____________________________________________________ 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 23, 1997 ____________________________________________________ Sharing Burdens by Paul C. Keller ``Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ'' (Galatians 6:2). Paul is here teaching that our concern for the welfare of others should be such as to cause us to bear the burdens of others. Unless one exercises care he may become so engrossed in his own personal interests as to consume his time and energy ministering to his own welfare and neglect his obligations to others. We must seek the good of others as well as giving attention to our own. Galatians 6:2 should be considered in its context. In the verse before this one Paul tells those who are spiritual to restore one who is overtaken in a trespass. Paul writes that this is to be done in meekness, ``considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.'' We are to be sympathetically concerned when another is ``overtaken in a fault'' and earnestly seek to restore that one to faithfulness. It is a serious matter when one is overtaken in a sin. A soul is in jeopardy. Sometimes it almost seems that some are pleased to observe the mistake of another. If this be the case, it is because they lack genuine love, for love ``rejoiceth not in iniquity'' (I Corinthians 13:6). Instead of such, our admonition and encouragement should be to cause him to turn from his sins back to a life of righteousness and usefulness. By our genuine interest and concern we are to help him return to the kind of life and service which is to characterize a Christian. Yes, we have a duty to our brethren who become guilty of sin. That duty is to ``restore such an one.'' This is not merely the duty of preachers and elders but the duty of other Christians also. Are we careful to do our duty in this matter? All about us there are those who have been overtaken in sins. Do we recognize that we have such duty to these brethren? Are we doing our duty? When was the last time you went to such a person in effort to restore him? Who was the last one you sought to bring back to duty and faithfulness? Think about it. Do we sometimes complain that we ``Don't have anything to do''? Well, here is something all of us are ``called on'' to do -- a clear duty. Let's get busy! -- Via The Old Path II, February 2, 1997 ___________________________________________ "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die" (Ezek. 18:4). ___________________________________________ What Are the Signs? by Chuck Bartlett A dear friend of mine sent me a letter the other day. He was telling me about the church where he attends. His observation was that there were members whom you can tell really love God, and some that are lukewarm, which has been frustrating to him. I can appreciate the concern expressed for fellow saints. When a Christian is worried about the spiritual state of some of his brethren, there is obviously love involved. The frustration comes when you warn and it is passed off because ``they'' don't see a problem. Since being ``lukewarm'' is identified in the scriptures as sinful (Rev. 3:16), I thought I would list some symptoms so that if we see any of the signs in our life we can do something about it. 1. Not interested in growing (Heb. 5:12-14). 2. Not dependent upon God (Rev. 3:17). 3. Not zealous in his/her service (Matt. 5:20). 4. Unconcerned about the dangers of sin (Col. 2:8). 5. Assemble with the saints unless something better comes up (Heb. 10:25). 6. Considers it a waste of time to verify what he has heard to see if it is truth (I Tim. 4:1). 7. Isn't alarmed if sinfulness runs rampant in the church (I Cor. 5:2). 8. Not interested in his/her role in teaching the younger (Titus 2:1-6). 9. Doesn't do much building up with words -- to edify others (Eph. 4:29). 10. Willing to try to let others do their work -- although that can't be done (Phil. 2:12). 11. Does certain things ONLY because they are more concerned with what family, friends and brethren think, rather than what God thinks (Acts 5:29). 12. Grumbles and complains, yet doesn't try to fix the problems (Phil. 2:14). 13. Church growth, numeric or spiritual, is not of any concern (Acts 8:4). 14. Not reliable for anything -- undependable (Matt. 5:13). Whether we call it apathy, complacency, or lukewarmness, the bottom line is, it is a condition that can and will cost people their soul. There is much work that needs to be done, and dead wood only makes it that much harder for the local church to function. We need to ask ourselves on a regular basis, am I alive (hot) or am I dead (lukewarm)? Lukewarm may be in between hot and cold, but there isn't anything in between hot and lukewarm. It is easy to find ourselves gradually losing our zeal. Let's keep our eyes open to the signs and if we see any of them in our life, remove them immediately. One of Satan's most successful tactics is having people believe they are hot when they are not! -- Via The Jordan Journal, February 26, 1997 ___________________________________________ Welcome Visitors! Please Come Again Soon! ___________________________________________ How Faith Comes by Dan Richardson There are different opinions as to exactly how faith is obtained. But the difference between mere ``opinion'' and ``truth'' on any subject is seen when we go to the Scriptures. Nothing but error will suffer by an open and honest investigation with an open Bible. We are to ``hold fast the pattern of sound words...in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus'' (2 Tim. 1:13). ``Faith'' is used in Scripture to