____________________________________________________ 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 28, 2001 ____________________________________________________ The Perfecting Process by Dan S. Shipley Of the many Bible characters I'd like to be better acquainted with, one is the well-to-do young man who comes to Jesus with the question about what he must do to have eternal life (Matt. 19:16-22). I like his question -- it indicates some concern about gaining eternal life. More moderns ought to be concerned about the same question. I like his past. He had loved his neighbors, honored his parents and kept God's commandments. Sounds like a good man. However, the Lord sees better than men. Only He could rightly answer the question, "What lack I yet?" He sees the lack because He sees the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Here, He beholds a wrong attitude toward material possessions. He sees a heart that values earthly treasures more than heavenly. Now we see his answer as to whether he would be perfect (complete) as he sorrowfully leaves the Lord. But, hopefully, we can see more. For instance, we can see that achieving the completeness suggested by the word "perfect" involves our willingness to do so. Jesus says, "if thou wouldest...." Like this young man, many morally good and religious people do not sufficiently desire completeness in Christ. Calvinism says that depraved man cannot have such desires. But Christ makes it a condition of completeness --"If thou wouldest...." Again, "If any man willeth to do his will..." (Jn. 7:17) indicates the close correlation between God's will and man's. Whether it involves learning, giving or serving God generally, there must "first be a willing mind" (2 Cor. 8:12). But, perhaps we can see too that becoming perfect involves recognizing that we're not. Honest people will be willing to continually face themselves with the question, "What lack I yet?" They sincerely want to be complete; therefore, want to know what is lacking. Herein lies the mark of an honest and good heart. "He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest..." (Jn. 3:21). Too many prefer to make a prejudicial defense of what they are instead of seeking to learn what they lack! In fact, many resent the notion that they may be lacking in anything. Such Pharisaical prejudice and pride are not uncommon in the modern religious world -- and, not unheard of in the Lord's church. Sin makes us less than what we ought to be but unconfessed sin will keep us that way -- it seals our incompleteness by making pardon impossible. Finally, we must see this perfecting process as something to be sought with patience. Achieving maturity in the faith is a gradual thing. Failure to realize this has discouraged some from even making the effort. They see an almost unspanable gap between their present state and perfection. Such should view Jesus' question: "if thou wouldest be BETTER...." The first step is improvement, not perfection! The important and a binding question to be faced is not, "Am I perfect?"; but, "Am I improving?" The ultimate goal is PERFECTION, but its attainment comes one step at a time; in achievable-size chunks -- and only then, remember, if we sincerely will it and continually work for it with patience. -- Via Plain Talk, November 1976 ___________________________________________ KILL the Umpire! by Andy Diestelkamp "Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped. `That ain't my style,' said Casey. `Strike one,' the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went a muffled roar, like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; `Kill him! Kill the umpire!' shouted someone on the stand. And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand." Baseball has been called the national pastime, and it has amply demonstrated its ability to grab the attention and passions of its spectators. I enjoy the game. While I am an avid Cubs fan, I have greatly enjoyed watching my son play at the Little League level. We have all heard of the perennial problems with the behavior of parents at Little League games. I am happy to report that I saw little of those problems this year. However, those stereotypical problems are not urban legends. In past years I have witnessed and experienced those who fit these stereotypes. A few years ago at the Peanut League level I had the unparalleled pleasure of being called a "jerk" by the father of someone on the opposing team because he imagined that I had intentionally interfered with the play in my feeble coaching efforts at third. I have also had the opportunity to sit in the stands at a Pony League game and hear parents rail on the umpire. Oh, sure, we have all reacted negatively to the bad calls inevitably made by umpires, but some of these parents are like pit bulls and won't let go even several innings later. Such loose-lipped parents got me to thinking and analyzing. If this is our treatment of an authority figure that we can see, then no wonder people question God who they cannot see (1 Jn. 4:20). We are a people who are not hesitant to challenge and question authority. At the Pony League game one man literally had a comment about every pitch. If the call was negative for his team, then he had only bad things to say about the umpire. Often there was a chorus of mothers agreeing with him. It is apparent that for some people the umpire is not the object of their respect, but someone to vent on when things don't go well. I can't help but believe that many see God the same way. They sit in the stands of life constantly questioning Him and railing on Him when things don't go the way they think they should. Recall when King David moved the Ark of the Covenant in an unlawful way and Uzzah ended up dying for touching the Ark in an attempt to steady it (2 Sam. 6:6-8). David was angry with God when he should have been angry with himself. Isn't it interesting how the umpire, who makes possible an orderly and far more enjoyable level of play, becomes the object of our scorn rather than the object of our appreciation? It is amusing how we want him there behind the plate, but then think we have a clearer view of the game from our seat in the stands. Unlike human umpires, God is never out of position. He always makes the right call. Still, we sit in our seats in 2001 with our limited view and question the One who can see it all. Why do people act this way at a game or in life? Because of pride and prejudice. It is pride that keeps many