--------------------
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).
--------------------
May 9, 1990
--------------------
Contents:
1) Things That Made Paul Cry (Joe E. Galloway)
2) Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody
3) Can You March Without Music? (A. W. Criswold)
--------------------
-1-
Things That Made Paul Cry
by Joe E. Galloway
The apostle Paul had learned how to be content, regardless of
surrounding hardships (Phil. 4:11). When he wrote the short epistle to
the Philippians, he was in prison. Still, the words "joy" and "rejoice"
appear at least 18 times, making these key words in the book. Yet, this
content joyful apostle at times also served God "with many tears" (Acts
20:19). Perhaps we can benefit from considering what would cause this
great man of God to weep.
Paul shed tears out of concern for the doctrinal well-being of the
church. He told the Ephesians elders "that by space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day WITH TEARS" (Acts
20:31). The context of this statement is Paul's warning to these
elders of coming apostasy, even among the elders, that would result in
false teaching and in Christians being led away from the Truth.
Paul mourned when immoral living of members came to his attention.
He
rebuked the Corinthian church for being puffed up, instead of
mourning, regarding the fornicator among them, so we know that Paul was
mourning over this matter himself. This should always be the reaction
of the godly when such godlessness is exhibited! David once wrote,
"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law"
(Psa. 119:136).
Paul wept when he had to write harshly to fellow Christians. With
reference
to 1 Corinthians, a forceful letter filled with correction of
serious problems in the church at Corinth, Paul later wrote: "Out of
much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you WITH MANY TEARS;
not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I
have more abundantly unto you" (2 Cor. 2:4). Paul's tears stained his
letter, just as parents' tears flow freely when they, because of love
for their children, must exercise harsh discipline.
Paul cried when he had to admit that some members of the church
were actually enemies of the Lord's cause. He said, "For many
walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even WEEPING,
that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is
destruction...who mind earthly things" (Phil. 3:18,19). How painful it
is to have to admit that some brethren are not true to the Lord, and
even to have to single them out by name as Paul often did! Yet
faithfulness to God and concern for the well-being of the church
requires that we sometimes point such out so that they may be avoided
(Rom. 16:17).
It is worthy of our notice that the things Paul wept over did not
include financial loss, persecution, sickness, being away from friends
and family, nor even imprisonment -- and he suffered all these
things! His attitude toward such things is well expressed in his
statement in 2 Cor. 4:17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory...."
Let's be the kind of people who mourn for the proper things as did
Paul: things that dishonor God, endanger Christians, and badly reflect
upon the Gospel. At the same time let's be happy and contented people
who can be joyful in spite of physical hardships and rejection by the
world. "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice" (Phil.
4:4).
--------------------
-2-
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody were all neighbors in a
community. These four fellows worshiped at the same congregation.
Yet, they were unlike you and me for they were more mature in their
judgments.
Everybody was out of town most Sundays visiting relatives and Somebody,
a real sport, usually went fishing, hunting, hiking, or golfing.
Anybody could have gone to worship service but he thought that he
wouldn't really be missed since Everybody would be there. So Nobody
went to church.
Not long ago, one of the elders needed a teacher for one of the Bible
classes. Everybody thought Somebody would teach the class, and Somebody
thought Anybody could do the teaching. So they wound up with Nobody
teaching the class.
It seems that Nobody was the only decent chap among them. Nobody did
the work when Everybody didn't, when Somebody wouldn't, and when
Anybody
couldn't.
One day an unbeliever moved into the community. Everybody
honestly believed Somebody would teach him. Somebody thought Anybody
could, while Anybody thought Everybody had already talked to this man.
Guess who finally won this man to Christ? That's right -- Nobody.
The years went by and these four (Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and
Nobody) died and went to meet their maker. Guess who finally went to
heaven? That's right -- Nobody.
-- Author unknown
--------------------
-3-
Can You March Without Music?
by A. W. Criswold
It is said that Benedict Arnold was a better general than George
Washington. He was a handsomer man and a more interesting
conversationalist. But he had one conspicuous weakness -- he was unable
to "MARCH WITHOUT MUSIC." Whenever General Benedict Arnold performed a
task in a competent manner, he expected praise and acclaim, and if
these were not forthcoming, he sulked and became morose.
In the hurry and scurry of the war there were times when the feats of
General Arnold went unnoticed. This hurt in his most vital spot -- his
vanity. So he committed a terrible act -- he quit his job and placed
the secrets of his country in the hands of the enemy.
Many people in the world, and some of them in the Lord's church, are a
lot like Benedict Arnold. If things don't go to suit them, or if they
feel that they have been neglected or slighted, or that their talents
are not appreciated, they sell out to the devil. It is evident that
such people will not work unless they are "IN THE LIMELIGHT."
Now we all like the sweet music of applause and we should "Give honor
to whom honor is due," but let's always remember when the applause does
not come promptly and when people seem not to notice, the real man, the
worthy man, marches on -- without music.
--------------------
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).
--------------------
First published for the Tri-state church of Christ in Ashland,
Kentucky, at 713 13th Street.
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards
tedwards1109@gmail.com
--------------------