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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" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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August 11, 2013
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Contents:
1) "When I am Weak, then I am Strong" (II Corinthians 12:10)
(Gilbert Alexander)
2) Are You? (John Clark)
3) Solving the Problems at Corinth (Steve Wallace)
4) News & Notes
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-1-
"When I am Weak, then I am Strong" (II Corinthians 12:10)
by Gilbert Alexander
This statement is something called a paradox. That is, it appears to
be a contradiction in itself, yet it is true. Think of your own
situation as you read.
When Paul was in prison in Philippi with Silas, he had no means of
escape or comfort by his own power. Yet he and Silas prayed and sang
hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. They
were weak, yet their faith was strong, and the Lord delivered them.
This was being "strong in the Lord and in the glory of His might."
When Paul was at sea, tossed about in a terrible storm for two
weeks, he was powerless on his own against the forces of nature. But
he trusted in God and was made strong, helping his fellow travelers
to reach shore safely by the grace of God. As he struggled with his
"thorn in the flesh" and besought the Lord three times to be freed
from it, the Lord's response was, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul could face
infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses with
good courage, for the strength of Christ was most evident in these
times of personal weakness. It was in this context that he said,
"For when I am weak, then I am strong."
We are supported as Christians by the same Lord, who is our strength
as well. When we are beset by needs of a physical nature, faith can
give us strength to endure as we remember His words, "I will in no
wise leave thee nor forsake thee." When our health fails, and the
world seems to crumble around us, we are weak indeed, but the
assurance of the Lord can lift us up and make us strong even as we
face death itself. "I will raise him up in the last day," the Lord
has promised. We are "more than conquerors" through Him. When
sorrows assail us and we feel despair, we have no strength to
deliver ourselves, but His Word provides comfort and strength
through faith. "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words."
When we, in our humility, realize how little we know and how weak
our wisdom and understanding is, then the wisdom and knowledge of
God can be our strength as we follow Him.
As we look at the sad plight of the world around us, and as we
consider the woes that beset the church today, we may have an
overwhelming sense of helplessness, and wonder what we can do. Then
we can be strong through faith. We can remember Elijah and his
limited vision, and know that the Lord sees the true picture, and
that things may not be as dark as we suppose. We can heed His
instruction to be faithful and diligent in service and know that God
gives the increase. By earnestness in prayer and diligence in labor,
with the armor of God to sustain us, we can be strong in the Lord
and in the strength of His might.
Therefore, let us not faint, but let us rouse ourselves from our
slumber, and work while it is day. Let us nourish ourselves with the
good Word of God and go forward in renewed strength and
determination.
-- via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia,
December 9, 2012
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Are You?
by John Clark
Are you one of those who has drifted out of attending Bible
class? We are all creatures of habit, good or bad. Form good
habits and good things can happen -- and of course, vice versa (Gal.
6:7-9). Has it become a habit for YOU to 'skip' Bible study but come
to worship?
Which of the following fits you?
1. I come to Bible study every once in a while.
2. I used to come but have quit.
3. I don't need to come. I know enough already.
4. I don't think it's important.
5. I really ought to come but I'm out of the habit.
6. I really want to come, but just haven't done it yet.
While you are pondering the categories, let's see if you disagree
with or dismiss the following Biblical principles:
1. Every Christian needs to grow. (2 Pet. 3:18)
2. God's word causes us to grow. (1 Pet. 2:2)
3. In time we should be able to teach others. (Heb. 5:12-14)
4. We should grow and help others grow by being together. (Heb.
10:24-25)
5. We have personal responsibility to share with others of our time,
influence, talents, and knowledge. (Eph. 4:16)
It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions --
never completed. The road to heaven is paved with good intentions;
immediate action, and consistent effort. Why not get on the right
road now? Start attending Bible classes regularly! The soul you save
may be your own.
-- Via The Beacon, February 19, 2013
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Solving the Problems at Corinth
by Steve Wallace
In our last article we looked at problems in the church in
Corinth. These existed in spite of the abundant blessings that
God had shed upon that church (1 Cor. 1:4-9). God's blessings
were sufficient for all their spiritual needs. What did they
need to do to correct the situation in the church there?
1. Strive for unity based on the infallible word of God. This
is Paul's first instruction upon starting into the body of his
epistle to them:
"Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same
mind and in the same judgment" (1:10).
