____________________________________________________ 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 20, 1996 ____________________________________________________ Thoughts on the Olympics by Dan Richardson The 1996 Olympics have now come and gone. It was a much anticipated event, not only for our nation, but also the entire globe. It appears to be one of the few things left which promotes world-wide interest and participation in a peaceful way. The history of such competition can be traced back to the first century, with several references made to the games in the New Testament. God's Word often uses the familiar events of life to illustrate great spiritual truths. Consider these four from the Olympics. A STANDARD OF AUTHORITY. ``And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully'' (2 Tim. 2:5). Olympic participants and spectators acknowledge the importance of yielding to an authoritative standard in the games, abiding lawfully by the prescript rules for fear of being disqualified. Yet, many are repulsed with the thought of such authority in directing their lives. Man, in his ``advanced wisdom,'' wants no restraints; he demands his ``rights'' to freedom of expression which has resulted in all manner of false religions and base immorality (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Rom. 1:22-27). The Bible is still God's standard for man in matters religious and moral (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Thess. 4:1-8). THE VALUE OF SELF-CONTROL. ``And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things'' (1 Cor. 9:25). The word ``athlete'' has become synonymous in our thinking with self-control. Our society gives honor to this idea, not only by the value placed on the Olympics, but also by its increased awareness to physical fitness in general. But more important than physical fitness is that pertaining to our spiritual condition: ``And exercise thyself unto godliness, for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come'' (2 Tim. 4:7-8). The apostle Paul understood the personal value of self-control as it concerned his salvation: ''...I buffet my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected'' (1 Cor. 9:27). OVERCOMING OBSTACLES. ``Therefore let us...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith...'' (Heb. 12:1-2). True in nature to physical and spiritual training, there will be obstacles to overcome, hurdles to be jumped. The physical athlete goes through the rigors of disciplined training in order to develop endurance--the ability to last. Whether or not he crosses the finish line will determine the degree of his commitment. So it is with the Christian, who exercises for godliness; his race will be lost or won depending on his faith (1 John 5:4; Rev. 12:11). THE REWARD. ``I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing'' (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Those athletes in Atlanta were motivated by one common thought: ``Going for the gold!'' The gold medal--the culmination of all their hard work in training, all of their sacrifice, all of their time expended. But the reward of the righteous is more valuable than a medal: ''...Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible'' (1 Cor. 9:25). The Olympic gold, or anything else material, fades into insignificance when eternal life comes into focus. And truly, the Christian is focused. He has his priorities in order; he's running the race by God's standard of authority, he's building endurance against the ``pull'' of this world, all to receive eternity with God. Heaven will surely be worth it all! -- Via Search, August 1996 ___________________________________________ The Prepared Heart by Morris D. Norman ``And Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments'' (Ezra 7:10). This brief commentary on the life of Ezra sums up the difference between the zealous and the lukewarm, between the obedient and the disobedient. It is evident that a heart that is not prepared to seek the will of the Lord would never do the will of the Lord. In Matthew 13, Jesus sets forth a series of parables on the Kingdom. Why would some never understand the mysteries of the kingdom found in the parables? It was a matter of unprepared hearts. Their hearts were hard and grossed over, their ears were dull of hearing, their eyes they had closed. The parable of the sower set forth different kinds of hearts and their reception of the ``word of the kingdom.'' The seed on the wayside was in the heart that was void of understanding and the wicked one came and snatched the seed out. The seed in the stony ground tells of the heart that is not staunch enough to stand against the tribulations that offend. The seed among the thorns is the heart that cares too much for the riches of the world. But the seed in the good ground represents the heart that is prepared; it is ``good and honest.'' It not only receives it, but it does it; it brings forth fruit many fold. The kings that reigned over Israel after David were good or bad as to whether they prepared their hearts to seek after Jehovah as did David their father. The unprepared heart cannot produce a life that will be pleasing to God and productive to His cause. How is your heart? Has it been prepared to ``seek the law of the Lord, and to do it''? Or has it been grossed over by the doctrines of men or the cares and riches of this life? If we are blinded by false religion and go to the Bible only to justify preconceived notions rather than in search of truth, our hearts are not prepared. If the things of this world keep us from obeying the