____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ June 15, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Lessons Learned from the Twelve Spies (Ken Weliever) 2) The Different Worshipers (Don R. Hastings) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Lessons Learned from the Twelve Spies by Ken Weliever After the children of Israel were freed from Egyptian bondage and delivered from Pharaoh's army, they began their journey toward Mt. Sinai. In the wilderness God provided food, water and protection. When they arrived at Sinai, they received the law that would govern them as a nation and the pattern for the tabernacle regulating their worship. After being numbered and organized, they were now ready to enter the land of promise. However, it seems that the people originated the idea to search the land (Deut. 1:20-23). God agreed to it and told them to "spy out the land" and see how the people lived, how strong they were, and what the land looked like. After forty days, the spies returned and admitted Canaan was a wonderful land, but expressed doubt they could conquer these strong people. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, objected and said, "we are well able" to take the land. However, the majority prevailed and Israel wandered in the wilderness another 38 years while an entire generation died. This account from Numbers 13 and 14 should be very familiar to most readers. But the question is: What do we learn from it? Concerning the problems of Israel Paul wrote: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11). Regarding our approach to studying the Old Testament Paul also penned: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). So what example is set for us in this account? What admonitions do we receive? What lessons do we learn from the twelve spies? Two Attitudes The outlook of the ten spies was not very bright. Their report was one of gloom. They could only see the problems instead of the possibilities, the giants instead of God and defeat instead of victory. The inspired writer called it "an evil report" (13:32). Their attitude could certainly be called negative. On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua, were very optimistic. Their report was one of hope. They saw the possibilities instead of the problems, God instead of giants, and victory instead of defeat. God said Caleb "had a different spirit" (14:24). Yes, it was different from the ten spies because it was positive instead of negative. Today, in the world and in the church, we still have these two groups of people. Some can see the good in people, opportunities to spread the gospel and the disposition that says "we are able." While there are others who can only see the bad in people, the flaw in any idea and say "we are not able." Traits of the Ten Spies Let us look a little closer into this negative attitude of the ten spies and see what traits composed their character. (1) Doubt. They said, "We are not able" (13:31). Doubt caused them to question their resources to take the land, as well as their God who was leading them. (2) Self-depreciation. "We are in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (13:33). They saw themselves as teeny, tiny, little grasshoppers about to be squashed by the big, bad giants. (3) Fear. Joshua indicates in 14:9 that they were afraid. Fear naturally follows doubt and self-depreciation. Fear then will paralyze one and keep him from acting. (4) Critical spirit. When people become negative and inactive, they turn to criticizing others who want to move forward. The whole congregation was influenced by these terrible ten to murmur and complain against God's leaders, Moses and Aaron (14:1-2). (5) Rebellion. The preceding attitudes contributed to the spirit of rebellion against God. They said, "Let us make a captain and return to Egypt" (14:4). Can you imagine being on the brink of the promised land, and then wanting to return to the land of slavery? (6) Ingratitude. Implied is also a spirit that was not thankful for their blessings. They failed to appreciate all that God had done for them in the two years after leaving Egypt. (7) Unbelief. All of these negative traits can be summed up in one word -- unbelief. The writer of Hebrews 3:18-19 says that unbelief kept them from entering Canaan. Brethren, doesn't it scare you to death to look at this list and see so many of these negatives in the church today; attitudes that hold us back, that divide our ranks, that cause us to wander in the wilderness of sin and keep us from entering the land of promise. Several years ago James P. Needham wrote a very fine article that described negativism this way: "There is no place in the Christian's life for negativism, yet this is the persistent attitude of many. It constantly talks down the great work of God. It is a prophet of doom, gloom and boom! It says nothing is useful or beneficial, no, not gospel meetings, Bible classes, etc., etc. Everything proposed is a waste of time, effort, and especially money! That's the most important. Negativism is not realistic, but materialistic. Negativism is an elephant on the road to progress; a millstone around the neck of usefulness; a cancer of the mind of its advocate; an ice pack on the fervor of the faithful. It sees thorns on the rose bush, never the roses on the thorn bush. Its parent is little faith, its child is discouragement, its grandchild is cantankerousness and its first cousin is stubbornness!" Caleb and Joshua These two men were "different." They had a different disposition, a different focus on life, and a different attitude toward God and his work. What were some of the attributes of their attitudes? (1) Faith. They said, "We are well able to overcome" (13:30). They believed in themselves, in their fellow Israelites and most importantly in their God. (2) Confidence. Concerning the Canaanites Joshua said, "The people are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us" (14:9). They had the confidence in the outcome of this undertaking, because they knew they were doing the will of God. (3) Courage. Joshua said, "fear them not" (14:9). He was not afraid of the giants, the walled cities or the strength of the people. (4) Action. Caleb said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it" (13:30). Positive people say, "Let's go and do it now!" (5) Thankfulness. They understood the land was a gift from God, a blessing due to his delight in them (14:7-8). True appreciation for one's blessings will lead to action and obedience. Today, as we face the giant problems of sin, suffering or sickness in our personal lives or the apathy, indifference and cowardice in the lives of our brethren, we need the positive traits of faith, confidence, and courage, coupled with action and an appreciation of God's blessings to lead us on to victory. Conclusion Numbers 3:32 tells us there were 603,550 men of war. Of that number only two, Caleb and Joshua, entered into Canaan. 