Their speaking the same thing would result in their coming to the
same mind and judgment. Speaking the same thing would come
from their basing their words and actions on the gospel which they
had both heard and received through spiritual gifts (1:5; 2:1;
3:5-9; 14:3). Centering on the gospel would lead them to
center their lives on Jesus and not their favorite preacher
(1:12). It would bring the unity for which Christ prayed (Jno.
17: 20,21). It will do so today. Centering on Jesus and
His word would help the Corinthians in another area wherein they
were lacking:
2. Come to a knowledge of their sins and repent. Paul would
later commend them for repenting. In that commendation he
revealed a prerequisite for sin, coming to knowledge of one's sin (2
Cor. 7:8-10). In much of his first epistle to the Corinthians
he tried to bring them to a knowledge of their sins. If
individuals or churches will study God's word with an open mind it
will convict them of their sins (Ps. 19:7; 119:9; Rom. 7:7; Jas.
1:21-25; Matt. 13:15). A major part of a preacher's work is to
convict his hearers of sin (2 Tim. 4:2). It is helpful to note
things that Paul did not do in trying to help the Corinthians with
their sins. He did not ignore them. He did not justify
them in their sins. He did not look at them in light of what
other preachers or churches of that time may have been teaching or
practicing. He nowhere argued for a right of local church
autonomy as far as sin and righteousness went. If the sinning
Christian is to be forgiven he must follow the necessary path of
learning of his/her sin, confessing it to God, repenting and praying
for forgiveness (2 Cor. 7:8-10; 1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22). The
same is true today.
3. Grow spiritually. Paul stated plainly that the Corinthians
were babes (3:1). Areas in which they needed to grow were
clear. They needed to learn to esteem Christ over men
(1:10-4:21). They needed to learn to be sorry when they saw
sin in the lives of their fellow Christians and strive to bring them
to repentance (5:1-13). They needed to learn to put away sin
and start living righteous and holy lives (6:1-20). They
needed to learn to come to an understanding of the difference
between matters of faith and matters of authorized liberty along
with accompanying responsibilities related to these differences
(8:1-11:1). They needed to learn to have a proper
understanding of the purposes for the assemblies of the church
(11:17-34; 12:1-14:40). They needed to grow to the point where
they could stand against error (15:1-57, cf. v. 33). They
needed to grow to the point where they understood what good works
are and abound in them (15:58). Do not all Christians need to
do this?
4. To have a proper attitude toward their brethren. Like some
churches today, some sins of which the church at Corinth was guilty
in some way involved others. One's relationship and bearing
towards others demands attention and care. On the one hand,
the Bible warns against seeking the glory of men or doing things to
be seen of men (Matt 6:2,16). It speaks against fearing men
(Matt. 10:28), the commandments of men (Matt. 15:9), the
tradition of men (Mk. 7:8), justifying oneself in the sight of men
(Lk. 16:15), loving the glory of men (Jno. 12:43) and the
like. It warns against sins concerning one's attitude towards
others like jealousy, strife, lack of proper consideration, and such
like (3:3; 6:18; 8:9-12). On the other hand, it teaches that
we should seek the good of others rather than ourselves, that we all
should have the same care of each other, and show one another the
kind of love Paul describes (10:24; 12:25; 13:4-8). Growing in
Christ involves a whole new relationship with those around us.
One reason the Corinthians erred in some matters is because they had
failed to grow in this area. It is an area in which we all
should continually strive to improve.
Conclusion
In doing all these things they would continually come closer to
Jesus, by whom they had been called (1:9). God deals with man
on the basis of His truth (Jno. 8:32; 17:17; Rom. 2:2,8; 1 Tim.
2:4). His word teaches men in all places how to be accepted of
him (Mk. 16:15,16; 1 Jno. 1:1-3). Paul's teaching at Corinth
was not something with mere local application but represents a
pattern for churches everywhere (4:17; 7:17; 14:33; 16:1).
Therefore, all Christians in all churches can profit from what was
written to the Corinthian brethren so long ago.
-- Via The Way of Truth and Life (Vol. 3, No. 23, August 8, 2010)
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News & Notes
Efrain Perez would like prayer for his son-in-law Raul
who has "a very aggressive illness." He and his wife Dinelly
have four children, with the youngest being just ten months
old. Let those of us who are Christians be remembering him and
his family when we go to God in prayer.
Let us also continue praying for Virginia Fontenot, Jean
Calloway, Terry and Pam MacDonald, Shirley Young, and Cheryl Crews
who each have need of healing.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)