____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ July 26, 1998 ____________________________________________________ Studies In Hebrews #4 by Alex D. Ogden The Superiority Of Jesus To Moses (3:1-6) Although Jesus is above angels in rank He lowered Himself to become a man so He could be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to destroy the power of Satan, to deliver those in bondage to sin and to help those who are tempted (Heb. 1 & 2). Based upon these things, ``Wherefore'' (3:1), the writer calls upon his readers to ``consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus.'' He wants them to fix their attention on Jesus and come to understand some important things about Him. This is the only place where Jesus is referred to as being an Apostle. An apostle literally is ``one who is sent forth.'' By considering the apostles of Jesus we can understand some things about His being an apostle. First, none of them chose to be apostles, but rather were chosen to be such by Jesus (Jn. 15:16; Lk. 6:13). They were ``sent forth'' by the one who chose them. In the same way Jesus did not choose to become an apostle but was appointed such (3:2; cf. 1 Jn. 4:14). Second, none of the apostles of Jesus chose for himself the work he would do or the message he would proclaim. They were ``sent forth'' with a particular work and message (cf. Mk. 16:15). Likewise Jesus was ``sent forth'' from the Father with a particular work and message (Jn. 6:38-40). Truly Jesus was an apostle. Moses also was an apostle of God (cf. 3:2). He was never called an apostle but was referred to as ``one sent'' (Ex. 3:10,13,15; 4:28; 5:22; 7:16). There are three ways in which Jesus is shown to be superior to Moses. First, Moses, as a man, was a little lower than the angels (2:7). However, Jesus was above angels in rank (chapt. 1). Therefore, Jesus is superior to Moses. Second, the builder of a house is always worthy of more glory than the house itself (3:3,4). In other words, Moses was a part of the house (Nation) of Israel whereas Jesus, as God, built the house. Therefore, Jesus is superior to Moses. Third, Moses was a servant in God's house whereas Jesus is a Son over God's house (3:5,6). Since Jesus is a ``Son over'' and Moses a ``servant in'' then Jesus is superior to Moses. The apostleship of Jesus is superior to that of Moses and, therefore, His message should be heeded. It would be a tragic mistake for the Christian to reject Christ even for Moses. The Danger Of Unbelief (3:7-19) In 3:6 the author states that Christians are the house of God (see also 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5) if we will ``hold fast...firm unto the end.'' Here he goes from argument to exhortation. He exhorts them to hold fast by showing them the consequences of not holding fast. He first quotes from Psalms 95:7b-11. The Psalmist alludes to Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan through the wilderness. An entire generation of Israelites were not permitted to enter the promised rest (land) ``because of unbelief'' (3:19). They doubted the power of God to drive out the inhabitants of the land. They perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief. Since unbelief caused many of the Israelites to perish under Moses, Christians, under Jesus who is superior to Moses, will surely perish if we make the same mistake. The Hebrew writer, therefore, encouraged them to ``take heed'' and ``exhort one another day by day'' (3:12,13). There is danger in unbelief! This is why it is important for us, as brethren, to not only assemble together regularly but also be in contact with each other throughout the week. If we do not ``take heed'' and ``exhort one another day by day'' then unbelief will creep in and many will not be able to enter into our promised rest as discussed in chapter 4. ___________________________________________ WE CARE ABOUT YOU! by Bob Buchanon Maybe you have wondered if anybody cares anymore. This old world can be pretty cold at times. Even family and friends become preoccupied and it may seem there is little concern about us. Please know that as Christians, we do care about you! WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS! If there is anything common among us, it has to be problems. Sometimes they are big, sometimes small, but they are there. There are times when we see no solution. Then we need others to help us cope. We believe that the Church is a family and in the caring business. The Bible teaches, ``Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ'' (Galatians 6:2). No, we can't solve all your problems, but we can listen and help you find answers in Christ. We care enough to try. WE CARE ABOUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP Back in the ``good-ole-days'' people knew their neighbors and visited together; it's different now. Many feel deep loneliness, but it doesn't have to be that way. The finest friends you will ever have are committed Christians. Come visit with us and feel the warmth of friendship; it's genuine. We care about your friendship. We want to be your friends. WE CARE ABOUT GOD'S WORD AND YOU Many religious people place so little emphasis on God's Word. We believe that it is practical and reliable. That's why it is the basis for all our teaching. We claim no creed but the Bible. Come check out Bible teaching. We care enough about you to help you grow in your knowledge of God and His word. WE CARE ABOUT YOU BEING A CHRISTIAN You no doubt have wondered about the many names worn by religious people. We wear the name given by God at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Wouldn't it be grand if all were contented to be just Christians? We are determined to be ``Christians