____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ October 10, 1993 ____________________________________________________ They Did What They Pleased by Tom Edwards Herodotus relates a story in his history of the Persian wars that Cambyses had married his full-blooded sister--even though it was not the custom of the Persians to do such. Having inquired of the royal judges ``whether there was any law which allowed a brother, if he wished, to marry his sister,'' Cambyses was told ``they did not find any law''; but the judges said they did find a law which showed that ``the king of the Persians might do whatever he pleased.'' With a law that placed no restraint upon the king, Cambyses soon married his younger sister also. Many years have rolled by since the days of Cambyses, but still that selfish spirit of merely doing as one pleases lingers on. The question as to whether a thing is right or wrong seems to be irrelevant to much of our society today--which is indicated from the numerous unscriptural marriages across our nation, covetousness and the frequent disregard for other people's possessions, and the cold malevolence toward human life that is manifested in various ways, all seem to point to those who are primarily self-centered, whose chief regard in life is whatever pleases them. Today, the key issue does not seem to spring forth from whether something is right or wrong, but rather from whether it is something one will find gratifying or not. Some people have gone to terrible extremes in the matters of pleasing self: So selfish was King Ahab in wanting to obtain Naboth's vineyard that he wouldn't even stop at deceit and murder until he got his own way--thus pleasing himself. During the days of the apostle Paul there were the Epicureans who had given themselves over to a lifestyle steeped in diverse pleasures. Thus having as their cardinal aim in life to simply get all the gusto out of it they could, while they exalted in whatever enjoyments brought them the most satisfaction. This is not to say that the Christian's life must be void of all pleasures and enjoyments, but as children of God we cannot live merely to please self; rather, we must strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus--who prayed ``not My will, but Thine be done.'' It might be an innocent pleasure such as golfing or bike-riding that--though harmless per se--might sometimes have to be preempted by that which God expects us to be doing at that time instead, such as in assembling for worship. When the saints gather together in the church to study the Scriptures and worship the Lord, this is not the time for one to be found knocking down pins at the bowling alley or meandering down some shady lane on a bike. Pleasing God and pleasing self can sometimes conflict, so we must be sure that it is to the Lord that we are giving the preeminence. God is ultimately the one we are to please above all, and we do this by obeying His word. Furthermore, in so doing, it also involves the pleasing of others in every facet of our lives: in the marital relationship, children and parents, employees and employers, citizens and their government, and the individual to his fellowman. The New Testament speaks about each of these relationships and shows that the Christian is to be the best he can in each one that pertains to him. Notice Paul's instruction in Philippians 2:3,4 and Romans 15:1-3: ``Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others....Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, `The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me.''' Similar to this is Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:10 to ``Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.'' It was this same apostle who also showed by his life that he was more than a man of mere speech: ``just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved'' (1 Cor. 10:33). By the way he lived, Paul strove to please others; but at the same time he was never a ``man-pleaser'' in the sense of being a compromiser of the truth (Gal. 1:9,10). Truly, we can be encouraged by Paul's life. We need to also treasure the example of Christ, who did not come into this world to do merely His own will--but rather, to do the will of His Father who sent Him. Jesus sought to please His Father continually--and did so. Is the same true of us? If not, we need to strive to make it so. Let us each live to do those things that will be pleasing to God--for is not this how we, too, can really be the most pleased ourselves? This was true for the psalmist, who said, ``I delight [am highly pleased] to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart'' (Psa. 40:8). May it also be our desire to please God above all--and even above our own selves. ___________________________________________ Following God's Blueprint for Building His Church His Way by Wilson Adams As we have seen in our previous articles, four major threads are woven into