gospel, and living daily as He wishes, we cannot get to heaven because our hearts are not prepared. Jesus said the greatest commandment is, ``Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind'' (Matthew 22:37). And he also says, ``If you love me you will keep my commandments.'' -- Via The Old Path II, August 18, 1996 ___________________________________________ Mid-Week Service I am the WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE. I make my appearance Wednesday evening with many of the churches of Christ throughout the world. Because I am a part of the program of work and worship you would think that I am a very happy fellow. This is not the case, however, for I have the ``miseries.'' I am as blue as indigo. I feel like I am being neglected. Often, not more than 25% of the membership will come and assist me in building up the church. I have seen better days. I have seen wayward children restored, or some soul born into God's family. Very seldom do I see the baptistry used any more. But when I am made to rejoice, what a pity that you are not there to enjoy it with me. You ought to hear the excuses that brethren offer for not coming and helping to conduct me. Some tell that they're just too tired. Others prefer the Wednesday evening easy chair or TV. Several do some visiting they just have to do. Others go to the movies. (Others attend services at some religious body you cannot read about in the Bible. DJN) The preacher, song leaders, and everyone else do all within their power to make me a success but they cannot do it alone. I need you. I need you next Wednesday night. Help me to erase the wrinkles in my troubled brow. -- Selected via The Old Path II, September 8, 1996 ___________________________________________ News & Notes We pray for the friends and family of Carol Music's aunt, Maggie Abernathy, who passed away October 10. I heard recently that Karen Fix Baize (daughter of John and Christy Fix of Elkview, WV) was diagnosed August 20 with cancer (Hodgkin's disease). She is a 1993 valedictorian from Herbert Hoover High School, graduated from Florida College with honors, and has been working at the Compass Bank in Florence, AL, to help her husband Jody toward medical school (whom she married in July of `95). Since they have not been established long enough to have coverage on a health insurance plan, a trust fund has been set up for her at the following: Compass Bank Judy Lard 210 Cox Creek Parkway Florence, AL 35630 If you would like to help out, please make your check payable to: Karen Baize Incidentally, the Tri-state church of Christ, that is sending you this bulletin, began in the home of Karen's uncle, Joe Fix, back in 1982. Karen is a Christian and a former member of the Daugherty Street church of Christ in Charleston, WV, before having moved from the area. She is now a member at the Elgin Hills church of Christ in Rogersville (near Florence, AL). It was great having Ken and Michelle Fleeman with us last Sunday, along with their family; and we appreciate the fine song leading Ken did for us. They used to attend here regularly before having to relocate in Texas, and now in Pennsylvania. We were glad for our other visitors, too, last Sunday from Florida, California, and Kentucky--12 total. ___________________________________________ What I Owe My Home Congregation Unto the church of my Lord in every locality, I am under solemn obligation to the extent of my ability, but unto my home congregation I am under special obligation. 1. I want my home congregation to radiate a wholesome influence in the community. Therefore, I owe it the example of a good life. For it, I must live ``soberly, righteously and godly'' (Matthew 5:13-16). 2. I want the strangers who enter the door of the meeting house to feel at home, to learn to love us, and to return from time to time. They are guests; I must greet them. I owe it to them and to the church to show myself friendly. I must not stand back and wait for others to greet them; this I must do (Hebrews 13:2). 3. No congregation can make progress without faithful and efficient leaders. To a certain extent, the members of the church make or break their leaders. To the end that our leaders may be stronger and more efficient, I must give them my support. As long as they are true men, I must not embarrass them in their work. 4. My home congregation has financial obligations which are due at regular intervals. Whether I give or do not give, these obligations must be paid. If it is right for my congregation to pay its obligations each week, it is right for me to give each week. Though circumstances may force me to be absent at times, my contributions must find their way into the treasury of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). 5. I know that the very existence of any congregation depends upon the attendance of its members. In fact, the attendance is the life of the church. For this reason, I must attend the services--all of the services I can. I will not have it said that my home congregation perished because I would not attend services (Hebrews 10:25). 6. I want my home congregation to grow, to multiply in membership. Therefore I must set myself to the noble work of winning souls for Christ. Wishing to be honest, I must meet my obligations to the best of my ability. I must, with the help that God gives, play my part in the incomparable work of building the body of Christ which He purchased with His own precious blood. -- Article contributed by Wendell Bennett via The Eastside Banner, April 30, 1995 ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________