Category: Uncategorized (Page 41 of 51)

The Gospel Observer

May 21, 2017 / 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) Seeing From a Better Perspective (Tom Edwards)
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Seeing From a Better Perspective

Tom Edwards

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” This was actually the very last sentence in a 14-page essay, entitled, “Is Theology Poetry?,” that C.S. Lewis delivered on November 6, 1944 to the Oxford Socratic Club, a debating society. Later, in 1962, that work was then published with the new title of, “They Asked for a Paper.”

What a great illuminating orb the sun has been for our planet! Much of what the darkness hides can be clearly seen by the sun’s reaching and revealing rays. I’ve even noticed how much easier it is to read a Kindle that is set to its smallest font when out in the direct sunlight.

And just as the sun has brought numerous things to light, even more importantly are those things that Jesus, who is “the Son of God” (Mark 1:1) and “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12), has shone into our lives. His words are illuminating, “imperishable… living and enduring” and enabling one to be “born again” (1 Pet. 1:23). For His words are “spirit,” and they are “life” (Jn. 6:63), and truly an enlightenment at the highest level. Surely we can say of the words of Christ, just as the psalmist said of God’s word in the Old Testament times, that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105) — and how necessary that is. For with God’s word to light the way in our journey through life, wrong turns and dangers can be avoided, comforts and blessings can accompany us, needs can be met along the way (Psa. 23:1; Matt. 6:33), and we can eventually reach our longed-for destination. For as Jesus says, “…he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (Jn. 8:12).

When Jesus came to “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,” Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled: “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned” (Matt. 4:15,16, cf. Isa. 9:1, 2).

The light of the gospel not only illumines our way, but also develops within us “the mind of Christ” (Phil. 2:5), as we make God’s word an active part of our daily lives (cf. Eph. 3:3-5; Rom. 12:2; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 4:11-13).

Paul was one who testified toward having “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), and notice the perspective it allowed him to have even toward severe persecution that he underwent: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Paul calls it “momentary, light affliction.” But how can he say that in view of all that he went through for the cause of Christ — the “far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death”? The 5 times he received 39 lashes, for a total of 195? The 3 times he was beaten with rods, the once he was stoned, the 3 times he was shipwrecked, the night and a day that he spent in the deep? The frequent journeys, the dangers from rivers, from robbers, from his countrymen, from the Gentiles, from the city, from the wilderness, from on the sea, and from among false brethren? The labor and hardship, the many sleepless nights, the hunger and thirst, and often without food, and in cold and exposure, along with the daily pressure he had for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28)? Yet, even in spite of all that, he viewed it as only “momentary, light affliction” because Paul had the mind of Christ and could see even these persecutions and sufferings from a better perspective.

We see this also in Jesus who “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). The Lord could see beyond the cross and its terrible agony. He could think of what His sacrifice would accomplish for a world of lost sinners and His soon being back in heaven’s glory, after having faithfully completed His mission on earth.

When we are in Christ, as Christians, we can also have a better perspective toward difficult trials that challenge our faith. As James writes, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Through God’s word we learn of the better ways of viewing things. Consider also the words of Jesus: “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11,12).

Peter exhorts the brethren, by saying, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet. 4:12-14).

These passages show of the better perspective we can have while undergoing difficult situations, and we see that type of mind in the apostles who after being imprisoned and flogged were “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:42). How often would you find an innocent non-Christian today who would be wrongfully punished with scourging and imprisonment, but would then be able to rejoice in view of it? Having the mind of Christ sure made a difference for the apostles! It gave them the right perspective.

Philippians 2:5 is also rendered as, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (NASB). How often have we been guilty of having a wrong attitude that has led to trouble? Paul’s exhortation, however, goes on to illustrate the mind or attitude of Christ by showing His willingness to leave the blissfulness of heaven; to submit to receiving an inferior human body in place of His heavenly, glorified one, so He could humbly become a servant among men and obey His Father even to the degree of giving Himself over to the torturous death on the cross (vv. 6-8).

How can any of us even come close to willingly giving up as much as Jesus did, which shows such supreme self-denial, in order to carry out the Father’s will?

It is also by developing the mind of Christ that we can reach the spiritual maturity that enables us to “discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:14), to “be transformed” (Rom. 12:2), and to have the right moral perspectives based on God’s standard.

Unfortunately, this is greatly lacking in our world today. Far too many want to endorse the wrong and live according to it, while shunning things that are morally good and virtuous. Of course, this problem has been around for a long time. Way back in the days of Noah, who was in the 10th generation from Adam, “…the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and…every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Isaiah, who began his prophetic ministry roughly about 750 B.C., declares in Isaiah 5:20 the following: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). What he said then is still often seen and heard in our time, and how tragic if folks guilty of such won’t come to that realization until the Judgment Day, when it will be too late!

What better perspective can we have toward anything than by first developing the mind of Christ so that even our very conscience will react in accordance with it – rather than to be like those “whose consciences have lost all feeling” (1 Tim. 4:2, CEV)? Or, as the NASB speaks of those, as having been “seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron”?

Let us, therefore, remember the words of the apostle Paul to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” and each strive to fully develop that mind that we may become more like the Savior and live and act and react in greater harmony with the Scriptures, thus improving our lives, and increasing our ability in seeing all things from a better perspective. For what we see and encounter, as we go through life, is one thing; but how we view that and how we react to what we face or undergo is another. So may that always be with the mind of Christ!

(Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible.)
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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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (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 services: 9:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://thomastedwards.com/go (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)

The Gospel Observer

May 14, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) God of Wrath vs. God of Love? (Tom Edwards)
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God of Wrath vs. God of Love?

Tom Edwards

Is the God of the Old Testament the same as the God of the New? For while some folks view the former as a God of wrath, they also see the latter in the New Testament as a God of love. But are these two different Gods?

It is true that we have more examples of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, such as the global flood of Noah’s day in which only 8 people survived (Gen. 6-8); the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah that eventually resulted in only 3 souls saved (Gen. 19:1-25); the drowning of Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea (Exod. 14); some of the Hebrews destroyed by fire for murmuring (Num. 11:1-3); the earth that opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with their families, for rebelling over the leadership of Moses and Aaron, along with the 250 consumed by fire for also doing so (Num. 16). Many of the Israelites then grumbled against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of being the cause for the death of Korah and these others. So God brought a plague upon these grumblers that led to the death of 14,700 of them (Num. 16:49). Many of Israel died for complaining about the food God provided (Num. 21:4-9). For joining in with the idolatrous worship of Baal, 24,000 Israelites perished by a plague (Num. 25:1-9). When David sinned by wrongfully numbering Judah and Israel, it resulted in 70,000 dying from Dan to Beersheba (2 Sam. 24:15). In defense of the city of Jerusalem and for the Lord’s sake, as well as for David’s, the angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 Assyrians who would have come up against the city (2 Kings 19:35). These are just some of the examples in the Old Testament of God’s wrath that brought about death.

Could it be that we don’t take God seriously enough, in our time, with regard to sin? Do we think more lightly of it because we are not seeing God’s wrath being outpoured today as it was in Old Testament times? Of course, it could very well be that the Lord sometimes still does carry out His wrath providentially, which we are not aware of nor can determine. But if He did, and we knew of it, would that change our attitude toward sin and our behavior?

