____________________________________________________ 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 28, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Problem of Private Lust (Connie W. Adams) 2) ZEAL: Are You on Fire for the Lord? (Bryan Gibson) 3) The Kind of Kingdom Jesus Resisted (Clarence R. Johnson) ____________________________________________________ -1- The Problem of Private Lust by Connie W. Adams Lust has gone public in America. No subject is too delicate for a television or movie script. Pornography is big business. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination. Yet, this business would utterly fail were it not for the fact that it feeds the private yearnings of corrupted hearts. It is from this private cesspool of defilement that this flowing well of licentiousness comes. Polluted minds demand a diet of contamination to gratify illicit hunger. This creates a climate in which the problem only feeds itself. No man ever rises above the quality of his own mind. One cannot be more perverse than his heart allows him to be. Conversely, pure and noble words and deeds first proceed from hearts that are pure and noble. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). The potentiality of private lust was recognized by Jesus when He said, "Whoso looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). In this context Jesus not only condemned the act of adultery, but also the progressions of thought which culminate in this forbidden act. It is not wrong to recognize beauty. Some have a charm and grace which is at once attractive and appealing. But it is a far different thing to allow the mind to descend to the level of fantasizing about sexual relations with one we have found to be appealing. So then, the heart must keep a distinction between admiration and lust. It is in the heart that reserves are broken down and that schemes are devised to gain attention, then seduce the one who become the object of our obsession. Adultery committed in the heart, but which proceeds no farther, may not have the frightful consequences which the overt act does -- but it is still an affront to God and destructive to the character of the one who entertains it. Recognition of the wrong and repentance are surely required. The problem is pervasive in our society. Many streams strive to erode a channel into our hearts to pervert them. Modern television programming, to say nothing of the movie industry, grind out a continual stream of coarseness, vulgarity, sexual innuendo and compromising scenes which could wear down the best defenses of the most godly were these allowed constant entry into the mind. The print media carry reports which often titillate the senses. Even television news programming often resorts to this device, I suppose to add what is conceived to be "spice" to an otherwise dry business. The music of our time, with incessant beat, preaches moral permissiveness and does much to break down convictions and moral reserves. Perhaps the two worst offenders in this area are today's rock and country-western music. The lyrics are not even subtle. They are brazen. How can any of us listen repeatedly to such lyrics without being affected to some degree? What about pornography? Is it nobody's business what a person reads or views in his own home? Should he have the Playboy channel hooked up to his cable TV? First, those who defend such right are the losers because they defile and debauch their own hearts to the destruction of their souls. Next, they contribute to a sordid business which promotes vice of every kind. Then, they run the risk of reaching a point where they cannot separate fact from fantasy and that can lead to criminal action. Unrealistic expectations develop which create disillusionment between spouses. The price for gratification of mental lust can become very expensive. The divine mandate to "flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6:18) must surely include flight from whatever channels of thought might lead us to this tragedy. We must not be filthy dreamers" (Jude 8) with defiled minds. In contrast to that, "Unto the pure all things are pure" (Titus 1:15). It is not enough to root out impurity of thought. These must be replaced with that which is decent, ennobling, gracious, uplifting and pure. "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). Whatsoever things are...pure...lovely...of good report...think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). Ultimately, the victory over private lust is bound up in the admonition of Paul to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Christ must not only be Lord of my external conduct; He must rule my mind. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6). Paul wrote, "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom. 7:23). Folks, this is a war we must win. Shall private lusts conquer us, or shall we bring our thoughts into captivity to our Lord Jesus Christ? "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14). "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1). Indeed, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste!" It was God's purpose to put His law into our hearts and write His precepts in our minds (Heb. 10:16). When the mind is so filled with the knowledge of truth and right, then whatever thought-form is inconsistent with that divine system is rejected as repulsive. It cannot grow in unprepared soil. The antidote to private lust is a constantly growing knowledge of the will of God accompanied by an active life of service in which the fruits of righteousness