____________________________________________________ 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 22, 1995 ____________________________________________________ A Friendly Invitation by Tom Edwards Dear Neighbor, We would like to take this time to personally invite you to visit with us during our services at the Tri-state church of Christ here in Ashland, Kentucky. Our services begin at 10:00 A.M. on Sunday for Bible studies. These classes are designed to help each one increase in Bible knowledge and be encouraged through God's word to resist temptations, to overcome the trials of life, and to learn to joyfully trust in the Savior increasingly. Following the Bible class, the worship hour begins at 10:50. At this time, we worship God in spirit and in truth by singing spiritual songs, taking the Lord's supper, praying, giving of our means, and hearing needful sermons from God's word. This service not only strengthens us, but also helps us to be more thankful for the great blessings which we have in the Lord and to show our appreciation for these wonderful benefits. As our visitor, you are not expected to contribute anything into the collection plate. That is simply for the brethren who meet here regularly. Our giving is to be done cheerfully and as we've been prospered. Though there are several passages that speak about this, nowhere are we commanded to give tithes (10 percent) for today. Tithing is an Old Testament law which Christ abolished by His death on the cross (Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 2:14). The amount that one gives is between the individual giver and God Himself. We strive, therefore, to maintain the Lord's principles for the collection and not wander into some of the modern-day innovations such as pie suppers, bingo games, raffle tickets, or any other means of this nature whereby to raise funds. The work of the Lord continues by members of the congregation who willingly lay by in store as they have been prospered on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-3). We also meet on Sunday evenings at 6:30 to continue our nourishing feast upon the word of the Lord. At this time, we have singing, praying, and a gospel sermon presented that is very relevant for our times; this will also help us in learning how to serve God more fully. On Wednesday at 7:30 P.M., we assemble again for a midweek Bible study. Especially in these days with the morality of the world so rapidly declining, we need this ``oasis'' in the middle of the week in order to rejuvenate our thirsty spirits with the ``living waters'' that Christ provides and thus be encouraged and strengthened to ``keep the faith,'' ``to fight the good fight,'' and to press on diligently to follow the steps of Jesus in our ``walk by faith.'' We also spend part of this evening in the singing of spiritual songs, praying, and hearing a short sermon. These activities truly serve to build us up in the most holy faith and to develop the proper, godly character that is pleasing to our Father in heaven. Having you to visit any or all of our services would be a great joy for us. It is our desire to share the gospel with you in order that we may grow together on the sure foundation of God's word. FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH 1. It has been built by Christ (Mat. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Acts 20:28). No man today has the right to establish his own church, for the Bible teaches, ``Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.....'' (Psa. 127:1). And also, ``...Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up'' (Mat. 15:13). Sadly, though, many people today have violated this command by establishing churches on the basis of man-made doctrines rather than the complete word of God. Jesus, however, is to be the only law giver (Acts 2:36; James 4:12) for He is the only head of the church (Eph. 5:23; 1:22,23) and the only Savior (Eph. 5:23). This is why it is our desire to exalt Christ and his doctrine above all human creeds and strive for unity by having "a book, chapter, and verse" for that which we believe and practice in spiritual matters. God's word speaks against religious division, and Jesus Himself prayed and died so that it can be possible for everyone to dwell in peace and unity (John 17:20,21; Eph. 2:13-22). This, then, should be our endeavor: to strive for unity among God's people today. 2. The Lord's church began in A.D. 33. It's interesting to note that the church prior to Acts 2 is always referred to as something that was yet to be. Jesus states in Matthew 16:18, ``...I will build my church....'' -- thus indicating that it had not yet been established at that time. In Acts 2:47, however,the proclamation is made that ``God added to the church daily such as should be saved.'' Acts 2, therefore, shows the day in which the church had begun: it was the day of Pentecost, just several days after the Lord had ascended to the right hand of God. 3. There is only one way in which to enter the church that Jesus built (John 14:6; Heb. 10:20). The book of Acts records the conversions of various individuals. As we consider what each of these had to do, we are made aware of what we must also do in order to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ: Firstly, the word of the Lord must be heard; for this is how faith is to be developed (Mat. 28:18-20; Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17; John 6:45; 1 Cor. 1:21). Secondly, the gospel must be believed (Heb. 11:6; Acts 18:8; Mark 16:15,16). Thirdly, sins must be repented of (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Luke 24:47; Luke 15:10). Fourthly, confession of faith in Christ is to be made (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10). And fifthly, baptism into Christ is necessary, which is to be performed in water (Acts 8:36-39; 10:47,48; 1 Pet. 3:21) as a ``burial'' by immersion (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12); and its purpose is in order that one may ``call on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16), receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), be put into Christ (Gal. 3:26,27), rise to walk in ``newness of life'' (Rom. 6:3,4), and be saved (1 Pet. 3:21). 4. One must "continue in the faith." Let it also be pointed out, however, that the Bible teaches of man's need to ``be faithful unto death'' in order to receive eternal life (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 10:36-39). Salvation is conditional. Each Christian must strive daily to abide in the vine by keeping the word of the Lord or else he will perish spiritually and be cast forth as a branch that has withered and died (John 15:1-6). God's word teaches that ``without holiness no man shall see the Lord'' (Heb. 12:14). We, therefore, must always strive to live righteously, realizing that it is even worse for the one who had become a Christian to then fall away by going back into sin (2 Pet. 2:20-22). It is a joy to be able to meet with a faithful group of God's people who are keenly interested in spiritual matters and are eagerly looking forward to spending an eternity in heaven. Such joy makes walking on the bumpy roads of life a little smoother and the steep hills of adversity a little easier to climb. We hope that you'll be able to visit with us soon, for we would be happy to have you as our honored guest -- anytime. For those of us at the Tri-state church of Christ, we hope to see you soon. ___________________________________________ The Value of a Goal Demosthenes lived in the fourth century before Christ. Even though there were many natural defects--weak lungs, an unpleasant voice, inability to pronounce the letter "r," an awkward manner--he desired to be an orator. His first attempts brought derision, but the strength of his desire led him to spend hours, days, months in study and in drilling himself with certain exercises, speaking against the roar of the waves, speaking with his mouth full of pebbles while climbing steep places. His determined efforts were not in vain. He is recognized in history as one of the greatest orators who ever lived. It is said that he brought the Greek language to a peak of perfection that it had not known before. Demosthenes' accomplishments demonstrate the value of having a goal and the determination to reach it. Paul had a goal: "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." He counted the attractions of the world as rubbish that he might gain Christ (Philippians 3:8-14). Is heaven our goal? How much do we really desire it? -- via Gospel Guide (author unknown) ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________