____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ October 23, 2005 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Refreshing Christians (Bobby K. Thompson) 2) Those Two Brothers (Charles G. Caldwell, Jr.) ____________________________________________________ -1- Refreshing Christians by Bobby K. Thompson The word refreshing is defined: "to restore strength, spirit, etc." It is opposed to stale or stagnant. The word refreshing is used in the scriptures to describe some Christians. Paul uses the word several times and it appears to be also peculiar to his writings. There are some Christians in whose presence we feel uncomfortable. Like a wintry blast, they seem to chill us through and through. On the other hand, there are those in whose presence we find sunshine and genuine delight. As water refreshes the thirsty, food the hungry, sleep the weary, air the suffocating...there are Christians who refresh the souls of others. Who wants to be considered stale and stagnant? We should have a definite desire to be looked upon as refreshing! Paul evaluated Philemon in these words: "For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother" (Philemon 7). Let us notice other Christians who refreshed Paul. In so doing, we can learn what is expected of us in things refreshing Christians. They were praying Christians. This is evident from what one reads in Romans 15:30-32: "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed." This language was written by Paul before he went to Rome. In it he requested their prayers to the end that he and they might be refreshed. The prayers of saints are refreshing to the weary worker in the kingdom of God. Paul was desirous of their prayers for him. This was foremost in his mind at such a time. Christians are refreshing to fellow workers in the vineyard of the Lord when they pray for them and are not ashamed to let them know about it. If we aren't careful, we can become so self-centered that we pray only for our needs without concern for anyone else. We hardily refresh ourselves...let alone any of our brethren! They were optimistic Christians. This thought is suggested by Paul's words in I Corinthians 16:17-18: "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such." Evil tidings concerning the brethren in Corinth had reached the ears of the apostle. These things had depressed his soul, but the coming of these brethren refreshed him. Perhaps, they presented the bright side of a dark picture. The optimist brightens while the pessimist dampers. One has defined an optimist: "a person who finds a worm in the morning and anticipates fish for dinner." When the pessimist thinks he is taking a chance, the optimist feels he is grasping an opportunity. The optimist looks upon life as an unexpected dividend; the pessimist, as a note coming due. We are not to discolor the situation and deny facts, but all things considered, Christians have every right to be optimistic. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:31-34). Optimism is catching and it is a very refreshing thing as compared to pessimism. They were responsive Christians. We note this thought from II Corinthians 7:13: "Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all." Hearing of the sins of the Corinthians, Paul sent them a letter by Titus calling the congregation to repentance. The church had responded in proper repentance and Paul sent them another letter in which he related how their response had been refreshing. Perhaps nothing refreshes Christians more than seeing those who need to repent respond to the will of God. It is never refreshing to see people give a deaf ear to the word of God. Our faith should never waver when people reject the word of God. It is still God's word and just as powerful as it ever was. However, what a refreshing thing it is to see people obey and respond as they should to the truth. Such adds emphasis to the glorious fact that the word of the Lord lives and abides forever. Let's give heed to being refreshing Christians. This certainly means that we fervently pray for workers in the kingdom; that we are filled with optimism and the word quit is not a part of our vocabulary as we continue to be diligent doers of His word. -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, October 16, 2005 ____________________________________________________ -2- Those Two Brothers by Charles G. Caldwell, Jr. James and John, sons of Zebedee, together with Peter were among the most faithful disciples of Jesus and privileged to accompany Him on many occasions when others of the Apostles were not allowed to go. These three are sometimes referred to as "the inner circle" of Jesus. They, however, were very slow to grasp the fundamental concept of His Kingdom being not temporal but spiritual in its nature. If it was a difficult thing for these who walked and talked with the Master here on earth and who were privy to His every word spoken in private conversation -- I say, if it was hard for them to understand the nature of His kingdom, perhaps we can better comprehend how it is that many in our day with their prejudices and preconceived ideas have difficulty along this line. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). It would seem that anyone would be able to understand that the Kingdom of Christ is totally a spiritual institution and not, therefore, of this world. The Request In Matt. 20:20,21 and the parallel passage in Mark 10:35, we are told that James and John in company with their mother, Salome, came to Jesus with the request that they should have prominent places in His Kingdom. "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy glory" (Mark 10:37). Matthew records that Jesus put the question squarely to the mother, "What wilt thou?" She replied, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom." For Jesus to be in His "glory" and to be in His "Kingdom" is the same thing. In heaven today He is at the right hand of God and in His "glory"; and since to be in His "glory" and to be in His "kingdom" is the same thing, He is now in His "kingdom." Let there be no mistake about that. To sit on the right hand of a sovereign ruler is to occupy the highest position of honor that he can give. To sit on the left hand is to occupy the second highest position. Both positions entail not only great honor but also involve tremendous responsibility. To occupy these positions in the Kingdom of Christ was the heart's desire of these two brothers. Why The Request? The traditional view is to look upon these disciples with disdain. In a highly critical air we are inclined to regard them as being rather egocentric, thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to think. "Why should they consider themselves more deserving of prominence than all the others? Who do they think they are anyway?," we are inclined to ask. And so we conclude that this indeed was an ugly chapter in the lives of these otherwise good men. Is it possible that our conclusions are based solely on the attitude of the other Apostles who "were moved with indignation against the two brothers" (Matt. 20:24). I have an idea that we have been too hard on James and John. It is my conviction that there is much here that is worthy of our serious consideration and emulation. If we can just put out of our minds for a moment the conceptions to which we have been wedded, let us look at these two men in the contextual setting. Faith in the Promises Note first of all, that Jesus had just made the statement, for the third time at least, that He would be crucified. He spoke of His being betrayed, that the rulers would condemn Him to death. Being delivered to the Gentiles He would be mocked, scourged and crucified. He was careful to add, however, that the third day He would rise again. Surely James and John had heard all this and had been duly impressed with it. But, did that dampen their faith? Did that cast any doubt in their mind as to His ability to do what He had taught throughout His career that He would do and what was prophesied by the seerers of old? Men of lesser faith would have wavered. But James and John had supreme faith in their Master and were confident that He would set up His kingdom just as He had promised and that He would rule over it. True, they did not fully understand the nature of the Kingdom but whatever the nature they wanted to be a part of it when it did come. I can think of no incident that demonstrates more forcefully their invincible faith in Christ. I am convinced that our faith in Christ and His promises is not always that strong. Too often when the way grows weary and our sky grows dark and troubles beset us on every hand our faith wavers. In the hour when we need Him most, our faith in Christ weakens and we fail to unreservedly believe that He is with us to bless and carry the weight of the load resting heavily upon us. We should never abandon the conviction that the victory belongs to our Lord and regardless of opposing forces and obstacles in our way, if we will but walk by His side and hold to His hand we too will be victorious in the fight. The Word of God gives to us assurance that Christ will reign, in His Kingdom, till all His enemies are abolished (1 Cor. 15:25, 26). "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. 57). Unquestioned Loyalty Another thing that strikes me about these two brothers is their loyalty and fidelity. Even though they had been told of all that Jesus was to endure and the assurance given that they too would suffer because of their allegiance to Him and even drink of the cup of death, it never entered their mind to turn back, to forsake, to get out of the line of fire. "We will follow all the way" was their attitude. Oh, how we need men -- and women -- like that today: Christians who love the Lord supremely and are not about to give up or faint in the way because of adverse circumstances. We need those, who like James and John, are determined to "stay with it." How about you, my brother, are you so determined? Ambitious The criticism most commonly leveled against these two disciples of Jesus is that they were ambitious. But, is that really something to be despised: Is it not rather to their credit: They were looking forward eagerly to the coming of the Kingdom predicted by the Master. Without a great deal of understanding concerning its nature, they nevertheless wanted to be a real and vital part of it. The very fact that it was Christ's Kingdom and that He was to be the King over it was sufficient to commend it unreservedly to them. Certainly, they wanted to be in it. But more than that, they wanted to be deeply involved in it. There are too many in the Kingdom of the Lord today who have an altogether different view of the matter. They are those who have no ambition so far as spiritual matters are concerned. They are willing to assume an air of complacence, sit back and let others do the work, enjoy if possible the blessings without taking on any of the responsibilities. In other words, they are content to just sit around doing nothing, just going along for the ride. How unlike James and John! The Request Not Denied You will note that Jesus did not tell these brothers that they would not occupy the positions for which they asked. He rather told them that those positions would "be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." Then He proceeded to inform them who the Father had decreed should hold such positions. It would be the one who ministered; the one who served (Matt. 20:26,27). He reiterated the same thought in Matt. 23:11,12, "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Worthwhile positions in the Kingdom would come to James and John and they will come to you and me only as we meet the specified conditions. Are we willing to humble ourselves and render worthwhile service? How about you, my friend? -- Via Truth Magazine XXII: 5, pp. 92-93, February 2, 1978 ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________