What examples do we have in the New Testament of God’s wrath leading to the death of the wrongdoer? In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and his wife Sapphira were both struck down by God for lying, which resulted in “great fear” that “came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things” (v. 11).

Though people lie today without losing their lives for it, does that mean that God now approves of such? Is not lying still wrong? And would not God’s attitude still be the same toward it as when Ananias and Sapphira did so? Of course, the worse penalty of all for lying is that it is a sin by which one can be lost, ultimately kept out of heaven, and end up in the lake of fire eternally (cf. Rev. 21:8).

Another example is that of Herod. When acclaimed as having “the voice of a god and not of a man,” after delivering a speech, Herod was then struck down and died “because he did not give God the glory” (Acts 12:20-23). Again, however, does it mean it is now all right to do the same today, as what Herod was guilty of, just because that person would not be immediately struck by God for having done so?

Paul points out to the Corinthians that “many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep” (1 Cor. 11:30) for having incurred “judgment” by failing to remember Christ’s death when observing the Lord’s Supper (v. 29). Instead, some were making a common meal out of it to fill their bellies rather than think upon the Lord’s great sacrifice and atonement for our sins. The King James Version speaks of that “judgment” as being “damnation” brought upon oneself.

So it is not only the love side of God that we see in the New Testament, nor only the wrath side of God that we see in the Old Testament. For even in the Old Testament it shows of the Lord’s great compassion for His people. And out of that far-surpassing love, He sent His prophets numerous times to the wayward ones to urge them to repent and return to Him. For as God instructs Ezekiel, “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezek. 33:11).

Consider also His message through the prophet Joel: “’Yet even now’ declares the LORD, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.’ Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil” (Joel 2:12,13).

Let us remind ourselves that God sent His Son during the Old Testament times, who was “born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law” (Gal. 4:4,5). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (Jn. 3:16). Though that is read in the “New Testament,” yet the actual giving of His Son was during Old Testament times, as well as the life He lived up to His death (cf. Heb. 9:15-28). And the promise of the Messiah and the giving of His life for every sinner was prophesied several centuries prior to the New Testament Age (Isa. 53, Psa. 22). What a greatest of all indication of God’s love that was and is!

It must also be realized that God’s nature does not change (Mal. 3:6). Jesus Christ, who is “the exact representation of His [Father’s] nature” (Heb. 1:3) and, therefore, as much God as the Father (cf. Jn. 1:1-3), is also spoken of as being “…the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

That God, who never changes, has a love-side as well as a wrath-side can also be seen in Romans 11:22: “Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.” And we also see this in John 3:36: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” It makes a great deal of difference in whether we choose to go the way of Christ or not.

By knowing that the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament, perhaps seeing those examples of His wrath will instill in us a greater reverence for God and the need to comply with His commands – rather than thinking of Him, as C.S. Lewis once wrote of the case of those who “….want not so much a Father but a grandfather in heaven, a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, ‘What does it matter so long as they are contended?’” (via The Problem of Pain).

And some go to even more extremes in actually wanting to have as little to do with God as possible. Lewis also writes in the same book, “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.”

May the examples of God’s wrath in the Bible prompt us to realize more seriously the dangers of sin and be motivated to live holy lives instead. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.’ And again, ‘THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:26-31).

But, as we have seen, the choice is up to us. We can either find it a terrifying thing to be in the hands of God, due to incurring His wrath, or a place of great blessing and protection and from which no one can pluck us out, due to abiding in His love by our obedience to the gospel. As Jesus teaches in John 10:27-29, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” To hear the voice of the Lord (by hearing the gospel) and following (by our obedience) is the key to avoiding the wrath side of God and enjoying His love — and may it be that we will ever do that!

(All Scripture from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise indicated.)
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

May 7, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Timeless Benefits of the Old Testament (Tom Edwards)
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Timeless Benefits of the Old Testament

Tom Edwards

Even though we are not under the Patriarchal nor Mosaical Laws today, and we live in a different time and culture, yet does not a reading of the Old Testament, and the seeing of God’s dealings with His people and what He required of them, also help us in developing the right attitude toward God and spiritual things? For does not the reading of that also enable us to have a deeper understanding of the Lord, to be more aware of His reality, to realize more the seriousness of sin and the need to obey God by not adding to nor taking away from His word, to be more humble in view of the Lord’s far-surpassing greatness, to be more reverent, to be more concerned for spiritual things, and to be more submissive to the will of God for our time?

We are to be mindful of the things above – to set our affection upon those things (cf. Col. 3:1-3); and looking to the Holy Scriptures helps us to do just that! And is it not spiritual thoughts that are required to help us be spiritual people? In writing to the Corinthians, Paul acknowledges, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:12,13). By our reading, we are acquiring those same divine truths that had been miraculously revealed in time’s past (cf. Eph. 3:3-5). And that same Spirit also led men into writing the Old Testament. For “no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 2:20,21). Paul also wrote that “All Scripture is inspired by God” and went on to say that it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). In the same context, Paul had previously told Timothy “…that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v. 15).

The Old Testament is filled with numerous prophecy that came to fulfillment in New Testament times and, thus, indicates the divine inspiration of the Bible. It has been said that there are about 332 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Christ alone! Some of these are specific, such as the place of Jesus’ birth being in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); the exact amount of 30 pieces of silver that He was betrayed for, and the potter’s field it ended up going to (Zech. 11:12,13; Matt. 26:14-16; 27:3-10); and the piercing of His hands and feet (Psa. 22:16; Mk. 15:25; Luke 24:36-40), etc. These prophecies and their fulfillments are one of the evidences that help us to believe in God and in His word.

And for those who think we should not study that part of the Bible, the Old Testament is actually quoted or alluded to hundreds of times in the New Testament! For example, in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is referring back to Israel, shortly after they came out of Egyptian bondage, and points out specific sins they had so soon become guilty of. He then declares, “Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved” (v. 6). He then gives a similar statement in verse 10 and includes that these Old Testament examples “were written for our instruction…”

God’s word – even in the Old Testament — can help us in many ways. For one of those, have you ever felt a little depressed, but then began reading the book of Psalms, that hymn book of ancient Israel, and soon found your spirit uplifted and joining in with the psalmist in praises and appeals to the Almighty God?

In reading of the miracles in the Old Testament, do you do so with unbelief or with a humbleness, a childlike faith, and a somewhat amazement in taking to heart these supernatural events that God had brought about? To the believer, these miracles bring to our attention and help us realize that “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27) and “Nothing is too difficult” for Him (Jer. 32:17) – and this is the God to whom we His children pray!

In the Old Testament, some major questions are answered. Here are three of them:

1) “How did the universe, man, and all living things come about?” The very first chapter in the Bible answers this: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (v. 1); and chapters 1 and 2 show that it did not take eons of time for Him to do so. For it was “in the beginning” that God created the heavens and the earth; and that “beginning” is not the beginning of God – for He is eternal – but it is the beginning of creation itself. For time, as we know it, is accurately regulated by the creation (cf. Gen. 1:14-16). We also note that the earth was not formed more than 9 billion years after the beginning of the universe. Nor did man (as more like humans today) first come into existence more than 4 billion years after the earth was made (or more than 13 billion years after the universe began). For man was made on the 6th day of creation (Gen. 1:24-31). And hear how Jesus refers to this in Mark 10:6: “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.” How could it be said that man was made at the “beginning of creation,” if he didn’t come to exist until more than 13 billion years later? You can believe what men may hypothesize and say about this or you can believe the words of Jesus, but who do you think is right? I would advise you to go with the One who knows what He is talking about – Jesus Christ the Creator (cf. Jn. 1:1-3,14; Col. 1:15,16).

