____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ March 17, 1996 ____________________________________________________ INCIDENTS OF THE SOCIAL GOSPEL by James P. Needham THE SOCIAL GOSPEL is a philosophy in religion that the church should concern itself with worldly problems rather than spiritual ones. It is more interested in ecology, biology, psychology and sociology than in theology. It is more concerned about preserving the whooping crane and alligator than about preaching Christ the emancipator. It spends more time fighting earthly pollution that MAY damage the body than with fighting spiritual plagues that WILL certainly damn the soul. THE SOCIAL GOSPEL is more interested in feeding the body than in nurturing the soul. Its goal is education, not salvation; recreation, not sanctification; fraternity, instead of eternity. It concerns itself with the ``new morality'' rather than with immortality; birth control rather than self- control; ministering to the ``inner city'' rather than seeking the heavenly city; slum clearance rather than with spiritual perseverance. THE SOCIAL GOSPEL philosophy is more interested in helping men make a living than in helping them make a life. It is more concerned with civil rights than with spiritual fights; civil laws rather than spiritual flaws; revolution rather than revelation; civil disobedience rather than spiritual obedience; communism rather than faith, repentance and baptism. THE SOCIAL GOSPEL is a lame duck spiritually because it is without the power to fulfill the lasting needs of the human race. It preaches Christ as a great social reformer, rather than as a spiritual savior. It limits His work to earthly benefits for mankind; and Paul said, ``If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable'' (I Cor. 15:19). Social Gospelism can only leave man spiritually naked! -- Via The Old Path II (April 30, 1995) ___________________________________________ HUMAN ORGANIZATIONS by Roy E. Cogdill Human organizations through which to do the Lord's work reflect upon the wisdom of God. Since the Lord's church has been designed by the wisdom of God, it is sufficient to accomplish His purposes. When men build human organizations as an aid or substitute for God's organization they evidence their lack of faith in the sufficiency of that which God has provided and their dissatisfaction with God's ways (Isaiah 55:6-9). Men have the same right to write a chapter and add it to the Bible as to build an anteroom on the church of God. Since God has given by divine wisdom an organization to the church, the congregation, and has made it sufficient to accomplish His purpose, it is the only medium of work and worship through which the Christian can accomplish His purpose, and we must be satisfied with His will, His way, and His word. -- Via The Old Path II (November 5, 1995) ___________________________________________ "in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church...." (Ephesians 3:10). ___________________________________________ Marilyn Vos Savant on the Big Bang by Floyd Chappelear Marilyn Vos Savant provides a weekly column in Parade Magazine under the title...(Ask Marilyn). Hers is a most provocative and interesting piece of journalism. Occasionally a question will be offered which concerns religion. Her answers are always intriguing. While she has never said so, I believe she probably accepts the idea of a Divine Being--God. In her column for February 4, 1996, the following was asked: ``I assume that you, like most intellectual types, are not a religious person. So what do you think of the Big Bang theory?'' -- Robert Steele, Sarasota, FL Her answer was most interesting: ``I think that if it had been a religion that first maintained the notion that all the matter in the entire universe had once been contained in an area smaller than the point of a pin, scientists probably would have laughed at the idea.'' -- Via Stand ___________________________________________ THEY NEED TO REPENT ALSO by Arthur M. Ogden ``And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to REPENT'' (Acts 17:30). This statement by the apostle Paul is as wide in scope as the whole world. Included in it is every accountable person that has set foot upon earth since that time. There is no way that we can escape it. Some people do not think they need to repent. They are religious people who are in error, but the very people to whom the apostle addressed these words were religious people. In fact, they were more religious than you or I; but it was in ignorance, and as a result, they needed to learn the truth and repent of their idolatry and serve the one true God. ``But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men'' (Matt. 15:9). The words of Jesus describe the condition of many today. Their desire to satisfy ``self'' rather than God has placed them in rebellion against Him, as they make their own religious laws. Of this THEY need to repent. -- Via Bulletin from the Loveland Heights church of Christ ___________________________________________ THE ABIDING LOVE by John W. Chadwick It singeth low in every heart; We hear it each and all-- A song of those who answer now, However we may call. They throng the silence of the breast, We see them as of yore-- The kind, the true, the brave, the sweet, Who walk with us no more. Tis hard to take the burden up, When these have laid it down; They brighten all the joys of life, They soften every frown. But oh, tis good to think of them When we are troubled sore; Thanks be to God that such have been, Although they are no more! More homelike seems the vast unknown, Since they have entered there; To follow them were not so hard, Wherever they may fare. They cannot be where God is not, On any sea or shore; Whate'er betides, Thy love abides, Our God forevermore. -- Via Gospel Truth (May 30, 1993) ___________________________________________ YOU PREACH FIRST The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by the minister, but by you. You preach a message of good cheer when you say ``Good morning!'' to those you meet when you park your car and when you are in the hallway and classroom. You preach a message of ``Welcome! We have room for you!'' when you slide over to the next chair instead of forcing others to squeeze in front of you. You preach a message of hope and joy when you sing enthusiastically during the song service. You preach a message about the power of prayer when you fervently enter into our time of prayer together. You preach a message of respect when you listen attentively while the preacher is speaking. You preach a message of love when you smile, say hello, and introduce yourself to visitors. You preach a message about faith when you give your offering. You preach a message about the importance of the Scriptures when you bring your Bible. Many messages are preached before the minister stands up to bring his message. If your message is positive and consistent, then the message given from the pulpit will be much better received so come each Sunday morning prepared to preach your sermon. -- Via Bulletin Digest (author unknown) ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, 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@wwd.net ________________________________________