____________________________________________________ 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 30, 2001 ____________________________________________________ Assuming the Better by Robert F. Turner Those who have made a study of such matters tell us that we tend to measure up to what certain "peers" expect of us. If those to whom we look as "leaders" or models indicate their high hopes for us, we strive to meet those goals. If they indicate a lack of trust in us, a feeling that we will fail, we may lose confidence in ourselves -- and fail. I do not believe man is completely "programmed" by his environment, but it takes a lot of "inner strength" -- "built-in" character available to those who look to God for the standard of integrity and righteousness (Prov. 11:3-6) -- to buck the predictions of failure, and succeed in spite of the gloomy odds against us. Sinful man must be encouraged to believe that he is made in God's image, and is capable of living "to the glory of God." The Hebrew writer recognized this principle, for throughout an epistle directed to backsliders, that necessitated many warnings of failure and of its dire results, he repeatedly encouraged. They were "brethren" with Christ, and in Him could be glorified (2:10-13). They were "partakers of the heavenly calling" (3:1). God's oath and promise offered them "strong consolation" (6:17-20). And after a direful warning he reminded them of past successes (10:31-f) and says, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." The "back-slappers" have stretched this principle to include insincere compliments -- using us (and our pride) to accomplish their ends. They would "palaver" us into doing their bidding or buying their products. By the same reasoning some would rule out all negative teaching and correction -- including that of the Apostle Paul's, I suppose. Such maneuvering we abhor. But elders, preachers, and parents (to name a few) may do a gross injustice to those who look to them for guidance, by failing to properly encourage. Must we always assume the very worst? Love "thinketh no evil" (1 Cor. 13:5-6), but tends to place the best possible interpretation on matters. It most assuredly "rejoice not in iniquity." (Think that one over!) Lawlessness calls forth sadness, compassion, a desire to help, on the part of those who love. Some much needed teaching re: the church, creedalism, fellowship, and many other subjects, has been ineffective and is rejected, because the teachers assumed a superior attitude and spoke or wrote as though they did not expect the message to be heeded. We do not advocate a Pollyanna, head-in-the-clouds attitude. Rather, suggest it is very realistic to expect that brethren in Christ really want to do what is right. True, many are cumbered with traditional concepts, and may have a somewhat sectarian view of the church. But this is rarely by choice. They have inherited such error, over a period of years, and the "surgery" must be done with TLC and consideration. It is a fair assumption that genuine saints desire to be rid of all human error. So, think positively! Warn in hope! Let your speech be seasoned with salt! Fight sin because you love the sinner! -- Via Plain Talk, March 1973 ___________________________________________ Do You Feel Insignificant? by Allen Dvorak My family vacationed in the western part of our country several years ago, visiting the Grand Canyon and driving up the California coast. We visited the Sequoia National Park in California and saw the giant sequoia redwood trees. Near the particular tree named the General Sherman tree, there is a "slice," weighing several tons, from a sequoia that died. Sequoias not only grow to be enormous, they live for a very long time. While a tree is alive, its age can only be estimated; but once it dies and is cut crosswise, its age can be more accurately determined. According to the plaque fastened to this monstrous piece of wood, the tree from which the "slice" had been cut was approximately 2,400 years old when it died. I don't know how long ago that tree died, but let's assume for the sake of ease that it died in 1990. It follows that this particular sequoia sprouted and began growing in approximately the year 410 B.C. As I looked at this tree "slice," I began to think of all the Biblical and secular history it had spanned during its lifetime. The Jews had recently rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership when this tree was a seedling. By the time it had attained the average height for a Sequoia redwood (in about 80 years) Alexander the Great had already begun his conquest of the known world. It lived through (although on a different continent) the entire inter-testamental period, the life of Jesus and the period of history covered by the book of Acts. It was thriving in America when Europe was plunged into the dark ages and still growing when Columbus set foot on the new world. It saw the beginning of our country and the struggles which have transpired in the United States. Who can say how many people were born, lived and died while this majestic giant stood quietly in the forest? Sequoias live so long because they are well protected from the natural enemies of trees. Their root systems make them able to withstand long periods of drought. Their bark is actually fire-resistant, helping them to survive forest fires, and contains a chemical called tannin which repels insects and pests. But, despite all these natural advantages, even sequoias eventually die. I felt very small and insignificant standing next to these giant trees. And yet, for all their beauty, great size and age, they are not the crown of God's creation. Man is. We are made in the image of God, given a soul which will not die, that is, pass out of existence (Genesis 1:26). God sent His Son to die on the cross, manifesting His great love, not for giant sequoias, but for sinful men. We do not live in this world even as long as the average sequoia, but God has made preparations for our future. Our destiny, however, will be determined by our short stay in this world. Where will your soul spend eternity? -- Via Teaching Truth ___________________________________________ Coming Clean With the Lord by Dennis J. De Haan Jason had misbehaved, so his mother sent him to his room. A short time later, he came out and said to his mother, "I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer." His mother, pleased with his attitude, encouraged his behavior. "That's wonderful. If