2) “What is the reason – if there is a reason – for our being here?” The Old Testament also makes that clear: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Man was made for God (cf. Isa. 43:21), for His purpose (cf. Prov. 16:4), and for His glory (cf. Isa. 43:7).

3) “Will we exist beyond the grave?” Job rhetorically asks, “If a man dies, will he live again?” In the same verse, he then continues by saying, “All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes” (Job 14:14). Yes, Job knew that death does not end it all. For he also declares, “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). King David also believed in life after death. In speaking of his deceased child, David explained, “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam. 12:23). Though our body dies, yet we (our eternal souls) will always exist! Those Old Testament believers referred to in Hebrews 11:16 also believed in the hereafter in that “better country, that is a heavenly one” where God had prepared them a “city.”

And how else does the Old Testament help in our relationship with the Lord? What about in reading of those whose faith in God and love for Him enabled them to take such a strong stand for His ways and maintain an unwavering commitment toward the Lord – and regardless of the jeopardy, the physical pain, or even the death which that could lead to? Are we not encouraged and motivated by them? Is our faith not strengthened? Such as in hearing the case of the three friends of Daniel — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego — who chose to be thrown into the fiery furnace, rather than sin against the Almighty God by bowing down in idolatrous worship to the 90-foot golden image that Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, had made. Are we not moved by their dedication? The command had been given: “that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire” (Dan. 3:5,6). When it was brought to the king’s attention that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego would not comply, Nebuchadnezzar was infuriated and ordered that those three be brought before him. The king was willing to give them another chance to save their lives. But they responded, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).

That is truly commitment! Maintaining a right relationship with God meant something of great importance to these three loyal and dedicated followers. To them, it was a top priority! And it should be that to us as well. Reading of their example can also increase that kind of incentive in every true believer.

As we read the Old Testament, even in silence, God sees our hearts, knows our reactions, is aware of our devotion toward Him. Like some type of spiritual umbilical cord, these positive reactions — including our reverence, our worshipful respect, our admiration, and our faith and love toward God — stem from our hearts all the way up to the heart of God in heaven. As His children, we are connected to Him.

In speaking of the Old Testament, Paul says that it was “written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). And now we are also seeing various other benefits from it.

So let us not neglect our study of the Old Testament, realizing that much good for our spiritual development and well-being can come from that as well.

(All Scripture from the 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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (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 services: 9:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://thomastedwards.com/go (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)

The Gospel Observer

April 30, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Did God Know Us Prior to Our Physical Conception? (Tom Edwards)
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Did God Know Us Prior to Our Physical Conception?

Tom Edwards

Have you ever wondered whether God actually knew of you before you were born or even conceived? Does He have that ability? Well, hear God’s words to Jeremiah and wonder no more! “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations’” (Jer. 1:4,5). What an amazing foreknowledge of God!

David also knew that God was well aware of him — and of all his days to come — before he was even born, and says of the Lord, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (Psa. 139:13-17).

Through the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, the Lord has demonstrated His ability to know of what is to come, such as with the thirty pieces of silver that Jesus would be betrayed for, and where that betrayal money would end up (Zech. 11:12,13; Matt. 26:14-16; Matt. 27:3-10); that Jesus’ death would not be by stoning, but would involve the piercing of the hands and feet (Psa. 22:16; Mk. 15:25; Luke 24:36-40); that the Lord’s clothing would be gambled for (v. 18), and that He would be “with a rich man in His death” (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60) — to mention just a few of the prophecies concerning Christ that God knew far in advance.

And what about those who are named in prophecy even prior to their being born? Obviously, God knew of them before their conception. Consider, for instance, 1 Kings 13:1,2: “Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. He cried against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, ‘O altar, altar, thus says the LORD, “Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.”’”

Josiah was born about 648 B.C. He became the 16th king of Judah, during the divided kingdom, and was one of its best kings. Some have placed the above prophecy, which was made during the reign of Jeroboam (the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, during the divided kingdom), about 326 years prior to Josiah’s birth; and the fulfillment of it can be seen in 2 Kings 23:16-18: “Now when Josiah turned, he saw the graves that were there on the mountain, and he sent and took the bones from the graves and burned them on the altar and defiled it according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things. Then he said, ‘What is this monument that I see?’ And the men of the city told him, ‘It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.’ He said, ‘Let him alone; let no one disturb his bones.’ So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria” (2 Kings 23:16-18). “All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem” (v. 20).

So the Lord knew of Josiah’s name, of the lineage he would descend, and of these specific acts that he would perform – even prior to his having been born!

God also knew of John the Baptist prior to his being born to a childless couple who were “both advanced in years” and “had no child, because Elizabeth was barren” (Luke 1:5-7). For an angel of the Lord had informed Zecharias that “…your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (v. 13). And not only did God know that John would be born, but also that “many would rejoice at his birth”; and that “he will be great in the sight of the Lord” (vv. 14,15); that he would “turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God”; and that he would be obedient to the Lord in being “a forerunner” for Christ. John would be called “the prophet of the Most High” (v. 76). So God knew, in advance, all these things about John — including how his character would be, which is likened to that of the great prophet Elijah (v. 17).

And what about the other barren women whom God sent an angel to inform them that they would conceive a child — and, specifically, a son?

Consider Samson’s mother, for example: “Then the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son (Jdg. 13:3).

And to Abraham and Sarah, who “were old, advanced in age,” and “Sarah was past childbearing” (Gen. 18:11), the Lord had promised that “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son” (v. 10).

We are more than our physical body. For we also have an eternal soul or spirit, which has been created in the image of God. But where does that soul or spirit come from? Is it also in our DNA? Zechariah refers to God as being the One who “stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him” (Zech. 12:1). And Solomon tells us more of that spirit’s journey: “…For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:5-7).

Mention is also made about Ishmael, the son of Sarah’s handmaid Hagar. God, in His omniscience, knew that Ishmael would “become the father of twelve princes” and “a great nation” (Gen. 17:20). And while Hagar was still pregnant with Ishmael, God also already knew what kind of person he would turn out to be. So the angel of the Lord told Hagar that Ishmael “will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone’s hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers” (Gen. 16:12).

We must understand that though God knows all about the universe, its time, and all things therein, yet He Himself dwells in eternity, a totally different kind of dimension. Or can it even be called a dimension? For eternity is without limits. To us, however, time in our realm is linear, like a timeline. We have our past, our present, and our future; and we exist only in the present or the now. But notice how Jesus expresses His eternal nature when some “…Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:57,58). Our minds cannot fully grasp what experiencing eternity must be like for God — anymore than trying to imagine all of infinity. For both go way beyond our mental ability.

