____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "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). ____________________________________________________ October 15, 2000 ____________________________________________________ All of This and Still Lost by Kenneth E. Thomas If it was not so tragic, it would actually be amusing to hear what many people believe will suffice for one to be acceptable to God Almighty. Have you noticed, as I have, that when one dies and a Protestant, a Roman Catholic, or a Jewish Rabbi gives the funeral oration, he is affirmed to be heaven-bound, as the speaker attempts to comfort the bereaved? None seemingly are lost, regardless of their moral or spiritual beliefs, activities, or failures in life! Yet Jesus said in Matt. 7:13-14, few will enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way leading to life! I have actually had people say to me, ``I know he is all right, for just before he died he had such a pleasant look on his face.'' Others will grasp for straws if they can remember that sometime in the distant past, the deceased claimed belief in Jesus Christ. Regardless of one's lifestyle prior to his death, and regardless of his spiritual relationship with Christ, he is, as we usually say, ``preached right into heaven.'' (See Ephesians 2:13-17.) Other speakers will extol the virtues of the deceased, tell all of the good things they can muster about them as ``proof'' that ``surely heaven has claimed another saint!'' These same folks will condemn my brethren and me who teach the need to ``obey the gospel and walk in the light of divinely revealed truth in order to be, and to remain, in fellowship with the God-head,'' falsely accuse us of teaching ``salvation by works of human merit!'' However, the Bible reads differently in passages like 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Titus 3:3-5; Hebrews 5:8-9; 1 John 1:1-9; Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 3:26-29. A List Of Things That One May Do And Still Be Lost 1) One may hear the gospel and yet remain lost! The folks at Antioch of Pisidia heard Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel of Christ, yet they contradicted and blasphemed this ``wonderful story of love''; and according to Paul, ``judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life...'' (Acts 13:44-46). Felix falls into the same category as those of Antioch of Pisidia, but he too, declined the invitation to obey Christ. Paul preached to Felix about ``righteousness, temperance (self control), and judgment to come,'' causing him to tremble at those words--yet he did not submit to the Lord. He said he would call for Paul at a more convenient time (Acts 24:24-25). As far as we know, that convenient time never arrived. Don't be like Felix! Paul said it was ``not the hearers of the law who would be justified before God, but the doers'' (Romans 2:13). So did Jesus, the Christ (Matthew 7:21). James said much the same thing in James 1:21-25. The parable of the sower teaches this same lesson: Matthew 13:13-15. Jesus then explains the parable of the sower and the soils in Matthew 13:18-23. Where do you fall in these categories of hearers of the word of the Lord? 2) Men may believe and still remain lost: John 1:11-12. ``Many of the chief rulers of the Jews believed on Jesus,'' we are told in John 12:42-43, ``but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praises of men more than the praise of God.'' James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote James 2:14-26. Here he shows that faith apart from works (obedience) is like a body without the spirit; it is dead. A dead faith never saved anyone. It takes a living and active faith. Galatians 5:6 says it is ``a faith working by love.'' (See also John 14:15, 21.) There are probably no classical unbelievers in this audience of readers, but there may well be some unsaved believers. What about you, my friend, or even my unfaithful brother? 3) One may be almost persuaded and still be lost! Paul gives his own story of his conversion to Christ in Acts 26:1-29, before king Agrippa. In the body of this chapter, Luke records Paul as saying to Agrippa, ``do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.'' To which Agrippa replied, ``Paul, almost you persuade me to be a Christian.'' Paul said that he wished to God that ``not only you, but also all those who hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am except for these chains'' (Acts 26:26-29). Even though he believed the prophecies concerning the Christ, and was almost persuaded to become a Christian by Paul's sermon, he didn't and he wasn't! How sad! 4) Many who are very religious are, and will remain, lost: Matthew 15:1-9; 23:1-15. Following is what Paul said of many of his kinsmen in the flesh: ``Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness [that is, how God makes men righteous through forgiveness on the terms of the gospel], and going about to establish their own righteousness [by works of the law of Moses], have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God'' (Romans 10:1-4). I suggest that this characterizes many religious folks of our day as well, and what a sad day when they will stand before Christ and hear Him say, ``I never knew you, depart from me you who work lawlessness'' (Matthew 7:21-23). Cornelius was a good, moral, religious, praying, benevolent man with a great reputation, who had to send to Joppa for one whose name was Simon, who would ``tell thee words whereby you and your house may be saved'' (Acts 10:1-6; Acts 11:14; Acts 10:47-48). To get the whole story one must read both chapters ten and eleven in their entirety. Saul of Tarsus, whom we mentioned earlier, was a believer who repented, confessed Jesus as Lord, fasted and prayed, and was yet lost until he was told in the city what he must do. There in Damascus he was told what is recorded in Acts 22:16. He later wrote the books of Romans and Galatians, in which the following may be found: Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26-20. Here, in two places, he indicated that one isn't ``in Christ,'' where all spiritual blessings reside (Ephesians 1:3), until one has been baptized ``into Christ''; and there one is a ``new creation'' (2 Corinthians 5:17). There one is ``born again'' into the kingdom of Christ (John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:22-23). 