by “bread,” while providing physical sustenance in the wilderness used it to demonstrate man’s need for the spiritual sustenance that comes from His word.

Sometime after Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness, but in terrain the gospel of Matthew calls “a deserted place” (Matt. 14:15), Jesus did exactly the same thing Deity had done to Israel centuries before. From five barley loaves and two small fish Jesus fed 5,000 men (John 6:1-13). In this miracle, God in the flesh provided for man’s physical sustenance. This miracle, like no other Jesus did led the people to seek to make Him a king by force (John 6:14-15). Even when He withdrew by Himself then crossed over the Sea of Galilee, they still sought Him—because they “ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:22-26). In this context, Jesus called them to seek something different. They found Him as He taught in the synagogue in Capernaum (John 6:59). First, Jesus told them, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:27a). This moved them to recall God’s feeding of the Israelites in the wilderness, and they asked if He would provide a sign similar to that (John 6:30-31). Jesus then subtly introduced one of the most radical doctrines of His entire ministry. He told them, “the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). The heavenly bread He would provide was a person! What could He mean by that? The people seem to have missed that He called a person “the bread of God,” and they first beg Him, “Lord, give us this bread always” (John 6:34). Jesus then clarified, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Even though He immediately explained that it is the one who believes in Him that will attain resurrection unto everlasting life (John 6:40), the people complained against Him because He said He was “the bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:41).

In spite of their confusion (and the confusion that still persists among some in the religious world today) we can see from Scriptures that follow that Jesus was really teaching the same point God made to the Israelites about the true source of spiritual sustenance. Notice one of the first indications of this. As He explained His heavenly origin, He first paraphrases the prophets who foretold, “they shall all be taught by God” (John 6:45a)—a reference in part to Isaiah 54:13, which said, “your children shall be taught by the Lord.” He then explained how they would be taught—“everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:45b). Jesus would later teach His disciples, “the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (John 14:24). Jesus was not promising personal and individual revelation. To learn from the teaching of Jesus was to hear and learn from the Father. He was talking about spiritual sustenance. He was talking about Himself as the source of spiritual life.

A second indication of this comes as He further explained His original statement but did so in a way that tested the hearts of His hearers. They were quick to follow Him when they thought He would give them physical food—how would they respond when He offered them something challenging? He first affirmed His unity with the Father, telling them, “he who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 6:46); then He restated that belief in Him leads to eternal life, since He is “the bread of life” (John 6:47-48). Yet rather than softening His message to draw as many disciples as possible—the strategy employed by much of the religious world today—Jesus sharpened His words and challenged them even further. He told them, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). This was too much for some of them. They complained, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). Jesus had returned to the point they had first raised about manna (John 6:49) and He would go on to compare His teaching with it again (John 6:58). They should have remembered that manna was given to teach them that “man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3b). Some missed the point.

Jesus then shocked them even further by saying, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53) – adding “My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed” (John 6:55). Since at least the Middle Ages some have argued that in these words Jesus was teaching about the Lord’s Supper. It has been argued that in the prayer for the bread and the fruit of the vine a transformation takes place in these elements that transforms them into the literal body and blood of Jesus. We should notice, however, that nothing in the context makes any reference to the memorial meal, which would not even be instituted until long after this on the Passover night before Jesus’s betrayal (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23). In fact, the gospel of John is the one gospel that does not record its institution! It is highly unlikely that the Holy Spirit would intend this teaching completely out of the context of discussing the memorial to explain the purpose and nature of it without even recording its institution. Further, both the Law of Moses (Lev. 17:12) and the Law of Christ (Acts 21:25) explicitly prohibited the eating of blood. If the Lord’s Supper involves the literal eating of blood and human flesh it violates this prohibition.

Jesus was not talking about literally eating His flesh and blood. As one who had just fed the people physically, He was calling them to see in His life, His sacrifice, and ultimately in His words the true source of spiritual life. Just as manna was to make the Israelites see God’s word as the true source of life, Jesus was teaching the same thing on this occasion. Some said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60). The Holy Spirit records, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). To those who did not turn away, Jesus asked, “Does this offend you?” (John 6:61). He then made it absolutely clear, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). We feed on Jesus’s flesh and blood by ingesting the words that He teaches. It is the message of Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf that brings life (cf. Rom. 1:16). Faith in Jesus as this sacrifice and obedience to Jesus’s teaching leads ultimately to resurrection unto eternal life on the “last day” (John 6:39, 44, 54). Although some missed His point those who stayed with Him understood. When Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67a), Peter gave an answer that summarized the entire focus of this discourse. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67b). Peter realized what God wanted Israel to recognize in the wilderness. Peter realized what the feeding of the 5,000 should have taught these people. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). That is how we feed upon Jesus’s flesh and blood. That is how Jesus is for us, “the bread of life.” Upon what will you feed? To whom will you go?

