____________________________________________________ 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 25, 1999 ____________________________________________________ The Two Sauls: Two Attitudes Toward God by Lee Woodward Once upon a time there were two men named Saul. But this is not a fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm. It is a true story from the Word of God. From that Word we learn that they lived in times about 1,000 years apart, but that there were some things in their lives that were similar. For example, they were both from the tribe of Benjamin, as we can read in 1 Samuel 9 and Philippians 3. Both received the name of Saul and were circumcised on the eighth day after birth (Philippians 3:5), a customary practice among Israelites. Both were reared ``under the law'' and after early years of obscurity held important public positions. One was Israel's first king (chosen by God), and the other was ``a chosen vessel'' to bear the Lord's name before the Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15). Both Sauls lived a long life, but both died a sudden, violent death. In both men we can see a passionate and zealous pursuit of their individual endeavors of life, as well as a resolute and persistent approach to the problems confronting them. The Old Testament Saul was making his way to Gibeah when he met a company of prophets, whereupon the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he prophesied among them (1 Kings 10). In a similar manner, centuries later, Saul of Tarsus was traveling toward Damascus to imprison Christians when the Lord appeared to him and directed him to Ananias in the city for further instruction. Each of the Sauls then began a different course of life. Called by God, the Old Testament Saul used the sword against the enemies of the kingdom; but the New Testament Saul used the sword of the Spirit (the Word). Saul the king was at first a man of God and later disobeyed Him. The New Testament Saul was at first persecuting Christians, but was converted, became Paul the Apostle, and continued his service to God and man until his death. The first Saul lived unto himself, not freely and fully surrendering himself to God; but the other lived unto the Lord, not being disobedient to the heavenly vision. The source of the first Saul's reservation was pride, seen in Samuel's reprimand in 1 Samuel 15:23. Saul of Tarsus emptied himself of much pride, as seen in Philippians 3:7-14 and 1:21. King Saul met his death in despair by his own hand (I Samuel 31:4), while Saul of Tarsus (Paul) apparently died as a martyr of Christ in the full realization and acceptance of the death that awaited him (II Timothy 4:6-8). The life and death of each of these men should be a lesson to us all. Certainly the Old Testament Saul must remain forever a warning to avoid his errors. The life and triumph of the Apostle Paul should serve as a pattern for our own lives (Philippians 3:17; 1 Tim. 1:16). -- Via The Exhorter ___________________________________________ Just a Dance? by Chuck Bartlett The phone rings and on the other end is the principal of Jordan Public School. ``Hello, Mrs. Bartlett. I understand that your children will not be attending the school dance....'' Yes, this is one of the times where children--who want to do what God says--stand out from the rest of the crowd. Oh, they may stand out also by the way they talk, dress and speak; but not attending what everyone is talking about, can't help but center you out. Our young (not just the Bartlett children) people need to be commended for their efforts to be an influence for good. Why not go? It's just a dance, isn't it? No. It's more than a dance; it is a lascivious action (Gal. 5:19). This simply means an action that creates lust, inappropriate thoughts. Is it hard for young people to go against the majority? In some areas it is, while in other areas it isn't. Peer pressure is something we all face, and it doesn't just affect our younger people. Society wants God's people to conform to their standards; and we need to ask ourselves, who is influencing who? With all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15), who is not being tempted? As children of God, we all need to examine ourselves from time to time to evaluate our standards and compare them with the Bible and make sure they harmonize. There are times I can see world standards creep into our household. For one, it might be the types of movies or TV programs. For another, it may be the kind of clothing one wears (or doesn't wear) in the summer, etc. May we all encourage each other to stand against the wiles of the devil. You see, the more we think about it, the more alert we will be. The less it is discussed, the easier it is to drift back into the world where we once were (Eph. 2:1). -- Via The Jordan Journal, February 11, 1998 ___________________________________________ The Key To Greatness: Being a Servant by Leon Mauldin What do you want to be when you grow up? The youngster may reply, ``A major league baseball player,'' ``a fireman,'' ``a legal secretary,'' ``a corporate lawyer,'' ``a country singer,'' ``an actor/actress,'' or as I am told one answered, ``I want to grow up to be a servant.'' When you study the life of Jesus Christ, what trait stands out about Him? Is it not that He was a servant--one who lived to do the will of the Father? Isn't that the key to understanding greatness? Consider the following passages: ``I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent Me'' (John 5:30). ``For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me'' (John 6:38). ``He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him'' (John 7:18). To Jesus, being a servant of God was more important than anything. It was more important than food: ``My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work'' (John 4:34). The attitude of a