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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 17, 2014
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Contents:

1) The Promises of God (Lewis Willis)
2) Are You Serious? (Bill Lambert)
3) News & Notes
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The Promises of God

by Lewis Willis

Some form of the word promise appears in the Old Testament 42 times, and in the New Testament 72 times. The word translated promise means "speech, speaking: announcement." In Biblical usage, promise contains the elements of covenant, contract and pledge, with blessings in store to the beneficiary. In a sense a promise is a prophecy, the fulfillment of which is properly expected (Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible IV:872).  

There are man-made promises and God-made promises in the Bible. Some are temporal, and others are spiritual promises. The promises of God are sacred, while the promises of men are subject to human frailties. God made many promises to the nation of Israel. At the close of Joshua's life he said "not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof" (Josh. 23:14).  

God's Promises Today

1. To be a Father to us. If Christians will separate themselves from the sins of the world, he will be their Father, and they will be his children. Paul said, "Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1).  

2. Life in Christ. Paul said he was an apostle "by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:1).  

3. A Crown of Life. A man is blessed who endures temptation "for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (Jas. 1:12).  

4. Rest for the Soul. The Hebrew writer said, "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Heb. 4:1).

5. Eternal inheritance. Christ is the mediator of the New Testament so that "they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" (Heb. 9:15).  

6. Eternal life. John wrote, "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25).  

Is it any wonder that Peter would refer to these promises as "exceeding great and precious" (2 Pet. 1:4)? They are great because they offer us so much. They are precious because they mean so much to the soul.  

Promised to Christians

The promises of God that are precious to the soul are made to his children (2 Cor. 6:18). "They which are called" receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15). Christians are the people who have responded to the call of God issued through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). The promises of God are also said to be "to them that love him" (Jas. 1:12).  Gentile Christians were said to be "partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6). Christians are the ones who have obeyed the gospel. The promise of life is said to be "in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:1). The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the promise of heaven is made for God's people, Christians who compose the Church.

We Can Depend Upon God's Promises

Three things are said about God that make his promises sure: (1) "He is faithful that promised" (Heb. 10:23; 11:11). (2) God cannot lie. Paul said he was "in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Tit. 1:2). (3) Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise..." (2 Pet. 3:9). Because God does not lie, when he makes a faithful promise, he will not ignore it -- he will fulfill it!

He Is Able

The things which were listed before, which God has promised to his children, would be meaningless to us if the promises had been made by a mere man. Man simply is not able to give us a crown of life, eternal life, eternal inheritance, or eternal rest. We would not expect to receive such things from men. However, these promises came from God, and they are our hope for eternity. We are depending upon these things which God said he will do for his people. Paul said Abraham "staggered not . . . through unbelief" because he was "fully persuaded that, what he (God) had promised, he was able also to perform" (Rom. 4:20-21). God is able to do what he has said he will do. Like Abraham, we also can depend on it!

Conclusion

What conclusions, then, can we draw from these truths about God's promises? The promises are in Christ, and realized by our obedience to the gospel (Eph. 3:6). We must make absolutely certain that we have obeyed the gospel! Thereafter, we must be determined in our efforts to live the Christian life. We must meet the requirements of faithful living (1 Cor. 4:2), worshiping and serving God in all things (Matt. 4:10). God and the Kingdom must be the focus of our affection and our work (Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:33). Then, we must never become careless or impatient as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. The Hebrew writer instructed Christians, "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Heb. 6:12). We must have enough faith to persevere to the end (Rev. 2:10); we must be careful to maintain good works (Tit. 3:8, 14); we must not lay down our sword before the battle is won (Eph. 6:17). If we do so, this is the promise of Jesus Christ: "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22).

I still like the words of R. Kelso Carter, in his well-known hymn:

Standing on the promises I now can see,
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.  

Standing on the promises, I cannot fall,
List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Saviour, as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.  

Dear reader, can we say, "I'm standing on the promises of God"?

