____________________________________________________ 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 14, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Seeing God Seeing Us (Tom Edwards) 2) Hold Fast the Pattern (Keith Sharp) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Seeing God Seeing Us by Tom Edwards A few weeks ago, I imagined how beautiful it would be for the faithful Christian at the close of his life, or even when passing on from this temporary, physical realm, to be allowed to look back over his entire life, counting his numerous blessings, and to see how that God was always right there, every moment of the day, watching over him. That the Lord had His eyes on him, for instance, when he was plowing in the fields, when he was in the barn milking his cows, when he was out on his tractor harvesting the corn, and when his first child was born, etc. That for each circumstance or event in that person's life (as in any individual's), the Lord was very much aware of all of these happenings; and He looked with love and concern upon that person. For God to open the eyes of the individual that the Lord's watching over him might really be seen -- not by faith, but by sight or like a "video-vision" of one's entire life that would show God always being right there in the background, observing, and with a special interest in His creation of man who was made in God's own image -- what a full realization that would be. But, of course, that is not to say that it cannot be a blessing to realize the Lord's presence simply by faith. For Jesus Himself says, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (Jn. 20:29). And this is what the Lord has chosen for now, for we are to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). But there is coming a time when faith will be no more -- for it will be swallowed up by sight and, therefore, made unnecessary (cf. Rom. 8:24,25). It will be a time when "...we shall see Him just as He is" (1 Jn. 3:2). But until then, may we have that faith that will enable us to do what Peter states in 1 Peter 1:8,9: "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." Corresponding to this, Paul, also, makes mention of "seeing" the invisible. As our outer man perishes and the inner man is daily renewed, "...we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18). This is spiritual vision. It is seeing with the eyes of faith, and that which the Hebrew writer also exhorts us to do: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1,2). To be "fixing our eyes on Jesus" doesn't mean that we merely glance at Him; but, rather, it means we give our serious attention to Him; we focus on Him fully and intently. Whereas our physical eyes can decrease in strength, our spiritual eyes of faith can be made increasingly stronger through God's word and our submission to it. The greater our faith means the greater our vision of the Lord. David had a pretty good vision of God and of the Lord's all-seeing eye. He realized that there was no place in all the universe where he could hide from the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 139:7-10: "Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me." Yes, David knew that the Lord was watching over him, regardless of the location. So, whether we live on one side of the country or the other, on one side of the world or the other, isn't it great to know that the same God is there -- regardless of our location? The scenery might look different, but it is still the same Lord to whom we pray and of whom we serve. I find that comforting. And concerning God being intimately acquainted with us, note what David states in the first four verses of that chapter: "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all." God not only watches over us, but He also looks inside of us -- to the very depths of our soul. He knows our inmost thoughts -- even that which we hold in secret (cf. Matt. 9:4; 12:25). He knows our motives and intentions. There is nothing that we can hide from Him. The Hebrew writer states it this way: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:12,13). Our physical eyes cannot see God because He is Spirit (Jn. 4:24); but with the eyes of faith, we can see Him as David did, and know that the Lord is always observant of us (cf. Psa. 33:13,14). May we each, therefore, strive to improve our spiritual vision through our study of God's word (Rom. 10:17; Jn. 20:30,31; 1 Jn. 5:13) and putting His word into practice in our lives, that we might see the Lord more clearly, walk with Him more closely, and love Him more fervently. ____________________________________________________ -2- Hold Fast the Pattern by Keith Sharp Introduction Several years ago I arranged to have a study with a preacher in another church of Christ in the town where I lived about differences we had on the subject of institutionalism. He admitted he had not studied the subject much, but he wanted me to read a tract written by Athens Clay Pullias entitled "Where There Is No Pattern." The thesis of this brochure was that there is no New Testament pattern in the area of our disagreement, and, thus, we are free to do as we please without constraints from divine law. Our disagreement involved the organization and work of the church. If the tract is correct, there is no divine pattern for the organization and work of the church! For a generation some brethren have cried, "We do lots of things without Bible authority!" In the last several years some have followed this plea to its logical conclusion. One brother claimed of the New