____________________________________________________ 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 1, 2002 ____________________________________________________ Grace Under Fire by W. Frank Walton Great Fire of Rome, circa 64 A.D. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Peter 4:12-14). Peter teaches God's grace can bolster persecuted Christians in the increasingly hostile Roman empire (1 Pet 2:9, 5:10,12). Fire destroyed much of Rome, capital of the empire, in 64 A.D. Rumors started that Nero started it, allegedly to make room for his building projects. In 100 A.D., Roman historian Tacitus wrote: "Therefore, to stop the rumor [that Nero had set Rome on fire], he falsely charged with guilt, and punished with the most fearful tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of that name, was put to death as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, in the reign of Tiberius, but the pernicious superstition -- repressed for a time, broke out yet again...Those were arrested who confessed they were Christians; next on their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much on the charge of burning the city, as of `hating the human race' [by not attending social events involving idolatry]. In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and torn to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights. Nero offered his own gardens for that spectacle...For this cause a feeling of pity arose towards the sufferers, though guilty and deserving of exemplary capital punishment, because they seemed not to be cut off for the public good, but were victims of the ferocity of one man" (Annals 15.44). Peter counsels distressed brethren that they can, by trusting in God, exemplify "grace under fire." Trials test the depth and quality of our faith in God. "A faith that hasn't been tested cannot be trusted." Do we wonder if we could rise to the occasion for Christ under the painful threat of torture and death? God being my helper, I hereby highly resolve that I can daily live faithfully. Christ did not let me down. I literally owe him my whole life (1 Pet 1:19). For the faithful Christian, the power of God's grace and the providence of His Spirit will give the strength to bear up under unjust sorrows (1 Pet 2:9, 4:14). God sees and knows our struggles. He can take care of us. Amid life's injustices, we can keep rejoicing by looking to the wonderful eternal world to come. There God will right all wrongs (1 Pet 2:23). This world is not our home. We're simply "aliens" passing through to a better place (1 Pet 1:1). In the great conflict between good and evil, this world is a battleground for the souls of men. Suffering for the right, against the evil schemes of the devil, is inevitable before we enter glory on the other side. Neutrality is impossible. We must show to a dark and dying world which side we're on. If there were no trials, there could be no triumphs. This divine grace in them demonstrated that the gospel could survive and thrive, despite terrible persecution. In 150 A.D., Justin Martyr said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." The Roman Empire was filled with empty sinners, burned out and weary of sin's futility, who saw the calm serenity and triumphant peace that Christians had in bravely facing persecution and death. They were attracted to this grace that supernaturally helped them rise above crushing opposition. They would ask, "What is this hope you have?" (1 Peter 3:15). In this fallen world, the destiny of precious souls is at stake. By exhibiting Christ-like "grace under fire," we can make a difference in the life of a lost soul by helping them discover the life-changing power of Christ and receive a "visitation" of salvation (1 Pet 2:21). The world is watching us. The lost might be more interested if we were more interesting. The "God of grace" has the power, if we will have the faith to accept it (1 Pet 1:5, 5:10). ___________________________________________ The Parable of the Seeds on the Shelf by J. S. Smith Tucked between the tool box and spare light bulbs on a shelf in the corner of a garage is a packet of wildflower seeds. Their owner received them a few years ago with the intention of sowing them in his flower bed and watching them grow and reproduce. Due in equal part to neglect, disinterest and old-fashioned laziness, he has never gotten around to planting those seeds. "Maybe next year" seems to be a frequent apology in their presence. Sometimes he cleans up the garage and comes upon that packet of seeds, which are then arranged more prominently with the intention of sowing them soon. There they wait but never get any closer to the soil. You can visit his front yard today, but you won't see any bluebonnets there. He never sowed the seed, so the plant never had a chance to grow. Therefore, hear the parable of the seeds on the shelf. The packet of seeds is the gospel message, the good news of a risen savior, which James called "the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (1:21). That seed, when sown, has the power to change people's hearts, when those hearts are like good and receptive soil. The obstacles to hearty growth are many, but unless the seed is sown, it is certain nothing will grow. The shelf is the tendency of too many Christians to neglect their duty before God to spread the gospel message. Opportunities abound when relatives complain of life's troubles, when neighbors complain about the world's moral decline, and when coworkers mentioned impending surgery or trouble at home. The seed could be sown by an offer to pray or by attributing moral decline to a lack of attention to the Bible, but the seed stays on the shelf. The could-be sower fears offending the soil with such a foreign object as the gospel seed and so he mutters some secular words of comfort instead. No one is hurt? No one is helped. Indeed it is God who gives the increase, but he requires men to plant and water (1 Cor. 3:5-8). Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother? ___________________________________________ Goodbye "Virtues" Hello "Values" by David Diestelkamp When is the last time you heard someone on the street use the word "virtue?" The dictionary doesn't note it as an archaic word, but I fear that it is headed in that direction. Society, rather than decrying the death of virtue, is instead hailing its replacement -- "values." Virtues are things of "intrinsic eminence, moral goodness" (Vines Expository Dictionary). They are things which are in and of themselves important and morally right. Their attainment is therefore considered excellence and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Unfortunately, standards this high and unyielding have fallen on hard times today. The term "values" seems innocent enough on the surface when viewed only as things of estimated worth. Webster's New World College Dictionary takes it another step farther in showing its modern usage: "the social principles, goals, or standards held or accepted by an individual, class, society, etc." Even this may not seem so serious until one realizes that this concept of values recognizes no standard outside of self. Remember, virtues carry with them the authority of a standard. Individual actions can therefore be compared to an objective standard, not simply weighed by mere feelings, concepts, or philosophies. But values are based on searching your own mind and life in order to find self-fulfillment, inner peace, a sense of acceptance, etc. A value is essentially what you like or love to do. It is not an ought to, but a want to. Actions can then only be judged based on how well they express what is desired or whether they are consistent with a chosen lifestyle. In school our children are often given exercises designed to "clarify" their values. In other words, they are challenged to search within themselves to find what they feel is of worth. They are learning to emphasize feelings and personal growth from tapping inner power, rather than being taught to look to objective standards and listening to the aged voice of wisdom and reason. This is symptomatic of a society that is developing the inability to distinguish between personal preference and matters of moral obligation. Of course, values can be virtues, but they don't have to be. Often values are simply opinions, feelings, preferences, even personal quirks and obsessions. It can be anything anyone happens to think is of value at any time, for any reason. This is at the heart of the appeal of the modern virtues concept -- all distinctions and differences are therefore either ignored or seen as inconsequential. Everyone has their own values and they are seen to be as good as anyone else's. Therefore a sort of moral equality is seen to exist even when preferences and lifestyles differ -- no one is right and no one is wrong, they are simply being true to their personal values system. While it is true that we make our life's decisions based on what we value, we must base our sense of worth on something greater than fallible inner passion. Paul Earnhart once said, "The inner light is the worst form of illumination -- it is based only on self." We must reach out to what the world rejects and ignores. Lost in modern values is an infallible standard upon which to make moral choices. In turn, moral choice itself seems to disappear along with its consequences, principles, character, and responsibility. But we know that Scripture is "profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16). Now that is a standard upon which both values and virtues can stand as moral absolutes. The worst of mankind still has some sort of values, but the righteous will be satisfied with no less than virtue. We must see the importance of adding virtue to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5), for it is to "glory and virtue" that God calls us (2 Pet. 1:3). -- Via Think on These Things, April-May-June, 2002 ___________________________________________ The Only Ones Going to Heaven by Greg Gwin "I've heard that you `Church of Christ' people think that you are the only ones going to heaven. Is that true?" We are often asked this question, and we appreciate the opportunity to explain what we believe. Would you please give careful consideration to these simple points from the Bible? 1) It is important to remember that God is the judge of eternal things. Our personal opinions do not matter. What you think, what we think, what some religious denomination teaches -- none of this matters. In fact, Jesus said that many who "think" they are saved will be lost in the last day (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23). The Scriptures will be the standard of judgment (John 12:48). 2) The New Testament clearly teaches who will be saved. It describes a simple "plan of salvation" that any accountable person can understand and obey. We must hear the truth (Rom 10:17), believe the truth (Hebrews 11:6), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), confess our faith in Jesus (Romans 10:10), and be baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). If we remain faithful, we are promised a reward in heaven (Revelation 2:10). This is not a human dogma or creed. It is the plain and simple teaching of God's Word. If a person obeys these commands, they will be saved. If they do not, they will be lost. It is just that simple. The only ones going to heaven are the ones who submit to God's will and obey His commands. 3) Now, where does the church of Christ figure into all of this? Acts 2:47 tells us that those who are saved are added to the church by the Lord. When you do what you must do to be saved (see point #2) then you are automatically added to that church which you read about in the Bible. This is not some man-made denomination. It is the church that belongs to Jesus -- it is the "church of Christ" (Romans 16:16). Therefore, the answer is yes -- you must be a member of that church to go to heaven. Do you see it? ___________________________________________ News & Notes To remember in prayer: Frank Ragsdale and Joshua Watts. We welcome those of you who are visiting with us this day and want you to know that we are glad for your presence. Please come again. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list for our weekly e-mail version of this bulletin, simply e-mail your request to me at tedwards@onemain.com. Thank you. ________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ________________________________________