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 24, (June 11, 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

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

June 11, 2023 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Conscience without Offense (Kyle Pope)
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Conscience without Offense

Kyle Pope

On one occasion when Paul was accused by his Jewish countrymen, he was allowed to answer before the Roman governor Felix (Acts 24:10-16). In his defense he declared that he strove always to have “a conscience” without offense toward God or man (Acts 24:16). The world has many different notions about the “conscience” from a soft voice that speaks in one’s head, to a cute cherub that appears on the shoulder. What does Scripture teach about this part of the inner man that is called the conscience?

Meaning of the Word “Conscience”

The word “conscience” is actually a Greek concept that comes into the Bible record when Greek became the language of the ancient world. Most translations don’t use the word conscience in the Old Testament because the Hebrew text speaks in terms of the “heart” and not the “conscience.” The term “conscience” was born from the Greek word sunoida which literally means “to know-with” something. It first was applied to a witness in court who had personal knowledge of something, then came to have a reflexive sense of knowing one’s self (see Gerhard Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. 7, p. 898). It is interesting how often this judicial sense is retained in Scripture. Paul spoke of the “testimony” of the “conscience” (2 Cor. 1:12). He described the conscience “bearing witness” within one’s self so that the thoughts of a person “accuse” or “excuse” him (Rom. 2:15). Properly, the conscience is not something distinct from the inner man, but it is the knowledge we have regarding our own thoughts, attitudes, and behavior.

The New Testament word suneidesis (translated “conscience”) literally means “knowledge-with [one’s self].” It carries the same conceptual sense as our English word “conscience” which comes from the Latin conscientia meaning “knowledge-with [one’s self].” While the Old Testament does not properly use the idea of the conscience, the same concept is expressed in terms of the “heart.” It is the soul with a “pure heart” that can approach God in worship (Ps. 24:3-4). After his sin with Bathsheba, David prays to God “create in me a clean heart” (Ps. 51:10). The heart can be “troubled” when one feels that he has done wrong (1 Sam. 24:4-5—the NASB uses the word “conscience” here, but the word is literally “heart”). The soul willing to do what he knows (or believes) to be wrong is described as having “stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord” (2 Chron. 36:13). The New Testament uses both concepts in juxtaposition. Paul acts from a “pure heart” and a “good conscience” (1 Tim. 1:3-7). This makes it clear that the heart and the conscience are simply two different ways of describing the conviction of the soul.

Conviction and Defilement of the Conscience

The New Testament teaches that one may be “convicted” by the conscience (John 8:7-9). This is what Acts 2:37 calls being “cut to the heart.” Those who heard Peter preach understood that they were not right with God, and they sought to remedy this problem. Simply following the conscience does not make one right with God. One can be condemned in what he approves (Rom. 14:22). Paul lived in “good conscience” even when he was persecuting the church (Acts 23:1). While Paul was not right with God in that situation, Scripture teaches that it is always sin to go against one’s conscience.

Violating one’s conscience leads to a conscience that is “defiled” (Titus 1:15). It leads to a conscience that is “seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2). In such a condition, our faith may suffer “shipwreck” (1 Tim. 1:19). Instead, Christians must maintain a “pure conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3). Our understanding of God’s word may be insufficient causing us to be mistaken in our convictions, but we must never act against what we believe to be right.

Romans and First Corinthians on the Conscience

Paul’s epistles to the Romans and his first letter to the Corinthians, both teach a number of important principles about the conscience. The book of Romans was addressed to Christians in Rome, most of whom had come to Christ out of a Jewish background, as seen in many places in the book. In chapter fourteen Paul addresses two issues that would have been struggles for Jewish brethren who wrestled with their responsibility to the Old Law now that they had come to Christ: foods and observance of Mosaic holy days (Rom. 14:1-7). What must the Jewish Christian do? Should he follow Mosaic dietary laws? Should he keep Mosaic holy days? In Christ Paul told the Colossians these things were no longer obligations (Col. 2:16-17). He echoed the same thing in Romans 14:14a, declaring, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself.” That was the Divine revelation on the matter—but what must be the reaction towards those who don’t fully understand this?

