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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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October 28, 1990
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Contents:
1) Strength in Unity (Tom Edwards)
2) A Sweet Welcome Home (Tom Edwards)
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-1-
Strength In Unity
by Tom Edwards
I grew up in the Clearwater-Florida area where we had quite a few
hurricane-related storms. I can still remember one such night in my
youth when my friend Bill and I went out during a particular tempest in
order to investigate the damages and disarray it was causing. It was a
most exhilarating night to say the least.
The sky was dark and threatening, and many tree limbs had been snapped
in two by the strong gales that ripped them apart relentlessly and
scattered them about with the rest of the debris that was cluttering
the streets and yards. Violently, the wind howled; and many a tree was
tested of its pliability. The palm trees were swaying frantically; and
huge pine trees appeared as if they were trying to run from the
oncoming danger, but could only move their upper portions because their
"legs" had frozen from the panic.
We had circled on foot a wide area during this riveting observation;
and as we began to head back, we came near a rather large condominium
-- the Mease Manor. From an aerial view, its backside shape would
appear somewhere between a "V" and a flat line: perhaps close to the
same degree of a typical boomerang.
Little did I realize, as we walked past the front side of this
building, that the back of it was serving as a huge scoop that caught
the mighty winds and redirected them in a strongly concentrated
turbulent path that we were soon to walk into unaware.
The unexpected encounter of this intense wind made it necessary for me
to grab on to a nearby pole in order to stabilize myself. The wind's
velocity felt to be at its strongest point at this area, but perhaps
that was because it had become such a concentrated force.
In retrospect, one lesson I can derive from this absorbing experience
is the importance and power in a concerted effort. Just like the mighty
winds which were made stronger through a concentrated force, unity can
serve to increase the strength of God's people today -- and that's not
just a lot of wind!
The old wise man once gave his boys a bundle of sticks in order to
illustrate a valuable lesson. Having given this bundle to the first
son, the father asked him to break it. This he tried with all his
might, but to no avail. The bundle was passed on, and each son
strenuously attempted to accomplish his father's request, but none of
them could do so. Finally, the father took the bundle, untied the cord
that had bound the sticks together, and began breaking each one
individually. What was the lesson he was trying to instill within
his sons? That there is STRENGTH IN UNITY. If his sons would learn to
always remain united and not become divided -- to be there for each
other, to provide moral support when any of them grows weak -- their
own strength would be greatly increased.
Solomon writes: "Two are better than one because they have a good
return for their labor, for if either of them falls, the one will lift
up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not
another to lift him up.... And if one prevail against him, two
shall
withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecc.
4:9,10,12).
Yes, there is strength in unity; but let us be sure we are becoming
united with the right cause. What more noble and needed pursuit could
there be today than for the people of the world to become united in the
peace and love which God's word has to offer? To be united in the faith
and to be of one mind when it comes to the Scriptures is certainly the
desire and the prayer of Jesus Christ for each of us. Unity in
spiritual matters is not only possible, but also commanded (Phil. 2:2;
John 17:20-23; 1 Cor. 1:10-13). May we ever strive to increase our
strength by this means.
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-2-
A Sweet Welcome Home
by Tom Edwards
A story has been told about a young man who grew tired of his home and
farm in a small Pennsylvanian town so he decided to move to the big
city. Though he was a different person, in a different location, and
with different circumstances, the life of this young man was quite the
same as the life of that one whom the Lord speaks of by way of a
parable in Luke 15 -- the prodigal son. He, too, desired to leave his
home and venture to a new environment; but, unfortunately, he spent his
time there in riotous living until his money was all gone.
Our character in this story had given himself over to a life of low
repute as he plunged headlong into the depths of sin. During this time
he never kept in touch with his parents, not even to drop a postcard, a
birthday card, nor to call on special occasions.
As time passed, however, he began to see more and more what a waste his
life had become. The glitter of sin had dully faded, and no more did it
offer the exciting appeal to him that it once had.
He now started wondering whether his parents would ever receive him
back again, after all of his thoughtlessness towards them by never
keeping in touch. Though he was uncertain about their attitude towards
him, he began working in order to save up enough money to return.
The days had passed, his savings accumulated, and soon he was on a
train heading back towards his old hometown. I suppose many thoughts
drifted through his open mind as he gazed out across the rolling
countryside and began seeing those special landmarks that showed he was
getting closer to home.
As the train pulled in to that old familiar station, he was so ashamed
because of his wornout clothes that he stayed on board until it came to
a few stations farther. There he sat down and wrote one of the first
letters that he had written in years to his folks. He confessed to them
how wrong he had been because of his riotous lifestyle and asked that
they would forgive him. He told them that he would be coming by the
following day, but then included an unusual request: if they were
willing to forgive him, he wanted them to indicate this by placing a
sheet on the clothesline.
The next day, when he arrived, how astounded and joyous he must have
felt, when he looked up and saw what appeared to be every sheet in the
house attached to the clothesline.
God, too, desires to see all return to Him. During the days of Ezekiel,
God declared, "Say unto them, `As I live,' saith the Lord God, `I have
no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from
his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye
die, O house of Israel?"' (Ezek. 33:11).
One of the indicators God has given that attests to his boundless love
for us, His unmatchable mercy, and His great willingness to save, is
not a sheet hanging on a clothesline, but His only begotten Son, Jesus
Christ, nailed to the cross for the sinners of the world. As John 3:16
proclaims, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life."
If you have wandered away from God, why not return to Him today? He
longs to welcome you back and bless you throughout all eternity.
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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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First published for the Tri-state church of Christ in Ashland,
Kentucky, at 713 13th Street.
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards
tedwards1109@gmail.com
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