2) \u201cSo Great Salvation\u201d (Greg Gwin)
3) Where Do You Turn? (Shane Williams)
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![\"when](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/07\/when-we-disagree_doy-moyer.jpg?w=676\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When We Disagree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Doy Moyer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lord wants unity, but disagreements in discussions are also a fact of life. Sometimes discussions can fall apart pretty quickly, even before we really understand why. How should we react to this? How should we proceed in discussions when we are dealing with disagreements? Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Be generous. <\/strong>Assume the best first. Don\u2019t assign evil motives to other parties. They may have intended something else. Let the principles of love guide our discussions. Love \u201cbears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things\u201d (1 Cor 13:7). This is simply an extension of the \u201cgolden rule\u201d: \u201cIn everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you\u201d (Matt. 7:12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Be respectful.<\/strong> Don\u2019t begin a response by insulting and insinuating that the other parties are intellectually deficient. There should be no room for inflammatory comments. Just address the issue without resorting to ad hominem attacks. Kindness and respectfulness should mark all conversations. \u201cWhat is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar\u201d (Prov. 19:22; cf. Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:32).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Be Reasonable.<\/strong> It\u2019s possible that we misunderstood something. Be willing to discuss and foster good communication through definition and clarification. \u201cHe who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him\u201d (Prov. 18:13). In the same way, be logical. It is one matter to just state, \u201cI disagree,\u201d or to just state a contrary proposition. It is another matter to state the disagreement along with reasons. Learn how to make actual arguments (in the good sense). If we want others to consider our positions, we need to able to give the \u201cbecause\u201d for our positions. If we can\u2019t state the \u201cbecause,\u201d then we don\u2019t have adequate grounds for decent discussion and we are just pointlessly naysaying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Be open.<\/strong> It\u2019s possible that we are wrong ourselves and haven\u2019t thought something through as much as we should. Are we willing to change if we are shown to be in error? Consider the other position and make sure that we understand it before rejecting it outright. If we are still sure that we disagree, then proceed with the other principles in mind. Be a truth-seeker, and \u201cunderstanding will watch over you\u201d (Prov. 2:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Be honorable.<\/strong> One of the most frustrating parts of a disagreement is when the other party misrepresents what we believe. We all make honest mistakes in our reasoning and conclusions, but if we purposefully twist or distort something in order to win an argument, we have crossed over into dishonesty. This is never honorable or right. When representing what others believe, be fair and accurate. If we find that we have not been accurate in how we represent a position, then be willing to listen and gain further understanding. Never intentionally misrepresent just to win an argument. \u201cA trustworthy (i.e., honest) witness will not lie, but a false witness utters lies\u201d (Prov. 14:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Be direct.<\/strong> We may often be frustrated in discussion because we cannot pinpoint the real problem. Being generous and kind does not mean that we have to beat around the bush when we address the issue. State clearly the objection and the reasons for the disagreement. What is the real problem? The principle of being direct, whether in rebuke or disagreement, is part of wisdom: \u201cFaithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy\u201d (Prov. 27:6). We can be friendly, tactful, and kind while at the same time being straight-forward and addressing the real issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Be committed.<\/strong> First, be committed to the Lord and His truth. Then be committed to the well-being of others. Be committed to souls and seek salvation for all. Winning an argument is pointless just for its own sake and can be a form of self-glory. God calls us to a higher standard. \u201cThis is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth\u201d (1 Tim. 2:3-4). \u201cThe Lord\u2019s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will\u201d (2 Tim. 2:24-26).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can probably think of more. Reason and persuasion are a part of being disciples (cf. Paul in Acts 17:17; 18:4; 19:8- 9). Scripture gives us the principles by which we may proceed in discussions that are often bottlenecked by stubbornness and unreasonable posturing. We can do better. We can seek the Lord, seek truth, and seek for the greatest benefit for others. This must be intentional, bearing in mind the wisdom of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via Mind Your Faith<\/em> -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greg Gwin<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him\u201d (Hebrews 2:3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should think long and meditate often about the wonderful salvation that God has made available to us through His Son. Look at this text, and realize that we are the recipients of a:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGreat Salvation\u201d:<\/strong> It is great because our past sins have been forgiven; we enjoy a present relationship with God as our loving Father; and we have the hope of a beautiful future in eternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSpoken Salvation\u201d:<\/strong> Too many people in the religious world trust their subjective feelings concerning their eternal souls. They wouldn\u2019t do that if it involved their material possessions or their financial security, but they do it with their souls. It simply makes no sense. God does not ask us to trust our salvation to such uncertainty. Instead, he has given us His spoken word, whereby we can learn and understand the things essential to salvation (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Eph. 3:3-5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConfirmed Salvation\u201d:<\/strong> We can be sure that the salvation offered through Jesus Christ is legitimate. The message of salvation was confirmed by the men who knew Jesus, who saw Him, heard Him, worked with Him. They were eyewitnesses to His life, and their words and accounts assure us that these things are true. In fact, their willingness to die for His cause is one of the surest proofs of all. Furthermore, God also confirmed their testimony by way of the miracles they were empowered to do (see the previous verse, Heb. 2:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConditional Salvation\u201d:<\/strong> A key word in this great text is the word IF. It clearly teaches that our salvation is conditional upon meeting the requirements set forth in God\u2019s word. God offers us this wonderful gift. We show our willingness to accept it by doing His will. Salvation is for \u201call them that obey him\u201d (Heb. 5:8,9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via The Beacon, <\/em>May 24, 2016 -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shane Williams<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where you turn when you\u2019re in trouble reveals your character. What does it tell us about young kids whose trouble turns them toward gangs, guns or drugs? What do we learn about adults whose problems direct them toward alcohol, adultery or the weird teachings of a cult?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What about ourselves? Where do we turn when we have trouble in life? Do we look to the world or the Bible for wisdom? Where do we look for help when we are struggling with sin? We must turn to the Lord Jesus and to His Word. He is the only one who can help and certainly the only one who can offer us forgiveness. The answers of this world will never lead us to \u201creal\u201d help but only to destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Christians to whom Peter addressed were facing various trials (I Peter 1:6), slander and maligning (I Peter 3:15; 4:4), sufferings and reviling (I Peter 4:12-14). To whom should they turn? Not to the world or its ways, but rather to \u201cthe God of all grace\u201d (I Peter 5:10). We need to look back and remember that He called us, recognize His glory in Christ, and look ahead to see how God is equipping us through our difficulties. \u201cAnd after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you\u201d (I Peter 5:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trouble on the horizon? Put your confidence in God. He helped the early Christians who suffered through persecutions to overcome. He will help us through our troubles today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via The Lilbourn Light,<\/em> Vol. 10, No. 4, August, 2009 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31). \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) When We Disagree (Doy Moyer)2) \u201cSo Great Salvation\u201d (Greg Gwin)3) Where Do You Turn? (Shane Williams)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- When We […]<\/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-720","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\/720","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=720"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":721,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720\/revisions\/721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Rev19_1\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/07\/rev19_1.jpg?w=676\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cSo Great Salvation\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Zech1_3\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/07\/zech1_3.jpg?w=676\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere Do You Turn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Christ <\/strong>(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 <\/strong>(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21). \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
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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<\/strong>Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 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<\/a>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a> (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a> (audio sermons)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"