____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ May 29, 1994 ____________________________________________________ The Family of God by Wayne Walker ``For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.'' The church of our Lord is not a ``worshiping society,'' like some social club, where the members, if they do not have something better to do on Sunday (or Wednesday, or whenever) decide to ``go to church.'' Surely assembling regularly with the saints is an important part of our relationship to God (Heb. 10:24-25). But the church is more. It is a spiritual family where all members are brothers and sisters, born again with a common spiritual father. Therefore, we need to develop and express a true sense of family love and concern in our relationship with one another as fellow-children of God. ``Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep'' (Rom. 12:15). ``That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care for one another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it'' (I Cor. 12:25-26). This should be especially true when we see members who are having spiritual problems that may lead to their souls being lost. ``Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ'' (Gal. 6:1-2). ``Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins'' (Jas. 5:19-20). Sometimes when members see a brother or sister who is having a spiritual problem and approach him or her with the desire to help, they often receive the response, ``It's none of your business.'' Well, I am sorry, but it is our business, because we are concerned for your soul! Then, when they continue to try to assist the one with the problem, they may well be accused of being a bunch of nosy, meddlesome busybodies. In fact, the one accusing his or her brethren of being busybodies may himself be guilty of spreading malicious rumors to others that, ``They're just a bunch of busybodies over there.'' The fact that someone who has a spiritual problem and does not want to be aided believes or gossips to others that sincere brothers and sisters who simply wish to be a source of strength, comfort, and guidance are busybodies does not make it so. The FACT is that we love you, care for your spiritual condition before God, and do not want you to be lost. Of course, whether you accept and benefit from our efforts or not is up to you. It will depend upon your attitude toward God, the truth, and your soul's salvation. You may say, ``Just leave me alone!'' However, we will not do that because we cannot. ``We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves...For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me'' (Rom. 15:1-2). Yes, there will come a time when we must ``shake the dust off our feet'' by withdrawing from an unrepentant brother or sister (I Cor. 5:3-5, 2 Thes. 3:6). But that comes only after all other attempts have been made to bring such a one back to the Lord. And even then we are told, ``Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother'' (2 Thes. 3:15). If you were once numbered among the saints but are not now faithfully serving the Lord, it is our prayer and hope that you will let us admonish, encourage, and exhort you to make your life right with the Lord and take your place among His people once again. It is not our desire to meddle but merely to be of spiritual service. Our only goal is that ``we all get to heaven'' without the loss of one. We trust that our efforts to that end will be successful. -- Via Gospel Truth, April 17, 1994 ___________________________________________ "...I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst...and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you" (2 Cor. 6:16,17). ____________________________________________ SAUL AND THE BURNT OFFERING by Tom Edwards We need to be concerned as to how we worship God because the Lord will not accept just any type of worship, but only that which He has authorized. Sadly, though, how often is this important need overlooked as if it is an irrelevancy? Let us, therefore, cautiously take heed to Jesus' warning in Matthew 15:9, in which He states, ``But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'' We, too, can become just as guilty as these if we aren't careful in allowing God's word to be our only guide in religious matters. Though there are a wide variety of religious beliefs and practices in the world today, they each can be summed up in one of two categories. In Matthew 21:23-25, the chief priests and the elders questioned Jesus as to the origin of His authority. The Lord replied by simply asking them the following rhetorical question: ``The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?'' These are the only two sources from which John's baptism could have originated: heaven or men. Therefore, what one believes and practices today can also come from only one of these same two sources. Should it not be a concern for each of us that the source of our worship and service can be traced back to God? Sometimes what people would like to see the church do, might seem as a good work; but if God's word doesn't authorize it, then it can't be. Why? Because the New Testament has been given ``That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto ALL GOOD WORKS'' (2 Tim. 3:17, emphasis mine). Note the emphasized ``ALL.'' Consequently, not one good work in religious matters can be found outside of the parameters of the gospel. Basketball courts, gymnasiums, pool tables, bingo, and other secular functions are not found authorized in the word of God so, therefore, they cannot be a good work for the church to engage in. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul became inpatient after waiting on Samuel for seven days. His people had begun losing heart and Saul wanted Samuel to offer the burnt offering, the peace offering, and ask for God's favor on behalf of the Israelites's battle against the Philistines. Since Samuel didn't show up, Saul took it upon himself to do this. It might have seemed as a good work he was doing, after all he was seeking after God's help for himself and all of Israel, but notice how Samuel reacted when he arrived. In 1 Sam. 13:11, Samuel asks Saul, ``What have you done?'' Saul tries to explain, and then Samuel tells him in vv. 13,14, ``You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.'' Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, a tribe which God never authorized to serve at the altar. That was strictly for the tribe of Aaron. Saul might have meant well, but God required more than just good intentions; He required respect for His standard by obedience to it. God's standard for everyone today is the New Testament. Let us diligently look into it, rightly divide it, greatly treasure it, and correctly apply it that our worship and service to God may be within the confines of His word and acceptable. Remember, this is the only way that we can truly reverence the Lord and live for Him. ___________________________________________ "Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right" (1 Peter 4:19). ___________________________________________ IF YOU ARE LOST? by Leslie Diestelkamp -- You are missing the better things of life on earth. Sin and worldliness do not bring real happiness, though they may produce fun for a time. Satisfaction of man's innermost needs is to be had in fulfillment of his duty to God (1 Pet. 3:10). -- You have no hope for a bright future. Only the dismal reality of hell with all of its misery awaits you. A better life after death is only for those who are saved by Christ's blood (John 14:1-3). -- And die in that condition, it will be for eternity. A few days or weeks might not be so bad to contemplate, but never-ending punishment awaits the disobedient (John 5:29-30; Rev. 21:8). -- It is your own fault. You have sinned (Romans 3:23). A sinful soul cannot go to be with God. Your sin has alienated you from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). It is not God's fault nor is it the fault of Adam or your parents or others. Every man must bear his own burden of guilt (Gal. 6:5). -- It is in spite of God's abundant favor. He gave his only begotten Son to redeem you. Jesus paid the price on the cross for your salvation. God will pardon became of the shed blood of Jesus. But you must respond to God's grace. His conditions are simple. 1. Hear the Word. ``Now faith cometh by hearing'' (Romans 10:17). 2. Believe in Christ. ``If you believe not that I am He ye shall die in your sins'' (John 8:24). 3. Repent of your sins. ''...Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish'' (Luke 13:3). 4. Confess your faith. ``With the mouth confession is made unto salvation'' (Romans 10:10). 5. Be baptized. ``Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins....'' (Acts 2:38). -- Are you still lost? Why not obey Christ today!!!! ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________