____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ September 9, 2001 ____________________________________________________ Times That Try Men's Souls by Tom Roberts Someone said, "These are the times that try men's souls." Naturally, we are inclined to think that our times are worse than any others that have ever been and while such isn't so, these times are our times so we are the ones who are being tried today. Without a doubt, souls are being tried and tested. Moral Trials Young people are experiencing tremendous temptations on every hand. Sex is pictured as being the most desired part of life and few are remaining virtuous. There is a constant stream of influence through TV shows that portray boys and girls, men and women living together, in bed together, having babies without wedlock, dancing, scantily dressed, and with few morals. The norm in our day is to view sex without the sanctity of marriage as acceptable. Movies also are an influence toward evil as every conceivable moral code is violated. Some movies have been advertised that portray incest, child abuse, sadism, homosexuality, adultery and every form of illicit sex. With this flood of propaganda flooding the nation, it is of little wonder that many young people are led to believe that any standard of morality and virtue is out of date and no longer any good. But "God is not mocked" (Galatians 6:7) and we should not be deceived by appearances. The decline of our nation can be directly attributed to such evil influences. Without morals, man is capable of any vice. Therefore, any immoral influence (such as these named) is a cancer that eats away at the moral fiber of a nation. The Family Our families are also being tested. Pressures are being put upon the family unit that are literally breaking it apart. Pressures from the market place (how much money can we make?), our busy schedules (with no time at home), the drive for recreation (even if it kills us!), and the generation gap (another phrase for selfishness), all attempt to destroy our homes. There is no more basic building block of civilization than the home. Destroy that and we have only the Lord and His church as the refuge of the soul. But watch it: when the home is weak, involvement in the Lord's church also suffers. When families get in trouble, they will stop attending services, forsake God and fall completely into the world. One of the danger signals which should alert elders to problems facing the church is the danger signals coming from families. We need to redouble our efforts to strengthen homes. The decline of our nation can be directly attributed to the decline of our homes. Women's lib and the associated evils have shaken our values for men and women, parents and children. Unless and until we return to the basic Bible teaching regarding God's will for happy families, we will have no peace. The Church The church is also being tried in our generation. No doubt, every generation has had its own testing, but this in no way alleviates our own problems. We have seen, in one short generation, a major division within the church with multitudes of minor splinters within these divisions. Liberalism has so devastated the Lord's people until it is difficult to tell some churches from a country club. The work of the church has been lost in a maze of social reforms. The worship of the church has been turned into play acting with children's churches, puppet shows, theater groups and after/before dinner speakers. Spirituality is no longer a sufficient reason to serve God; we must also be entertained. Lost somewhere in this maze are the few who seek to worship God in spirit and truth. And these few are ridiculed as "anti" and worse. So few have the strength to stand the test. The Answer to Our Trials What is the answer to the trying of our souls? Brethren, is it any different than it has ever been? From the time of the prophets until now, the answer has always been, "The just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38). There is no short-cut and no other solution. God has said, "But my righteous one shall live by faith: and if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back into perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul." My faith rests upon what God has said (Romans 10:17), and I must face temptation (the trying of my soul) by obedience to and trust in God. When young people are tested by the lure of the world, their answer must be to live in a manner that pleases God. When families are put under pressure by an ungodly environment, we must retreat into positions of strength as outlined by God: family love, concern, fidelity, worship and mutual trust. When churches are faced with forces of liberalism and other "isms" they must return to a "thus said the Lord" for all that they do and believe. There are solutions to our problems, but we must trust God for them...there are no others. Abraham had his own "time that tried his soul." So did Isaac, Jacob and all the patriarchs. So did Moses and Esther and all those characters revealed to us in the scriptures. In fact the scriptures reveal these stories for the very purpose that we might find the answers and find the strength to face our own "times of testing." "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through the comfort of the scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4). My brother, my sister, do you have hope for the future? If not, you need to read your Bibles. God put these stories in the Bible so that a "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) will impart hope to us. They had their own time that tried their souls but they overcame by faith in God. Let us take cheer that we may also be able to overcome and join that elect band. The stakes are high but the reward is great. These are the "times that try men's souls" but we are equal to the task through Jesus Christ our Lord. -- Via The Watchman Magazine ___________________________________________ The Need For Patience by Robert F. Turner Jesus told His disciples, "In your patience possess ye your souls." Is there something here for me? (Lu. 21:19) To "possess" here means to "gain" or to "win"; and refers to the preservation or saving of the soul. In the immediate context it may have reference to escaping alive out of the destruction of Jerusalem, for that was under direct consideration. But careful study of the word "patience" will convince us that this is essential to the building of character and eventual salvation of the soul in eternity. "Patience" gives many the idea of repose; calmly, even phlegmatically waiting for the traffic light to turn green. But this is not its real meaning. Coming from a word meaning "to abide under" it more nearly corresponds to "steadfastness" or "endurance"; or our coined word "stickability." In the larger sense, we can save our souls only by being faithful to the death (Rev. 2:10). Patience is a virtue added to our character as we grow spiritually (2 Pet. 1:5-11). It must be developed, built up and strengthened; and this requires exercise. Our physical muscles will not develop properly unless pitted against opposition. We improve flabby muscles by lifting weights, knowing that as we overcome an opposing force we prepare to meet greater future obstacles. Patience needs much the same sort of exercise. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials; knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas. 1:2-4, NAS). These verses refer not to the temptations that are due to man's own lust but to external trials that discourage, dismay and buffet us. And they affect not a fixed, unchanging truss that bears a weight or is broken under it, with character unaltered; but these trials affect a living, pulsing, vital faith; that is made stronger, more mature in nature and character, as its sinews flex to meet the challenges of life. Patience is not the brute strength to "take" punishment, nor a "thick skin" that may indicate only an insensitive nature. "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (1 Pet. 2:20). When our sense of justice is outraged; when we are reviled, and our instinct leaps to fight a carnal battle, then patience is taxed. Remember, "hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21-25). By "patient continuance in well doing" we shall find eternal life. We must "hear the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." It is with patience we must "run --the race that is set before us" (Rom. 2:7; Lu. 8:15; Heb. 12:1). How challenging the words, "IN YOUR PATIENCE POSSESS YE YOUR SOULS." -- Via Plain Talk, April 1968 ___________________________________________ Filled With the Spirit by Jim R. Everett There is a scriptural way of determining whether or not a person is "filled with the Spirit," and it is not by observing how much emotions are openly displayed. Being "filled with the Spirit" is not a "high" that one reaches that puts him above others who are not so emotional. The result of being filled with the Spirit is related in Ephesians 5:17-21. Paul describes the person filled with the spirit as one who "understands what the will of the Lord is" (v. 17). He is not drunk with wine (v. 18); he sings and makes melody in his heart (v. 19); he gives thanks always to God (v. 20); and he submits to others (v. 21). The parallel epistle, Colossians, expresses the command to be filled with the Spirit as "Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly" (3:16). How much one is filled with the Spirit is directly proportional to how richly the word dwells in him -- the word is the means by which the Holy Spirit reaches, directs and fills our hearts. There is also a direct correlation between "being filled with the Spirit" and having the "fruit of the Spirit." By looking at the Christian who bears the fruit of the Spirit, one can observe to what degree the Spirit dwells in him (Galatians 5:22-25). How much does he love? God-like love always actively seeks the well being of others. How happy is he? How much peace with himself and others is evidenced in his manner of life? Does he suffer long with his brethren? Is he willing to hold his temper and restrain his tongue in the face of provocation? Is he a gentle, kind person? Is he characterized by things that are good? Is there in him a strong, unyielding trust in God? Is he the kind of person who is submissive, or is he rebellious? And is he a person who is in control of himself? To the degree that a Christian bears the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22), he is filled with the Spirit. And if he "walks in the Spirit," he does not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (5:16-21). The admonition by Paul is, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (v. 25). As a Christian allows the word of Christ to dwell in and control him, he is letting the Spirit dwell in him and is walking in the Spirit. There are those who claim to be filled with the Spirit and to have experienced Holy Spirit baptism, who walk after the flesh. Though they offer as proof of a Spirit-filled life their uncontrolled emotional high, the scriptural evidence of Spirit controlled behavior is lacking. True spirituality is evidenced in a person's life -- it is inherently associated with feelings, but emotions are not the proof of the Spirit's influence. -- Via the bulletin of the Cedar Park church of Christ ___________________________________________ News & Notes Let us be keeping Carol Music in prayer who recently had a successful operation for one of her tumors, but will soon be having additional surgery for the rest. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (For postal service: P.O. Box 421) (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 ________________________________________