____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ December 3, 1995 ____________________________________________________ Procrastination on the Plain by Paul Casebolt One of the oldest ploys among adversaries is to get the other party to cease effective progress or opposition. Sanballat tried to persuade Nehemiah to procrastinate in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem, while they talked in the ``plain of Ono'' (Neh. 6:1-4). Sanballat considered this tactic so effective that he tried it not just once, but four times. Nehemiah was not deceived, neither did he yield to this proposed exercise in futility on the plain of Ono. I'm all for dialogue with anyone who is sincerely interested in promoting brotherhood and unity among God's people. But such an effort must be circumscribed by ``the wisdom that is from above,'' which ``is first pure, then peaceable'' (James 3:17). Also, it must be understood that those on the side of truth cannot agree to ``cease fire'' in preaching the word (2 Tim. 4:1-4), while such dialogue takes place. Then, whether the effort turns into progress or merely futile procrastination on the plains, nothing shall have been lost. When Hezekiah invited all Israel, including the northern tribes headquartered in Samaria to the Passover feast, there were no concessions to error. On the contrary, Hezekiah let them know they were welcome, but reminded them that they were the ones responsible for the division in Israel (2 Chron. 30:7-9). We may ignore the facts of history, but we can't erase them. While the digressive ``Christian Church'' continues to fellowship the false religions of the world, we can have no fellowship with them, for they continue to uphold the works of darkness (I Jno. 1:7; Eph. 5:11). Likewise, as long as liberal brethren refuse to give up their ``golden calves,'' to wit, their sponsoring church projects, human institutions and fellowship halls ministry, there can be no real progress made in dialogue or negotiations. There needs to be some overture of good faith on the part of those who have ``trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers'' before we can agree to what may be nothing more than procrastination on the plains. If we allow ourselves to become preoccupied and obsessed with ``unity in diversity'' and similar ecumenical exercises in procrastination, we will soon have a generation wholly ignorant of what constitutes apostolic doctrine and practice (Phil. 4:9). That generation will not care what name they wear, what spiritual sacrifices they offer, or what God or gods they worship. There are also individuals affiliated with liberal and digressive churches who have procrastinated on the plain too long. At the first, they vowed not to have fellowship with unscriptural practices, and claimed ``not to go along'' with the liberal tendencies and practices of the congregations where they worship. But, after several years of procrastination, and becoming acclimated to the very things which they professed not to fellowship, they are now in no position to object to anything. And some ``have even taken of the accursed thing'' which should have been mortified along with other works of the flesh (Josh. 4:11). We cannot afford to take off even one piece of the ``whole armour of God,'' nor dare we make the fatal mistake of sheathing ``the sword of the Spirit'' while we procrastinate on the plain of Ono, ``no not for an hour'' (Gal. 2:5). -- Via Searching the Scriptures, Dec. 1988 ___________________________________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but the conquest of it (selected). Obey the Lord -- always! ___________________________________________ Essentials for Spiritual Growth by John Isaac Edwards God expects His children to grow up and be strong! The apostle Peter declared, ``But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....'' (II Peter 3:18). Here are some essentials for spiritual growth: 1) Being Born. The new birth is a prerequisite of spiritual growth (John 3:3-5). One is begotten by the Spirit through the Word. Peter revealed, ``Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever'' (1 Peter 1:23). James stated, ``Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth...'' (James 1:18). 2) A Health Diet. Some fail to grow spiritually because they are on a spiritually unhealthy diet! We need to desire the spiritual food of God's Word. ``As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby'' (1 Peter 2:2). The Lord taught, ``Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled'' (Matthew 5:6). 3) Lots Of Exercise. Paul wrote, ``But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things...'' (1 Timothy 4:7-8). In order to grow and mature spiritually, it is essential that folks get lots of spiritual exercise! 4) A Good Environment. Some do not grow spiritually because they are not in an environment that is conducive to spiritual growth! The Corinthian Christians were told, ``Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners'' (1 Corinthians 15:33). 5) The Proper Weight. How much do you weigh? Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, ``Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting'' (Daniel 5:27). Further, ''...the Lord weigheth the spirits'' (Proverbs 16:2). God will weigh each of us on the great scales! 6) The Right Temperature. God said to the Laodiceans, ``I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth'' (Revelation 3:14-16). We need a zeal that is on fire for the Lord (Titus 2:14). Have you checked your temperature lately? 7) Staying Free From Disease. Sin is a disease that will keep a lot of people from growing spiritually. Paul announced, ``For the wages of sin is death...'' (Romans 6:23). 8) Putting Away Childish Things. Paul proclaimed, ``When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things'' (1 Corinthians 13:11). 9) Frequent Examinations. ``Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...'' (II Corinthians 13:5). We need to be constantly checking ourselves to make sure we are continuing in the faith (Colossians 1:23). -- Via Ellettsville Church Bulletin, September 28, 1995 ___________________________________________ The Need For Respect by Johnie Edwards Respect is almost a thing of the past with many today. There are some areas in which we must regain respect if we are to be as God would have us. Thus we look at some areas where respect is greatly needed: 1) In The Home: No doubt you have heard the expression that a number of things begin at home. Surely the home is the place where respect must begin. Children must be taught and taught from day one, respect for parents. Paul wrote, ``Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise'' (Eph. 6:1-2). Did you know that teaching children to have respect for authority of parents is a command of God? One reason a lot of young people have little or no respect is due to the lack of discipline that is necessary to bring about such respect. The wise man said, ``Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare you from doing your duty toward the child! 2) In The Government: There are three divine institutions and one of them is the government. The higher powers are of God, thus divine. The Holy Spirit said, ``Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God'' (Rom. 13:1). One of the problems of our society today is that of having no respect for God's ordained power, the government. Perhaps, if we spent more time praying ''...for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority'' (I Tim. 2:1-2), instead of being so critical, we might have a better group of people in high places. We owe the government, our prayers, our taxes, our respect; and we must get back to teaching our young men and young ladies the importance of such respect. 3) In The Church: Respect for authority in the church is necessary if we are to have the proper attitude toward God, Christ, the Word of God and each other. We must learn that the Bible is the Word of God and inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When we get back to teaching that Christ has ``all power...in heaven and in earth'' (Matt. 28:18), you will begin to see the difference in the kind of things we do and say. Just take a look at all the worldly things some churches of Christ are doing, all without one ounce of scriptural authority for such. I read just a few days ago about a church of Christ announcing a ``concert.'' Did you ever read in the New Testament about the Lord's church having a concert? When the church is put in the recreation and entertainment business and build and maintain human organizations through which to do the work God gave the local church, respect for divine authority has been tossed out the window. We are going to have to get back to preaching book, chapter and verse sermons with Christ at the beginning, in the middle and at the end, or there will be a sad day in Zion. -- Via Ellettsville Church Bulletin, October 5, 1995 ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________