1) God’s Noblemen (Chuck Durham)
2) \u201cMore Love To Thee, O Christ\u201d (Richie Thetford)
3) News & Notes
\u00a0——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/acts17_11c.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God’s Noblemen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chuck Durham The text says the Bereans were \u201cnoble-minded\u201d <\/strong>because they received the word with \u201cgreat eagerness\u201d<\/strong> (NIV) or, \u201cwith all readiness\u201d<\/strong> (NKJV). The word means \u201cwilling, ready, with alacrity.\u201d They were hungry for the word. They devoured it readily and sought it earnestly. Why? Because they were hungry; and hunger depends on how \u201cfull\u201d or \u201cempty\u201d one is. The haughtiness of the Pharisees declared, \u201cHave any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?\u201d <\/strong>Their minds were made up, but Nicodemus wisely reminded them, \u201cDoes our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?\u201d <\/strong>(John 7:45-52). We need the spirit of Apollos, who was willing to heed the teaching of Aquila and Priscilla, and thereby changed, bringing himself in line with the truth he heard. And the Jewish believers who heard Peter\u2019s explanation for why he entered Cornelius\u2019s house and taught the gospel to Gentiles, became silent, and glorified God for the \u201ccomplete\u201d<\/strong> truth they came to believe (Acts 11:18). This is the essence of \u201cnoble-minded\u201d<\/strong> in God\u2019s eyes! -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Richie Thetford Folks to continue praying for: 1) Hear<\/strong> the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street evangelist\/editor: <\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917 “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) God’s Noblemen (Chuck Durham)2) \u201cMore Love To Thee, O Christ\u201d (Richie Thetford)3) News & Notes\u00a0——————– -1- God’s Noblemen Chuck […]<\/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-1948","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\/1948","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=1948"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2017,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948\/revisions\/2017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Greek word eugen\u0113s<\/em> is translated by the English word \u201cnoble.\u201d It is a compound word combining the terms \u201cwell\u201d(eu-<\/em>)and \u201cborn\u201d (-gen\u0113s<\/em> from ginomai;<\/em> Eng. words \u201cgenesis,\u201d \u201cgenerate,\u201d \u201cgenetics,\u201d etc.). From Homer onwards it was used of \u201cnoblemen, those of noble descent. . . blue-bloods,<\/em> high-born society\u201d as we say. Jesus\u2019s parable in Luke 19:12 begins with this word: \u201cA certain nobleman<\/strong> (eugen\u0113s<\/em>) went into a far country.\u201d<\/strong>
Luke uses it in a curious way in Acts 17:11 to describe the people in Berea in their attitude toward God and the things preached by the Apostle Paul. \u201cNow the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true\u201d<\/strong> (NIV). Noblemen are so noted because of their ancestry, wealth, power, etc. God, however, says the truly \u201chigh-born\u201d ones are of a decidedly different character than the world venerates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Makes One \u201cNoble -Minded\u201d?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In the recent movie, Avatar,<\/em> the spiritual leader of the native people responds to Jake Sully\u2019s request to be taught their ways: \u201cWe have tried to teach the sky-people our ways with no success. It\u2019s hard to fill a cup that\u2019s already full.\u201d If we will come to God to be taught by Him, then we must come with an empty vessel, needing spiritual food to fill it! We must \u201chunger and thirst for righteousness\u201d <\/strong>(Matt. 5:6). We must come in humility, knowing we are spiritually bankrupt. We must come with broken spirits and torn hearts (Matt. 5:3).
How poor is \u201cpoor in spirit\u201d<\/strong> (Matt. 5:3)? The root word means \u201cto crouch, to cringe.\u201d This is not \u201cpoor, but I\u2019m able to get by.\u201d No, this is the grinding poverty of Lazarus in Luke 16 who waits outside the rich man\u2019s gate to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table. It is one who knows he is bereft of any redeeming qualities; having made such a mess of life by his addiction to sin that he can only be cured through the gracious intervention of God!