First, we must note that Paul is not talking about matters of human imagination (e.g. someone thinking its acceptable to fornicate or murder). Paul is talking about matters of indifference before God. The divine revelation was that it was not sin to eat, but neither was it sin to refrain from eating. May the Christian who understands this compel the one who does not to violate his conscience and eat? No. Paul explains this in Romans 14:11-22. He declares, “To him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Rom. 14:14). The conscience is a precious thing which must be kept tender. It is what convicts us when we do wrong. It can be misinformed but acting to violate the convictions of the heart is always wrong because it destroys that part of our inner man which draws man back to obedience to God. We may teach, persuade, and strive to come to a different understanding with a brother, but we want to bring a person to be “fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5). Before God it was acceptable to eat all meats, but if one “doubts” and eats such a person “is condemned” (Rom. 14:23). Does that mean that the truth is determined by each person’s conscience? No, it means God expects us at all times to do what we understand His word to teach. The soul who would believe something and act contrary to it—or compel someone else to act contrary to it is a rebel before God. To do so is not acting from faithful obedience and is sin!

First Corinthians is addressed to a church that was largely made up of Gentiles. For them, the problem was not one of following Mosaic dietary restrictions, but a history of eating meat sacrificed to idols as an act of pagan-worship (1 Cor. 8:4-10). If the Christian who understood that eating meat was not necessarily an act of worship to an idol disregarded the influence he might have on new converts he might “wound their weak conscience, and sin against Christ” (1 Cor. 8:12). Christians must show respect even for the conscience of others (1 Cor.10:24-33). Why? Because only when the conscience is preserved can one be acceptable to God. The soul with a defiled, seared, or hardened conscience will not be moved by the word of God.

The Conscience and Obedience to the Gospel

Obedience to the Gospel allows one to be able to have a “good conscience” (Heb. 10:19-22). The Hebrew writer speaks of Christians having their, “Hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (10: 22a). This is probably comparing the Mosaic practice of “sprinkling” the blood of various sacrifices on the priests and on the altar with what happens to the heart in the gospel. The blood of Christ can “cleanse” the conscience from “dead works” (Heb. 9:13-14). We feel guilt because of sin. We regret past deeds. Christ’s blood can “cleanse” the conscience. The Hebrew writer goes further to say Christians have had their, “bodies washed with pure water” (10:22b). In Christ, the only “water” that is ever said to “wash” the body is baptism. The Bible tells us baptism is an “appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Pet. 3:18-22, NASB). Having been forgiven of sins, and striving to live obedient to Christ, Christians should always live with a “good conscience” (Heb. 13:17-18). It is interesting that the Hebrew writer speaks of obedience to the eldership yet then goes on to speak of maintaining a “good conscience.” If these responsibilities ever conflict, we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:26-29). It is commendable before God to suffer wrongfully “because of conscience toward God” (1 Pet. 2:18-23). When we maintain a “good conscience” and yet suffer for it, those who persecute us will be caused to be ashamed on the Day of Judgment (1 Pet. 3:15-17).

It is probably in this sense that Paul speaks to the Corinthians of “commending” himself “to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2). Think about this for a moment—how much would you respect someone who claimed to believe something but then willingly went against that in the face of pressure? Would you trust that person? In the same way, when we hold our ground, and stick to our convictions, people may disagree with us, but they will never be able to claim that we were not sincere. This is the point we noted in the beginning. We, as Paul, must strive to have “a conscience without offense towards God and men” (Acts 24:16).

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 25, Issue 23 (June 4, 2023)

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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Jesus, the Compassionate High Priest

Introduction

Merciful

Faithful

Successful

Eternal

Holy

Exalted

Eternally Perfected

Conclusion

Hebrews 4:14-16

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

I Am Resolved: To Study

It Will Increase Your Knowledge

It Will Spiritually Strengthen You

It Will Help You to Grow

It Will Equip You to Serve

It Will Enable You to Teach Others

Conclusion

Sources

Sword Tips #31

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Reflections on Psalm 2: The Son Rules

Introduction

God’s Anointed King Is His Son

God’s Son Rules Today as King

God Declared the Rule of His Son by Raising Him from the Dead (v. 7).

God Gave His Son Rule over the Nations and Possession of the Entire Earth (v. 8).

God Gave His Son the Authority to Bless Righteousness and to Judge Evil (v. 9).

Conclusion

Sources

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

I Am Resolved: To Serve

Serving Involves Selflessness

Serving Involves Sacrifice

Serving Involves Humility

Sword Tips #28

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Reflections on Psalm 2: The Lord Responds

Introduction

Divine Laughter

Divine Vocal & Active Wrath

Divine Affirmation

Conclusion

Sources

Sword Tips #10

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

“New Creation”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

God’s Joyous People and Their Guarded Hearts

Philippians 4:4-7

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Casting Pearls Before Swine

What Is the Context?

How Do We Apply This?

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Jeremiah 15:16

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Conscience without Offense

Meaning of the Word “Conscience”

Conviction and Defilement of the Conscience

Romans and First Corinthians on the Conscience

The Conscience and Obedience to the Gospel

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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