God’s eternal nature is also seen in Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, YOU ARE GOD.” Notice that this last part does not say, “You WERE God” or “you WILL BE God” — but, rather, “You ARE God!” God is not waiting to get to the “end” any more than He needed to get to the “beginning.” For He has eternally been. And though we cannot fathom it all, yet His eternal nature is indicated by His creation: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His ETERNAL POWER and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).

No wonder God has no trouble at all in “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” (Isa. 46:9,10). For to the Lord, as Timothy M. Willis has stated, “the future is always present to the Omniscient One.”

After considering these above passages, surely we can see of God’s ability to have known each one of us, and what we would turn out to be, even prior to our birth. He does have a watchful eye on us — and desires for us to look to Him as well! That we might enjoy a relationship with God, which begins here in time and continues throughout eternity in heaven! And how much better one can know the Lord there!

(All Scripture from NASB and emphases mine.)
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://thomastedwards.com/go (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)

The Gospel Observer

April 23, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) The Greatest Reason for Our Being (Tom Edwards)
2) Offended By the Truth (Frank Himmel)
3) Consequences (Bill Crews)
4) Psalm 25:4-5 (NASB)
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The Greatest Reason for Our Being

Tom Edwards

Though not recognized by all, nor acted upon by everyone who does know, the greatest reason for our existence is seen in 1 Corinthians 8:6. Here, after pointing out that God is the One “from whom are all things,” the apostle Paul then declares that “we exist for Him” (NAS77)! Or as the Weymouth New Testament expresses it, “and for whose service we exist.”

That we are here to serve the Lord is also what Solomon expresses in Ecclesiastes 12:13, where he speaks of “the conclusion of the whole matter,” and defines it as, to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (KJV).

We each, therefore, regardless of who we are, certainly do have a great purpose for our being here, and which we need to be aware of and not shirk our responsibilities therein.

That we can even enter into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, should be quite humbling to each of us! To think that we who are mortal, sinful creatures can become a part of God’s forever family — and have that connection with Him who is our perfect, sinless, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-surpassing, omnipresent, eternal Creator, and loving Father — is truly amazing!

Even for those of us who feel like nothing in God’s sight, or terribly ashamed for being such wretched sinners and so unworthy, yet our existence does mean something to the LORD! For did not Jesus die for every transgressor – and regardless of how sinful? When the scribes and Pharisees were trying to find fault with the Lord for eating and drinking with the tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded by saying, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31,32). And at Calvary, Jesus went to the cross to make an atonement for every transgressor – not just a certain few. Hebrews 2:9 shows that the Lord became a man in order that He would be able to “taste death FOR EVERYONE” by His suffering on the cross. For “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the WHOLE WORLD” (1 Jn. 2:2). Yes, God truly did make salvation possible for every lost soul and does want all to be saved and none to perish (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4).

God also wants us to have a relationship with Him, to belong to Him, and to not only be blessed forevermore in heaven’s glory, but also to be blessed in the here and now while we await that world to come!

To live for God truly is the greatest of all reasons for our being here; and Jesus Christ suffered a most terrible death so that not only could our sins be forgiven, but also so we could live that new life unto Him. For “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:15). Yes, Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).

We begin that new life after having been baptized in water for the remission of sins (cf. Acts 2:38), which must be preceded by our faith in Jesus (Jn. 8:24), repentance (Luke 13:5), and an acknowledgement of our faith in Christ (cf. Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38). For Paul shows that baptism is “in order that…we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4, NAS77).

What great concern God has shown to the world by going to such an extreme of sending the best of heaven, His only begotten Son, so that we who have fallen away from God can be brought back into a meaningful relationship with Him. May we each, therefore, certainly make the Lord a top priority in our lives by carrying out — and continuing to do so — what should always be our most important reason for being here!

***

(All emphases mine; and all Bible verses from the NASB, unless otherwise indicated.)
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Acts 20_27__Gal4_16

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Offended By the Truth

Frank Himmel

These days it seems that someone is always being offended by what another person says or does. Offended groups call for apologies, resignations, boycotts, and the like. The mere fact that someone may be offended has become a major concern, so much so that people are increasingly unwilling to declare anything wrong or unacceptable.

This growing concern about offending has affected churches and preachers. Some won’t preach the truth about Christianity’s uniqueness lest they offend Jews, Muslims, or other groups. Some won’t talk about the identity of the New Testament church lest they antagonize those who belong to some other group. Some won’t plainly preach the conditions of salvation lest they hurt the feelings of those who haven’t complied. Increasing numbers won’t take a stand on moral issues lest they upset those who are acting immorally and perhaps “drive them away.”

Matthew 15 records an incident we need to consider. Some Pharisees came to Jesus and complained that His disciples did not keep the tradition of the elders by washing their hands. Jesus’ response was pointed. He indicted the Pharisees with breaking God’s commandments in order to keep their own rules, in practicality nullifying God’s word. He called them hypocrites. He said their commitment to God was mere lip service and was in vain (vv. 3-9). He then called together the crowd who had overheard this exchange and explained the error in the Pharisee’s view of the value of washing hands (vv. 10-11).

What happened next? The disciples came to Jesus and said, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” (v. 12). Perhaps the disciples could see it on their faces. Perhaps some of the Pharisees said something to the disciples.

Jesus was unmoved. He responded, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (vv. 13-14).

In summary, the Lord pointed out three things: 1) the Pharisees were wrong; 2) it mattered that they were wrong; 3) they were going to be lost because they were wrong, despite their claims of rightness with God. Why did Jesus say these things? Because they were true, because the Pharisees needed to hear the truth while they had opportunity to repent, and because the crowds and the disciples needed to be warned that if they followed the Pharisees, they, too, would be lost.

The Bible teaches us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and, to the extent we rightly can, to accommodate those we are trying to reach (1 Corinthians 9:20-23). But if people are offended by the truth, so be it. It is nothing new. Jesus did not compromise the truth to appease the disobedient, and neither should His followers.

— Via Pathlights, July 3, 2016
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consequences
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Consequences

Bill Crews

Thoughts entertained, words uttered, and deeds done have consequences. Like seed that is sown, they bear fruit — pleasant or bitter, good or evil. Decisions made, choices selected, steps taken, courses begun bring us, in time, to the goals, the destinies to which they inevitably lead.

Many are traveling toward goals and destinies of which they seem absolutely unaware or foolishly unconcerned — goals and destinies that will prove tragic and painful. Only God can see the end from the beginning; in His revealed word He tries to tell us.

— via bulletin articles from the Collegevue church of Christ, August 14, 2016
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Psalm 25:4-5

“Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day” (NASB).
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

April 16, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) If It Had Been an Angel Instead… (Tom Edwards)
2) Repentance Only (Frank Himmel)
3) Raised Before Burial? (Ronnie E. Hinds)
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If It Had Been an Angel Instead…

Tom Edwards

What if God would have sent a heavenly angel to become a man who would live among humanity for 33 years and then terribly suffer and die on that torturous cross in order to willingly make an atonement for every sinner?! If God would have done it that way, I imagine every believer would be truly thankful and would recognize God’s love and concern for each one of us.

