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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 18, 2016
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Contents:
1) Peace With All Men (Richie Jenkins)
2) "Departing From The Living God" (Stephen J. Wallace)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Peace With All Men
Richie Jenkins
"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with
all men" (Rom. 12: 18).
Paul implies peace may not always be possible, but it is an
object of desire. "As much as lieth in you," that is, do your best
to preserve peace. Don't begin or originate a quarrel. Don't stir up
trouble over things of no vital importance. So far as we are
concerned, we are to seek peace; but it doesn't always depend on us.
We may be attacked one day by snarling, biting dogs. We may be
called upon to defend truth. Ours is to live peaceably. We start no
strife, or contention.
It was not possible for Paul to live peaceable with all men. He will
reference many times how he was among those who sought to do him
harm (2 Cor. 11:24-26). Paul referred to the wild beasts in Ephesus.
He said that "Alexander did me much harm" (2 Tim 4:14). Even our
Lord did not find it possible to live peaceably with all men. He
overthrew the table of the money changers on two separate occasions.
He warned His own disciples, "If the world hates me they will hate
you" (John 15:18). The Jews were determined to kill Him. Caiaphas
said, "This man has got to die for the nation" (John 11:51-52).
However, Jesus nor Paul went about looking to start a fight or stir
up trouble. When they faced the difficulty of living peaceably
with others they made sure it was others who stirred the strife.
We ought to be a peace-loving people. In fact, we are commanded to
"seek peace" (1 Pet. 3:11). Peace is something we must pursue
(2 Tim. 2:22). Peace is to be a present characteristic of our life.
We also need to pursue peace so that our lives may be tranquil and
live at peace before God in the same way we live righteously before
God. Peace is as foundational as faith, love and righteousness. It
is not optional! Yet, at times we find ourselves embroiled
with others who just will not live peaceably and so we are left to
contend for what is right or what is truth. Jesus said, "Blessed are
the peace makers..." (Mt 5). That is an interesting concept. He did
not say, Blessed are those who enjoy peace, nor, those that want
peace, or even, maintain peace. But, instead, make peace. Making
peace means there is a situation where peace does not exist. The
Lord had in mind, first and foremost, peace with God.
So here is the real question. How do we live peaceably? Well,
first we will not be able to live in peace with others until we live
in peace with God (Romans 5:1). If we find ourselves enemies of the
Creator we are not at peace. Peace is found in salvation.
Salvation is found in the Savior. The Savior brings peace. Enemies
are reconciled to Him by His blood (Eph. 2:13-14). There is no peace
with God apart from Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace.
So for us, peace can be attained in this manner: "to speak evil of
no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility" (Tit.
3:2). See the family of words? They all form a unit. Get the
point! We live peaceable with all men when we do not speak evil,
when we are gentle and show all humility. Notice right before
peaceable is speaking evil of no one. How many times is peace
interrupted because someone has a poorly thought out word? It only
takes one word to do it. Then notice what follows. What would
be the impact on peace if we put gentle into the equation? Not a
harsh word or action. What if everybody were gentle? Would that
contribute a lot to peace? Would that make it possible to live
peaceably with all men? Then see, "showing all
humility." Man is at the apex of all God created. Man is made
in God's own image. To depreciate man is to depreciate God. Humility
is a chosen place in which one chooses to take second place to
others. We let someone go before us. We give our self second place.
We do that not because the other is better than us but because we
think they deserve to be first. We show humility because that
makes us like God (Matthew 5:45). Did the Lord ask the impossible of
us?
Sadly, in spite of all this it is still not possible to live
peaceably with all men. But, when it is not possible I need to make
sure I am not the reason why. Sometimes we may have to fight a war
to have peace. However, I need to make sure I am not just wanting to
make war. We have confused those who contend for the faith and
those who are contentious. Contentious people like to fight. They do
not care what the fight is about. Fighting for the faith is just a
convenient excuse to fight. Some just like to stir the pot. They
destroy unity, set everyone on edge, and make people suspicious of
others. Controversy for the sake of controversy is not seeking
peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 sets the tone and attitudes necessary for
brethren to get along. Patience, forbearing, humility are the
necessary ingredients. True enough we may have to be at war. The
call to peace is not a figure. It is a factual matter. We have been
called to be peaceable people. The angels declared at the birth of
Jesus that He would bring "Peace on Earth." The prophets called Him
the "Prince of Peace." The people of Jesus follow that model. That
does not mean peace over right or heresy. It means we have been
called in a high priority matter to be peaceable, as much as we can,
in all circumstances, and with all people. That is built into the
peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7). It only takes one to
disturb the peace. I can only control me and what I am pursuing. I
need to make sure I am pursuing peace. I need to make sure I am
fighting only when the fight is necessary. Can we carry grudges? Can
we be a grouch to those around us? Can we be obstinate and
obnoxious so that we do not get along with anybody? Yes. And, we
cannot say, "Well, that is just the way I am." There are
consequences if we behave that way. "Pursue peace with all men," not
just brethren. That is our call.