you ask God to make you good, I know He will help you." "But I didn't ask Him to help me be good," Jason said. "I asked Him to help you put up with me." Prayers like Jason's are not uncommon. We don't like to admit that we may be to blame for the problem, so we petition the Lord to change other people or our circumstances. In doing so, we focus on secondary problems and avoid the heart of the matter -- our own heart. Praying about our circumstances is effective only when we come clean with the Lord about our own sin. In David's prayer in Psalm 51, he first asked for mercy (v. 1). Then he acknowledged his sin (v. 3), asked for a clean heart (v. 10), and asked for a restoration of the joy of his salvation (v. 12). When David confessed the shameful deeds of adultery and murder (II Samuel 11), he made no excuses. God wants nothing less than our total honesty when we talk with Him. We may have to struggle with ourselves -- that kind of praying is not always comfortable -- but it's most profitable. -- Via Christianity Magazine, Sept/Oct 1999 ___________________________________________ Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns by Sewell Hall "Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them" (Hebrews 2:1, ASV). The word drifting aptly describes the process of apostasy. It is seldom accomplished by giant leaps; rather it is the result of short steps. The steps appear to be only the slightest variation from the accepted truth and altogether innocent, but each one is used as justification for the next one until truth has been left completely, even by individuals who would never have dreamed it possible. We have known of congregations where a piano was first allowed in the basement to teach children how to sing. But having learned with it, the children continued to need it in their Bible classes. Once this was allowed, someone asked the difference in young folks and adults -- the difference in Wednesday night and Sunday night. No logical difference could be shown so it was allowed at those times. Then someone had only to point out the inconsistency in using it Sunday night and refusing it Sunday morning, and from then on it was used at all services, a thing that would have been opposed when the piano was first moved into the basement. A group of Americans preaching in Africa said they were strongly opposed to churches of Christ operating a hospital in the United States. But they thought churches could and should support a nurse in Nigeria to treat wounds and minor illnesses. But once the nurse was supported, a hospital was proposed. Anyone who objected would be asked, "If you can support a nurse and clinic, why not a doctor and hospital?" No logical difference could be shown, so the hospital was built. Now often heard is a proposal for a Church of Christ Hospital in the United States. The argument: "If we can do it in Nigeria, why not here?" Granted that premise, no sound reason can be given. It all started with letting a church support a nurse. A church we know has a kitchen. They defend it on the grounds that it costs the church nothing. The kitchen and equipment were in the building when it was purchased and they have a minimum electric and water bill each month, anyway. But a generation will arise that is accustomed to the kitchen. They will want to build a new building and they will want a kitchen. Their argument will be "We've always had a kitchen. If we could have it in the old building, why not in the new?" There will be no chance of keeping it out. In our town, a kindergarten is beginning in the meetinghouse of one of the churches. In a news item, it is stated, "The kindergarten will be at the church, but will not be operated by the church." This will satisfy the minds of many who would object to the church operating or supporting a school of any kind. But one of these days another step will be proposed. It may be opening a first grade. If someone objects, the question will be raised, "But what is the difference in a first grade and kindergarten?" There is no difference, so the opposition will be silenced and the way will be clear for second grade, third grade, etc., etc. But some day the school will need to be subsidized. Those opposed to support of education will rise up to object. But someone will say, "It's true we haven't been contributing from the treasury, but we have been providing a place for the school and it has been using the name of the church. Now if we can contribute facilities and influence, why not money?" That question will be hard to answer, for there is no difference and the opposition will then be silenced. From this, the next logical step will be to send money to a college, for, after all, what is the difference between contributing to our own school and contributing to one operated by someone else? And it all began with a kindergarten, which "will be at the church, but will not be operated by the church." Truly, "Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow." The mistake is ever allowing an acorn to get mixed with the seed of the kingdom. Every innovation, regardless of how small, must be rejected, not only for its own sake, but also for the sake of attendant corruptions that will surely follow in its train. -- Via The Graphic Evangelist, November 27, 1983 ___________________________________________ News & Notes Garnet Hencye's father (Martin Jarabek) has been afflicted with some type of dementia. He is now living with Garnet, so that she might take care of him. Let us pray that God will help him -- as well as Garnet -- for his condition. In a couple months, The Gospel Observer will be starting its 13th year. Virtually, all of the back issues are at The Gospel Observer website. (Its address is shown below.) Feel free to check it out. When not preaching elsewhere, I am now attending services at the Mt. Airy church of Christ in Philadelphia for Sunday mornings, and also their Tuesday "midweek" service. Since they don't meet Sunday evening, I then attend the Exton church of Christ for that service, as well as for their Wednesday "midweek" service. I am still looking to relocate, and hope to be able to do so within the next couple months. There have been several churches that I have been in touch with, and I'll let you know wherever I'll end up. I solicit the prayers of those of you who are Christians. Thank you. ________________________________________ evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ________________________________________