____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ January 24, 1993 ____________________________________________________ Purposeful Preaching by Robert Turner Nathan's subject was adultery, murder, and kindred lusts; but he spoke of a little ewe lamb which a rich man took from the bosom of its owner (2 Sam. 12). The problem was that of application--getting the audience to apply to self the standard by which others were readily condemned. Nathan's audience deplored ``sin'' and could list many sins. Nathan's courage as a ``preacher'' was little tested by a rip-snorting sermon on ``Adultery''; but when he told the king, ``Thou art the man!''--aye, here was his moment of truth. John (the immerser) could decry the awful sins of the times, and call upon people to ``REPENT!''--out there in the wilderness--and King Herod be unmoved. But John said to Herod, ``It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife'' (Mk. 6:18). Several years ago one of ``our'' ultra-liberal preachers criticized John's direct ``approach''--suggesting John need not have ``lost his head.'' In a sense he was right about that. John could have spoken in generalities, kept his head, and perhaps his ``job''--but he would have failed in appointed purpose, and lost his soul. Nathan and John used different ways of teaching their targets; and different means of presenting truth are needed today. But both presented and applied the truth. When they were finished, the audience knew what was wrong, and felt the sting of rebuke. Today preachers speak of ``sectarianism'' without explaining that this spirit lives in the ``party'' concept of the church. They cry for ``unity'' but refuse open discussion of issues that divide, with God's word the final authority. This is hypocrisy. Tell the people they must Do Bible Things In Bible Ways--and they will love you. Tell them a church-sponsored skating party is not a Bible Thing; and church support of human institutions is not a Bible Way; and you may lose your ``job,'' but you will have served your purpose as a preacher. Oh John!! Oh Nathan!! Your kind are sorely needed in this generation! -- via, PLAIN TALK, 10-73 ___________________________________________ "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...." (2 Timothy 4:2,3). ___________________________________________ YOU ARE SATISFIED? by Jere E. Frost So what? The rich man was satisfied--God called him a fool and took his life and condemned his soul (Luke 12:20). The whole church at Laodicea was satisfied, but Jesus said they did not know that they were actually wretched, and miserable and poor and blind and naked. That's about how wrong a ``satisfied'' person can be. Satisfied? Are you, now? The Pharisee that went into the temple to pray was satisfied with himself, and even glad he was not as the Publican. But Jesus said that the satisfied Pharisee was not as justified as the sin-conscious Publican. As a matter of fact, the Pharisee wasn't justified at all; the sin-conscious Publican was! And the wise man warned: ``There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death'' (Prov. 14:12). ___________________________________________ Selected Sentence Sermons Life's best outlook is a prayerful uplook. Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies beyond the will of God. True prayer is a way of life, not just a case of emergency. ___________________________________________ SOMEBODY LIED TO US! We were told that if we would relax about sex, take our clothes off and not get all uptight about it, there would be no more sex crimes. So we let it all hang out--and sex crimes and rape have doubled. We were told that our children need to be taught sex education in the schools to stop the number of illegitimate births in America. So with all the sex education, the number of unmarried teenage girls having babies has more than doubled. The greatest number of illegitimate births occur in areas where the Planned Parenthood organization is successful in teaching sex education unrestricted by the schools. We were told that we were to tough on criminals and that if we would go easy on them and be nicer to them, the rate of violent crimes would decrease. So we did, and violent crimes have more than doubled. Crimes will be kept in check when the penalty is at least as severe as the crime. We were told that our schools must boot God out and rely on enhancing Junior's intelligence. So we kicked God out of our public school system. Now our schools are plagued with crimes and dope. The students are uncontrollable. The level of education is at an all-time low, and the dropout rate has never been worse. Officials do not know what to do. Why should we be surprised? They got what they wanted. This is what you end up with in a godless school system. A godless system breeds godless citizens. They told us we should not spank our children; that we should only speak to them and take away privileges. Yet we have raised up the most unruly, wild and rebellious generation America has known. Our jails are full. Drug treatment centers are filled to capacity. Family crime has never been worse. The Bible has the answer to man's problems. It says we should not be slothful in our business. In fact, it says he who does not work--let him not eat. It says women should dress modestly. It says do not steal anything--ever!!! It says you sleep only with your spouse. It says you do not do what you ``want''; you do what you ``ought.'' The Bible is the inspired Word of God; but even if it were not, it is still the best book for an orderly existence. -- Via Words of Truth ___________________________________________ STEPS TO CHRISTIAN GROWTH Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4). Add to your faith virtue (2 Peter 1:5). Ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2). Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5). Only fear the Lord, and serve him (1 Sam. 12:24). Remember the words of the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:35). Keep thyself pure (1 Tim. 5:22). Go ye into all the world, and preach (Mark 16:15). In all thy ways acknowledge him (Prov. 3:5). Vow, and pay unto the Lord (Psa. 76:11). Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3). -- Selected ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________