____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ January 12, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) What Does this Gospel Meeting Mean to You? (Steve Klein) 2) Korah Was a Rebel (Jim R. Everett) 3) A Summary of Old Testament Books 4) When the Fire Flickers (Robert F. Turner) 5) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- What Does this Gospel Meeting Mean to You? by Steve Klein Our gospel meeting begins today. What does our gospel meeting mean to you? Does our gospel meeting mean a special opportunity to reach out to the community? Years ago, this was the primary purpose of gospel meetings. People of all faiths would often come from miles around in horse drawn wagons to hear the gospel. Nowadays, most folks would rather stay home and watch TV. This modern apathy regarding spiritual things has certainly hampered the effectiveness of gospel meetings in the area of evangelism. But surely there are still some souls we can reach in our community with the precious message of Jesus, and gospel meetings provide an opportunity for the entire congregation to work together to do so. Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to grow in our Lord? We are commanded to grow "in the grace and knowledge" of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We are to desire God's word as a baby longs for milk (I Peter 2:2). Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to get our batteries recharged? Most of us are familiar with rechargeable batteries -- many of us use them in cell phones and other electronic equipment. We know that if the battery is drained, the equipment doesn't work! Even so, it's easy for Christians to become weary, drained, and exhausted. Gospel meetings can be like a breath of fresh air! By drawing closer to God, His word, and our brethren we can find new strength and zeal to "fight the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12, Psalm 85:6, Isaiah 40:28-31). Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to examine and evaluate our lives? Honest self-reflection is a must for Christians (2 Corinthians 13:5). Gospel meetings provide an important occasion for all of us to look at ourselves in the light of God's word (James 1:21-27). A gospel meeting is such an opportunity to show love and support for the Lord and his church; it can't be taken lightly! What should it mean to you and me? What should our gospel meeting mean to a mother and father responsible for the spiritual development of their children? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a friend to so many who will one day meet God in judgment? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a citizen in a community which is beset with so many sorrows which the gospel of Christ is designed to relieve? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a Bible teacher responsible to present the whole counsel of God to my class? What should our gospel meeting mean to an elder charged with the spiritual leadership of the Lord's congregation? What should our gospel meeting mean to a deacon in the Lord's church charged to "use the office of a deacon well" (I Timothy 3:13)? What should our gospel meeting mean to a new convert? What should this gospel meeting mean to you? What does it mean? -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia (Adapted from articles by Gary McDade & Mike Vestal), November 17, 2002 ____________________________________________________ -2- Korah Was a Rebel by Jim R. Everett What was kept in the Ark of the Covenant? -- the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone, a pot of manna and Aaron's rod that had budded. Ah! but do you know WHY Aaron's rod had budded and why that particular memento was kept in the ark? Most Christians know why the Ten Commandments and pot of manna were preserved in the ark but they do not know the significance of Aaron's rod that budded. Jude speaks of those who "perished in the gainsaying of Core" (v. 11). That is a reference to Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16-17). Korah maintained that Moses and Aaron had taken more on themselves than God had intended -- "...all the congregation are holy ...God is among them." By that accusation he meant that Moses and Aaron had lifted themselves up above the assembly, while God had intended that there be fraternity and equality. But Korah seemed blinded to the fact that, should he occupy their place, his accusation would also condemn him. Korah was a rebel, an instigator of insurrection. He stirred up some of the princes of the congregation and adversely affected the tribe of Reuben. He became a rallying point for all the disgruntled who found fault with Moses and Aaron. Because Moses was a meek man he was grieved with Korah's accusation. He proposed that God be allowed to show His choice through the offering of incense with the brazen censers. To express His displeasure with the rebellion, God opened the earth and swallowed up the rebels. Two hundred and fifty others were consumed by fire. The unique form of God's displeasure was to make an impression on the people (Numbers 16:5-35; 41-50). God then proposed that twelve rods with names inscribed on them representing each of the twelve tribes be laid in the tent of meeting. The next day Aaron's rod not only had budded but also had produced blossoms and bore ripe almonds. Why? God answered -- "I will make to cease from me the murmuring's of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you" (17:5). Never again should there arise a question about God's choice of leadership and service in His temple. Now you know the answer. God does not take rebellion lightly. The rebellious, disobedient will also be punished with everlasting fire when Jesus returns (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Don't be among them! ____________________________________________________ -3- A Summary of Old Testament Books How well do you know your Old Testament? Here is a review of Old Testament books. Genesis -- Beginnings of the human race: 4 events (creation, fall, flood, nations), 1-11; Beginning of the Hebrew race: 