____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ August 12, 2007 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) "And He Took Courage" (Kyle Campbell) 2) The Most Unfamiliar Book (Frank Vondracek) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- "And He Took Courage" by Kyle Campbell Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing." We come together not only for the purpose of worshiping God, but also for encouraging and building one another up. In fact, encouragement is a major function for Christians. The Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Acts 28:15 says, "And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage." Paul had just arrived in Italy after his long and arduous voyage from Caesarea. He naturally would have great anxiety and discouragement since it had been so long since Paul had received word about his brethren in Rome. He did not know if they would still be faithful or if persecutions had driven them from their homes. However, he found them well and resumed his journey with an eager and buoyant hope. The word "courage" means "confidence" and is used in Acts 23:11 where the Lord told Paul to take courage in prison and in John 16:33 where Jesus told his disciples to be of good cheer. The point is we are here to build up one another. Paul spoke a number of times of Christians who had refreshed his spirit. We are going to examine six items that encouraged Paul when he saw them in his brethren. These are also items that will encourage us when we see them in our brethren. He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Of Like Faith In Romans 1:11-12 Paul longed to see the Roman brethren because their faith would encourage him. In 2 Peter 1:1 Peter wrote to those who had received a faith of equal standing with the apostles through their careful study and conduct of life. Nothing is more encouraging than spending time with brethren in Christ. They lift and refresh our spirits because we share one of the greatest bonds God ever created. I don't know about you, but working with non-Christians is depressing. We need the encouragement that being around brethren of like faith provides (Rom. 12:10). He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Rightfully Praised The Roman brethren were worthy of praise because their faith was being proclaimed throughout the whole world (Rom. 1:8). As Paul concluded the letter, he reiterated the great faith and obedience of those brethren (Rom. 16:19). Our purpose should always be one of reproving and rebuking where necessary, but we also need to be praising where necessary. We need to know that sometimes we do things that are right. He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Concerned Galatians 6:2 gives us a command to bear one another's burdens. This is an excessive weight that needs the help of other children of God. John asserted that we demonstrate the love of God within us by how we help other Christians in their time of need (1 John 3:17). The Lord's people are to be compassionate. We need to be diligent to have a tender heart toward those who struggle with the trials of this life. Let us not close our hearts against them. He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Unashamed In 2 Timothy 1:12-16 Paul gives commands to follow the truth and cites examples of both those who held fast to the standard of sound words and those who fell away. The only way the Lord's church will expand is through the hard work of its members who are unashamed to present the full gospel message to those around them. I think it is disgraceful to see how many "churches" try to market the gospel as they would market a car and to make churches as "user-friendly" as possible. The truth which will save people's souls is sometimes a hard pill to swallow and deliver. He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Being Thoughtful Paul outlined the humility of mind necessary for a Christian and then gave Christ as the perfect example (Phil. 2:3-5). In Philippians 4:15-17 Paul commended the Philippians for their participation with him in the spreading of the gospel. It was not the money that he needed, but he was appreciative of the gift because it taught the Philippians about the grace of God. When working with Paul, their gracious spirit would grow to even greater heights. All of the gospel surrounds the tenet of viewing others as more important than ourselves. God wants sacrifice, not self-centeredness. The quicker we lose ourselves the quicker we will start living appropriately with our fellow man. He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Do The Unexpected In 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 Paul was truly touched by the gift of the churches of Macedonia. They had a genuine concern and deep liberality, even though they were in poverty themselves. In Acts 2:44-45, we read of brethren who took these sacrificing steps because they wanted to, not because they were forced. They wanted to make sure the poor were cared for. It thrills the heart to see brethren act in a manner which would please the Lord. We live in a cynical society and it is easy to take the approach that brethren will only do the least amount they have to, but that's not true. The Lord's body is full of brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help those in need. Conclusion Let's encourage one another and make sure our lives reflect all the good qualities of the Lord's people. When we learn to associate with brethren of like faith, praise what is good, be concerned for the welfare of others, be unashamed to proclaim the true gospel, be thoughtful and do the unexpected, we grow. The world is so full of evil and wickedness and lies in the power of Satan. How refreshing it is to surround ourselves with men and women whose characters reflect the supreme character, Jesus Christ. It is only through living according to this example that we become like the Lord. We can only live after the Lord by becoming obedient to the Lord. -- Via Guardian of Truth XLI: 20 p. 3-4, October 16, 1997 ____________________________________________________ -2- The Most Unfamiliar Book by Frank Vondracek I'll not beat around the bush. The most unfamiliar book on earth to too many of us is God's book, the Bible. The claims the Bible makes for itself are astonishing. It says of itself, "I am perfect. I am complete. I am infallible. I am truth. I am sufficient. I am the very words of God, and as such I am eternal, everlasting, indestructible and powerful" (2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12). Also, the Bible claims to give faith; to guide man's life, to give new life and to lead to eternal life (1 Pet. 1:22-25). Have you ever tried to count all the blessings given to you by God? It's not easy to acknowledge every one of them because we don't always recognize some blessings until later. While the Bible says God tempts no man (Jas. 1:13), it clearly states that He often tries or tests us. Such times are occasions to gauge our faith, trust and dependence on God. James says that even hard times, difficulties and sorrows are blessings in disguise. These kinds of experiences ought to help Christians to come out stronger in faith and patience (Jas. 1:2-4). What about the Bible in all this? If you have ever read, studied and meditated upon Psalm 119, you at least know that this psalm is entirely about the word of God and the believer. There are 22 sections to this psalm, one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each section contains eight verses, a total of 176 verses. But what is more important for us is what the psalm says. I believe once we learn its message, we will be drawn to the conclusion that perhaps the Bible is our most unfamiliar book, for otherwise we would not fret so much when things of life go awry. Within this psalm we are told about the precepts of God (v.4). The word of God, when hidden in one's heart: helps one not to sin (v.11); counsels (v.24); gives hope (v.81); is unchangeable (v.89); causes rejoicing in the heart (v.111); is precious (v.127); gives light (v. 130); is pure (v.140); is truth (v.160); and brings delight (v.174). These are but a smattering of the contents of God's word. Don't allow yourself to think that because these are stated in the Old Testament that they don't accurately describe God's word even of the New Testament. Also, notice that it is in relationship to the believer that these characteristics of God's word are declared. Actually, if God had not created man in His likeness and after His image, stating these things about His word would not have served any purpose. If I cannot freely choose to either use or to ignore God's word, then there would be no point to all that is said about God's word in the Bible. But when I finally realize that only with the word of God can I be of greatest use and value to God, then will I earnestly and diligently strive to learn as much of God's gracious gift as possible. For it is by means of His revelation of His mind and will that I can know what He expects of me and instructs me to become. I believe that God dwells, moves, works and abides in the believer (Eph. 3:17). But His means of doing so is by use of His word (Jn. 14:23). Notice Psalm 119 again. There is not a hint of God's presence without the word. There is no power in a believer's life apart from the word of God. The most unfamiliar book of all is the Bible. This is generally true for people of the world, and is sometimes true of Christians. Now then, don't you just have to know more about it and its message? Read it, study it and meditate upon it. Use what you learn and before you realize it, the Bible will be your most familiar companion and guide. Please consider this suggestion. -- Via Think on These Things, January-February-March, 2006 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Let those of us who are Christians be remembering in prayer Adis Armstrong (Luther Shuff's sister), along with her family and friends. She has been diagnosed with a large, inoperable tumor on the pancreas that is impairing her liver. The doctors have given her just a couple weeks to live. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________