5) One had even been an apostle and was lost! Judas was once unusually close to the Lord and yet ended up in torment, according to the scriptures. He is called the ``son of perdition'' who went to his own place. Once he served as the treasurer for the apostles and was numbered with the eleven, having a part in this ministry (Acts 1:16-20). The ``once saved always saved'' doctrine was invented by Satan in the Garden of Eden, when he told mother Eve, ``you will not surely die.'' He has been deceiving folks with this idea ever since. (See 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13; Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Matthew 26:24.) Many other passages could be cited but these should suffice. We must ``deny self'' and take up our cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24). 6) Initial obedience isn't sufficient: we must remain prepared for the Lord's return. The ``five foolish virgins'' is a case in point (Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 2:10; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:14-19). The prodigal son is yet another case: Luke 25:11-14. See the case of Simon as well (Acts 8:13-14, 22). Yes, one may have done many wonderful things and still be lost (Matthew 7:13-28). Where do you stand with the Lord? Enter that strait gate and walk that narrow way which leads to life eternal. -- Via The Gospel Anchor, January 1999 ___________________________________________ Worship or Entertainment? by Paul Smithson It seems that many people today have lost sight of what worship is all about. Many assemble in the name of the Lord to be entertained by everything from rock music to circus animals and side shows. What is the purpose of the church's assembly? Is it to offer up worship directed toward God or to provide entertainment directed toward the people? The word ``worship'' in our Bible is translated from terms that literally mean, ``to kiss the hand in token of reverence, to bow down before, or humbly beseech.'' When Christians come together in their assembly it should be to worship God. Jesus declared, ``True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth'' (Jn. 4:23-24). This statement tells us there are two things involved in properly worshiping God. First, our worship must be ``in spirit,'' i.e. our worship must be offered sincerely from the heart. This is not, however, the only requirement of acceptable worship. Jesus also stated that our worship must be ``in truth,'' i.e. as the truth directs. In His word, God not only tells us to worship, but gives us divine directions as to how we must worship Him. In reading the New Testament we find five acts of worship in which the first century Christians involved themselves. They came together to study and hear God's word proclaimed, to pray, and to sing. When meeting on the first day of the week they also partook of the Lord's Supper and give of their means (cf. Ac. 2:42; 20:7; Eph. 5:19; 1Cor. 11:23-29; 16:2). All these acts of worship are spiritual in nature. However, many today have left this pattern and have turned the Lord's church into something more social than spiritual. Instead of assembling to worship God in the way God directs, the emphasis is on entertaining the audience. Jesus taught that it is possible to worship Him in an unacceptable manner. ``In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men'' (Mt. 15:9). To worship God in an acceptable manner our worship must be in ``spirit and truth''--with the proper attitude and as the truth of God directs. The church of Jesus Christ and the purpose of its assemblies is spiritual in nature and not social. Jesus' statement before Pilate plainly shows the nature of His kingdom. He said His ``kingdom is not of this world'' and that He came into the world ``to bear witness of the truth'' (Jn. 18:36-37). The purpose and work of the redeemed individuals that make up Christ's kingdom is spiritual in nature. The ``house of God, which is the church of the living God'' is ``the pillar and ground of the truth'' (1Tim. 3:15). Jesus came to bear witness of the truth, a mission neither social or recreational. His church is the pillar and ground of that same truth. Thus, the church's purpose is also one that is spiritual. The church is made up of individuals whose birth is spiritual (Jn. 3:2-7), their walk in life is one that is spiritual (Gal. 5:16-17), their worship is spiritual (Jn. 4:24), and they are involved in a spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:12-13). One should certainly conclude that the work and worship of the church is spiritual! Yet many churches are involved in and offer every kind of social and materially centered program and activity one could imagine. The reasoning of many for offering such things in the name of the Lord is, ``We must offer these things if we are going to reach the people in our fast pace society--especially our young people.'' But such reasoning simply shows a lack of faith in the power of the word of God and the affect it can have on people of all ages if proclaimed in its purity. ``For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...'' (Rom. 1:16). Concerts, plays, shows, and other forms of entertainment can be enjoyable and have a place in life, but their place is not in the work and worship of the Lord's church; for its nature is spiritual and not social. In the picture John gives us of the Lord being worshipped in Revelation 5 we see that worship has nothing to do with the entertainment of the worshipers except for their joy of serving and adoring their Lord. ``And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, 'Amen.' And the elders fell down and worshiped'' (Rev. 5:13-14). Let us not confuse worshiping God with entertaining ourselves. -- Via Examining the Scriptures ___________________________________________ News & Notes Upcoming Gospel Meetings (as listed in the Susquehanna Sentinel): * Oct. 15-20, Wildercroft, Riverdale, MD, Sewell Hall * Oct. 20-22, Piscataway, NJ, Gardner Hall * Oct. 26-29, Exton, PA, Lectures (Various) * Nov. 13-17, Annandale, VA, Lectures (Various) * Nov. 24-26, Susquehanna, Marietta, PA, Caleb Hart * Dec. 1-3, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Charles Spense Greetings to all of our visitors this day! We are glad to have you--and hope to see you again soon. Free Bible courses are available upon request. If you would like to receive this bulletin in an e-mail format, just let us know. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________