____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ September 24, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Did Christ Die For Nothing? by Lynn Wessel "I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought" (Gal. 2:21). Paul's language in this verse has the purpose of exposing the error of what some were teaching. He is showing that the effect of their doctrine is to make the death of Christ for nothing; therefore, it certainly can't be the truth. It is unthinkable that Christ died for nothing; yet, this is the potential effect of certain doctrines and conditions. If true, they make Christ's death needless. The identity of what would do this should be a matter of interest to us. Let's think through this article by asking, "Did Christ die for nothing?" and then answer by saying, "He did if... ...Righteousness Is Through The Law." This is the point Paul is making in the text. He was dealing with those who wanted to be under the law (Gal. 4:21) and who taught that righteousness would be achieved by the keeping of the law (Acts 15:5). To show the error of this position, he simply pointed out that, if it is true, righteousness could be obtained without the death of Christ; therefore, He died for nothing. Paul goes to great length to teach that righteousness is not through the law. A part of what he said is, "yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Gal. 2:16). Since the law could not give life (Gal. 3:21), it was necessary for Christ to die for sin and give life (1 John 5:12). Since He did this, we can now be justified through Him. He did not die needlessly! ...The Church Is Not Essential." There are those who ridicule the Lord's church and go so far as to say it is not essential. They claim that one can be a Christian and serve God faithfully while never being a part of the church. They cry, "We want Christ, not the church!" While some Christians are not saying this verbally, they are acting as though they believe it to be true. They see no need for faithfulness in the work and worship of the church and conduct themselves as if the church is not essential to going to heaven. If the church is not needed, then Christ died for nothing! The relationship between Christ's death and the church is inseparable. With His blood He purchased the church (Acts 20:28) and in dying, He gave Himself up for the church that He might purify and present it to Himself a glorious church "not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:25-27). Any thought that the church and its purity are unimportant or nonessential makes the death of Christ in this behalf for nought. ...Religious Division Is Right." The majority of religious people today conduct themselves upon the principle that the divided denominational state of the religious world is right. It is said that such division is good because it gives people the choice of what best suits them. Some even go so far as to say that it is necessary in order for all truth to be taught. The thinking behind this concept is that one religious group couldn't possibly teach all the truth; therefore, it is accomplished by different religious groups teaching different aspects of truth. It should be noticed by those who hold this position that there is an inseparable relationship between the death of Christ and unity. Paul taught that Christ died that He might bring all of mankind together in one body, not two or any plurality (Eph. 2:15-16; 4:4). This unity of all who would be His disciples was the subject of His prayer in John 17: "Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one...." (vv. 20-21a). Shortly after this prayer, He went to the cross to make it possible. If those who are disciples of Christ can be divided, then His prayer and His death were for nothing. ...You Are Lost." This may sound strange at first, but think about it! If you are lost, then Christ's death for you was for nothing! His death was for each one of us as if we were the only person on the face of the earth. He died to save you! If, when the end comes, you stand in judgment and your soul is lost, then, for you, Christ's death was for nothing. Peter said, "who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). When He went to the cross, Jesus personally bore our sins in his body and He did this that we might live a righteous life. Paul said, "and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again" (II Cor. 5:15). If I would never obey the gospel of if I would not live faithfully for Him so He can take me to heaven, then His death for me was in vain. Christ did not die for nothing! The value of being able to enter heaven as our final eternal abode impresses upon our minds the value of Christ's death. It also impresses us with how wrong any doctrine or thinking is that has the effect of making Christ die needlessly. -- Via The Dewey Avenue Bulletin, August 27, 1995 ___________________________________________ Musings of a Country Preacher (author unknown) Attendance at worship last Sunday was a mite poorly. I don't reckon I ought to grumble, 'cause I had a bunch of sick members; and when you add to that all my shut-ins, we don't have a site of pew fillers. So I went ahead and preached to what I had. Only thing was, the echo in the near empty church buildin' hurt my ears. My wife said I needed to git out, ride awhile, and let the fresh air clear my haid. What I saw made me rejoice! I saw miracle after miracle! Old Hezekiah who had been deathly sick that mornin' was roused up and ridin' down the highway with his fishin' poles. Nothin' but a miracle could have rescued Hezekiah from the jaws of death in such a short time. Now there's Rufe's brother. Rufe told me Sunday mornin' his brother's back was in such a foul shape they were afraid that an operation was gonna be necessary. Well, we remembered him in our prayer, and lo and behold at two o'clock thar he were at the drivin' range hittin' golf balls! If that wasn't a quick recovery then I don't know what is! All told, about 20 of my sick folks had roused up and was takin' nourishment in some form or tuther. But what made me really happy was to see so many of my shut-ins out ridin' 'round and enjoyin' the world. Hezekiah's pa, who don't attend worship "cause he can't stand crowds," was headed for the baseball game. Sister Nell's mom, who can't come on account of her kidneys, stood in line two hours to get into the picture show. Yes sir, it sure thrilled my heart to see what I saw! I ought to have a packed house next Sunday with all my sick folks bein' healed and my shut-ins set free. I jist hope they don't overdo themselves and have relapses afore next Sunday. I gotta go now and play with my small young'un. He's gonna be the farmer and I'm gonna be the goat. Tin cans will be easy to eat after what I've swallowed! -- Via The Old Path II, August 27, 1995 ___________________________________________ Editors's Note: Just for the record, there are many "country" preachers who would not do such a job at "murdering the king's English," as in the above article--though I'm sure this was an intended affect. I hope no one takes offense at it. I'm not wanting to continue the "stereotype" of "country preachers" as being crude, uneducated, and boorish--for it would be inaccurate to do so, since many of them are not different from "city" preachers; but I just wanted to share the author's point with you, which he colorfully illustrates. ___________________________________________ GROWING UP! by Lowell Blasingame Do you remember the pride that you experienced as a child in having some adult tell you that you were really growing up and becoming a big boy or girl? Most of us have come to recognize that growing up involves developing mentally and emotionally as well as physically. Unfortunately, some have not learned this and we sometimes see little people living in grown bodies! Actually, you are growing up when you: 1) Can recognize your own faults and work toward their solution. 2) Can say, "I'm sorry" to those whom you may have offended or injured. 3) Can put others first and watch them excel you without feelings of resentment or bitterness. 4) Can accept constructive criticism. 5) Can accept responsibility for your failure without trying to shift the blame to others. 6) Derive greater pleasure from what you give than from what you receive from others. 7) Become concerned about how others are affected by what is being said and done by you. 8) Can suffer injustice without becoming embittered and wrong without retaliation. 9) Can control your temper and divert your anger into useful rather than into destructive channels. 10) Learn that the cultivation of virtues of lasting value in life is of greater importance than participation in things that bring momentary pleasure. 11) Can drink from the cup of human praise without becoming intoxicated by foolish pride. 12) Have learned that to fear God and keep His commandments is your highest calling and the only truly profitable course for you in life. Without learning these lessons, one may acquire size and age in life but he will never have in the true sense learned the secrets of growing up. -- in The Buckler ___________________________________________ "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________