____________________________________________________ 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 10, 1995 ____________________________________________________ Alexander the Coppersmith by Chuck Bartlett Even though I never met Alexander, you can be sure that we would not have gotten along. Listen to what the apostle Paul tells about this individual. "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words'' (II Tim. 4:14-15). This man did so much harm to Paul, that he felt the need to warn Timothy about him. The main problem was that Alexander resisted the words of truth, which Paul and others were proclaiming. That being true, Timothy could expect the same problem when faced with this evil man. This is why I am sure that I, too, would not have been close to Alexander. When someone does not like truth, you can be sure that sparks will fly when the gospel is preached. A man like Alexander will do whatever he can to discredit the truth. He would utter things like: "That is not the truth." ``You made that up.'' And, ``You're making a big deal over nothing,'' etc. The worst part is, people like this don't just walk away. They want to make life miserable for those they disagree with. Why? Causing harm is what they enjoy. An enemy of the gospel can do so much harm that it can cause others to lose heart. Note what Paul went on to tell Timothy about his encounter with this man, "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them'' (vr. 16). With the false charges, many forsook Paul. Although this faithful servant of the Lord didn't hold it against those who left, still, no man stood with him. Timothy needed to hear this, since he, too, may find himself standing alone while standing for truth. It can be lonely and heartbreaking at times, but there is comfort to be found. Paul's next words were, ``But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion'' (vr. 17). When the Lord stands with you, you are never alone, and He will give you strength. It would be easy to allow the lion to scare you away so as to not be a threat to his evil ways, but that wouldn't help the cause of Christ. There are many ``lions'' out there who have little regard for doing things scripturally. They want things to move along without questioning, and in reality, have little concern for authority. May we have courage to defend the truth and stand up to men like Alexander. We also need to be prepared for whatever may come. Paul said that this person ``greatly resisted our words.'' This tells us that it was a big deal. Yes, truth is a big deal to the faithful. Anyone who has a problem with purity, will have a problem with the faithful! Are you like Paul or Alexander? -- Via The Jordan Journal, November 1, 1995 ___________________________________________ Flesh & Blood by Steve Dewhirst Most of us love our flesh and blood so much, we'll do nearly anything to preserve it. We jog, we workout, we eat low-fat foods, we take vitamins, we seek preventive health care, and we wear safety belts when driving. Too bad we aren't always so eager to care for the spiritual man. We cling tenaciously to this life, because it's all we know. Even Christians possessing faith in eternal life have no real knowledge of it. We're inexperienced in eternity. No wonder that men often face death with fear and sorrow--folks don't know any better. Death is nothing fearsome to a child of God. ``Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption...For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: `Death is swallowed up in victory''' (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). God has created us for salvation; yet as long as we live on this side of the bar, we can but ``groan, being burdened'' (2 Corinthians 5:4-5). What right-thinking saint would hold on to flesh and blood, once tempted by the glories of life eternal? Can there be a greater testimony to the power of the gospel than genuine hope and anticipation in the eyes of a disciple near death? Can there be any greater excitement and joy for a loving family than the testimony of a life lived for the Master? ``For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us'' (Romans 8:18). So then, let us live boldly for Jesus. Let us not shrink from faith and duty. Let us not cower in the face of death. By the grace of God, Jesus has ``tasted death for everyone'' (Hebrews 2:9). Resurrection and eternity lie just beyond the grave. -- Via The Old Path II ___________________________________________ ``Greater Works Than These'' by Larry Ray Hafley Pentecostal people cite Jesus' words in John 14:12, ``He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.'' Then they say that we must not be believers because we do not do the works or miracles of Jesus. If we were truly believers, we should do the works (miracles) of Jesus and even ``greater works than'' Jesus did. What shall we say to this? First, Pentecostal preachers cannot do the works of Jesus. They cannot walk on water. I have tried to get them to take just one step across a baptistery (length-wise) by walking on the water, but they have never done so. They cannot feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish and take up 12 garbage bags of fragments. They cannot raise the dead. No, they cannot do the works of Jesus. Neither can they do ``greater works than these.'' Are they really believers? Second, these promises are made to the apostles. They did the works of Jesus, as all of us, even our Pentecostal friends, admit (Acts 2:43; 3:6; 5:15,16; 9:36-42; 14:3; 19:10). But what of those ``greater works''? What are they? I purposely left off, because Pentecostals often do, the clause of John 14:12. Jesus said, ``He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works then these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.'' Note it. Why were their works to be greater? ``Because I go unto my Father.'' Jesus had to go unto the Father, ``for if I go not away, the Comforter (``which is the Holy Spirit''--Jno. 14:26) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you'' (Jno. 16:7). The apostles will do ``greater works than these...because I go unto my Father.'' But Jesus went unto the Father so that the Holy Spirit would be sent to them. Hence, the ``greater works'' were tied to the coming of the Spirit. So, Jesus ascended to the Father. The Spirit came, guided the apostles into ``all truth'' and convicted ``the world of sin, and of righteousness and of Judgment'' through them (Jno. 16:7,8,13; 17:20; Acts 2:26,37). These, therefore, are the ``greater works.'' Third, ``Oneness,'' ``Jesus only'' Pentecostals had better not cite this verse. It has Jesus going unto His Father. That is two persons, or did he go unto himself: Jesus (that is one) went unto the Father (that is two), and he sent the Holy Spirit (that is three). Or did he go unto himself and send himself? -- Via Good News ___________________________________________ THEIR BEST POTENTIAL by Bill Crews From the forest is cut a tree that becomes a beautiful piece of sculpture. From the quarry is removed a stone that becomes a lovely monument. Likewise, there is a woman in every little girl and a man in every little boy. The quality of the finished product is dependent on the mold of the environment, the influence and example of parents, the companionship of peers, the education received, personal desire and ambition, and many other things. If the will and example of Christ are not considered and emphasized, today's children will never reach their best potential--men and women who are faithful Christians. If one succeeds at anything or at everything, except at being a Christian, his life is a failure. Read 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; 2 John 4 -- Via The Old Path II, Oct. 1, 1995 ___________________________________________ God Hath Not Promised God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through. God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way. Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy Undying love... -- Selected ___________________________________________ God's word is to read, believed, and obeyed! ___________________________________________ God's Plan of Salvation 1. Hear the word of God (Rom. 10:17) 2. Believe in Jesus ( Jn. 8:24) 3. Repent of sins (Acts 2:38) 4. Confess Christ (Rom. 10:9,10) 5. Be baptized (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21) 6. Keep faithful (Rev. 2:10) ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________