____________________________________________________ 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" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ March 8, 1992 ____________________________________________________ Immodesty: Have We Given Up The Fight? by Dennis Abernathy Not too long ago there appeared a razor blade advertisement with the slogan: ``Take it off; take it all off.'' The advent of warm weather made many people apply this slogan with regard to their dress. As the weather warms and heats up, we begin to see the shorts and halters, tank tops, and scanty swim wear, which makes modesty a vanishing virtue. Perhaps this is to be expected from worldly people who either do not know the truth or who do not care what the truth is, but we should expect more from Christians. I'm afraid immodesty is creeping (running in some areas) into the church, and not too much is being done to check it. The time was that the truth was preached plainly and forthrightly on this subject. Elders took a stand with regard to the matter. Church members who wore short-shorts and such in public were not allowed to feel comfortable in doing so. It was frowned upon by good people and they heard about it from the pulpit. But today young people wear their shorts, majorette and drill team outfits, short tennis skirts, all clearly displaying the flesh for all to see, and it is done with the church's blessing (or to say the least, with their silence). The public swimming pools and beaches are frequented by Christians or by their children where immodesty is rampant, ignoring the warning to ``flee youthful lusts'' (Phil. 4:8). How can a young person be an example of what a true believer really is in ``conduct'' and ``purity'' (1 Tim. 4:12) and ignore the principles of modesty? It appears to me that when the children of gospel preachers and elders are seen in public places with shorts (to the mid-thigh and shorter) on, that the church is not going to hear much preaching on the subject of modesty. It is sad when you must put ``No shorts allowed'' on an invitation for a gathering where those who gather are Christians. Brethren, have we given up the fight? Have we grown tired of preaching on subjects so unpopular? Have we taken the attitude that ``no-one will listen anyway''? Because some ``will not endure sound doctrine'' will we ignore the charge to ``preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching'' (2 Tim. 4:1-3)? The Word still reads: ``In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety (shamefacedness) and sobriety...But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works'' (1 Tim. 2:9-10). The Christian who recognizes the destructive power of lust, the error of immodesty, and God's view of sin, and who loves to please God will dress in a manner becoming of the gospel. He or she will try very hard to be separate from the world (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Jas. 4:4; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14-18). Brethren, God determines modesty (which stems from character) and not the world. The Christian who allows the world to set the standard for him has become worldly-minded. He has conformed rather than being transformed by the renewing of his mind. Think on these things. ___________________________________________ Who Did The Church Help? by Johnie Edwards The New Testament is clear as to whom the church helped in the days of the New Testament. A careful reading will assist us in seeing exactly who was helped by the church in benevolence. 1) Acts 2:44-45 ``All that believed were together...sold their possessions...parted...as every man had need.'' They helped needy saints. 2) Acts 4:32-34 ``And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart...had all things common, as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them...and distribution was made unto every man according to his need.'' Here distribution was made among needy saints. 3) Acts 6:1-7 ``When the number of disciples were multiplied...the widows were neglected...'' Here the local church took care of helping their own needy widows by looking after their needs - all within the framework of the local church. 4) Acts 11:27-30 ''...Then the disciples determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea.'' Here a church helped another church relieve their needy saints as they sent to the elders of the needy churches. 5) Romans 15:25-26 ``But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it had pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.'' Saints were the object of this contribution. 6) 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ''...collection for the saints.'' 7) 2 Corinthians 8-9 ''...ministering to the saints'' (2 Cor. 8:4). ``For as touching the ministering to the saints....'' (2 Cor. 9:1). See 1 Tim. 5:16. ___________________________________________ "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men" (Matt. 15:8,9). ___________________________________________ WHERE IS RUSSIA? by Harry L. Lewis The scramble is on! It seems our prognosticators are poised at the drawing-boards again to try and explain what happened to ``ROSH'' (Russia), and figure out what they NOW believe. I got a letter just yesterday (1/14/92) from Mr. Don Jackson of Henderson, KY. Don is a dispensationalist of the first order, and a representative of some sort for ``Dispensational Truths.'' It seems Don and others are trying to disassociate themselves from the U.S.S.R. as Russia, and say they always meant the smaller, present State of Russia. Are you going to believe that? You see, these folks know that Russia, U.S.S.R. Russia, is no more; so they have to do something or give up their theory. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THEIR THEORY! In the book by Hal Lindsey - The Late Great Planet Earth, p-54-55 he says, ``You need only take a globe to verify this exact geographical fix. There is only one nation to the ``Uttermost North'' of Israel - the U.S.S.R.'' One paragraph further on page 55 we find ``General Dayan's statement that `The next war will not be with Arabs but with the Russians' has a considerably deeper significance, doesn't it?'' Friends, Lindsey said the U.S.S.R. was Russia, and don't try to wiggle out of it! He did it again in ``Countdown to Armageddon'' pp-13-14. Everyone of these ``experts on prophecy'' have meant the U.S.S.R. in their writings for the past forty years. All you have to do is get the books they have written and see for yourself. Are you afraid to face the truth of that? THINK ABOUT IT! ___________________________________________ "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink....' for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:9-21). ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________