____________________________________________________ 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 2, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Pleasing the Pharisees by Dan S. Shipley ``Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory of men more than the glory that is of God'' (Jn. 12:42,43). ``Even of the rulers''--even among the elite Sanhedrin were many who believed on Christ. Speculation about whether they actually believed only reflects on the skeptic's faith, not the rulers'. God said they believed and for believers, that's enough. But ``they did not confess it,'' and herein lies their great sin. It was not so much what they did as what they failed to do. Their faith indicates knowledge. They knew, yet still would not confess and follow Christ. Why? What power, what influence could be so compelling as to cause believers to turn their backs on the Saviour and salvation? We are not left to wonder. It was ``because of the Pharisees.'' The One who knows all hearts shows their weakness as loving the glory of men more than the glory of God. To them, getting along with men (gaining their favor and avoiding their disfavor) had priority over pleasing God. These were not men to allow such things as truth and right to interfere with their religion! While these Pharisees no longer exist as a religious sect, they are still very much in evidence as they represent those who men strive to please more than God. ``Because of the Pharisees'' many of all ages have proved themselves to be as these rulers--found wanting at a crucial time: succumbing to pressures and circumstances. Accordingly, we read of many Old Testament characters who were influenced ``because of the Pharisees.'' Even Abraham lied, calling Sarah his sister to avoid the disfavor of king Abimelech (Gen. 20). Aaron yielded to demands for an idol saying, ``thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil'' (Ex. 32:22). King Saul disobeyed the commandments of God and later confessed it was because he ``feared the people, and obeyed their voice'' (1 Sam. 15:24). ``Because of the Pharisees'' Pilate delivered up Christ to be crucified, ``wishing to content the multitude'' (Mk. 15:15). It was for the same reason that Peter followed Christ from afar, denied Him with cursing and swearing and said, ``I know not the man.'' He later showed the same weakness in Antioch by withdrawing from the Gentiles, ``fearing them that were of the circumcision'' (Gal. 2:12). Fear and favor of the ``Pharisees'' continues to flavor the religion of many. It has influenced the revision and updating of Catholic and denominational creeds. It promotes watered-down preaching and encourages the ``fear of offending'' phobia. As the rulers, many have learned the way of truth, but ``because of the Pharisees'' will not embrace it. Even among the brethren are some who prefer to stay with the ``synagogue'' rather than to stand for what they know to be right. No ``Pharisee'' should be allowed to determine where I shall spend eternity! ``For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men?...'' -- Via The Westview Weekly ___________________________________________ IF YOU ARE A VISITOR TODAY... by Wayne S. Walker You may be visiting with us today, perhaps for the very first time and may be interested in knowing more about us. We are completely non-denominational. Jesus Christ is our only head (Eph. 1:22-23). Therefore, we call ourselves after Him (Rom. 16:16). The Bible is our only guide (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We have no man-made creeds. Our worship is designed to be in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24). Everyone is invited to join with us in singing praise to God (Eph. 5:19). Men are asked to lead us in prayer (1 Tim. 2:1-8). We study the word of God together (Acts 17:11). The Lord's supper is observed on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). When a collection is taken on the first day of the week, it is for the members (1 Cor. 16:1-2). We do not beg our visitors for money. The work that we do is spiritual in nature--preaching the gospel of Christ (Mk. 16:15-16). Our aim is the salvation of lost souls. Another goal is the edification or building up of those who are already members of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12-16). We are not a social club but a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are always welcome to visit, worship, and study with us. -- Via Gospel Truth, Vol. 8, No. 6, August 7, 1994 ________________________________________________ THE NEED FOR PERSEVERANCE by Tom Edwards Without a doubt, persecution often characterized the early church; and it was something that--at least to many of the saints--would not come as a surprise or as that which would seem incongruous to the life of a Christian. Paul had stated that ``all who live godly in Christ Jesus'' would incur such (2 Tim. 3:12); and Peter also told the saints that they should not think of this as being ``some strange thing''; but, rather, they were to rejoice in their trials--which were an affiliation with the sufferings of Christ--and realize that God would bless them when they endured for the Lord's sake (1 Pet. 4:12; cf. Matt. 5:10-12). In view of these inevitably adverse circumstances, it is evident that God's people have always had a need for the endurance and fortitude that would keep them pressing on in their devotion to Christ. Jesus commended those who were characterized by this virtue in Revelation 3:10-12 by saying, ``Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it any more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.'' Yes, the Christian needs to persevere; and what a great reward there will be for the one who does. Sometimes the road of life becomes steep and the journey arduous, but Jesus gives us the power to press on and not give up; and, as we do, we soon find ourselves on another mountain peak, joyously taking in the wondrous view, so far above the many obstacles that had lined the way; but we must never forget our need to work at this and also realize that life is not a continuous ``mountain peak'' experience, but one that also has its share in the valleys of disappointment and the rugged terrain of adversities--but ''...take courage," Jesus states, ``I have overcome the world'' (John 16:33). Comfortingly, this the Lord said in view of the tribulation that His disciples would encounter while on earth. We must, therefore, ``contend earnestly for the faith'' (Jude 3), striving always to keep the will of God first in our lives despite the obstacles along the way. Not too long ago I preached on the Christian's armor, which is spoken of in Ephesians 6:10-18, and pointed out that we often take these things lightly and do not totally realize the importance of putting on ``the full armor of God,'' acting as if there were no battle between flesh and spirit. But have we forgotten all those who after having begun a new life as a soldier of Christ, soon went ``A.W.O.L.'' by yielding to sin and temptation and have, thus, gone back into the world as one who has been defeated. Ceasing to live a life for Christ and laying aside the Christian's armor will result in a forfeiture of heaven. Hebrews 10:36 states, ``For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.'' Why do we need this perseverance? So that we can arrive in heaven. Correspondingly, Jesus declares in Matthew 10:22: ''...you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.'' Clearly, the Christian must ``press on'' just as the apostle Paul, who was able to say in 2 Timothy 4:7, ``I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.'' May we each live such a life that we will also be able to say this, as Paul did. God's word can give the Christian the perseverance he needs to ``keep the faith'' and ``press on.'' Have you looked into His word lately? ___________________________________________ "...if you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (the words of Jesus in John 8:31,32). ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________