go140914

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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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September 14, 2014
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Contents:

1) Building My Case By Comparing to the Least (Greg Gwin)
2) Reasons for Contending (Gilbert Alexander)
3) "Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only" (R.J. Evans)
4) News & Notes
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Building My Case By Comparing to the Least
by Greg Gwin

Self-justification is a highly developed skill in most individuals. In school, on the job, in our marriages, and in almost every other activity and relationship we will quickly revert to self-justification if some criticism is leveled in our direction. When it comes to our spiritual service to God we also rush to defend ourselves if it is suggested that we are negligent and need to improve in one area or another.

The example of King Saul stands out among those who made excuses for their failures. When confronted by Samuel upon his return from fighting the Amalekites, Saul tried to blame "the people" for taking forbidden spoil, and rationalized that it was acceptable because the things taken would be used for sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:20,21). Samuel, of course, did not agree (vs. 22,23).

One of the classic methods frequently employed in the art of self-justification is to compare oneself to someone who is viewed as 'worse.' 'I may not attend services as regularly as I should, but I'm present more often than bro. Soandso.' Or, 'I may have a bad temper and I often display it, but I've heard one of the other members burst out in rage, and he even used curse words.' Or, 'I may not give much to the church, but I've watched what some of the people around me put in the plate, and I'm giving more than they are.' . . . and the examples could be multiplied.

The inspired apostle Paul destroyed forever the work of these 'self-justifiers' when he said: 'We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise' (2 Corinthians 10:12). Learn the lesson. A right standing with God is not determined by finding someone 'worse' than you are. Anybody can do that! Think!

-- via The Beacon, August 14, 2012
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Reason for Contending
by Gilbert Alexander

Jude, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, found it necessary to write to Christians exhorting them "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Certain men had crept in unnoticed who were perverting the truth and "denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 4). It may seem remarkable to us that errors were creeping in among the saints so soon after the beginning of the New Covenant; however, several were noted by the writers of the New Testament (I Corinthians 1:10-13; 11:18, 19; 15:12; Galatians 1:6,7; II Timothy 2:16-18; II Peter 3:11-16; Revelation 2:15). We should note well that Christians were taught to oppose error vigorously (Galatians 2:11; Titus 1:7- 11; James 5:19,20; Acts 15: 1,2; II Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 3:9-11).

The clarity and coherence of the faith make it possible for us to contend for it. God's message to us is not nebulous. It is high time that people quit the doctrine that no one can be certain concerning what is truth. We can know what the faith is, else how can we earnestly contend for it (Jude 3)? Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31,32). We can know who God is, who Christ is, what God's plan of redemption is, what sin is, what conditions God has set in place for salvation from sins, what the church is, what the work and worship of the church are, what righteous living consists of, and what the two eternal destinies are. Since we can know these things, we can contend for them, and we can oppose all teachings contrary to them.

My brethren, everywhere around us falsehood is being taught and errors practiced. Such are exposed by the bright light of truth (John 3:19-21). If anyone stands for truth, he necessarily stands against all things contrary to truth. Are some people made unhappy when truth is taught and error exposed?   Indeed they are! Some unhappy ones tried to kill Jesus even before His crucifixion; Stephen was killed; Paul was repeatedly beaten and imprisoned; and many saints have suffered wrongfully because they contended earnestly for the faith. Are we better than they? May God help us to have the courage to do what we know we ought to do.

-- Via the Eastside Enlightener of the Eastside church of Christ, Athens, Alabama
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"Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only"
by R.J. Evans

James says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (Jas. 1:22). The emphasis of this verse is on obeying God's commands. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). The Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus "became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). Yet mankind has a serious problem in obeying the commands of God. In fact, many have problems, not only with being doers of the word, but also with listening to or hearing God's word. This is critical, because we must be willing to hear or listen to God's word before we can ever begin to think about doing God's word. Please consider the following:

Man Is Often a Poor Listener

The prophet Jeremiah had a problem with people giving proper attention to the message of God of his day. Listen as Jeremiah says, "O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord!" (Jer. 22:29). The New Testament gives special attention to giving heed to the word of God. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away" (Heb. 2:1). Thus, failing to read, study and giving poor attention to the word as it is being taught in our presence, will greatly hinder one from ever becoming obedient to God's word.

Some Do Not Consider the Bible to be God's Word

The Bible is not the words of mere men. It is not the opinions or ideas of some. It is the WORD of Almighty God Who is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psa. 90:2). Thus, God's word is to be heard, believed and obeyed -- "Hear O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken" (Isa. 1:2). Receiving the Apostle Paul's inspired message as being the word of God had something to do with the Thessalonians obeying it. Paul told them, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thes. 2:13). Also, the fact that the scripture is the word of God is also set forth in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Many Fail to Realize the Seriousness of Not Obeying the Word

Unfortunately some consider disobeying the word as a "small matter" (Ezek. 16:20). The truth is, it is of the utmost importance! We see this in the words of Samuel to Saul after Saul had disobeyed God's instructions -- "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22). Saul's failure to obey God terminated his reign as king over Israel, though he did remain a while to his own hurt. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

Though the word provides all that is needed so "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17), yet according to some it is "considered a strange thing" (Hosea 8:12). But it is to our advantage eternally to take what the Bible says seriously, and "BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY."

-- Via the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana, December 5, 2011
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News & Notes

Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following people in prayer:

Robin Brown will be having rotator cuff surgery September 22 and has requested the prayers of the saints.

Others with health conditions to pray for: Virgina Fontenot, Dexter Roberts, Jim Lively, Mryna Jordan, Ronnie Davis, Rex and Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Sue Wooten, 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
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)