Peace is not the absence of trouble. It is hard work. It deals with
our spirit, our heart. It is attainable. The Lord expects it. We are
to pursue it. Here is a novel idea, "Let's give it a try and see how
it works." The fruit is better (Jas. 3:17). The church will be
better. Our homes will be better. Society will be better. I will be
better. The path to heaven is through Christ. He provides
peace. Give His way a try.
-- Via Focus Online, March 12, 2013
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-2-
"Departing From The Living God"
Stephen J. Wallace
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).
The pathway of Christ is filled with warning signs and remedies. The
heart that departs is "evil" and its apostasy stems from "unbelief."
All kinds of evil can flow out of the heart (Matt. 15:19). Unbelief
is not necessarily something that man would readily classify as
being evil, but it is. Anything that leads us away from God is evil.
It is true that unbelief is often propped up by ignorance and pride;
but envy, loving what is wicked, and being stubbornly unreasonable
are more specific components of skepticism (envy, Acts 13:45; Mk.
15:10; loving unrighteousness, 2 Thess. 2:12; Jude 4; unreasonable,
2 Thess. 3:2). It is a lie to believe that faith is unreasonable.
Paul spoke words of truth and reason (Acts 26:25). Atheism and its
various forms of unbelief present the most unreasonable platform
ever. Look only at what it proposes and applauds!
When the evidence for the truth is clearly presented, it is sinful
to not believe it. Jesus rebuked the apostles for their unbelief for
not heeding those who had seen Him after He had risen (Mk. 16:14).
"...he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abides on him" (Jn. 3:36). "But without faith it is
impossible to please Him..." (Heb. 11:6).
The evil of departure is seen in considering what one actually
departs from when he leaves God.
* He departs from his duties to worship God. God is worthy of
worship, for He is worthy of all honor. "You are worthy, O Lord, To
receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And
by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11; cf. Ps. 18:3).
* He departs from his duties to his brethren. "And let us consider
one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Heb. 10:24).
Actions to the brethren are to the Lord (Mt. 25:40; Acts 9:1, 4).
* He departs from the words of life. When Jesus taught some things
that offended some, many departed and followed Him no more (Jn.
6:66). Jesus asked the twelve if they also wanted to leave, to which
Peter responded, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life" (Jn. 6:68). Leaving Jesus results in leaving the words
of life. What a sad loss!
* He departs from a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3). What hope for the soul
does one have who walks away from God? To what guide can he trust
in? To what can he look forward? To whom can he solicit strength in
trial, and to whom can he thank when delivered? Leaving the living
God is leaving a living well of truth and hope. "For My people have
committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living
waters, And hewn themselves cisterns -- broken cisterns that can
hold no water" (Jer. 2:13).
The solution is daily exhortation (Heb. 3:13). The Christian's faith
must be cared for daily. Where sin hardens the heart slowly, daily
exhortation provides a remedy. "For we have become partakers of
Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the
end" (Heb. 3:14).
-- via Articles from the Gallatin Road church of Christ, September
18, 2014
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-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the
following in prayer:
Ray Richards will be having open heart surgery
this Wednesday (the 21st).
Shirley Davis will be having surgery on her toe October 5, and
an appointment about her knee November 11. It was discovered
that her back pain has been caused by a dislocated hip, which will
be treated with shots in her hip and an insert in her right shoe.
Benny Medlock recently had slight surgery on his lower back
where there had been some infection and is now doing better.
Let us also continue to remember Jim Lively (as he heals
from open heart surgery and receives physical therapy), and Misty
Thornton (who is being tested for possible Multiple
Sclerosis).
WordPress version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2016/09/21/the-gospel-observer-september-18-2016/
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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, living for the Lord; 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)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (Ladies' Bible class)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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(Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but
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