1) The Joy of Being a Christian (Wayne Goff)
2) Where are the Good Samaritans? (Joe R. Price)
3) The Two Shortest Verses (Troy Nicholson)
4) Motherhood (video sermon, Tom Edwards)
5) News & Notes
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Joy of Being a Christian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wayne Goff -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joe R. Price -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Troy Nicholson To hear the video sermon on Motherhood, just click on the following link while on the Internet:\u00a0 “How can a young man keep his way pure? After having blood work done, Ginger Ann Montero <\/strong>was admitted to the hospital for observation, due to her kidneys not functioning properly.\u00a0 They will likely be remedied with a change in her medication. 1) Hear<\/strong>\u00a0the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB). ——————– Contents: 1) The Joy of Being a Christian (Wayne Goff)2) Where are the Good Samaritans? (Joe R. Price)3) The Two […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1578"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1583,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1578\/revisions\/1583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The book of Acts records the consistent reaction of those who first obeyed the Gospel: JOY! What were they so happy about?
In the city of Samaria, Philip preached Christ to the people, and confirmed his message with miraculous signs, Acts 8:5-25:<\/strong> \u201cAnd there was great joy in the city\u201d<\/em> (v. 8). <\/strong>Their rejoicing was over the fact that both sin and its diseases were defeated by the Name of Jesus.
In a deserted place, Philip also preached the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority, Acts 8:26-40.<\/strong> This devout man was reading Isaiah 53<\/strong> on his own and wondering of whom God was speaking. Philip, by inspiration, sat down with him and explained that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled that prophecy. In doing so, he preached baptism for the remission of sins. The eunuch, upon confessing \u201cI believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God\u201d <\/strong><\/em>(v. 37)<\/strong>, was baptized \u201cand he went on his way rejoicing\u201d<\/em> (vv. 38-39).<\/strong> He rejoiced over having been forgiven of his sins. He rejoiced over leaving the domain of Satan and being translated into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13)<\/strong>!
In Antioch, Pisidia, Paul preached Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 13:14-52), <\/strong>and encouraged certain believers \u201cto continue in the grace of God\u201d <\/em>(v. 43).<\/strong> When the Gentiles understood that they were included in the scope of the Gospel, then \u201cas many as had been appointed to eternal life believed\u201d<\/em> (v. 48).<\/strong> The word continued to be spread throughout the region, \u201cAnd the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit\u201d<\/em> (v. 52).
<\/strong>When Paul and Barnabas reported the salvation of the Gentiles on their way back to Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-4),<\/strong> the brethren had \u201cgreat joy\u201d<\/em> (v. 3)<\/strong> in hearing it!
The Philippian jailer, at the edge of death and eternal damnation, heard the Gospel from the lips of Paul and Silas, Acts 6:9-40.<\/strong> He went from near certain physical death to absolute spiritual life in the span of a few hours! Naturally, \u201c\u2026he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household\u201d<\/em> (v. 34).<\/strong> If you were in his shoes, wouldn\u2019t you be rejoicing?!
\u201cHe is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> (Jim Elliot).
\u2014 Via Roanridge Reader,\u00a0<\/em> Volume 36, Issue 17, Page 1, April 25, 2021
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere are the Good Samaritans?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A man who stopped a fight between another man and a woman died on the New York City sidewalk after being stabbed. At least seven people passed by. Some stopped to look, and one even lifted the 31-year-old man\u2019s body momentarily before walking away. He was motionless for nearly an hour before emergency help arrived, but by then it was too late; he was dead. (AP: \u201cHomeless good Samaritan left to die on NYC street,\u201d FoxNews.com)
One cannot hear of this tragedy without remembering the parable of the good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37). Have we forgotten how to be a neighbor? Have we forgotten how to love our neighbor as ourselves? Would we have walked by, or would we have been a neighbor to the fallen? (Lk 10:36)
1) Loving our neighbor requires compassion <\/strong>(Luke 10:33). Pity ought to drive us to show mercy when we see others distressed. The Samaritan saw the wounded man in need and acted out of compassion. Even a cup of cold water given in mercy does not go unnoticed by the Lord (Matt 10:42).
2) Loving our neighbor requires contact <\/strong>(Luke 10:34-35). Love means getting involved, and some simply will not do it. Maybe it is due to fear, maybe due to inconvenience, maybe due to selfishness. But, love requires involvement (1 Jno 3:17-18). Like the Samaritan, we will get involved when we love our neighbor as ourselves.