-- Via Truth Magazine, June 4, 1998, XLII, NO. 11
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Are You Serious?
 by Bill Lambert

We have a habit of rationalizing our behavior, don't we?  Somehow, we find it hard to accept responsibility for the things which we do, even when it is clear that we have violated some rule or gone too far.  We use various tricks to deny any guilt which may be associated with the wrongdoing.  Oftentimes, when faced with the facts, we may respond with, "You are not serious, are you?"  Far too often, sin becomes trivial to us, but God is serious about it.  We will do well to take it seriously also.  Sin is indeed a "big deal," bringing about separation from God (Isaiah 59:1,2).  One of the purposes of God's law was to teach the extreme sinfulness of sin (Romans 7:13).  A function of the New Testament record is to discourage sin  (1 John 2:1).  

God Was Serious About the Tree

God's warning to Adam and Eve was clear and to the point  (Genesis 3).  The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was "off limits" to them.  "If you eat, you die," was the message. Eve understood the word of the Lord, for she repeated it to Satan.  Satan's approach to Eve was subtle and successful.  He convinced her that God was not really serious about his warning.  She ate some of the forbidden fruit and persuaded her husband to do the same.  When confronted, Adam sought to shift the blame to his wife, and Eve sought to put the blame onto the devil.  All of them, though, were condemned by the Lord, and punished.  

God Was Serious About His Choice

God had chosen a meek and unassuming Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian captivity and into the promised land.  At first reluctant, Moses fulfilled his God-given responsibility.  Some, however, challenged his leadership.  Korah, Dathan, On, and Abiram claimed that he was taking too much upon himself (Numbers 16).  For their rebellion, they paid with their lives.  The earth opened up and swallowed them.  God means business.  

God Was Serious About the Water

On one occasion, God had instructed Moses regarding the obtaining of water for the Israelites by striking a rock (Exodus 17).  It worked!  Later, he told him to speak to a rock to bring forth water (Numbers 20). Moses, while speaking out to the rebellious Israelites, struck the rock as he had before.  Again, water came out of the rock.  Moses had not sanctified Jehovah God in the presence of the people.  As a result, he was not allowed to lead the children of Israel into the promised land.  

God Was Serious About the Ark

After having spent some time among the enemies of Israel, and being stored at the house of Abinadab (1 Samuel 7), the Ark of the Covenant was finally being restored to its proper place.  It was loaded on a cart and its journey home commenced.  When the oxen stumbled, Uzza put his hand upon the ark to steady it and was killed instantly (2 Samuel 6).  

The prohibition against touching the ark was not a recent one, but had been in place from the beginning of its existence (Numbers 4:15). God means what he says.  

God Was Serious About Jericho

Prior to the destruction of Jericho, God had declared that no looting would be allowed, but everything was dedicated to God (Joshua 6:18-19).  Achan did not take very much, but what he took cost his life, and those of his family (Joshua 7).  God's will was to be done!

God Is Serious About Our Learning

One of the reasons the Old Testament record has been preserved is so that we might learn not to make the same mistakes others have made (1 Corinthians 10:11).  Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (Hebrews 2:2).  Not only has God executed judgment upon men, but it has always been just.  All of us must see sin for what it is.  Every sin is an insult to the holiness of God.  We are accountable for our own sins and for any encouragement we give to others to sin.  Sin makes us unsuitable for the service of God.  It provides cause for enemies of righteousness to blaspheme.  Sin separates us from God. Serious? Believe it...it is serious!

-- Via the website of the Eastside church of Christ in Athens, Alabama
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News & Notes

Danielle Howard has had to remain in the hospital in Waycross for the last several days, due to her calcium level being too low; but it has been slowly rising.  As of last Thursday, it was at 7; and since 9 is normal, when it reaches at least 8, she will be able to return to Jesup Health and Rehabilitation.  Let those of us who are Christians be praying that not only will that be soon, but also for the strengthening of her bones. 

We were very glad to see Myrna Jordan at church with us last week and also on the 17th.  After having been released from the hospital, she was later back in Savannah discussing with her doctor the option of surgery, of which she is now in the process of reaching a decision.  Let us pray that the Lord will help her in that -- and for every step of the way!

Let us also keep Jim Lively in prayer for his upcoming heart surgery.  As of now, there is no date set; but it could be in the next couple months.  For, due to being recently diagnosed with acute asthma and also having sleep apnea, he is now undergoing treatment focused on the lungs. 

Others on our prayer list are Norma Burton, Ronnie Davis, Rex and Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Sue Wooten, A.J. and Pat Joyner, and Colleen Henson. 
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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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Tebeau Street

CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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