____________________________________________________ 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 15, 1998 ____________________________________________________ TOO BUSY FOR GOD by Robert F. Turner Bro. John had made a dozen calls, in a wide territory, trying to sell insurance. The day was hot; traffic was heavy; and he barely made it home in time to take a quick shower, grab a bite to eat, and get to the meeting. He had hoped to have time to check his boat, as he planned to leave the next morning for a vacation; and he was somewhat irked at having to lose that two hours of cool evening time. But he taught the adult men's class, and he just had to make one service of the meeting before leaving town. Sist. Jane works downtown and had to ask the boss to let her off a bit early so she could get her hair fixed. She barely got home in time to heat a few TV dinners for the children. She took a cup of coffee to her room and dressed while they were eating. She only saw them briefly--to argue with the boy about the credit card he wanted to use for his ``date'' that night, and to ``have it out'' with the girl about the weird-o costume she wanted to wear. (The girl got her way.) By now, Jane had a terrific headache and only went to the meeting because John insisted he should not go alone. The girl finally got her eyes ``on'' and kept her parents waiting in the car while she changed beads five or six times--trying to make up her mind. They had to race to the church building, and the girl pouted all the way about her brother getting the car and not having to go to church, and he was only two years older, etc., etc. They barely made it in time--were late by the clock, but the song-leader was late in starting. He had tarried in the parking lot trying to make a car-deal with another member and had to make his song selections under last-minute pressure. Oh well, he could think the car-deal over more fully after the preaching started. The local preacher had been out all day selling mutual funds certificates and was peeved that his wife had failed to remind him he was supposed to pick up old sist. Jones. Such failures hurt his public image. But his wife taught school and had had a parent-teacher meeting that afternoon and had barely gotten home in time to freshen up a bit and get to the meeting. She had misplaced the hurriedly taken note about sist. Jones--and anyhow, ``that was in his department; it was not her job.'' So, they sang a few songs and called on someone for prayer; then the local preacher welcomed a few visitors, made the usual apologies for the small percentage of members present--''of course, we have had some sickness''--and the visiting evangelist took the floor and looked at his targets. 130/150 tired, business-harried people, ``up-tight'' and preoccupied with scores of problems--all of them material. He must capture their attention, focus it upon unfamiliar subjects, and lead them to reason and draw conclusions that, put into practice, would change their whole lives. These are not BAD people--they do show some interest by their presence, and a few will listen, meditate, study--and God will dwell in them. BUT MOST OF US ARE TOO BUSY FOR GOD!! -- Via Plain Talk, vol. 7, no. 5, p. 4, July, 1970 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES It's good to be feeling well again. I came down with something last Sunday night -- a bad cold, perhaps -- which lasted until about the following Friday. I appreciate the food that Darrell and Susie Lykins dropped by for me -- and for that which my new landlord and his wife also gave. They have been very hospitable toward me. Angie Pitman was also sick last Wednesday with what sounded like the flu. Ron Music had also not been feeling up to par -- sinus ailments. Due to sickness, people having to work, and some slick roads, we did not have a midweek Bible study last Wednesday. Greetings to all of our visitors this day. ___________________________________________ DELIBERATE DISCIPLESHIP by Dan Shipley The deliberate disciple is one who faithfully follows Christ as the result of careful and considered decisions based on New Testament evidence. All that he does in becoming and being a Christian is determined by what he has learned from the word of God. His relationship with the Lord is a deliberated one from its very beginning. As Jesus says, ``Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me'' (Jn. 6:45). Men may come to religion without hearing and learning God's truth, but no man can come to the Saviour and salvation without it. This means that Christ does not come to certain men, regardless of their will (predestination) and that men do not come to Christ through their feelings or experiences. Accordingly, when men get serious about saving their souls, it is a time for careful deliberation on the matter of WHAT IS RIGHT and whether they are willing to submit to it (or, counting the cost, Lk. 14:28). Regrettably, the issue of what-is-right has been largely overshadowed by the question of who-is-right. Settling the former would settle the latter and would go a long way toward eliminating people-oriented religion. Since no man can be right with God without abiding in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9), that must be our sole standard of authority. He who claims the right to rule says that men are to observe all the things He has commanded (Mt. 28:20), and that we will be judged by His words (Jn. 12:48). He who esteems the Lord's precepts to be right (Ps. 110:128) will carefully weigh ALL on the scales of divine truth. Only thusly do believers learn that union with Christ involves repentance, confession and baptism (see Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10; 6:1-6; Gal.3:27). No relationship is more important or more deserving of solemn and careful deliberation. This coming to Christ must be seen as much more than ``joining the church'' or ``getting baptized.'' Neither is to be a rash act of emotionalism, the importance of which is soon forgotten. A premeditated and carefully thought-out decision about coming to Christ initially will make subsequent following much easier. For instance, deciding--and I mean really deciding!