3) Loving our neighbor requires cost<\/strong> (Luke 10:35). Loving our neighbor as ourselves requires making sacrifices. Whether it is their time, our energy or our money \u2013 love gives without thought of return. Do we walk by because it costs too much to stop and be a neighbor?
— Via The Spirit’s Sword, <\/em>Vol. 13, Num. 13, May 2, 2010
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Two Shortest Verses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are two very short verses in the New Testament.\u00a0 Each one can rightly be called the shortest verse in the Bible.
The shortest verse in the original Greek language is 1 Thessalonians 5:16, translated to read, \u201cRejoice always.\u201d\u00a0 The shortest verse in the English language is John 11:35, which reads, \u201cJesus wept.\u201d
Each of these verses deals with an emotional reaction.\u00a0 The first deals with the feeling of joy, while the second deals with sorrow.\u00a0 We all experience times of both rejoicing and weeping.\u00a0 The Bible says that there is a time for each of these emotions (Eccl 3:4).
Our rejoicing should be for things above.\u00a0 We can rejoice in persecution and temptation because they help prepare us for a reward in Heaven (Matt 5:12; Acts 5:14; James 1:2-4).\u00a0 Jesus says to \u201crejoice because your names are written in Heaven\u201d (Mark 10:20).\u00a0 Rejoicing takes place when sinners repent and make their lives right with God (Luke 15; Acts 8:39).\u00a0 We always have reason to \u201crejoice in the Lord\u201d (Phil 3:1; 4:4, 10).
Our weeping should be over what is against things above.\u00a0 On several occasions we see weeping at the death of someone (John 11:35), with death entering the world because of sin (Gen 2:16-17).\u00a0 Peter \u201cwept bitterly\u201d when he denied the Lord (Matt 26:75).\u00a0 Jesus wept over the unrepentant condition of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
As children of God, we are to share with one another in times of joy and sorrow.\u00a0 We are to \u201crejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep\u201d (Rom 12:15).\u00a0 \u201cAnd if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it\u201d (1 Cor 12:26).
There is so much involved in two very short verses!
\u2014 Via Articles<\/em> from the Lakeview church of Christ, Hendersonville, Tennessee,\u00a0 September 6, 2015
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-4-<\/p>\n\n\n\nMotherhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/Motherhood.mp4<\/a>
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 119:9-11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You” (NASB).
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-5-<\/p>\n\n\n\nNews & Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After 10 days in the hospital, Tate Walters<\/strong> was able to return home, doing much better.\u00a0 His father writes that Tate “will have to have several follow up doctor visits and labs to continue monitoring his condition, to further understand what the initial trigger was, and to learn more about this rare disease.”
\u00a0The sinus surgery for Rachel Gerbing<\/strong>, which was due to an infection that set in several months ago when she had covid-19, went very well.\u00a0 Drain tubes will be removed Monday, and in the meanwhile she continues on pain and nausea medications and bed rest.
Joyce Rittenhouse<\/strong> is having much pain in her knee from a bad fall she had a few weeks ago.\u00a0 And her brother<\/strong> is healing from hernia surgery he had Thursday morning.
Doyle Rittenhouse<\/strong> has been having a return of much pain in his neck, which he hopes is from the nerve endings still in the process of dying from their recent ablation.\u00a0 He was told it would take some time.\u00a0 He also has pain in his shoulder and arm, due to osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
It was a stroke that Ritt Rittenhouse<\/strong> had a few weeks ago.\u00a0 Since then, he has been back in the hospital 3 times, due to losing feeling and balance.\u00a0 For he also has a degenerative disc in his neck that sometimes pinches against a nerve and causes temporary paralysis, which will have to be dealt with after he heals more from the stroke.
Ritt’s wife Janet <\/strong>is healing up well from the car accident she was in.
Danielle Bartlett<\/strong> has not yet heard the results of her recent testing for her heart palpitations and swollen legs.
For the pain in his back, Bennie Medlock<\/strong> will be seeing a specialist May 18.
Also for continual prayer: Rick Cuthbertson<\/strong> (cancer) and Nell Teague<\/strong> (cancer).
Our shut-ins: A.J. & Pat Joyner, Jim Lively<\/strong> and Shirley Davis.<\/strong>
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe<\/strong>\u00a0in the deity of Jesus Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent<\/strong>\u00a0of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong>\u00a0in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong>\u00a0in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith<\/strong> by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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<\/strong>Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
<\/strong>1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
We are currently meeting for only our Sunday 10 a.m. worship service each week, due to the coronavirus situation.<\/strong>
\u00a0
evangelist\/editor:\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm\/<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> (This link is for the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but <\/strong><\/strong>with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"