{"id":2848,"date":"2024-09-29T13:14:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-29T17:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/?p=2848"},"modified":"2024-11-20T14:59:30","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T19:59:30","slug":"the-gospel-observer-477","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/2024\/09\/29\/the-gospel-observer-477\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gospel Observer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>&#8220;Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations&#8230;teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age&#8221; (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).<br>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1) &#8220;The Proper Order&#8221; or &#8220;The Prescribed Way&#8221; (Bryan Gibson)<br>2) The &#8220;Sons of God&#8221; in Genesis 6 (Joe R. Price)<br>3) Walk Carefully (Gene Samford)<br>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1chron15-13-bsb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2849\" style=\"width:571px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1chron15-13-bsb.jpg 670w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1chron15-13-bsb-296x300.jpg 296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;The Proper Order&#8221; or &#8220;The Prescribed Way&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bryan Gibson<br><br>David wanted to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, something his fellow-Israelites agreed was the right thing to do (1 Chronicles 13:1-4). And so they went to Kirjath Jearim, where the ark had been for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:2), and began transporting it to Jerusalem. During this trip, \u201cDavid and all Israel played music before God with all their might\u201d (1 Chronicles 13:8). So far, so good.<br><br>It wasn\u2019t long, though, before they ran into serious trouble. \u201cAnd when they came to Chidon&#8217;s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God\u201d (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). The law of Moses was clear\u2014no one could \u201ctouch any holy things, lest they die\u201d (Numbers 4:15). Turns out, Uzzah\u2019s error was not the only error they made. They put the wrong people in charge of transporting the ark, and they were transporting it the wrong way. The Levites were supposed to carry it on their shoulders (instead of a cart), using poles inserted through rings on the sides of the ark (Exodus 25:12-15; Numbers 4:1-15; 1 Chronicles 15:15). Their failure is summarized in 1 Chronicles 15:13: \u201cThe LORD our God broke out against us, because<strong> we did not consult Him about the proper order<\/strong>.\u201d The NIV says, \u201c<strong>We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way<\/strong>.\u201d They should have gone to the law to find out exactly how they were supposed to do it.<br><br>The lesson in this story is crystal clear. God desires we do things His way, that we consult Him about the \u201cproper order,\u201d or \u201cprescribed way.\u201d <em>Claiming<\/em> something is done \u201cin His name,\u201d or, \u201cto His glory,\u201d doesn\u2019t make it so. God is a stickler for doing things according to His will (Matthew 7:21-23; 12:50).<br><br>For example, on the question, \u201cWhat must I do to be saved?\u201d look to God, to the New Testament, for the \u201cproper order,\u201d or \u201cprescribed way.\u201d The full answer won\u2019t be found in one \u201csilver bullet\u201d passage. John 3:16 is a wonderful passage, but it doesn\u2019t give all the details. Consider everything God says on the subject; that\u2019s the only way to find His answer.<br><br>On the worship, work, and organization of the local church, same principle. Please don\u2019t make the mistake of saying, \u201cthere is no prescribed way.\u201d The New Testament provides a clear pattern for each one of these. The Israelites learned their lesson. They eventually did move the ark back to Jerusalem, and this time did it God\u2019s way (1 Chronicles 15:14-16:1). Here\u2019s hoping we learn the same lesson\u2014before it\u2019s too late!<br><br>&#8212; Via <em>Plain Words from God&#8217;s Word<\/em>, September 6, 2024<br><br>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"781\" height=\"781\" src=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2850\" style=\"width:503px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb.jpg 781w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/gen5-2-bsb-676x676.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The &#8220;Sons of God&#8221; in Genesis 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Joe R. Price<br><br>Who were the \u201csons of God,\u201d taking as their wives the \u201cdaughters of men\u201d in Genesis 6:1-8? What can we possibly learn from this Bible text?<br><br>The context of Genesis 6 leads us to the conclusion that the \u201csons of God\u201d mentioned in Genesis 6:2 were the descendants of Seth, the son of Adam (Gen. 4:25).<br><br>In Genesis 4 we are introduced to two families: (1) Cain and his descendants, and (2) Seth and his descendants. Cain\u2019s descendants followed the pattern set by their father Cain and continued to live farther and farther away from God (Gen. 4:16-24). In contrast, Seth and his family \u201cbegan to call on the name of the Lord\u201d (Gen. 4:26). Genesis 5 records this family tree all the way to Noah (Gen. 5:32).<br><br>Genesis 6:1-8 tells us how the world became so wicked and vile that God determined to destroy sinful man (which He did with the flood). This occurred because those whose ancestors had previously \u201ccalled upon the name of the Lord\u201d began to compromise and cohabit with the \u201cdaughters of men\u201d (that is, the men and their families who did not call upon the name of the Lord). They abandoned their spiritual heritage and \u201ctook wives for themselves of all whom they chose\u201d (Gen. 6:2). When men began to be driven by their own lustful desires rather than the word and will of God they were influenced by the evil they grew to love. The result was a world full of violent attackers, robbers and tyrants (Gen. 6:4 says \u201cgiants\u201d which is translated from a word which means \u201cto fall upon\u201d or attack) rather than one filled with people who \u201ccalled upon the name of the Lord.