4 people (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph), 12-50 Exodus -- Moses; plagues in Egypt; departure; Red Sea; Sinai; the Ten Commandments; the Tabernacle; and the Law Leviticus -- Priests' handbook. Sacrifice, tabernacle worship, ritual purity, feast days Numbers -- census of fighting men; departure from Sinai; the guiding cloud; murmuring; the spies; wandering 40 years in the wilderness Deuteronomy -- the "second" giving of the Law; follows the Hittite suzerainty treaty pattern; Moses' last words Joshua -- Conquest and partition of the land of promise Judges -- Dark ages of Israelite history; continuous cycles of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation; "Judges" were deliverers; "In those days there was no king...." Ruth -- love story of a foreign ancestor of David (and Jesus); focus in Bethlehem I Samuel -- transition between Judges and United Monarchy; king Saul, rise of David II Samuel -- reign of David: the good, bad and ugly I Kings - - prominence of Solomon; beginnings of a Divided Kingdom II Kings - - Divided kingdom; captivity for both North and South I Chronicles -- post-captivity history and genealogy of Israel; focus on Davidic institutions II Chronicles -- history of the United and Divided kingdoms from post-captivity Judahite perspective Ezra -- rebuilding respect for the Law after the return from exile Nehemiah -- rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem Esther -- staving off extermination; lesson of divine providence Job -- problem of human suffering Psalms -- national hymnbook of Israel Proverbs -- wisdom for life (especially valuable for teenagers) Ecclesiastes -- meaning and purpose of life Song of Songs -- romantic love (possibly among newlyweds) Isaiah -- Judahite crisis at the end of the 8th century B.C.; projections of comfort after the coming Babylonian captivity; glimpses of Messianic glory Jeremiah -- downfall of Jerusalem and spiritual commentary Lamentations -- funeral dirge for a fallen people Ezekiel -- apocalyptic message for a people facing a long captivity Daniel -- a picture of captivity from inside the royal courts; a peek at the distant future for God's people Hosea -- Northern Israel an unfaithful adulteress and God's punishment: Assyrian captivity Joel -- Locust plague and its apocalyptic dimensions Amos -- Judgment pronounced on Israel; much like Hosea, but from the mouth of a "southern" herdsman Obadiah -- Woe to Edom, an unfaithful "brother" Jonah -- running away from God (ch. 1); to God (2); with God (3); and ahead of God (4) Micah -- contemporary of Isaiah, with much the same emphasis Nahum -- Judgment pronounced against Nineveh of Assyria, historic enemy of God's people Habakkuk -- focuses on God's judgment, using Babylonian power against Judah; questions God's justice Zephaniah -- parallel to Jeremiah; fall of Jerusalem and apocalyptic dimensions of future restoration Haggai -- catalyst to rebuilding the Temple Zechariah -- exhortations after the return from exile, and the apocalyptic/messianic dimensions Malachi -- cleaning up abuses in the Temple; prediction of a new era with the coming of "Elijah" -- Via Focus Magazine, April 2001 ____________________________________________________ -4- When the Fire Flickers by Robert F. Turner Conversations with students and young preachers frequently reveal discouragement with what they find in many churches. "These people couldn't care less -- they are not on fire for the Lord's work." My first thought is "How long have you cared -- when did you catch fire?" The newly enthused likely fall into three groups: (1) new converts (perhaps starry-eyed, but we need their freshness as much as they need our experience); (2) new preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, etc., where new responsibility has awakened eyes to see brethren in a different light; and, (3) brethren shaken out of complacency by the influence of those "faithful few" who plug on regardless of what others do. The new converts may "burn out" or line up with the majority, as many of them do; the new teacher may quit in frustration, and the young preacher "move on" looking for Utopia. But none will have served his Lord with honor. The cause of Christ depends on those who stay on fire, lighting others; whose flame is not the flaring rocket of a celebration, but the glow and warmth of the home hearth -- feeding the family, welcoming strangers. These make the converts, shake the complacent, and with their help continue the work others quit in disgust. One can be realistic without being a pessimist: can work with the status quo without accepting it as final. We must recognize our problems in order to work on them. Saying the church consists of imperfect people is another way of saying we have a job to do -- on ourselves, and others. The teacher must not quit because the pupils lack interest. It is his job to create interest in the subject matter. The zealous young preacher, with maturity enough to control himself and put his talents to work, is just what that dead church needs. By example we can teach those new converts that all of us are but striving for perfection. There are yet "seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal" (Rom. 11:4); and the Lord is counting on us to find them and join hands with them, to salt and light the world in which we live. -- via Plain Talk, August 1983 ____________________________________________________ -5- News & Notes We want to be remembering John Pitman in prayer, who moved to North Carolina about a year and a half ago. He continues to be in very poor health. For a man who has loved God and the church so much of his life, it must be very difficult for him to not be able to even attend the assemblies any more. (When in Kentucky, he and his wife used to drive more than 50 miles one-way to worship with us for about a year.) He no longer drives and can just barely get into a wheelchair from his bed and vice versa -- and even that is usually not without the assistance of someone else. I know he will appreciate our prayers. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________