servant is one of humility. Jesus ``made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant...He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross'' (Phil. 2:7,8). One might think, ``Well, that was nice for Jesus to be a servant, but I'm not too sure that's for me.'' The fact is, all of us are servants, either of God, or sin. ``Know ye not, that to whom ye present your selves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey....'' (Rom. 6:16). Neutrality is not an option! One is either living to please God, or self (Gal. 1:10). Consider the following definition of serve: ``to completely and absolutely assign all personal rights over to the authority and will of another person (e.e., God); his will altogether swallowed up in the will of another'' (Trench). Does that describe you and me? There is no greater honor than being a servant of Christ! -- The Old Path II, June 27, 1999 ___________________________________________ Love is Kind by Steve Klein Simple descriptions of deep things are usually the best. And that is surely the case in the beautiful description of love given by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. Here we are told that, among other things, ``love is kind'' (13:4). Love is kind in many ways. LOVE SHOWS MERCY. Mercy is what allows us to refrain from being harsh toward others, even toward our enemies. Mercy enables us to help the poor -- perhaps not charging the full price for something they need or even giving it to them outright (see Proverbs 14:21, 31). Jesus said, ``But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. {36} Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful'' (Luke 6:35-36). LOVE FORGIVES. How unkind it is to refuse to forgive. In Ephesians 4:32 we are instructed to ``be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.'' If God found it in His heart to forgive you and me, surely we can be kind enough to forgive others, no matter what they have done to us. LOVE DOES GOOD DEEDS FOR OTHERS. When Paul and his company shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Acts 28:2 says that, ``the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.'' This was a simple act of loving-kindness, performed by people who were not even Christians. There are so many little acts of kindness we can do. Out of love, let us look for these opportunities. LOVE REBUKES. Although we would not automatically think of rebuke as a kindness, it often is. People who love us want us to be the best we can be. From such motives a parent might rebuke a child, a friend might rebuke a friend, and a Christian might rebuke another Christian. Yes, ``Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it'' (Psalms 141:5). Proverbs 22:19 says that ``what is desired in a man is kindness.'' Today, my challenge to me is to look for opportunities to be kind. This is what God desires. This is the behavior of love. -- The Exhorter, February 21, 1999 ___________________________________________ Gratitude Makes Happiness by Jere E. Frost Most of our unhappiness is produced by the gross sin of ingratitude -- self pity is what it is often called. Anything we do not like, anything that is against our wishes, makes us miserable if we are consumed by selfishness. It is quite striking that many of those who were so miserable as to commit suicide were blessed with looks, talent, wealth and even fame. They ``quit'' on themselves and on life, not because no one needed them, but because they magnified their miseries and ignored their blessings. The antidote to this kind of misery is to reverse the process. Forget yourself. Jesus said ``deny'' yourself (Matthew 16:24). Help someone who needs some help. Magnify your blessings and remember that all your problems -- all of them -- are temporary. We were made for eternity! What a blessing. Thank God for the great hope we have in Jesus, and for the blessings of the common day! -- Via The Bulletin of the North Courtenay church of Christ, November 22, 1998 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES We extend our sympathies to the friends and family of Irene Lee who recently passed away. Her son Jim preaches in the Dayton area and has been not too far from us several times (in Louisa, Kentucky) to hold gospel meetings. I was also sad to recently learn that Tracy Schell left this life last month. Several of his articles I have used for this bulletin; and I enjoyed visiting the website he maintained for the North Courtenay church of Christ in Merritt Island, Florida. He had a form of muscular dystrophy, which had him bed-ridden for about 9 years. Still, he was able to continue in his service to the Lord in his home. As he once wrote me about a year ago: ``Brethren from the North Courtenay Church have been holding a special worship service at my home from 4:30-5:30PM, just before the Sunday 6 PM service for the last 6-7 years. We sing some songs, partake of the Lord's Supper and take collection, have a Bible study. We usually have 4-8 brethren in addition to me and my family...We also have a Thursday Bible study at 2:30PM which has 4-7 brethren in addition to my family...I also have a midnight Wednesday Bible study but that only involves me and one brother who has to work 2nd shift at the Space Center and can't attend the regular mid week Bible study at the church. Since I am a night owl he asked if he could stop by after work at midnight and we've been meeting for several years also.'' Let us be praying for those who have lost loved ones. John Pitman also solicits our prayers. He dislocated his shoulder about a week and a half ago, and it is still giving him much discomfort--though he can now use it. On a happier note, Bonnie Hencye (a former member) was married July 17. Let us pray for her and her husband (Ryan Long) as they begin their new life together. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________