convey objectively, that which is believed in (Jude 3) and, subjectively, the act and/or process of believing (Rom. 5:1). It is the subjective sense we want to focus on. Inspiration defines faith as the ``substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen'' (Heb. 11:1). Faith is the foundation or starting point in one's obedience to God, and is absolutely necessary for salvation (John 8:24; Heb. 11:6). It is the confidence which one must have in those things unseen (God, Christ, heaven, hell, etc.) -- that they exist even though we can't see them with physical sight -- ``For we walk by faith, not by sight'' (2 Cor. 5:7). Those things ``by sight'' refer to the material realm and have no lasting value (Matt. 6:19). Also, faith is the blessed assurance we must have in all that God has promised in his word (i.e., forgiveness, resurrection, eternal glory). ``So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God'' (Rom. 10:17). "Hearing" implies teaching (John 6:45); what's taught -- ``the word of God.'' Not a direct operation of the Spirit, but the gospel (Rom. 1:16-17). -- Via Search, March 1997 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Jimmy Tuten recently had an angioplasty due to a heart attack March 12 and is doing well in his recuperation. His wife, Betty, who says that ``The doctor is very pleased with the results...there was no damage to the heart,'' solicits prayers for her husband. Marilyn Partain (nee Roach, wife of Bill of Missoula, Montana), along with her friend Jolinda Benjamin (nee McDaniels) and her son were involved in a recent car accident that required stitches for the women and brain surgery for 5-year old Yancey who was in critical condition; but is now progressing ``far beyond expectations.'' The doctors are mainly concerned right now of his vision and the optic nerve. Marilyn is suffering from a whiplash, dizziness, and ``pressure in her forehead.'' Jolinda is doing fine. Lula McDaniels (the mother of Guy, a gospel preacher) passed away March 17. She had attended the Washington Avenue church of Christ in Russellville, Alabama, for many years. We extend our condolences. Let us be praying for these who need our prayers. Free... * Bible Correspondence Courses * Transportation to our services for those who live nearby Also available... * Personal Home Studies with a couple of us from church * Bible Film Slides (5-lesson series) that can be shown in your home or elsewhere. Feel free to call today for any of these offers above. ___________________________________________ Why Send For Peter? by Robert Turner An angel appeared unto a man named Cornelius. This devout, God-fearing, alms-giving man was praying to God -- as was his custom -- when an angel of God appeared to him in a vision. (You can read it for yourself -- Acts 10) According to popular conceptions this could mean hallucinations, latter-day revelations, or special divine appointment. An even greater number would say this proved that Cornelius was saved from his sins -- had experienced a ``work of grace.'' I have heard of people ``voted into the church'' on far less evidence. But the angel was none of these things to Cornelius. Prayers, alms, and devoutness not-with-standing, this man still needed to be saved. Christianity is far more than good citizenship, moral uprightness, or even respect for God. A Christian has all of this, and more; but these things are found among many who have not yet become followers of Jesus Christ and hence have neither salvation from past sins nor hope for Heaven. This lesson is especially needed by those who have placed their hope for Heaven in the ``Great Architect'' and welfare work of a lodge. But why send for Peter? Could not the angel tell Cornelius all he needed to know? Or the Holy Spirit -- did not this miraculous out-pouring do all that should be done for him? When Peter began to speak (11:15) the Holy Spirit was indeed poured out upon these Gentiles -- a marvelous thing for Peter and those Jews with him to behold. Until recently they had thought the gospel was for Jews only (see 10:9-16, 25-29; 11:1-4). It took this demonstration of divine acceptance (as subjects of the gospel) to convince the Jews that the gospel was for nations (10:44ff.; 11:15f.). But now that they were proven proper subjects of the gospel, there remained the task of preaching to them, and urging those who would to obey. People must be taught of God; so they may hear, learn, and come (John 6:45). We draw nigh to God through the word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17ff.). What the angel or Holy Spirit could do was hedged about by divine regulations. God had placed His truth in ``earthen vessels'' (2 Cor. 4:7) that its divine origin might be the more apparent. It was not His will then or now that heavenly messengers deliver the story of salvation to the world. It was ``once for all'' delivered to inspired men, and through them to the written form in which we now find it (Jude 3; Eph. 3:1ff.; 2 Pet. 1:14ff.). Peter did exactly what God intended he should do. He preached the good news of Christ to Cornelius and his household, and baptized those who gladly received the word. Note, ``He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord'' (Acts 10:48). Cornelius was not saved -- was not a Christian -- until he heard, believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ. -- Via Plain Talk ________________________________________ 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 Gospel Observer web site: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ________________________________________