the fabric of Acts 2:41-47. They provide the blueprint for the early church...a blueprint that has never changed. God's four major objectives for the first church: (1) Worship, (2) Instruction, (3) Close Fellowship, and (4) Evangelism. Let's focus on #4. LET'S GET THE WORD OUT! No doubt you have been in one of those elegant stores filled with lovely pieces of crystal, exquisite glass statuettes, and a wide assortment of imported (and expensive!) china. Chances are you've also seen several small signs scattered throughout the shop saying: ``Fragile!'' ``Please ask for assistance!'' ``Take children by the hand!'' ``DO NOT TOUCH!'' If you have kids you probably know better than to even enter those stores. (A bull in a china shop is nothing compared to a three-year-old.) The church of God was never designed to keep its hands to itself. It is to be a reaching body. Survey Acts and you will find a growing momentum of people committed to sharing the message of the Gospel. Rather than keeping the ``good news'' to themselves, the early disciples hit the streets and began to spread the word! (See Acts 3:1; 4:1-4, 18-21,42). Here we find an apostolic example of New Testament evangelism. These Christians took the gospel of Jesus where the need was--in the streets, public places and homes of their city. They modeled true evangelism. Studying the passages I discover two things about first century evangelism: 1. It is never limited to the church assembly. Throughout Acts it is apparent that Christians gathered for worship, instruction and spiritual fellowship and then scattered to evangelize. Today the situation is often reversed. Our mindset is to build a building in order for people to come to us. THAT IS NOT THE NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN. Acts teaches that we must go to them. For example, if you are a student of football, you are aware that the offensive team will huddle before running a play. No team shows up just to huddle. They huddle long enough to call the play and then they run the play. Sunday after Sunday Christians huddle for worship, biblical instruction and fellowship. Then throughout the week God expects us to run the plays and take advantage of opportunities to teach. (It looks to me like all some groups ever do is huddle. They never seem to get around to running any plays. What do you think?) 2. Evangelism is initiated by Christians. The early disciples did not sit back and say, ``If they want to know the Gospel, they can come to us.'' Acts presents a picture of Christians reaching out and taking the first steps to convert the lost. When You Follow the Directions Acts 2 concludes by saying that the church was ``having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved'' (vs. 4-7 ). God blesses a church that follows His holy design. My prayer is that we will let God build His church His way. Let's get back to the blueprint! To God be the glory. ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Albert Cunningham will be preaching this morning in my absence. Rick Fleeman will have a short talk tonight. I will be substituting--just today--for Rick Harlow at the Harding Avenue church of Christ. Would you like to receive a Free Bible Study that we would mail to you? If so, write and let us know. We would be happy to enroll you for the courses we have to offer. We welcome those of you who are visiting and hope to have you with us again soon. You are each a special guest to us, and we are honored by your presence. ___________________________________________ BIBLE QUIZ ``I will sing with the understanding'' (I Cor. 14:15) Test Yourself Words Definitions 1. Guerdon ____ A. Grain left over after harvesters finish 2. Bulwark _____ B. Group of angels described in Ezek. 3. Ebon _______ C. A reward 4. Ebenezer ____ D. One who wanders to some holy place 5. Hoary _______ E. To make holy; consecrate; honor as holy; venerate 6. Cassia ______ F. A solid support of defense 7. Sheaves ____ G. Angels described in Isaiah 6 8. Pilgrim ______ H. A great, rolling swell of water 9. Barque ______ I. White or gray with age 10. Surge ______ J. Given to reckless extravagances 11. Diadem _____ K. the wing of a bird; a feather 12. Cherubim ____ L. A small sailing vessel 13. Seraphim ____ M. Without limits, w/o end, boundless 14. Billows _____ N. A plant of warmer regions, produces a drug 15. Gleanings ___ O. A shore, especially of an ocean 16. Silver cord __ P. Any memorial of divine aid 17. Prodigal ____ Q. Life as described in Eccl. 12:6 18. Infinite ____ R. Wheat or grain stalks bound in a bundle 19. Hallow _______ S. Crown worn by Eastern monarchs 20. Strand _______ T. A great, rolling swell of water 21. Pinion _______ U. A deep, lustrous black * Adapted from the Danville church Bulletin Answers: 1) C 2) F 3) U 4) P 5) I 6) N 7) R 8) D 9) L 10) H 11) S 12) B 13) G 14) T 15) A 16) Q 17) J 18) M 19) E 20) O 21) K ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________