from being willing to submit to any authority, let alone the authority of the unseen God. God warns that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 85616:18). Prejudice enables people to find fault with others without applying the same standard to themselves (Rom. 2:1-11; Jas. 2:8-11). We want a wide strike zone when we're pitching and a narrow one when we're batting, and we complain if it is any other way. Life is not a game, but some certainly approach it that way. How easy it is to lose our perspective of what is most important. "Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). -- Via Think on These Things, July-August-September, 2001 ___________________________________________ Patience Demonstrates Love by James Devoll We are instructed in the scriptures that we are to learn the type of love that is from God. This love always seeks the highest good of the other person. And in 1 Cor 13 we find Paul picturing the character or conduct of this divine love. Let's focus on the first trait that Paul gives: love suffers long. The term suffereth long is defined in this manner: 1) to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart 1a) to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles. Let's notice a couple of passages which illustrate the meaning of our term. In Matthew 18:26, the story is given of a master that called his servants into account. One did not have the necessary money to settle his debt to his king. Notice how the king reacts. It says: "The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." The master had great patience that, coupled with compassion, cause him to dismiss what the servant owed him. In James 5:7 we find another illustration. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts...." There are many things that are beyond our ability to control and it does no good to fuss and fret about the situation. We must learn not to lose heart, but to endure whatever is necessary. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 there is a command of the Lord for us to "be patient toward all men." As we incorporate this characteristic into our daily living, we are developing one expression of that divine love. Are we not negligent sometimes in this regard, especially to family members. Don't we easily lose patience with our spouses, our children, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, etc. Let us be impressed with Paul's command: we are to be patient toward all. And until we have learned to suffer long with others we do not practice the divine love. 1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." -- Via The Exhorter, May 30, 1999 ___________________________________________ Contending for the Faith Authorized Aids by Larry Ray Hafley The Bible does not state that Noah used hammers, saws, and axes in the construction of the ark. However, such instruments were authorized by the command, "Make thee an ark" (Genesis 6:14). Without the instruction to build the ark, the tools would have been unauthorized. The Bible does not mention church buildings per se. However, they are scriptural because of the authority to assemble (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 14:23; Hebrews 10:25). Without the right to assemble, church buildings would be without divine authority. The Bible does not refer to song books. However, they are authorized by the command to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). They assist us in carrying out the divine direction to "sing and make melody" in our hearts to the Lord. Without the authority to sing, songbooks would be unscriptural. The Bible does not talk about chalk boards, computerized images, or overhead projectors. However, they are approved by the authority to teach (Matthew 28:19). They assist in doing what the New Testament churches did; namely, teach (Acts 11:22-26). Without the authority to teach, boards and projectors would be contrary to Scripture. The Bible does not say anything about collection baskets. However, they are authorized by the command to "lay by in store" (1 Corinthians 16:2). Without the authority for a contribution, collection trays would be unauthorized. The Bible does not mention plates on which to serve the bread of the Lord's supper. However, they are authorized by the command to "take, eat" (1 Corinthians 11:24). Were there no communion, the plates would not be scriptural. The Bible does not specifically cite a baptistry, an artificial pool in which baptism is performed. However, the command to baptize authorizes a place to baptize. Without the right to baptize, a baptistry would be without authority (Matthew 7:21-23). Note These Contrasting Parallels The Bible does not directly mention the use of pianos and organs in the worship of the church. If we had scriptural authority to "play music," such instruments would be authorized. As there is Bible authority for song books because we are to sing, so there would be authority for pianos in worship if we were commanded to "play music." When someone finds Scripture for "playing," he will have found authority for guitars, trumpets, "an such like." Until then, they cannot be used with the approval of heaven. The Bible does not show where any church built and maintained recreation and entertainment facilities as a part of its work. As plates are authorized by the command to "eat" the bread of the Lord's supper, so there would be authority for dinner plates and badminton nets if the church were authorized to provide social meals and recreation for its members. If we had the authority to "play" games, such things would be authorized. When someone finds authority for the church to furnish recreation, amusement and entertainment, he will have found authority for gymnasiums "and such like." Until then, such things exist without scriptural authority. -- Via Watchman Magazine, October 2001 ___________________________________________ News & Notes Being the last Sunday of the month, John Thompson will be our special speaker during the AM worship hour. Let us continue remembering Margaret Mosier, Mae Cornette, Joe Thompson, and Bertha Jones in prayer for their health conditions. We welcome those of you who are visiting with us this day and look forward to your being back with us again! Free Bible courses are available upon request. ________________________________________ 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://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/avondale ________________________________________