But how much more, therefore, should we appreciate and be grateful for what God actually did?! For He did not send an angel, a created being that is much inferior to God; but, instead, He sent His only begotten Son who is the Creator of all (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16), who is just as much God as the Father Himself (Phil. 2:6; Jn. 1:1-3,14) and has existed throughout all eternity (cf. Micah 5:2; Jn. 8:58; Isa. 9:6; Heb. 7:3). For Jesus is “the radiance” of His Father’s glory and “the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). Jesus is “the Word” that was “in the beginning with God,” “and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1,2; cf. Heb. 1:8). And that “Word” also “became flesh, and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). So in Christ, “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). And this is why Jesus was able to say, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him and have seen Him” (Jn. 14:7). For “He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” (v. 9).

How much more superior is God to a heavenly angel? Would it not be a greatness beyond all we have ever known or could even imagine? And, yet, it was the eternal Son of God — not one of the creation, not a lesser being, but the Creator Himself — who was and is as much Deity as the Father, who suffered and died on a cruel cross for every one of us sinners!

But what of those who say they believe in Jesus, but do not see Him as who He truly is? That to them, Jesus was just a created being, less than God, and not the same as the eternal God. Can they be as impressed of the Lord’s sacrifice, or find it as meaningful, as do those of us who truly do see Jesus as having been in heaven in an equality with God the Father, prior to coming to our world?

So in God sending not an angel, but Jesus to make an atonement by His own death for every lost soul, we see the greatest of all expressions of love for all of us who are unworthy sinners who could never earn nor deserve such infinite favor!

God’s love for us, as seen at the cross of Christ, is overwhelming and impelling. In 1707, Isaac Watts wrote the following hymn about it, entitled, “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”:

“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

“See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Thanks be to God for sending the best and greatest so that even we who are the worst and least can escape the wrath to come and be eternally blessed in heaven’s bliss!

Jesus truly did His part in making the atonement and the way of salvation possible. Now we must each do our part in humbly submitting our lives to Him by our faith, repentance, confession of faith in Christ, and being baptized in water so that we may also benefit from that sacrifice that can cleanse of every sin – and then strive to maintain that faithful relationship with God, as we await the coming of our Lord! (cf. 1 Jn. 1:6,7; Rev. 2:10).
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Repentance Only

Frank Himmel

If the Bible teaches anything, it is that we are justified or saved by faith. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Some take this a step farther, however. They assert that we are justified by faith only, apart from anything else we may do. Thus, one is right with God at the point in time at which he believes in Jesus. As one creed puts it, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort” (25 Articles of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Article IX).

Faith-only advocates often try to build their case on verses that talk about faith as a condition of salvation but do not mention any other requirement. John 3:16 and Acts 16:31 are favorites. The argument is, because these say nothing about confession, baptism, etc., those things are not essential to salvation.

Using this approach, one could just as easily build a good case for salvation by repentance only. Consider the following passages:

“Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish’” (Luke 13:1-5).

In the great commission, Jesus ordered “that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

Thus, in his second gospel sermon, Peter preached, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). And Paul concluded his great sermon at Athens with these words: “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

None of these passages mention faith (see also Acts 11:18; 26:20; 2 Peter 3:9; etc.). Shall we therefore conclude that faith is not essential? Of course not. In these references, repent is used to summarize man’s response to the gospel, just the terms believe and faith are used in others.

Instead of pitting one verse against another, take into account all the Bible says on the subject. “The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160).

— Via Pathlights, August 14, 2016
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Raised Before Buried?

Ronnie E. Hinds

I have asked this question before, but I want to ask it again. Did Jesus’ resurrection occur before He was buried? Before you think I have completely lost all sense of sanity, you need to understand that millions of people, maybe even you, appear to believe that is what happened. Let me explain.

Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Note the comparison between Christ and us. “That just as Christ…even so we also.” What happened to Christ? “Raised from the dead.” What parallels that for us? “Walk in newness of life.” What events preceded those? For Christ, His burial. For us, baptism. Now if we can have “newness of life” BEFORE baptism, as many teach and believe, then, to maintain the parallel, you must believe Christ was raised before He was buried. “Absurd,” you say. I know! That is why I teach baptism is essential to be saved, to become a Christian.

— Via Bulletin Articles from the Collegevue church of Christ, December 20, 2015
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“Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart” (Psalm 119:34, 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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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The Gospel Observer

April 9, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) The Chief of Sinners (Frank Himmel)
2) Where is Your Hope? (Stephen Rouse)
3) Distractions on the Road (Greg Gwin)
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The Chief of Sinners

Frank Himmel

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15, NKJV). Paul considered himself the chief of sinners prior to his conversion. Have you ever thought about the world’s number-one sinner?

The chief of sinners was a religious man. That might surprise some. We would more likely expect him to be an atheist, or at least one who, if he believed in God, couldn’t have cared less about Him. No, Saul (as he was known in those days) was a well-trained Jew (Acts 22:3).

The chief of sinners was a fervent religious man. He wasn’t the half-hearted kind, whose affections are really elsewhere. He wasn’t the hypocritical kind, one who goes to church on Sundays but the rest of the week is arrogant, foul-mouthed, a drunkard, a womanizer, or a scoundrel. No, Saul was a stickler for moral uprightness and more zealous for what he believed than most (Galatians 1:14).

The chief of sinners was ignorant. He later admitted it: “I was formerly a blasphemer and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). That should forever destroy the notion that it doesn’t matter what we believe as long as we are sincere.

The chief of sinners was presumptuous. This often goes hand-in-hand with ignorance. Saul just decided for himself what he ought to do in God’s service instead of following God’s revelation. “So then, I thought I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did…” (Acts 26:9-10). As is often the case, his assumptions proved to be dead wrong.

The chief of sinners was teachable. To Saul’s credit, despite his misguided religious zeal he was not too entrenched or too stubborn to be taught. Jesus’ appearance to him on the road to Damascus made him realize he had been wrong about the Lord. And when Ananias came and instructed him to be baptized in the name of Jesus to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16), he did so immediately (Acts 9:18).

The chief of sinners was saved. This was his point in our opening text. Despite Saul’s atrocities, the Lord’s mercy was sufficient to forgive him once he abandoned his sinful ways. Saul could only think of one reason why: “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16, NKJV). If the Lord could save the chief, He could save anyone!

Whether we profit from studying the chief of sinners depends on whether we respond to the gospel as he did.

— Via Pathlights, December 25, 2016
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“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13, NASB).
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Where is Your Hope?

Stephen Rouse

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” — David (Psalm 20:7)

We live in an increasingly unstable world. Locally, nationally, internationally — there has been much in the news lately to show us just how quickly our stability can crumble.

When the things that we lean on begin to crumble, we quickly find out where we are really putting our trust, our hope. As David wrote, “some trust in chariots and some in horses…” There are a host of different things we might put our trust in, or hope for:

— Some hope for a place where all people are accepted and treated equally.

— Some hope for protection from outside terror for themselves and their families.

— Some hope for a place to flee when their home becomes a place of hostility.

— Some hope for leaders who will bring justice and peace to their people and the world.

The fact is, if our hope is in any of these things happening in this world, we will often be disappointed, even disillusioned. Jesus Himself said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We should pray for our communities, our families, our nations, and the world (1 Timothy 2:1). We should pray for our leaders, and those who would become our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2). But we should not put our hope in any of these things (Psalm 118:8-9).

