____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ December 9, 2001 ____________________________________________________ White Unto Harvest Fulfilling the Great Commission by Steve Wallace Christ's giving the Great Commission is a natural consequence of his mission while on earth. He gave it after he had conquered man's two greatest enemies, sin and death (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20). The commission aims at the spreading of this wonderful news to the lost of this world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). What is involved in carrying out the Great Commission? Overcoming Contrary Emotions In reading the accounts of the giving of the commission, the transformation that took place in Jesus' disciples is sometimes overlooked (Cp. Mark 16:14; John 20:19). They went from being full of doubt, unbelief and fear to bold proclaimers of Jesus' words (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:10-12; Acts 2-3). Everyone who endeavors to teach others will undergo a similar change. This is so in a special sense for those who would preach in another country. At least, I found it so. Having first taken some trips to Europe at my own expense I can still remember my thoughts when brethren in Germany wrote me, asking me to consider working with them. While I was careful not to say as much to them, my thoughts were something like, "You're crazy if you think I'm going to move over there!" However, they insisted that I come and I reluctantly gave in. (I will always be thankful to Danny and Mary Huber, and Karen [Thompson] Dargon for prodding me to do this.) Others have grappled with similar feelings. My work in Germany was, with a few exceptions, among the American community there. However, I had unwittingly placed myself on what would become the frontlines when the Berlin Wall fell. This event not only transformed my life, it influenced my thinking with regards to subjects on which I had preached for years. Take the Gospel into All the World Jesus taught his disciples for the three years of his ministry. After this, he saw that they, under the guidance of the Spirit, were up to the task of carrying out the Great Commission. "Go" is before "gospel" in Mark 16:15. However, it is the gospel that is of primary import in Jesus' commission. It will both cause one to "go" and equip him for his work (2 Corinthians 5:10-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). In light of this, those who have made it their practice to regularly preach on such things as first principles, the church, and denominational errors with regards to the two aforementioned subjects are naturals for carrying out Jesus' commission. A major part of my work has been encouraging workers to come to Lithuania. Over and over I have assured prospective workers who are faithful men that they can do the work there. By contrast, one can read, in papers circulated by our institutional brethren, of intentional neglect in preaching the gospel. For example, in the April, 1993 issue of The Christian Chronicle we read of an effort in an East German city where a preacher dealt "with the hurts and anxieties of the populace, rather than presenting doctrinal themes" (p. 20). To be sure, there is a lot of both physical and emotional suffering here and abroad, and one might incidentally have an opportunity to help those so afflicted. However, the Great Commission involves preaching the gospel and those who would take part in its execution must prepare themselves accordingly. Churches Should Facilitate Preachers in "Going" The New Testament reveals that churches of that day actively supported preachers in fulfilling the Great Commission (Philippians 4:15-16; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:8). The church in Ramstein, Germany, was exemplary in their dedication to this principle. Brethren allowed me to be away in mission work for as much 11 weeks and a number of men were happy to fill in during my absences, preaching and teaching. They also were generous in their support, not only of me in my own efforts in Eastern Europe but also of other men as well. At one point in 1998 our treasurer told me that we had sent out over $10,000 in outside support in the past 6 months. For a church whose attendance was usually in the low 40's this alone says a lot. By contrast, I have known men who have preached in difficult places while being inadequately supported. If the Great Commission is going to be fulfilled in our day churches must commit themselves to the support of those carrying it out. In the Language of Every Man While one can find English speakers in many places it should be obvious to all that nothing will reach the population of any given country like words in their own tongue. Paul knew Greek and Hebrew (Acts 21:40; Romans 1:16) and, perhaps, Aramaic. However, even he had problems on occasion with an unknown language (Acts 14:11-14). Learning the language of a given country is the first option open to a person. Working through interpreters, while not acceptable or financially feasible in all countries, has worked very well in Eastern Europe. Producing literature in a given language, while being a tedious, demanding process, is a big help. In some instances, people have been converted by means of a tract; in others, they have learned the truth on a topic wherein they had been in error. If the Lord lets time go on, literature we translate will still be doing his work long after we have left this earth. We must recognize that the world does not speak English and adjust our efforts accordingly. Establishing Churches in the Faith Jesus' commission also included, "Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). The immorality and excess of the city of Corinth mirrors many cities today. Coming out of such a background and living in such an environment will take its toll on even the most dedicated Christians (1 Peter 2:12; 4:4). Attrition has been high in churches in many parts of the mission field. Preachers and churches must make long term commitments if the churches they establish are to stand the test of time. Conclusion Many brethren today are involved in carrying out the Great Commission. Their work reflects their simple faith in the commission our Savior gave so long ago. Jesus yet calls us to this work today. Are you doing your part? Does the church where you are have the capability to support men in this work? Is there some way you can help logistically, perhaps by getting tracts in a foreign language printed? Let us answer Jesus' call to teach all nations. (Note: This article is slightly adapted from an article by the feature editor which appeared in a special issue of Truth Magazine.) -- via Watchman Magazine, December 2001 ___________________________________________ The Christian's Blessed Hope by Bobby L. Graham The apostle Paul described the hope of the Christian as blessed (Titus 2:13). Oh, the bliss and happiness of this hope that delight our souls as we press onward and upward in the service of God! What yearning it stimulates within us all as we anticipate the glory in which we shall be privileged to share over there! This hope becomes even more meaningful to us as we remember that it is a singular and unique hope (Eph. 4:4). Our God does not provide two hopes: it is one. The Value Of The One Hope Because the hope offered by Jehovah is one, it has greater value. Its value is also seen in Hebrews 6:19, where the writer described it as "both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." Our hope is sure because it is safe and certain. It is steadfast in that it is firm and well grounded. It is the hope of being in the presence of God, because Christ has gone before us to clear the way, as a scout blazed the trail through the wilderness in the days of our pioneer forefathers. He cleared the way through death and took His own blood as an offering for our sins. The hope of the Christian is truly a valuable hope because it extends to the next life (I Cor. 15:19). The Basis Of The One Hope "Christ in us" is the hope of glory, according to Colossians 1:27. Paul affirmed that the Lord Jesus Christ is our hope in I Timothy 1:1. To learn that Christ is the essential basis of our hope and that there can be no hope without Christ, read Ephesians 2:11,12. There, Paul shows that to be without Christ is to be without hope. Apart from Him there can be no basis for expecting the blessings of this great hope. The Foundation Of The One Hope Peter praised God because He had begotten believers again unto a living hope "By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (I Pet. 1:3). You and I were not there to witness the resurrected Christ with Peter and the others, but there is ample credible evidence that Jesus arose from the grave to generate strong faith. That faith is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). The Essence Of The One Hope "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" (Rom. 8:24,25). Desire and expectation, the dual elements of hope, are seen in this passage. Desire plants the seed of hope, which is then nourished and sustained to fruition by our expectation of receiving that for which we hope. The Object Of The One Hope The faithful Christian hopes for the second coming of Christ. Paul said he looks for (awaits) "that blessed hope, and glorious appearing" of Christ (Titus 2:13). God's child also desires and expects his own resurrection. He is assured that, should he die before Christ returns, he will be among those raised at Christ's coming (I Thess. 4:13-17), even before the living are changed and caught up to be with the Lord forever. Being like Christ is also part of the Christian's hope. He hopes that when he shall appear, he "shall be like Him," for he shall see him as he is. It is not yet manifested what we shall be, but it is enough to believe that we can be like Christ. The follower of the Lord also hopes for salvation. He has the hope of salvation as his helmet for protection in life's battle (I Thess. 5:8). That salvation for which he hopes is the final deliverance, after passing from this world into the next world. Paul said that it is nearer than when we believed (Rom. 13:11). That final salvation involves eternal life, another part of the Christian's hope. The faithful child of God lives "in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2). Eternal life, the ultimate end of all that for which the Christian hopes, has its location in heaven. "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Col. 1:3-5). The Advantages And Accomplishments Of The One Hope "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb. 7:19). That the hope of the Christian is better than any hope held by the faithful of former ages can be seen in what the present hope can achieve. It saves (Rom. 8:24,25) in that it motivates to faithfulness. It anchors the soul (Heb. 6:17-20). It promises the life to come (I Tim. 4:8). It causes the Christian to purify his life (I John 3:1-3). It gives him rejoicing (Rom. 12:12) and confidence (Heb. 3:6; Rom. 5:3). In view of what the Bible says concerning that one hope of the child of the Lord, surely we can have no doubt that it is a blessed hope. -- Via The Admonisher, March 24,1985 ___________________________________________ News & Notes Carol Music (of Ashland, Kentucky), the Christian I had mentioned with cancer of the liver, completed one month of chemotherapy, which did cause a shrinkage in one of the larger tumors. Her doctor at Sloan-Kettering is now having her go through another month of the same, in hopes of more shrinkage. Let us be praying for her. Let us also be praying for Les Atkinson (of Greenville, SC), who will be undergoing surgery on his feet this coming Monday (December 17). After receiving a second opinion, Sandy Manganello (of Phoenixville, PA) will be operated on January 9 for stomach cancer. Let us keep her in our prayers. Let us also remember Mae Cornette, Margaret Mosier, Barney Combs, Bertha Jones, and Joe and Blanche Thompson (of the Avondale church of Christ) because of their health problems. Due to personal reasons, I am no longer preaching at the Avondale church of Christ, as of December 3; and I'm now seeking to relocate. On December 9, I preached in East Orange, New Jersey (about 12 miles from New York), where I was "trying out." (I must say it was a little embarrassing at first to have broken my front, upper tooth [a cap] down to about the gum, about 2 hours before the service that morning, and having to meet more than 150 people, teach the adult class, and preach two sermons with this big gap between my teeth. But after explaining to them what had happened, I felt less self-conscious.) I'll also be going back there this coming Sunday (12/16). Then the following Sunday, on the 23rd, I'll be preaching in Bridgeville, Delaware, south of Dover. I've also been attending church in Philadelphia on Tuesdays (at the Mt. Airy church of Christ, where James Baker preaches) and Wednesdays at Exton (where Brad Hopkins preaches). I would appreciate the prayers of the saints that all will work out well in my relocating. Thank you. To the brethren at Avondale: I love you and miss you! And to all of us: May the good Lord help each one of us through this day and through all our days to come! ________________________________________ 125 W. Street Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348 evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ________________________________________