--to make Christ the Lord of one's life eliminates all the ``little'' decisions that plague weak and halfhearted followers. The matter of whether to be present for Bible classes and worship was settled with the deliberated decision to become a Christian. Those who have to ponder about whether or not they'll resist every little temptation that comes along obviously have never really resolved the basic issue about putting God first in all things--they have never made a deliberated commitment. Not, of course, that such a commitment would always insure faithfulness--but it certainly would encourage it. In fact, there is no facet of our work and worship that would not be enhanced when prefaced by careful deliberation. Without it there cannot be the sense of purpose that is so vital to our perseverance. The deliberate disciple has his mind made up about serving the Lord. He aims to go to heaven--on purpose! -- Via Plain Talk, vol. 16, no. 2, April, 1979 ___________________________________________ EXPRESSION AND PRAYER by Joe Fitch Prayer is an essential and vital part of the worship of Christians together. Yet we must echo the cry of disciples of ancient year, ``Lord, teach us to pray.'' We know how to recite a prayer, but that is a far cry from praying. Prayer is not a magical incantation; it is rather a godward expression. If we recognize the realm of that expression, we will gradually learn to pray. Prayer is an expression of people. A man is asked to ``lead'' people in a prayer. ``What do these people want to say to God?'' To lead in prayer, he needs to know the people well enough to answer that question. How else can he express their mind? They can hardly say amen to what is not their prayer. Thus, it is hard for anyone to direct a crowd of strangers in prayer. Such prayer would begin with an assumption, proceed in generalities, and be deficient, in expressing the people's urgent yearning. This expression of people must be in understandable words. Prayer in a language foreign to the people is wrong (1 Cor. 14:14-17). Such is not the people's expression to God, and they cannot say amen to such a prayer. Nor can they say amen to a prayer consisting of stilted and empty phrases. We must abandon our collection of pompous sayings and speak to God in the words of the people. Then all can pray together. Prayer is an expression in truth. The new convert prays. His words tell his background and weakness. What did we expect? Shall we refuse to use him in our assemblies. Will we solve his problem by having him mimic some brethren? Shall we give him a list of proscribed and prescribed sayings? Never! Be patient. He cannot express what he does not know, nor say it any better than he understands it. He simply must be instructed in truth and nurtured in spirituality. As his mind is filled with Bible, his prayer will be filled with scriptural terms. Spiritual concepts will replace the carnal as he is transformed spiritually. Prayer cannot be achieved by parroting; it is in an expression rooted in God's truth. Prayer is also an expression of feeling. Do not be shocked! It is right for brethren to both feel and to express that feeling! Nehemiah wept and prayed to God (Neh. 1:4). His prayer voiced the sob that choked his throat and the tear that clouded his eye. Brethren prayed with Paul and wept knowing they would ``see his face no more'' (Acts 20:38). James described the availing prayer as ``fervent'' (Jas. 5:16). Even when there are no words to express it, the ``unutterable groaning'' is heard by the one making intercession for the saints (Rom. 8:26,27). Likewise, feelings of reverence and awe of God, of gratitude for our blessings, of joy for salvation in Christ, of anticipation of our reward and of sorrow for our sins are the wellspring from which flows real prayer. We must open our eyes to the things that stir such feelings and let them swell to fill us. Then our mouths will fill with words to express those feelings. May our prayers never be the voice of hypocrisy. -- Via Plain Talk, vol. 20, no. 9, November, 1983 ___________________________________________ FREE BIBLE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST (Why not call or write for yours this very day!) ___________________________________________ THE USE OF TRACTS by Gene Taylor Tracts can be, and are, useful tools to have when teaching others about the gospel of Christ. Many are available on a number of different subjects. Some are written for those outside of Christ who need to learn the first principles of the gospel. Others are written to expose denominational error. Some are intended for the member of the church who is practicing and/or teaching doctrinal error in order to get him to abandon his erroneous teachings and practices which are contrary to God's word. Still others are written to edify and strengthen the faithful. Tracts can effectively spread the gospel to those who are in need of hearing it. Even though many people are reluctant to attend the services of the church, they will accept a tract and read it especially if it has been given to them by someone whom they believe is genuinely concerned about their spiritual well-being. Christians need to avail themselves of every opportunity to evangelize. Even though the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16) places the burden of spreading the gospel on every generation, some fail to fulfill their share of the responsibility to it because they feel inadequate to do a good job. Using tracts, along with diligent study (2 Tim. 2:15), can help them overcome such feelings of inadequacy. Some caution, though, needs to be exercised when using tracts to teach. First, you must recognize that a tract is written by a man who is not inspired and it has no inherent authority. The Bible is the sole source of authority in religious matters (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 John 9). You should not distribute tracts indiscriminately without knowing what is contained in them. Error can be just as easily taught by tracts as truth is. Any tract must be carefully read and compared to Scripture to see if its message is true. Only when its teachings are found to be in harmony with the word of God should it be given to another person. It is just as wrong to teach error by circulating an erroneous tract as it is to teach false doctrine from the pulpit of the church building. Tracts must not be used as a substitute for individual study and growth. Tracts can be properly used by any Christian whether young or old in the faith, but they should not be used as a ``crutch'' by those who lack personal initiative to study and grow. There is no method of instruction as good as the personal teaching by a knowledgeable child of God. All Christians are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and not just rely on such aids as tracts. Tracts are not printed to promote lethargy. Use tracts. Use them wisely. Use them for the salvation of others and for the glory of God. Check out the tract-rack today and keep a good supply on hand. -- Via Reflections on Truth ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________