The amazing thing is, God offers all of these things that we might hope for, but in a spiritual way:

— In God’s kingdom, all people are accepted and treated equally as they turn from their ways to God’s ways (Isa 2:2-4).

— In God’s kingdom, we find protection from our great enemy, Satan, who seeks to destroy us eternally (John 17:15; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

— In God’s kingdom, we can find refuge when the whole world might turn against us (John 16:33).

— In God’s kingdom, we have the Creator of the Universe as our leader, who will ultimately bring justice and peace to the world (Luke 18:7; Rom 16:20).

Lord, help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, for in You we have all we need and all we long for. Help us to put our hope completely in You, not in the things of this world, whatever they may be. You alone must be our strength, our shield, and our unshakable hope.

— Via The Auburn Beacon, January 1, 2016
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Distractions on the Road

Greg Gwin

Surely you’ve seen them — those drivers who are so busy talking on their cellular phones that they sit through a green light or ignore some other important traffic situation. The ‘topper’ to this is when you see a driver talking on the cell phone AND eating a sandwich — all while driving a car.

Driving is a serious activity that demands our devoted attention. Things like cell phones and sandwiches tend to distract us, making driving even more dangerous. When two or more such distractions are added together watch out! The likelihood of an accident is significantly multiplied.

Now, make a spiritual application. Living life in this world is a very serious activity. It demands our undivided attention. The problem is that we too often allow ourselves to be distracted by the things of this world. When that happens, a spiritual accident is sure to follow.

And, we’re not just talking about the sinful things that can distract us. Certainly, there are plenty of those. Wickedness abounds in our society, and we are confronted with multiple temptations every day. Constant vigilance is necessary. But, more than this, there is the danger that we will get so busy with our day-to-day affairs that we might forget what our main pursuit is supposed to be. Our jobs, our families, our recreation and a host of other things — not sinful in and of themselves — can crowd God out of our lives.

Add two or three such distractions together and you are simply a spiritual accident looking for a place to happen. Be careful! Stay focused. “Reach forth unto those things which are before” and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13, 14).

— Via Bulletin Articles from the Collegevue church of Christ, March 19, 2017
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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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (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
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Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 218-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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http://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
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The Gospel Observer

April 2, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Remember Jesus (Frank Himmel)
2) “Who Went About Doing Good” (Billy Norris)
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– 2tim2_8

Remember Jesus

Frank Himmel

Three times the New Testament specifically tells us to remember Jesus. Do you recall what there is about Him we are to remember? (Hint: His birth is not one of the three!)

Jesus’ Death

Jesus Himself encouraged us to remember His death. It is the central event of history. It was the atonement for our sins. The Lord helped us remember His death by establishing an ongoing memorial.

“…The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Jesus’ Resurrection

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). Jesus said His resurrection would be the sign, the proof of who He was (Matthew 12:38-40). It is our assurance that the Father accepted Jesus’ atonement. It enabled Jesus to overcome death, to ascend back to heaven and take His place as our King and Lord (Acts 2:24-36). That is why His resurrection, along with His crucifixion, was the constant theme of the apostles’ sermons. That is why it is so often used to comfort and encourage. That is why Peter could say “baptism now save you… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

Jesus’ Teaching

Paul told the Ephesian elders they must “remember the words of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:35). Jesus’ teaching is as much an expression of God’s grace as His atonement was (Titus 2:11-12). It is the truth that makes us free if we abide in it (John 8:32-33); when we do not, we do not have God (2 John 9). Jesus’ words provide instruction, warning, hope, comfort, assurance, and wisdom. They are the standard by which He will judge us (John 12:48). One more thing: the Bible emphasizes that we need to remember the words Jesus spoke through His apostles (Jude 17) as well as those He spoke personally.

Conclusion

Remembering Jesus includes remembering all we know of Him. Obviously, it goes far beyond simply recalling facts. We remember Jesus by reflecting Him in our lives every day, each step of the way.

— Via Pathlights, December 25, 2016
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“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND TO THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT HAS DAWNED” (Matt. 4:6, NASB).
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“WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD”

Billy Norris

This is what Peter told Cornelius about Jesus: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

1. Jesus did good when he was a child. It is evident that as a child he spent time learning the word of God, to the extent that he was able to astonish the doctors of the law with his understanding and his answers, even at the age of twelve years. The profound knowledge which Jesus possessed of the word of God proved to be a blessing when Satan came with his temptations and when Jesus had the responsibility of teaching the people. Jesus overcame every temptation with a proper application of the word of God (Matt. 4), and was able to answer every captious question of his enemies because of his understanding of God’s will (Matt. 22). It is a joy to see a young person who is interested in learning the word of God, and who spends time day by day reading and studying and ever accumulating knowledge of God’s will. With that knowledge that youngster will be able to put down the temptations of Satan and well serve his Master as a citizen of the kingdom.

Jesus also did good as a child by wanting to worship, to be in his Father’s house and about his Father’s business, and by being obedient to his parents. To his parents he said, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). The scripture further says that he was subject to his parents and that he “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:51,52).

2. Jesus did good when he was baptized. He did God’s will. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matt. 3:13-15). It is God’s will for man today that he be baptized, for in giving the great commission Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15,16). The apostles commanded men to believe in Christ (1 John 3:23), to repent (Acts 17:30), to be baptized (Acts 10:48).

3. Jesus did good when he overcame the devil. He kept himself free from sin and proved himself indeed to be the pure lamb of God qualified to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In his victory over Satan (Matt. 4:1-11), he showed us that by proper use of God’s word as “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17), we have a power greater than any temptation which Satan can place before us.

4. He did good when he taught his disciples the great principles of life. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matt. 5:21,22). “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:27,28). These are only some of the great principles of moral conduct which Jesus taught his disciples that would lift them up to a high and noble plane in life.

5. Jesus did good when he helped the sick and afflicted, when he fed the hungry, when he comforted the bereaved. When he was called to the sick, his answer was, “I will come” (Matt. 8:7). His disciples today can be of help by ministering to the sick, or by visits, or by cards or calls to let them know that they are not forgotten. Christ fed the hungry (Matt. 14:15-21; 15:32-38), and let us know that in part we will be judged according to the service that we render to fellow man. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in …” (Matt. 25:31-34, 35-46). Though Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead, he wept with the bereaved sisters and helped to comfort them (John 11:35). We cannot raise the dead, but we can help the bereaved bear their burden of sorrow by showing compassion and sympathy in their time of need.

6. Jesus did good when he rebuked the wayward. He was doing what was best for the scribes and Pharisees when he pointed out to them their hypocrisy, and their need of true cleanliness from within rather than a mere ceremonial cleansing from without that was of no benefit to their spiritual well-being (Matt. 23). He was doing what was best for Peter by showing him that in following human wisdom he was serving Satan rather than God (Mark 8:31-33). He was doing good for James and John when he rebuked them for wanting to destroy certain Samaritans by telling them that he had not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:51-56). Christ’s disciples today can do good by rebuking, with a proper spirit, the wayward to bring them to repentance and a restoration in the service of the Lord.

