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\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).
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Contents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) \u201cLet Another Man Praise You\u201d (R.J. Evans)
2) Born (Again) to Serve (John Thompson)
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-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
R.J. Evans<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger and not your own lips\u201d <\/em> (Proverbs 27:2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is it safe to say that most of us have difficulty from time to time in heeding and obeying the words of wisdom in our text? I\u2019m sure we have all been guilty of doing a little bragging and boasting at times. In fact, generally speaking, it appears that boasting has become an accepted practice in our present culture. Just think about politics or the social media, and you realize how common it has become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boaster is the individual who wants other people to think of him as a great doer of many things. He is the type individual who likes to talk about himself, and is not bashful about bragging about all his accomplishments. There is an old saying that is associated with this kind of person: \u201cIf you want to know how great he is (or members of his family), just ask him, and he will tell you.\u201d Then there are those who do not have to be asked; they constantly boast about themselves, whether others want to hear it or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We just mentioned that boasting has become a part of our present culture. We can also observe that this practice is addressed in God\u2019s word. In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul described the many evil characteristics of the Gentiles, one of which consisted of \u201cboasters\u201d (v. 30). In writing to Timothy, he stated, \u201cBut know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy\u201d (2 Tim. 3:1-2). These sins are running rampant today, and most certainly, boasting is no exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Apostle Paul did engage \u201cin a little folly\u201d \u2014 a type of foolish boasting in order to expose his opponents who were false apostles \u2014 taking advantage of the brethren at Corinth (2 Cor. 11). However, he had already established the fact that acceptable glorying or boasting is to be only in the Lord \u2014 \u201cHe who glories, let him glory in the Lord\u201d (2 Cor. 10:17). Likewise, he told the Galatians: \u201cBut God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world\u201d (Gal. 6:14).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many admonitions throughout God\u2019s word against being proud and boastful. Jesus taught that when we do our good deeds, don\u2019t \u201csound a trumpet\u201d but let it be in secret to the extent that \u2014 \u201cwhen you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing\u201d (Matt. 6:1-4). In other words, don\u2019t be telling others and bragging about what good deeds you have done. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teaches against self-righteous boasting and pride (Lk. 18:9-14). The Apostle Paul stated, \u201cFor by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast\u201d (Eph. 2:8-9). In planning for the future, James said \u201cyou ought to say, \u2018If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.\u2019 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil\u201d (Jas. 4:15-16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boasters are proud, which is totally against the humble spirit that should characterize the faithful child of God. James said, \u201cGod resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble\u201d (Jas. 4:6). The boaster is one who thinks he is better\/smarter\/more important than others. But the Scripture teaches that \u201cin lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others\u201d (Phil. 2:3-4). The boaster often makes others feel bad about themselves, and become discouraged over \u201cfalling so short\u201d of all the braggart\u2019s alleged accomplishments and abilities. But the Lord says, \u201cLet each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification\u201d (Rom. 15:2). And there are other problems associated with all the damage a boaster causes. Thus, boasting is an attempt to belittle others, while seeking to elevate self above everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been said that no one likes to be around a boaster \u2014 having to constantly hear him brag about himself. No doubt about it, that is so true! Who wants to hear and see actions of someone essentially saying: \u201cLook at me and see how great I am\u201d? Never let it be said or observed that the faithful child of God is a boaster. May we at all times heed the words of our title: \u201cLET ANOTHER MAN PRAISE YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 via the bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana, October 16, 2016 -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Thompson<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus entered Jerusalem about six days before He was to be crucified. One evening at supper with His apostles, he did an unusual thing. Ever the master teacher, he arose, removed his outer garments, tied a towel around his waist, put some water into a basin and began to wash the feet of his disciples. He had a reason for doing this most humbling act of servitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12<\/sup>\u201cWhen he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, \u2018Do you understand what I have done to you? 13<\/sup>You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14<\/sup>If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another\u2019s feet. 15<\/sup>For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16<\/sup>Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him\u2019\u201d (John 13:12-16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus not only humbled himself, taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), but he performed one of the more disgusting tasks of washing dirty, dust-encrusted feet. Furthermore, he washed the feet of those under his authority: the teacher washing the feet of his students. Finally, he washed the feet of his enemy, his betrayer, for Judas had not yet left to carry out his plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you remember the story of young Samuel, how he was leant to the Lord by his mother and reared by Eli? After some misunderstanding who was calling him, Samuel was finally advised by Eli to respond by saying, \u201cSpeak Lord, for your servant hears.\u201d Can you think of a better way to respond to the Lord? There is so much contained in that short response: a recognition of Deity; an attitude of servitude; and the willingness to learn and carry out the Lord\u2019s will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know, some of the godliest people who have ever lived were perfectly content to be servants of God. When Satan appeared before God, as reported in the book of Job, God expressed extraordinary confidence in His servant, Job: 8<\/sup>\u201cAnd the Lord said to Satan, \u2018Have you considered my servant Job, that there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?\u2019\u201d (Job 1:8). Paul, who played such an indispensable role in the establishment and spread of the church, was just as prone to refer to himself as a servant of God as he was to call himself an apostle: \u201cPaul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God\u201d (Romans 1:1). \u201cPaul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons\u201d (Philippians 1:1). See also Titus 1:1. James, Peter, and Jude also begin their inspired letters by identifying themselves as servants of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul makes it plain that being a servant of God means serving others. 5<\/sup>\u201cFor what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus\u2019 sake\u201d (2 Corinthians 4:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a time when entitlements are on everyone\u2019s minds and people are quick to demand to receive what they believe they deserve, servitude will not be very popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When one becomes a Christian, he or she is born again, born again to serve Christ through service to others. Serving others is, very simply, the means by which the Christian serves God. 34<\/sup>\u201cThen the King will say to those on his right, \u2018Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35<\/sup>For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36<\/sup>I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.\u2019 37<\/sup>Then the righteous will answer him, saying, \u2018Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38<\/sup>And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39<\/sup>And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?\u2019 40<\/sup>And the King will answer them, \u2018Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me\u2019\u201d (Matthew 25:34-40).<\/p>\n\n\n\n An article on servitude is appropriate at any time, but especially so at this time. Our brother, Garry Banks, was a servant of the Lord who did not hesitate to serve others. He is now at rest awaiting his final reward. I believe God could have said to Satan, \u201cHave you considered my servant, Garry Banks?\u201d And I believe Garry will hear, \u2018Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world\u2026. as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via University Heights Messenger,<\/em> August 14, 2016, Volume 8, Number 34 \u201cFor it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield\u201d (Psalm 5:12). 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 Contents: 1) \u201cLet Another Man Praise You\u201d (R.J. Evans)2) Born (Again) to Serve (John Thompson)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- \u201cLet Another Man Praise You\u201d […]<\/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-674","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\/674","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=674"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":676,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/674\/revisions\/676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nBorn (Again) to Serve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\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).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday <\/strong>services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: <\/strong>7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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 sermons)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"