\u201d These men made a name for themselves among other men, but not in eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:4). It was Noah, a just man who walked with God who caught God\u2019s attention and obtained God\u2019s favor (Gen. 6:8-9).<br><br>The divine reaction to the wickedness of men was one of grief, sorry and ultimately judgment (Gen. 6:3, 5-7). He determined to destroy the earth and accomplished their punishment with the great flood (Gen. 6:13, 17; 7:1ff).<br><br>There is no compelling reason from the immediate context or the rest of the Bible to convince us that the \u201csons of God\u201d in Genesis 6:2 were heavenly creatures instead of human beings. Such is the stuff of human fancy and fiction. There is no basis for this view in the inspired text. The \u201cangels who sinned\u201d in 2 Peter 2:4 cannot be the \u201csons of God\u201d of Genesis 6:2 because those angels were \u201ccast down to hell and delivered into chains (pits, ASV) of darkness.\u201d They were not sent to the earth (see also, Jude 6).<br><br>So, the \u201csons of God\u201d in Genesis 6:2 were men who did not remain holy and separated from the sin that was around them. Instead, they married women who influenced them to forsake righteous living. The result was mankind\u2019s ruin and destruction.<br><br>There are clear lessons for us to learn from this sad period in human history:<br><br>1) \u201cBe not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals\u201d (1 Cor. 15:33).<br><br>2) The person one chooses to marry will influence him or her for good or evil, so wisely choose a mate who will help you live in God\u2019s favor (Prov. 18:22; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).<br><br>3) God expects us to live holy lives, separated from sin: \u201c\u2026as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, \u2018Be holy, for I am holy\u2019\u201d (1 Pet. 1:15-16).<br><br>4) God will punish sin, so we must be careful to live in truth and holiness (Rom. 1:18; 2:1-11).<br><br>\u2014 Via <em>The Spirit\u2019s Sword<\/em>, Volume IV: Number 50, Feb. 18, 2001<br><br>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"871\" height=\"871\" src=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2851\" style=\"width:477px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb.jpg 871w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/eph5-15b-bsb-676x676.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 871px) 100vw, 871px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walk Carefully<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gene Samford<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Psalm 1:1<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>1. Blessed is the man<br>Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,<br>Nor stands in the path of sinners,<br>Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;<\/em><br><br>The temptation is always there to compromise what we know to be God\u2019s will \u2014 and one of the most effective inducements offered by the devil is, \u201cEverybody else is doing it.\u201d Overcoming this temptation is not as difficult as some might imagine, though. All it takes is \u201cwalking carefully\u201d \u2014 watching where we \u201cput our steps.\u201d In other words, being certain we keep to the \u201cstraight and narrow path\u201d which leads to Heaven.<br><br>Easily said, but how do we do this? By making God\u2019s word a familiar part of our lives. As we study and meditate on it, it becomes our whole direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Psalm 1:2<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em> 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,<br>And in His law he meditates day and night.<\/em><br><br>&#8212; via <em>Viewpoint<\/em> from the Valley Grove church of Christ, December 4, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1) Hear&nbsp;<\/strong>the gospel &#8212; for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).<strong><br>&nbsp;<br>2) Believe&nbsp;<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).<strong><br><br>3) Repent&nbsp;<\/strong>of sins.&nbsp; 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).&nbsp; 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) &#8212; and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).<strong><br><br>4) Confess faith&nbsp;<\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).<strong><br><br>5) Be baptized&nbsp;<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).&nbsp; This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).&nbsp; 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<br><strong><br>6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by<strong> <\/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).<br>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tebeau Street<br><strong>CHURCH OF CHRIST<\/strong><br>1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA&nbsp; 31501<br><br><strong>Sunday: 9 a.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes and <strong>10 a.m.<\/strong> Worship Service.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp; Congregational Song Service: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.<\/strong><br><br><strong>Wednesday:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Bible Classes<br><br><strong>evangelist\/editor:<\/strong> Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917<br>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm\">https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations&#8230;teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age&#8221; (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211; 1) &#8220;The Proper Order&#8221; or &#8220;The Prescribed Way&#8221; (Bryan Gibson)2) The &#8220;Sons of God&#8221; in Genesis 6 (Joe R. Price)3) Walk [&hellip;]<\/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-2848","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\/2848","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=2848"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2853,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2848\/revisions\/2853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}