7. Jesus did good when he prayed for his enemies. He taught his disciples to pray
for their enemies: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Jesus set the example when he prayed for those who were crucifying him, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). His prayer was answered some days later, on the day of Pentecost, when people who were guilty of crucifying Christ repented of their sins and were baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:36-42).

8. Jesus did good when he died on the cross. The shedding of his precious blood provided the means by which sinful man might be redeemed from his sins and the terrible consequences of his sins: “in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

9. Jesus is doing good now. He is with his disciples as they in turn go about doing good, as they take the gospel to a world lost in sin (Matt. 28:20). He is serving as mediator and high priest at the right hand of God (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16). He is preparing mansions for his own and will return to receive them unto himself (John 14:1-3).

— Via The Old Hickory Bulletin, October 18, 2015, Volume 35, #43
——————–

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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

The Gospel Observer

March 26, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Remembering the Past (David Watson)
2) Futile Figuring (Dan Shipley)
——————–

-1-

Remembering the Past

David Watson

The past can be a painful reminder. Everyone has moments in their past that they regret and wish could be forgotten. Bad decisions, relationships, and mistakes pour bitter memories on our hearts and sometimes leave us with festering wounds that take years, or even a lifetime, to heal. It is these memories and feelings that, for the average person, force us to spend the rest of our lives trying to avoid the memory of these mistakes.

Yet on a more positive side of things, there are memories that bring us just as much joy as the bad memories bring us pain. When we think back on these moments we can’t help but smile, and feelings of refreshment — whether they be thankfulness, warmth, comfort, or the like — fill our hearts again, leaving us full and revived.

In spite of the agonizing memory of our spiritual mistakes or the revitalizing nature of our sweetest spiritual moments, there often comes a point in our Christian walk in which we become somewhat comfortable, maybe even passive, in our relationship with Christ. Over time, we become used to the message of the cross and comfortable with its call and conditions. This is not far from what the church at Ephesus was experiencing. Though written after the book of Ephesians, Revelation says this concerning the Ephesian church: “…I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4-5). A similar appeal is seen by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians when he says, “Therefore, remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh, were without Christ… having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:11-13).

What is the value of remembering where we have come from? What is the value of ruminating on the past? Although at one time Paul did emphasize his efforts to forget his past of devout commitment to Judaism and the law (Phil. 3:13), both Paul and Jesus wanted the Ephesians to remember their past for a reason. Notice Paul’s appeal to the Ephesians. In the midst of an effort to motivate these brethren to “walk worthy of the calling” (Eph. 4:1), Paul feels it necessary to remind the Ephesians where they came from. Their past was nothing short of despair, illustrated by Paul’s identification of them as “dead in their trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) and “by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (2:3). This alone didn’t serve as a sufficient reminder, seeing as how Paul continues to remind them that they were “without Christ” and had “no hope” and were “without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12) prior to their obedience to Him.

Why would such bitter memories and descriptions of their past be beneficial to the Ephesians in their current state? Though some would consider this to be counterintuitive, there is wisdom found here. Consider yourself for a moment – as suggested earlier, have you ever felt comfortable, or passive, in your walk with Christ? Have you felt as if your drive to obey was weak and your motivation to please Him was lacking or even nonexistent? Forgetting where we came from in our relationship with Christ is as harmful as not calling to mind everything our parents or mentors did for us in our childhood/formidable years. To forget our weakness without them is to forget the blessing of having them. When we call to mind where we once were without Christ — dead, without hope, and without God — there is a sobriety that ought to overwhelm us. A sobriety brought on by the remembrance of our horrible and sinful past. Yet this does not leave us empty handed. As was the case with the Ephesians, these same memories ultimately lead us to a remembrance of the warmth, comfort and thankfulness we ought to feel in Christ.

While observing Paul’s appeal to remember our sins in Ephesians 2 is beneficial for rededication to Christ, Christ’s appeal in Revelation 2:4-5 adds an element to our rededication to Him. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…” (Rev. 2:5). Though our passivity toward Christ can come from a lack of remembrance of our sinful and desperate state, there is a degree to which when we forget “our first love,” we become lukewarm. Just as a remembrance of the sweetest moments of our lives overwhelms us with feelings of happiness, so ought our remembrance of His love do the same. Simply remembering our sinful past does nothing more for us than bring back painful memories, but when coupled with the love of Christ, it can motivate us to “walk worthy” again. After Paul brought back their memories of their former state, he reminded the Ephesians of what God did for them in spite of it: “even when we were dead in trespasses, [He] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-6). Often when we feel passive about Christ, we have forgotten who He is – our first love! When we call to mind what our first love has done for us in spite of our sins, we ought to be motivated to repentance and rededication to Him —“remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works.”

Yes, remembering our past can be a painful thing. But with Christ, it can be something beautiful and healing. Take the time to remember where you came from, and if need be, from where you have fallen. If these memories touch you, then repentance will follow, and all that will be left is a rededication to your first love.

— Via articles from the Eastside church of Christ, Athens, Alabama
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Futile Figuring

Dan Shipley

“Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21, 22).

There are times when it is best to forget the arithmetic. One such time, as Jesus implies here, is when it involves extending forgiveness. Since God will not forgive the unforgiving (Matt. 6:14,15), any limitations imposed on man’s showing mercy would also limit his receiving it. The parable introduced by Peter’s question makes this very point. Like the unmerciful servant, every Christian has received infinitely more than he could ever pay out in the coin of forgiveness. Why, then, this business of score keeping? Why taint mercy with a spirit of reluctance? Where mercy is needed, counting is criminal. The important thing is not “how many,” but to forgive from a truly merciful heart (Matt. 18:35).

Another time when “How many?” becomes a needless is when it is applied to the number who will be saved. An inquirer apparently had this in mind when asking Jesus, “Lord, are they few that are saved?” (Lk. 13:23). Without involving Himself in the arithmetic of the matter, Jesus shows at once where the concern should be: “Strive to enter…” The important thing is what about ME? — and whether I am striving to enter. The business of saving self (Acts 2:40) deserves priority because that’s where we can do most. Only with a striving ME can we help the few to be many. A similar, but equally fruitless, concern of some involves itself with how many will be in heaven (not the same, with them, as how many will be saved). They wrongly envision a whole host of saved dwelling in an earthly kingdom, but only 144,000 making up the “little flock” of priests and kings in heaven. Again, the important thing is my striving, but for what? — certainly not a glorified earth-bound existence! The only eternal abode of the saved is in heaven. That is where the inheritance of the righteous is reserved (1 Pet. 1:4); that is where our hope is laid up (Col. 1:5); and that is where Jesus has gone (1 Pet. 3:22) to prepare a place in which the redeemed can be with Him (Jn. 14:2,3). Its inhabitants are not limited by a fixed decree of God, but only by a striving by faith to do His will from the heart (Matt. 7:21).

Yet another area of futile figuring concerns the time of Christ’s return. Some have been so bold as to set specific dates, the coming of which did not bring Christ, but only frustration and disappointment. Yet, in spite of such failures, “wiser” ones keep on figuring and letting us in on what the Lord said no man or angel could know (Matt. 24:36). The important thing is that He is coming, not when! What difference should that make to the faithful? Admittedly, our time IS short! — not because we know Christ is coming soon, but because we will be leaving soon! But for now, God’s longsuffering continues. The time is too short for idle pursuits and hindering speculations. We must look carefully to how we live — and be wise, redeeming the time.