may be seen by others. -- Via Christianity Magazine, Vol. 1, Number 5 ____________________________________________________ -2- ZEAL: Are You on Fire for the Lord? by Bryan Gibson Have you ever heard of a man named Phinehas? This is what the Lord had to say about him: "he was zealous with My zeal" (Numbers 25:11); "he was zealous for his God" (Numbers 25:13). Could the same be said of us? Are we showing zeal for God? Of course, to be able to answer that question, we need to know what the word zeal means. Someone has defined it this way: "enthusiastic devotion to a cause, an ideal, or a goal; and tireless diligence in its furtherance." Webster offers this definition: "To be excited; intense enthusiasm, as in working for a cause; ardent endeavor or devotion; ardor; fervor." Notice the last word in the previous definition: fervor. Other forms of that word are fervent and fervently, words which are found in the New Testament. This word fervor is an interesting one. It comes from a Greek word which means to boil with heat, to make hot. In fact, the Greeks used this word to describe boiling water. The Scriptures confirm for us that this is the basic idea found in the words zeal and fervency (see 2 Peter 3:10-12; Revelation 3:14-19). So when the Lord tells us to be zealous, He is telling us to be "on fire." He wants us to have great interest and concern for His cause; to show eagerness and enthusiasm in our work for Him. Now that we understand the meaning of the word, let's look at two major areas in which we ought to show zeal. First, in doing the will of God. The Scriptures teach us to love one another fervently (1 Peter 1:22; 4:8); to pray fervently (Colossians 4:2, 12-13; James 5:16); to do really everything fervently (Colossians 3:23). What will inspire this zeal? The fact that Christ gave Himself for us (Titus 2:11-14). Zeal will come when we remember that we are living for someone who died for us. What will be the effect of this zeal on others? As 2 Corinthians 9:2 indicates, it will stir up others. Our zeal will make others more zealous. Secondly, in teaching the will of God. The following is said about Apollos: "being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord" (Acts 18:25). In other words, Apollos was on fire; he was eager to teach others the word of God. A similar attitude is expressed by Peter and John: "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). That's the kind of zeal we need today; that's the kind of zeal which will cause the church to grow. A word of caution before we close this article. Zeal, by itself, is a dangerous thing. Here is what Paul said about his fellow-Israelites: "they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). It is important to have zeal, but it is equally important that this zeal be directed in keeping with God's word. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, May 25, 2003 ____________________________________________________ -3- The Kind of Kingdom Jesus Resisted by Clarence R. Johnson After Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, "Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray" (Mark 6:45-46). Remember that Jesus and His apostles had just returned, tired and weary from preaching to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As multitudes flocked around them, the apostles had petitioned Jesus to send the multitudes away, Mark 6:36. But Jesus, realizing that the multitudes were like sheep with no shepherd, had compassion on them, taught them, and then fed them. After the multitudes had been provided for, Jesus sent His apostles away to a much-needed rest, and He also sought rest, solitude, and an opportunity to pray in a quiet atmosphere, away from the crowds. John informs us of another reason Jesus found it necessary to flee from the crowd at that time: "When Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone" (John 6:15). Strange as it may seem, numerous students of the Bible, even in our time, have the mistaken notion that Jesus wanted to be an earthly king. This, Jesus repeatedly refused to do. He came to be a king, but not a worldly king in a physical kingdom. Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual reign in the hearts of men who willingly submit their wills to His. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, Satan showed Him all the earthly kingdoms and their power, and promised it would all be His if He would worship the devil, Luke 4:5-8. Jesus declined. After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus is once again offered the opportunity of becoming a political ruler. He slipped out of the crowd, and once again declined to become an earthly monarch, John 6:15. Still later, in response to a question by the Pharisees, Jesus tried to get them to understand that His kingdom is not a political, military reign to be manifested in a manner observed by those who are worldly-minded. His kingdom is within -- within the hearts of those who make peace with God, Luke 17:20-21. When Jesus stood accused before Pilate, Pilate asked Him if He were a king. Jesus indicated that indeed He was. In fact, He was born to be a king -- but that His kingdom is not of this world, John 18:33-38. Pilate understood that Jesus' kingdom did not rival that of Caesar. Jesus' rule is spiritual, not political, and His army is spiritual, not carnal. Every Christian has a dual citizenship, rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21). -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, September 7, 2003 ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________