Testament: "Nowhere, nowhere, do I find a consistent diagram or blueprint of what life should be or what the church should be." Another declared: "I am willing to admit that I do not have faith in the binding nature of Divine Revelation." This raises the question, Is the New Testament a binding pattern for people today? Paul Says It Is The apostle Paul plainly stated that the New Testament is a pattern. He commanded: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13). The author of Hebrews, in comparing the Old and New Testaments, appealed to the example of the construction of the tabernacle by Moses. The Lord commanded Moses, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain" (Hebrews 8:5; cf. Exodus 25:40; also vv. 8-9). The Lord instructed Moses to build the tabernacle according to the divine pattern revealed on Mt. Sinai. Moses did just that (Exodus 39:42-43). As the result, "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34-35). This is a "copy and shadow of the heavenly things" for us (Hebrews 8:5). Just as the tabernacle and all the service pertaining to it were set up according to the pattern made known through Moses, the New Testament church and all that pertains to it are ordered by the pattern revealed through Christ. What the Pattern Is The apostle even revealed what the divine pattern is. He described it as "the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me" (2 Timothy 1:13). The New Testament pattern is composed of "sound words." The term "sound" means "to be well, to be in good health.... true and incorrupt doctrine" (Thayer. 634). Just as nutritious food is conducive to a sound body, even so "true and incorrupt doctrine" builds a healthy spirit. True doctrine is that which comes from God (John 17:17; Romans 3:3-4). But it must also be "incorrupt." Just as a small amount of deadly poison in otherwise healthful food can be fatal, a little human doctrine mixed with the doctrine of Christ is deadly to the soul (Galatians 1:6-9). This pattern is composed of the "words which you have heard from me" (Paul). Since Paul was an apostle, the things he taught came through the Holy Spirit from Christ (Ephesians 3:1-6). Therefore, the New Testament pattern on any subject is composed of everything the New Testament teaches on that subject. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If we find everything the New Testament teaches about salvation, that is the divine pattern on salvation. The same principle is likewise true of the family, obligations to civil government, righteousness in business relationships, responsibilities to our neighbors, holy living, worship, organization of the church, work of the church, or any other subject which pertains to the salvation of one's soul. Responsibility to the Pattern The apostle also made known our responsibility to this pattern. He commanded, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words." The phrase "Hold fast" means "keep" (Thayer. 266) or "steadfast adherence to" (Vine. 2:223). Just as Moses made "all things according to the pattern" and just as Noah built the ark "according to all that God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22; cf. vv. 14-16), so we must follow the divine pattern found in the New Testament in all we do (Colossians 3:17). To act in disregard of the New Testament pattern is to leave God (2 John 9-11). Attitudes The beloved apostle even informed us of the attitudes we must maintain toward the divine blueprint. He commanded us to follow it "in faith and love." Since faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), in order to do things by faith, we must do those things and only those things that are authorized in the New Testament. Those whose lives are pleasing to God "walk by faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7). If we practice and teach things not authorized by the Lord in His word, we are not walking by faith, and our lives are displeasing to God. Further, we are to exercise love in holding fast this pattern. We must always speak and practice truth, but it must be done in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15). Love of the truth demands we preach and practice truth. Love of God requires our obedience to Him (1 John 5:3). Love of our brothers and sisters in Christ compels us to seek their good in all we do (1 John 3:16-18) and to never place a stumbling block before them to cause them to sin (1 John 2:10). Conclusion The division that exists among Christians is tragic (cf. John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3). If all would lay aside opinions and creeds and determine to believe, preach, and practice the pattern of sound words, the doctrine of Christ, we would all be one (1 Corinthians 1:10). Brother, sister, it must begin with you and me. Will you not determine to hold fast the pattern of sound words? -- Via Meditate on These Things, April 29, 2002 ____________________________________________________ -3- We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Joe Thompson (of Londonderry, PA). His funeral was December 17 at the Collins Funeral Home in Oxford (PA). Let those of us who are Christians be praying for his family and many friends. Joe had lived 87 years. He was a good man and will be greatly missed; but we can be thankful for the memories of him that will continue to bless those of us who knew him, throughout our lives, and to live with the hope of meeting again in that glorious place called heaven -- if we will trust and obey the Savior. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________