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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salvation Belongs to the Lord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Colby Junkin -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, \u2018Give place to this man,\u2019 and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.\u00a0 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, \u2018Friend, go up higher.\u2019 Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.\u00a0 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted\u201d<\/strong> (Luke 14:8-11). Luke 14:1 tells us that Jesus had come to the house of one of the chief Pharisees on the Sabbath day to eat.\u00a0 The same verse says they watched Him while He was there.\u00a0 It seems they were trying to find some fault with Jesus so they could criticize Him, hurting Him in the people\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 We read further that there was a man present with dropsy.\u00a0 So Jesus asked the lawyers and the Pharisees, \u201cIs it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 He then healed the man and defended what He did. It is well-known that the ancients in Greek and Roman times ate their meals in reclining positions on low couches drawn up against low tables. Ordinarily, the tables were U-shaped, which allowed the servants to serve food about the table with ease. At the head of the table was placed the honored guests . . . On his right and left were placed the next most honored guests, and the others were seated around the table in descending order of importance (Page 95).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Further, we learn that the hosts did not always announce the exact time of the meal, so the Pharisees would arrive at various times and try to time their arrival to make a grand entrance and receive the chief seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus had watched the pompous people vie for position at the feast.\u00a0 Because of their pride and arrogance, they would thrust themselves to the forefront by seeking to occupy the chief seats.\u00a0 Seeing this, Jesus instructed them on how to act appropriately.\u00a0 He said they were not to immediately sit at the most important place when invited to a wedding feast.\u00a0 Following this course of action might cause embarrassment as the host could ask them to move and go to a lower position when a guest with more honor arrives.\u00a0 The proper response would be for the individual invited to the feast to take the lowest seat.\u00a0 If the host chose to do so, he could ask him to move to a higher position. Jesus presented His main point in verse 11 when he said, \u201cFor whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.\u201d\u00a0<\/em> Today, this same principle is true.\u00a0 From time to time, we see religious people praising others for their humility.\u00a0 Even many non-religious people recognize the value of humility and its desirability over pride and arrogance.\u00a0 In that sense, those who are humble are often exalted.\u00a0 Another explanation, perhaps the primary way Jesus had in mind, would be from a spiritual standpoint.\u00a0 God views those humble here on earth positively and will ultimately exalt them.\u00a0 They will eventually receive eternal salvation, and thus God will exalt them. 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “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) Salvation Belongs to God (Colby Junkin)2) The Parable of the Best Seats (Mike Johnson) ——————– -1- Salvation Belongs to […]<\/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-3401","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\/3401","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=3401"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3405,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3401\/revisions\/3405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The beauty of the Psalms is conveyed in a variety of ways. The use of Hebrew poetry and its various parallelisms give depth to even the shortest of the Psalms. The imagery and figures that are contained throughout the Psalms paint a picture of salvation, love, security, and great sadness for sin. The Psalms offer to us much more than simple memorization of certain verses, but rather in their application we find the pathway to a stronger and more reliable spiritual life with God. Our knowledge of the Psalms will indeed make us into better Christians suited against the battles of this life.
The Psalmist David wrote many of his psalms in the midst of tremendous trials throughout his life. David wrote one of the greatest individual laments, when he was confronted with the sin he had committed with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). When a person reads Psalms 51, he is moved by David\u2019s devotion to make things right with his God. David serves as a beacon of light in his attitude toward sin and its consequences. David also serves as a tremendous influence for those enduring the trials of this life. One such example is found in the Psalms 3. David had been driven from Jerusalem by his son, Absalom, and in the midst of those dark days, David called out to his God for deliverance and security.
The Psalm begins with describing the historical rise of David\u2019s adversaries\u2014\u201cO Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me\u201d (Psalms 3:1). Absalom had taken counsel from Hushai concerning the pursuit of David. He instructed Absalom to assemble all the men of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, to march against David and his mighty men (2 Samuel 17:8-12). The number of Israel\u2019s men was said to have been \u201cas the sand that is by the sea in abundance\u201d (2 Samuel 17:12). When David is informed of this coming battle, he goes to his Father in prayer.
David\u2019s faith in the deliverance of God was unwavering. While men were proclaiming, \u201cthere is no deliverance for him in God\u201d (Psalms 3:2), David trusted in God! David did not allow the appearance of these adversaries to distract him from faithfully trusting in God. David wrote, \u201cI was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain\u201d (Psalms 3:4). The Lord heard the cries of His righteous one and immediately went to action on David\u2019s behalf. The calm that must have rushed over David\u2019s heart, when he knew God was on his side, is directly upheld by David\u2019s restful night of sleep\u2014\u201cI lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me\u201d (Psalms 3:5).
When the day of the battle arrived David\u2019s mighty men were victorious over Absalom\u2019s army (2 Samuel 18:7-8). David\u2019s trust in the Lord\u2019s deliverance was once again proven absolute. As David cried out, \u201cArise, O Lord; save me, O my God!\u201d (Psalms 3:7a). The Lord heard David\u2019s cry and delivered him. In conclusion, David wrote, \u201cSalvation belongs to the Lord, Your blessing be upon Your people!\u201d (Psalms 3:8).
The example of David contained in this psalm should motivate us to a deeper trust in God\u2019s deliverance. While we may struggle to understand the complexities of our trials and the pain that we must endure at times. May these never distract us from manifesting our total trust in God\u2019s ability to deliver us from the greatest of harms. David\u2019s enemies arose on every side, but this did not deter his devotion to his God. May God bless our efforts to imitate David and his trust in God throughout our lives!
— Via the Weekly Bulletin <\/em>of the Prattmont church of Christ, June 23, 2024
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Parable of the Best Seats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jesus taught on many subjects during the time He lived on earth.\u00a0 One topic, which He spoke on a great deal, was humility.\u00a0 The proud and arrogant Pharisees of His day needed teaching on this subject, and He addresses this issue in the parable above.\u00a0 The principles taught here are also desperately needed in our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Occasion\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Verse seven says,\u201cSo He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places . . .\u201d\u00a0<\/em> To begin with, Jesus does refer to Luke 14:8-11 as a parable.\u00a0 It is different (in form) from some of the other parables, but Jesus does refer to it as that.\u00a0 Also, we see that the parable came about when Jesus noticed how the people at the feast \u201cchose the best places.\u201d\u00a0 The NASB renders it, \u201cWhen He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the tables . . .\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Neil R Lightfoot, in his book Lessons from the Parables,<\/em> points out some facts about the ancient practices.\u00a0 He said:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
The Parable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When the host asked the guest to advance, those present would look at him favorably.\u00a0 Therefore, it would be better to start low and then be asked to go higher than to start high and be asked to go lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\nApplication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Bible warns us that we must be humble.\u00a0 Ephesians 4:2 informs us we are to walk with all lowliness and gentleness.\u00a0 1 Peter 5:5 reveals that we are to \u201cbe clothed with humility, for \u2018God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/em> In Matthew 18:3, Jesus taught where true greatness lay when He revealed, \u201cTherefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/em>
Jesus frequently taught the necessity of humility.\u00a0 He was humble himself, and He expects us to follow His steps.
— Via Seeking Things Above<\/em>
——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0
2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of 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\u00a0<\/strong>in 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 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).
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday:<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes\u00a0
\u00a0
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
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.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"