The NCV says the Bereans were \u201cwilling to listen.\u201d <\/strong>The HCSB translates eugen\u0113s <\/em>as \u201copen-minded.\u201d <\/strong>The danger with all of us is that we already have our minds made up. I\u2019m not saying we have no convictions that some things are beyond any doubt. I am saying we must keep an open mind to search what is being said against the Scriptures. Maybe, just maybe, what we have always held so dear isn\u2019t so! Are we willing to at least give an open-minded look at the teaching that goes against what we have always believed? Are we infallible? Have we ever changed our minds on any subject before?<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Haughtiness of the Pharisees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The text says the Bereans tested what Paul was preaching by searching the Scriptures to find out if it was so. This is the cautious mind that must be possessed alongside the open mind (we can be so open-minded that our brains fall out!). We must measure the words spoken to us by the standard of the written word. Jesus constantly admonished His hearers by the question, \u201cHave you not read?\u201d <\/strong>(Matt. 12:3, 5). He was saying to his audience, \u201cLook at the standard; understand what it says; and measure what you believe and practice against it.\u201d
Some will never care to measure anything they do or believe by the Scriptures. For such, there is no hope. Others will use false standards of measurement: \u201cI can\u2019t go against my family\u201d; \u201cWhat does my preacher think, or my church teach?\u201d To such souls, the writings of God take second-place as \u201cThey loved the praise of men more than the praise of God\u201d <\/strong>(John 12:43). Only a few are noblemen<\/em> in God\u2019s eyes\u2014those who seek His word with zeal; who receive it with eagerness; and measure all by \u201cIt is written\u201d<\/strong> (Matt. 4:4, et al.).
\u2014 Via Faithful Sayings, <\/em>Volume 24, Issue 9, February 27, 2022
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/john13_34f.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cMore Love To Thee, O Christ\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In 2 Corinthians 5:14, the inspired apostle Paul wrote, \u201cFor the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.\u201d In 1856 Elizabeth Prentiss wrote the words \u201cMore Love to Thee, O Christ\u201d during a period of illness, but kept them to herself. When she showed them to her husband 13 years later, he encouraged her to publish them. Howard Doane saw the resulting pamphlet, and wrote music for the words which has become a song that we sing in the church today.
What stands out to me are the words \u201cmore love\u201d in the song title. There are various areas in which we should exhibit more love as we live our lives in service to God every day. Let\u2019s look at several ways in which we should show more love: We should have more love for God as we grow as a child of His daily. Loving God fully and completely! \u201cJesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND\u2019\u201d (Matthew 22:37). Jesus goes on to say, \u201cAnd the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF\u2019\u201d (Matthew 22:39). What a wonderful world this would be if everyone would love their neighbor as yourself. We need to have more love for the truth, understanding that the \u201ctruth\u201d given to us by God must be followed. \u201c[B]ut, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head\u2014Christ\u2014\u201d (Ephesians 4:15).
Jesus taught His disciples how they were to love their fellow man. Jesus commands, shows by example, and then His disciples show what love is by their love for others. \u201cA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another\u201d (John 13:34-35). In addition, we need to show more love for Jesus our Lord and for His appearing. \u201cBlessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him\u201d (James 1:12). \u201cFinally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing\u201d (2 Timothy 4:8).
We are made in the very image of God, and He instructs us how we should live and show our love for Him and others. May God help all of us have much more love in all aspects of our life. Elizabeth Prentiss penned a beautiful song \u201cMore Love to Thee, O Christ!\u201d When I sing that song I am reminded that Christ gave His all for me and as a result I should be willing to give more love to Him. May God continue to bless us as we strive to do all we can to be pleasing to Him every day!
— Via Search For Truth,<\/em> Volume XIV, Number 19, December 12, 2021
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n-3-
News & Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Since her surgery on Tuesday to install a metal rod between her hip and knee, Pat Joyner<\/strong> had been having a rough week; but now all the signs indicate she is in the healing process. So she might be transferred to a rehab today, if there is a room available. But at this time, she is not feeling up to visits or phone chats.
Let us also be keeping the following in prayer:
Rick Cuthbertson, Lois Fletcher, A.J. Joyner, Ronnie Davis, Tammy Griffey, Jim & Martha Lively, Deborah Medlock, Rex Hadley, Vivian Foster, Danielle Bartlett, Kayla Williams, <\/strong>and Kim Rowell.<\/strong>
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe<\/strong> in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong> in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong> in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \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).
——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
<\/strong>1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday: 9 a.m. <\/strong>Bible Class and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service. We also have a Song Service<\/strong> at 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>(This is a link to 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":"