603,548 fell in the wilderness. Jesus said only a "few" will enter and walk the strait and narrow way leading to life, while many will walk the broad way leading to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Will you and I decide to develop the disposition like God's two heroes of old? Or will we be like those shameful spies who brought back the negative report? Don't be a whiner! Be a winner for God! -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 6, pp. 163-164, March 17, 1988 ____________________________________________________ -2- The Different Worshipers by Don R. Hastings We are going to look into the hearts of two worshipers. We shall try to see them as God does. We know that God judges the thoughts and intents of our hearts (1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13; Lk. 16:15). Therefore, for our worship to be acceptable to God, our hearts must be right with him. God wants true worshipers and these are the ones who worship him "in spirit and truth" (Jn. 4:23,24). Nathaniel has been a member of the Lord's church for several years. Occasionally, he will lead in prayer or help serve the Lord's supper. On a typical Lord's day morning, after much admonishment by his wife to be dressed on time, he arrives at services just as the song leader has called out the number for the first song. He sits in Bible class and has not filled out his Bible lesson. He rarely makes a comment in class. He longs to catch up on his sleep since he got to bed late last night. He closes his eyes, but is unable to sleep due to the uncomfortable bench and his wife's poking him in the ribs. This causes the sour mood to intensify. He is hoping the Bible class teacher will stop on time. When the worship service begins, he notes that the announcements were four minutes and 25 seconds long. He wonders why announcements even need to be made. The song leader has picked out a song with five verses and leads all five verses too slowly. He thinks the song leader is trying to show off his voice. The one, who is in charge at the Lord's table, tells what the Lord's painful sacrifice and resurrection means to him. Then, he reads some appropriate verses of Scripture. All of this takes five minutes. This really upsets him. Nathaniel thinks to himself, "Why does he need more than two minutes to say that the Lord's supper is symbolic of the Lord's death and call on brother 'so and so' to lead us in prayer?" Now that long-winded preacher begins a message from God's word. Instead of preaching a 25 minute sermon so the worship service will be over within an hour, the preacher takes forty to forty-five minutes. He thinks, "Any good preacher could 'boil' his sermon down." To help make the long minutes pass a little faster, he gets up to go to the bathroom about ten minutes into the sermon. He crawls over a few people and marches up the aisle. After ten minutes, he comes back. Then, five minutes before the close of the service, he decides to go get a drink of water. So, he disturbs the worship of others again. Nathaniel caught himself just before he said out-loud, "Oh, No!" Someone went forward to be baptized into Christ. He knows that this will add ten more minutes. Finally, the closing prayer is led. The one leading the worshipers in prayer takes four minutes to thank God for the precious soul that was cleansed of sin. He prays that God's daughter will remain faithful to him. As Nathaniel quickly leaves the building, he tells the one leading the closing prayer, "Don't be so wordy!" He feels a lot of resentment over the services going twenty-five minutes past the hour. He tells his wife, "I didn't get anything out of the worship!" She reproves him for the discouraging remark made to the one who led the closing prayer. He replies, "Anyone, who will make me stand for four minutes, needs to have his feelings hurt!" Sister Phoebe is getting "up in years." She is happy today because today she will assemble with her brothers and sisters in the Lord to praise her Redeemer. She drives to the building with a prayer in her heart that the Lord will help her to get there safely and that her worship will be acceptable to him. With a smile on her face, she greets her brethren and visitors. She is there in plenty of time. After the Bible class, she tells the teacher that some of the spiritual truths brought out in class are particularly helpful to her. She listens to the announcements carefully for she wants to call or send cards to those not present. She cares about the welfare of each not there. She opens her songbook and makes "melody" with her heart to the Lord. Her voice is breaking with age, but her heartstrings vibrate with more vigor. The words, by the one in charge of the Lord's table, bring tears to her eyes. As she partakes of the emblems, she feels so deeply her love for the Lord grow stronger. She is determined to keep herself pure and bring glory to his name! She doesn't take her eyes off the preacher. Hearing again, about God's great love for mankind in sending his beloved Son to die on the cross that all might be made pure by his blood, thrills her soul. Time passes so quickly that it is difficult for her to believe that the lesson is over when the preacher concludes by calling upon sinners to turn from their sins to God. Oh, how her heart rejoices when one comes forward to confess her faith in Christ! Watching one being buried with her Lord in baptism and raised to walk after the example of Christ, brings back precious memories of her own conversion. She hugs so fervently her new sister in Christ and tells her that she wants to help her be a faithful Christian. She looks forward to showing hospitality and having her into her home. She listens carefully to the closing prayer and quietly says, "Amen!" She takes time to find and commend the song leader, the one presiding at the Lord's table, and particularly appreciates the beautifully expressed thoughts of the one leading the closing prayer. She tells the preacher that it seemed as though he had just gotten up to preach when he was finishing the sermon. She appreciated the fact that the sermon exalted Jehovah for it was based on his holy word. On her way home, she is so spiritually alive that she sings for joy. She takes comfort from knowing that God cares for her and in only six hours she can assemble to worship her Creator again. Which worshiper best describes your worship? Which worshiper offers worship pleasing to God? -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 4, pp. 108-109, February 18, 1988 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Let those of us who are Christians be praying for Luther Shuff who hasn't been feeling well lately. Let us also pray for Bill Baker (of Gap, PA) who is a member of the church of Christ in Avondale. He has recently had two aneurysms: One of which was already operated on; but for the other, he might have to wait up to 4 weeks. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________