only,'' without prefix or suffix, and we would want the same for you. WE CARE ABOUT YOUR SOUL We are vitally concerned about souls--yours and ours. Jesus asked the question, ``For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?'' (Matthew 16:26). We would encourage you to become a fellow seeker with us of that eternal home of the soul. If you are really looking for a church that cares about you, we pray that you will visit with us and consider our plea to be just Christians. Be prepared to search the Word of God with us for answers. We truly believe that you will find what you are looking for here. ___________________________________________ Conservative! by Aude McKee To distinguish between brethren who hold to a thus-saith-the-Lord and those who are loose in their attitude toward authority, the words liberal and conservative have become quite common. It may be that we come to think of ourselves as ``conservative'' merely because we oppose human institutions attaching themselves to the Lord's church, refuse to see the Lord's church turned into a social club, and maintain that elders are to oversee ``the flock of God among them.'' But there is a great deal more to being ``conservative'' in our attitude toward authority. Probably the area in which a lack of respect for authority is manifest most on the part of those who claim to be ``conservative'' is in day-to-day living. Christians who use bad language and tell off-color jokes lack a proper respect for authority no matter what else they oppose. Those who are members of the body and go around conducting themselves in such a way that good women lose respect for them do not really respect authority no matter what they speak out against. Saints who fail to adorn themselves in modest apparel when they appear in public, do not respect divine authority and, therefore, are not conservative no matter what claims they may make! Looking for perfection? No, sir, but for people who are trying. How much effort do you make to ``let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt''? How much effort do you make to always speak and act in a way that good women admire you? How much effort do you make to always appear in public places clothed in such a manner that people are impressed with the fact that you walk with the Lord? How much effort do you make to always tell the truth, never to be dishonest in any way, to always say what ought to be said about other people? Had you ever thought about the fact that the church can only withdraw fellowship from those who have stopped trying? But shouldn't it withdraw from all who sin and will not try to do better? How ``conservative'' are you? -- Via The Persuader, June 7, 1998 ___________________________________________ Call For Free Bible Course ___________________________________________ God Has The Answer SOLVING LIFE'S PROBLEMS by Bob Buchanon Life is filled with many problems. Look around you to see the condition of the world and what the future might be like. Many marriages are unhappy, young people are faced with more temptations, the political scandals have destroyed confidence, and a host of other problems continue to give people ulcers and an early death. What is the answer? There is an answer to the complex problems of the world. The answer is with God. He does have the answers to the problems of life right in the Bible. One might ask, ``Well, if the answers are given why is it that so many problems still exist and persist?'' Jesus once said, ``Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God'' (Matt. 22:29). On another occasion Jesus said to some who were having spiritual difficulties, ``Did ye never read in the Scriptures...?'' (Matt. 21:42). The Lord was making it evident that in order that problems be solved it is necessary to know what God's Word says about it. As one gentleman put it, ``It is one thing to read your bible, and something else to read with understanding.'' The Scriptures are the only standard for our lives. If men continue to look at the Bible as just a wonderful piece of literature, or that it may or may not be followed as a rule book of faith, then they will continue to wander in darkness and trouble. Do you have problems in your life? Have you gone to the Bible for the answers? Yes, God has the answers, BUT until men are willing to go to His Word, humble themselves and apply the Word to their lives, there will be no remedy for their problems. ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES We are sad to see Steve and Erin Thomas moving away from us. Steve has recently begun a new job in the Wheeling area of West Virginia. They are both from that region, so it will be bringing them closer to family and old friends; but we're going to miss them. We've enjoyed having them with us over the last couple years and pray all will go well for them in their new move. Carl Hollis from Jonesboro, Arkansas, will be preaching down in Louisa, Kentucky, August 16-21, where John Pitman is the regular preacher. Nightly services will begin at 7:00. The church is meeting on Lock Street. If you're heading from Ashland, turn left (off 23) at the first Louisa exit (near the big Sunoco Station, where there is also a McDonalds and Taco Bell). Then turn left again at the first road to the left (2566). You'll go past the Front Porch Restaurant, then cross some railroad tracks. Turn right at the first street after the tracks (Adams Street). Then go a couple blocks to where it ``T's'' at Lock Street. Turn right. You'll see the building on the right, just right around the corner. We had 19 different visitors for last month--and many of these who had never been with us before. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________