— Via Plain Talk, February 1980, Vol. XVI, No. XII, Pg. 3
——————–

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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

The Gospel Observer

March 19, 2017 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Reviving Our Zeal (John R. Gibson)
2) Help, Don’t Hinder (Greg Gwin)
——————–

-1-

Reviving Our Zeal

John R. Gibson

In recent years, Christians concerned about the danger of becoming sluggish (Heb. 6:11-12), losing their first love (Rev. 2:4-5), or falling into lukewarmness (Rev. 3:15-16) have suggested some radical changes to the collective worship of the local church. Books such as Spilt Grape Juice by Mike Root and Radical Restoration by F. LaGard Smith, along with concepts borrowed from various evangelicals and community church leaders, have had a great impact in a number of places.

In his influential book in which he pushed for radical change, Smith utilized manufactured quotes such as “Not Ritual, but spiritual” and “Not Rules, but righteousness” and attributed them to Jesus (Radical Restoration, p. 22). Some have lampooned their fellow-saints with somewhat humorous statements such as, “Though we sing about ‘standing on the promises,’ we’re really just ‘sitting on the premises.’” When you add to this the legitimate concerns about complacency among Christians, in many locales a climate necessary to introduce significant change has been established.

What kind of changes are we speaking of? Instead of sitting in rows that face the front, we are urged to turn and face one another in a circle as we sing. It may be suggested that “the mausoleum-like meetinghouse” is holding us back, so we should seek a park in which, in the presence of God’s glorious creation, we may be revived. To make the Lord’s Supper more relevant and meaningful we may be urged to dim the lights or increase the portion sizes of the bread and fruit of the vine. Some have suggested that we would be helped in our observance of the Lord’s Supper by turning to our neighbors and sharing with them our testimony about what the death of Jesus has meant in our lives.

While we should be genuinely concerned about sluggishness and complacency, is the solution really found in these things? Will these genuinely revive our zeal? The truth is that Smith was absolutely correct when he warned that we must not be “quick-fix artists who deal only with the symptoms of our malaise, not the root causes” (Radical Restoration, p. 39). I believe he was also right to say that we must “plunge ourselves with abandon into truly being his people” (Radical Restoration, p. 108)! However, what Smith has ended up doing and what is being proposed by an increasing number of brethren is exactly what Smith warned against doing. When problems of sluggishness and complacency do exist, these are problems of the heart, while the answers being proposed are simply quick-fix, external “solutions” to internal issues.

Read Eph. 5:18-19 and Col. 3:16 carefully and take note of what is said about the externals such as seating, direction we look, etc. Instead of these things which are not mentioned at all, what did the Holy Spirit emphasize? Acceptable worship results from allowing the word to dwell richly in one and making a melody in the thankful heart. While there is nothing inherently wrong with being in a circle, how does that fix the problem if the word of Christ is not dwelling richly in a person? Does looking at other people really instill the necessary grace or thankfulness (ESV and NASB) toward God in our hearts?

While God can be worshiped in a park (John 4:21-24), if the only times we can fully appreciate the greatness and goodness of God are when we are outside enjoying His creation, have we not lost focus? In reality, have we not become focused on self and the things we enjoy rather than on the Almighty who is to be served?

If we read the accounts of Jesus establishing the Lord’s Supper in Matt. 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and 1 Cor. 11, what do we learn about the size of the portions to be consumed? Obviously, the answer is nothing, since not a single word is said about it. The amounts of bread and grape juice to be consumed are incidental or we would have been given some instruction in this matter. So, instead of external incidentals, the focus is on our mindset — “in remembrance …. let a man examine himself” (1 Cor. 11:23-29). If we reach the point that it takes dimmed lights and soft music in the background for us to remember the crucifixion of our Lord, it is time to seriously examine ourselves.

But what of the idea that while we are eating the Lord’s Supper, instead of quietly reflecting on the death of Jesus, we need to share with others what that death has meant to us? First, if we read the instructions found in Scripture we find nothing even remotely suggesting the practice. Second, would not my church neighbor be better off considering the inspired testimony of New Testament writers instead of hearing about my subjective experiences? Third, do we not see the potential for confusion when people all over the building (or park) are talking at the same time, even if they are trying to keep their voices down? Wasn’t this addressed in 1 Cor. 14:26-33? Fourth, by what Scriptural authority would women speak during the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 14:34-35)?

Anyone who sees anything in this article as a defense of complacency or lukewarmness will have completely missed the point, for there is no excuse for that. But nowhere in Scripture do we find even a hint that one involved in heartfelt singing with others; quietly reflecting on the Lord’s death; studying God’s word by listening to a teacher; listening so as to be able to say amen to a prayer; et al is being a passive spectator who is merely sitting on the premises. It may not be exciting and exhilarating to some, but it’s what the Bible calls worship.

Certainly there are times when complacency sets in and spiritual renewal is necessary, but the need in such times is for greater internal reflection and not more external manipulation. In such times we need to thoughtfully consider what God has done for us and then obey from the heart. The instructions to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes. 5:16-18) are to be obeyed and can be obeyed no matter the seating arrangements or the size of the container for the fruit of the vine. When with the rational mind we more deeply appreciate what it means to be in Christ and living with the hope of heaven, then all the externals that some seem so determined to change, even at the cost of dividing brethren, will seem insignificant.

If we have become lukewarm, we don’t need to go to the park; instead we need to “be zealous and repent” (Rev. 3:19).

— Via Articles from the Jones Road church of Christ, Athens, Alabama, January 31, 2017
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Help, Don’t Hinder

Greg Gwin

What do you do when you see a fellow Christian make a mistake? It may be a simple error of judgment, or it could be a more serious blunder – a sin that can potentially send his soul into eternal hell. What will you do?

Actually there are several options open to you. You could ignore the situation totally. Or you might, in your own mind, ridicule his foolishness. If you’re a little bolder, you could gossip with others about his error — belittling him as you do so. You see, there are a number of things you could do.

But, of course, there is only one thing you should do — there is only one God-ordained course of action. “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

The fact is that we all need the help, encouragement and strengthening that comes from our brethren. Sadly, too often we do things that hinder rather than help our brother when he is down.

The next time you are confronted with such a situation, remember that — if you want to please God — your choice is already made. If your brother has made a mistake, there can be no ignoring of the problem, no backbiting gossip, no thoughts of ridicule or humiliation. Go to your brother with the help he needs. Don’t forget that you are certain to need this kind of help in the future, too!

— Via bulletin articles from the Collegevue church of Christ, September 4, 2016
——————–

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 Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Seeing From a Better Perspective

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

God of Wrath vs. God of Love?

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Timeless Benefits of the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, some major questions are answered. Here are three of them:

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Did God Know Us Prior to Our Physical Conception?

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Greatest Reason for Our Being

Offended By the Truth

Consequences

Psalm 25:4-5

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

If It Had Been an Angel Instead…

Repentance Only

Raised Before Buried?

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Chief of Sinners

Where is Your Hope?

Distractions on the Road

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Remember Jesus

“WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Remembering the Past

Futile Figuring

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Reviving Our Zeal

Help, Don’t Hinder

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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