____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ July 1, 2007 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Unanswered Prayers (Lewis Willis) 2) The Mystery Revealed (Edward O. Bragwell, Jr.) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Unanswered Prayers by Lewis Willis When I think of prayer, I think of it as the very essence of the Christian's relationship to God. It is our link of communication with him, as the New Testament is his link of communication with us. I, therefore, regard prayer as a sacred, individual right and privilege. Because of this view of mine, I have always been hesitant to say much about the Christian and his prayers. We must teach what the Bible teaches about prayer, leaving the application of that message to each Christian. I try to do that. Jesus taught that men ought always to pray (Lk. 18:1). Paul said that we should pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). James taught us to pray for one another (Jas. 5:16). In the application of these instructions, there are certain things that we must keep in mind. We must prepare our minds to pray by setting aside worldly cares and concerns. We address the prayer to God who is our Father. We are not praying that our will might be done, but that God's will be done (I Jn. 5:14). We are to pray in faith that God will do as his word says he will do (Jas. 1:6-7). Scriptural prayers are offered with humility, in the name of Christ, that is, by his authority and unto his glory (Jn. 14:13; Col. 3:17). When Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim. 2:1), he told him that he should offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks for all men. "Supplications" are our requests regarding our needs. "Prayers" are any discourse with God, which would include petitions, praise and thanksgiving. "Intercessions" are our pleas to God on behalf of others. "Thanksgiving" obviously expresses our thanks for the multitude of blessings, both physical and spiritual, which we enjoy in this life. When we offer our prayers, we always want to remember to be thankful for the multitude of blessings God has bestowed upon us. Christians are saved by the grace of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and through compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the New Testament. Someone was concerned enough about us to tell us of the love of God and show us the things that we need to do to be saved. Certainly Christians are thankful for this blessing. But, we are also given great privileges, opportunities and comforts that are physical in their nature and it would be an act of utter ingratitude if we were not thankful for these physical blessings as well. Intercessions, our prayers for others, will include petitions unto God in behalf of many. We intercede for our brethren, our family, our enemies, our rulers, the sick, those who are lost and for elders, deacons and preachers (Phil. 1:9; Matt. 5:44; 1 Tim. 2:2; Rom. 10:1; Jas. 5:13; 2 Thess. 3:1-2). Many prayers are prayers of intercession. I believe in the power of prayer (Jas. 5:16). I, therefore, would encourage and admonish all of God's people to be regular and fervent in prayer. For some reason, God appointed that we should tell him of our petitions for others, and express to him our gratitude. I could reason that, being God, he knows our petitions and our thanksgivings. But my "reasonings" do not constitute the rules governing prayer. Thus, we must simply do what he told us to do -- pray! Something interesting happened the other day. I was listening to the radio and I heard a new song by a country singer. I have thought about a line or two in the song ever since. I doubt that it was his purpose to make it so, but it contained a powerful message. I was so impressed with it that I have planned this article for two weeks. The line said, "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." Think about that a moment. Suppose a person prayed for wealth. If he got the wealth in answer to his prayer, would he be able to handle the changes it would work in his life? Have you noted some of the problems people have had who have won great lottery prizes? Some of them are in prison for writing "hot checks." Great temptation would come to the wealthy. Could you keep your faith intact in the face of these temptations? "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers!" Or, consider the prayers that we offer for people who are very old or sick. We often pray that they would enjoy greater length of life. But, old age and sickness can be a great burden, not just for those who suffer these things, but for their loved ones as well. Suppose a family member is suffering from cancer. He grows weaker daily, and his pain is immense. Not wanting to give up our loved one, we pray that he might live awhile longer. If the prayer is answered, he has more days of weakness and pain. "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers!" There are times when we think we know best. Based on that assumption, we petition the throne of God for the things we desire. However, we are aware that we certainly do not always know what is best. That God does know is the essence of our trust in him. When we offer our prayers according to his will, we are not only asking as the Bible teaches us to ask, but we are also asking that his will override ours in the provision of what is best. This is the simple process of, in our minds, granting to God his inherent supremacy in deciding what is best for all concerned. Most of us, if honest, will readily confess that his will is better than ours anyway. Our prayers will always reflect that truth. Continue to pray to God. Let him answer your prayers. But, be prepared when he does not answer as you ask. -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXV: 7, pp. 193, 215, April 4, 1991 ____________________________________________________ -2- The Mystery Revealed by Edward O. Bragwell, Jr. I often hear people say that the Bible cannot really be understood. One reason some give is that the Bible is a mystery that no one can understand. As proof, they point to the fact that the Bible sometimes refers to itself as a mystery. Now it is true that in many passages the Bible does characterize the things within it as a "mystery." The question that must be asked is if these things continue to be a mystery. Let's first look at what is meant by the word mystery. A mystery is "something unexplained, unknown, or kept secret" (Webster's New World Dictionary). The Greek word "musterion" (moos-tay-ree-on) which is translated mystery in the New Testament literally means "to shut the mouth" and means "a secret" according to Strong. So the things that are contained in the Scriptures are things that at least at one time God kept His mouth shut about or kept secret. But the question is whether these things are a mystery or secret any longer or has God made His will known to us so that we can understand. A careful consideration of a few Bible passages should give us the answer to this. 1. Rom 16:25-27: "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith -- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." Notice that although the "revelation of the mystery" had been "kept secret since the world began" that Paul says it "now has been made manifest" and "by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations." Does that sound like the things in the Scriptures are still covered up (kept secret) or have they been uncovered (revealed) so that we can know and understand God's will? 2. 1 Cor. 2:7-10: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." Notice here that Paul said that he and others spoke the "mystery" or "hidden wisdom" of God. But they were able to speak these things because "God has revealed them to us." When the Holy Spirit made known the things of God to Paul and others, it no longer was secret. It is no longer a mystery, but can be known and understood. 3. Eph 1:7-10: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth -- in Him." We see here again that the "mystery of His will" has been "made known to us." It is no longer kept secret. We can know it and understand it. 4. Eph 3:3-12: "How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." There are several things brought out here. We see that Paul had the "mystery" revealed to him. This mystery had not been revealed in "other ages," but had now been "revealed" or uncovered. Paul wrote down what he received and when we read it we can "understand" what was revealed to him. Also Paul had within his power to "make all see" what was once a "mystery" that had been "hidden in God," but obviously no longer was hidden. God's word is therefore no longer a mystery, but something that has been revealed so that we can understand it. 5. Col 1:24-29: "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." Notice again that here the "word of God" is characterized as "the mystery which has been hidden," but "now has been revealed." These passages ought to be enough to convince us that the Bible is not a mystery which cannot be understood by us today. On the contrary, God's will was once a MYSTERY shut up in His mind UNTIL He saw fit to REVEAL it to us by the apostles and prophets, who wrote it down in what we now know as the Bible. We can understand it now. All we have to do is read it and follow it. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, April 15, 2007 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Bob McGregor (Joe's brother), whom we have reported as having cancer, is now undergoing kidney failure. The hospital tried dialysis, but to no avail. It appears that it is just a matter of days for Bob. Please be remembering him and his family and friends in your prayers. The Gospel Meeting at the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales (at 405 W. Orice Roth Road) begins this Friday and continues through Sunday (July 6-8) with Kevin Clark from Birmingham, Alabama, as the guest speaker. The Friday and Saturday services will start at 7 PM. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________