2) Enlightened Eyes (Wayne Goff)
3) \u201cA Cappella\u201d (Greg Gwin)
4) Psalm 5:1-3 (NASB)
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Mat6_20\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2019\/02\/mat6_20.jpg?w=676\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Heavenly Mindset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dennis Stackhouse<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In writing the church at Colossae, Paul said this in Colossians 3:1: \u201cTherefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.\u201d We know the apostle is addressing baptized believers, as these people had been raised up with Christ, according to Colossians 2:12. With that in mind, all Christian people should recognize this teaching as an encouragement to not allow worldly matters to interfere with a proper mindset, a heavenly mindset. After all, Paul does instruct us to \u201ckeep seeking the things above.\u201d In other words, this is something the Christian never stops doing; it is a continual exercise, we are to keep seeking the things above as long we dwell in these earthly bodies. This is the case because that\u2019s where Christ is and we want to be where He is. Our goal should be that of reaching heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colossians 3:2 continues this thought: \u201cSet your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.\u201d If we can continually fill our minds with \u201cthe things above,\u201d such as God and Christ in their heavenly home, the heavenly preparations being made for Christians (John 14:2-3) and our expectation to imitate God and Christ (Ephesians 5:1; I Corinthians 11:1), then our lives will be more reflective of what God wants them to be. So it is entirely appropriate for Christian men and women to remove their focus from worldly things and concentrate their thoughts on heaven; in fact, the Scriptures strongly encourage us to do so. Let\u2019s consider a few more examples of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Matthew 6:19-21, our Lord said: \u201cDo not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.\u201d If worldly treasures have been replaced by heavenly treasures, the Christian truly is seeking the things above. Jesus plainly said that our heart will follow after our treasure, so if that treasure is in heaven, we have our priorities in order. Paul indicated that his desire was \u201cto depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better,\u201d in Philippians 1:23. Paul was undeniably focusing on the heavenly home. In Philippians 3:14 he also said: \u201cI press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.\u201d If this is not a focus on heaven, I\u2019m not sure what it is. Then in Philippians 3:20 we learn that the Christian\u2019s citizenship is in heaven. Doesn\u2019t it make sense to focus on the \u201ccountry\u201d where our citizenship is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The apostle wrote in II Timothy 4:8: \u201cIn the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.\u201d Could there be any better reason to embrace the heavenly mindset? If we really did make heaven our priority, perhaps the things of this world would not be so troublesome to us; perhaps we would eliminate a great deal of frustration and anxiousness. Make sure that heaven is your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Via article from the La Vista church of Christ -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wayne Goff<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul\u2019s prayer for the Ephesians in chapter one reads, \u201c\u2026that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened<\/strong>; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power\u2026\u201d <\/em> (vv. 17-19). Paul prayed that the Ephesians would have enlightened eyes<\/strong>. My prayer for all of us is that we would have enlightened eyes, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enlightened eyes see things that others do not see. In this text, God is giving us \u201cthe spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him\u201d <\/em>as the means <\/strong>of that enlightenment. Today God\u2019s revelation is fulfilled and complete, so that the Holy Spirit enlightens our eyes through the knowledge of the Scriptures. Additionally, wisdom <\/strong>may be prayed for so that this knowledge might be used properly. God gladly gives us wisdom when we desire it and ask for it (James 1:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you desire<\/strong> to have your \u201ceyes\u201d<\/em> of understanding enlightened? If you do, then you already know to read <\/strong>the Scriptures habitually, for therein is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Having read the Scriptures, you meditate<\/strong> on them day and night (Psalm 1:2). Having meditated on the Scriptures, you also learn to \u201crightly divide <\/strong>the word of truth\u201d <\/em>(2 Tim. 2:15). Finally, having done all of that, you make a personal application of them (2 Timothy 3:16-17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n More specifically, in our Ephesian text, Paul and God desire that your eyes may be enlightened so that you may know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. What is the hope of His calling. <\/strong>If you do not have the hope of eternal life, then you will not remain faithful throughout your lifetime. Satan is always striving to place doubt in your mind about going to heaven. God\u2019s Word removes that doubt and strengthens that conviction as part of the enlightening of the eyes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. <\/strong>Does Paul mean for us to comprehend what God gets<\/em> from 3. What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.<\/strong> We need to be reminded constantly that God is working in us both to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Our eternal security is absolute<\/strong> from God\u2019s standpoint. Nothing can prevent us from being saved, except ourselves! Read Romans 8:31-39 to appreciate this concept. Read also John 10:27-28 for another example of God\u2019s power to keep us saved. Yes, we must \u201chear\u201d <\/em>the Shepherd\u2019s voice and \u201cfollow\u201d<\/em> Him. Yes, we must \u201ctrust and obey\u201d<\/em> His will! But with God\u2019s help we can become more spiritually-minded, have a greater enlightenment of our spiritual eyes, and rest assured of the promised rest that is before us. The real question remains: \u201cHow much do you desire to have your spiritual vision enlightened?\u201d<\/strong> Enough to seek and find?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via the Roanridge Reader<\/em>, Volume 34, Issue 02, Page 02, January 13, 2019 -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greg Gwin<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u201ca cappella\u201d is defined by the dictionary as: \u201cmusic without instrumental accompaniment.\u201d It comes from a Latin word which literally means \u201cas in the church.\u201d Interestingly, the etymology (origin) of this word, proves that at the beginning of the church (and for many centuries thereafter), the music in worship was singing only, without instrumental accompaniment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via The Beacon<\/em>, January 13, 2019 \u201cGive ear to my words, O LORD, <\/em> 1) Hear<\/strong> the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1) The Heavenly Mindset (Dennis Stackhouse)2) Enlightened Eyes (Wayne Goff)3) \u201cA Cappella\u201d (Greg Gwin)4) Psalm 5:1-3 (NASB)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- The Heavenly […]<\/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-410","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\/410","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=410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":411,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions\/411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"eph3_4-5\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2019\/02\/eph3_4-5.jpg?w=676\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEnlightened Eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
His scheme of redemption? Or does Paul want us to comprehend the riches of our future glory<\/em>? I have always taught that God wants us to know and appreciate what He has gotten<\/em> out of the eternal plan of salvation. But we undoubtedly should strive to comprehend the greatness of our eternal reward as well! In order to do this, consider Revelation 20-21 as a starter. Meditate on the glories of heaven, and you will do more to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"eph5_19\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2019\/02\/eph5_19.jpg?w=676\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cA Cappella\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 5:1-3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Consider my groaning. <\/em>
Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, <\/em>
For to You I pray.\u00a0 <\/em>
In the morning, O LORD, <\/em>
You will hear my voice; <\/em>
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch\u201d <\/em>(NASB).
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe<\/strong> in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith<\/strong>, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday<\/strong> services:\u00a0<\/strong>9:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday:<\/strong>\u00a07 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor:<\/strong>\u00a0Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a> (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org\/<\/a>
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a> (audio sermon<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"