____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ August 22, 1999 ____________________________________________________ Christians at Work in the Universal Church by Harry Osborne The work under consideration in this article is that of the individual Christian. This is not an attempt to justify any activation of the church in a ``universal'' sense. The church in the ``universal'' or ``relational'' sense merely refers to all Christians of all time in every location who have been saved by the blood of Christ and have submitted themselves to His headship. It is not the sum of all local churches presently in existence. Thus, the ``universal'' church is relational in its nature, not functional. As individual Christians, we share a relationship to one another regardless of our present location due to our common family in the new birth. The love and concern that comes with that family bond leads us to fulfill various responsibilities which we have to our brothers and sisters wherever they might be. Though the Lord established local churches to function corporately in ways prescribed by His will, He did not relegate all religious action to the joint work of a local church. Much of the work to be done in spiritual matters has been left to individual Christians. When engaged in such work, the individual Christian is not restricted to acting only within some diocesan border defined by geographic locality. Regardless of the work or lack thereof done by the local church of which one is a member, each Christian has responsibilities that are individual in their nature. Among those responsibilities are several towards our brothers and sisters in Christ wherever they might be. Let us turn our attention to a few of these as shown by approved example and direct command in Scripture. Individual Christians Loving The Brotherhood The word of God teaches that Christians have a responsibility to love brethren wherever they may be. Through inspiration, the apostle Peter commanded this of all Christians in giving the simple instruction, ``Love the brotherhood'' (1 Peter 2:17). In the previous chapter, it had already been made clear that the love commanded was an unfeigned love born from and nourished by the truth to which we have all been obedient (1 Peter 1:22-25). If that love for one another as brethren in Christ is initiated and sustained through the truth of God's word, surely it demands that brethren help one another grow in that truth at every opportunity. The apostle Paul both exemplified and commended such a love towards all brethren. He serves as an approved example to us of one whose love for brethren throughout the world caused him to act in their best interest even when that action demanded the sacrifice of his own desires (see 1 Corinthians 9). Paul demonstrated that which John commanded about biblical love: it is shown ``in deed and truth'' (1 John 3:18). In speaking to the Ephesians, Paul commended them for ``the love which ye show toward all the saints'' (Ephesians 1:15). The same love was commended in those at Colossae (Colossians 1:4). Neither was Paul's love for brethren confined to present acquaintances. It stretched beyond those brethren presently known and urged others to have the same active love towards brethren unknown by face (Colossians 2:1-3). It is not idle curiosity which leads faithful Christians to inquire about the work in the Philippines or eastern Europe. Many brethren have rightly sought such information so that they might respond out of love for their brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need of spiritual or benevolent help. It is contrary to Scripture when anyone urges individual Christians to limit their demonstration of love to the confines of a local geographic area or to the saints comprising the local church of which one is a member. The motivation of love for our brethren is one of the factors which causes us to fulfill many of the other responsibilities we have as individual Christians towards our fellow saints. Individual Christians Praying For The Cause Of Christ & His People The approved apostolic example of Paul again teaches us of our duty in prayer for our brethren and our common work in Christ. Throughout his epistles, Paul declares the fact that he is constantly, specifically and universally praying for his brethren and their shared work in Christ (e.g. Romans 1:8f; 1 Corinthians 1:4f; Ephesians 1:15f; 3:14f; Philippians 1:3f; Colossians 1:3f; 1 Thessalonians 1:2f; 2 Thessalonians 1:3f; 2 Timothy 1:3f; etc.). It is obvious that a great deal of time was taken by Paul on a daily basis in praying for those in so many places with specific reference to so many needs and challenges. He prayed for those whom he know and those he did not know. His prayers were both of thanksgiving and petition, but showed an informed concern for brethren in various places. Paul was neither a watchdog nor a meddler in such action. He was fulfilling his obligation as an individual Christian towards his much loved fellow saints. The record of his example urges and teaches us about the duty we have in this regard. By inspiration, Paul also delivered direct commands telling us to pray for our brethren and our common work as he did. After describing the armor of God necessary for each Christian to be properly equipped, he gives the following addition to the attire: ''... with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak'' (Ephesians 6:18-20). Notice the repetition of the word ``all'' in declaring our responsibility. As we wear the armor of God, we remember with all prayer and supplication at all seasons with all perseverance all the saints. Such a command leaves no doubt that we must constantly, specifically and universally pray for our brethren and the work we share in Christ. While working with the brethren in Alvin, Texas for many years, it was my privilege to see this responsibility fulfilled in a way which touched me and helped me. In over eleven years there, I cannot remember praying with the saints where the work of Christ and brethren in other places were not mentioned in prayer. Two good brethren, Tom McMillan and Johnie Jermain, frequently mentioned specific brethren in other places and asked God's blessings upon them. Though I am no longer in the same locality, I have no doubt that I and others are remembered by them on a constant basis. True love for our brethren demands nothing less. Prayer for our brethren all over the world and their work in Christ further binds us together as a family with a common cause whose separation is only temporary as we head toward the common goal. -- Via Watchman (concluded next week) ___________________________________________ Come To The Mountain by Robert F. Turner Does ISA. 3:2-3 prophesy the establishment of the church? Before you answer, read it again, and again. ``-- the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established --.'' What shall be established? ``-- the mountain of Jehovah's house --.'' What?? ``-- the mountain of Jehovah's house --.'' '' -- and all nations shall flow unto it.'' Unto What? The language is very clear. ``It'' refers to the ``mountain.'' Which mountain? Why, the mountain ``of Jehovah's house.'' God's people (house or family) are considered, but the obvious emphasis is given to the mountain, to which these people flow. Read the next verse: ``And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob'' -- and someone says, ``There, it said `house of God''' to which I would agree. But it is the mountain that is to be established. It is the mountain of Jehovah, the mountain of Jehovah's house, or people, to which all nations flow. In doing so they become, and are associated with the people of God -- but they come to the mountain. It is not a mass of people, called a mountain. Sentence structure does not permit this interpretation; and in addition, notice the other terms used to identify the subject. '' -- He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.'' This passage says that God's mountain shall be established in Jerusalem. Now, does this passage inform us concerning the church?? I believe it does!! But the emphasis is given to that which makes the church what it is, not to the people as a party. The mountain is established ``on the top of the mountains'' or, as the foot-note reds, ``at the head.'' Rank is under consideration, not altitude. God's mountain is above, superior to, all other mountains. This is much like the prophecy of Daniel (DAN. 2:31-45) and the small stone which smote the image of gold, silver, brass, iron and clay. These world empires (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman) were overwhelmed by the stone, which became a great mountain -- representing the kingdom of God. Unlike the ``rule'' of men, God's rule ``shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty be left to another people.'' The Messianic Kingdom was established, made operative, in Jerusalem (Acts 2) and ``all nations'' began to flow unto it. Unto what? Unto the sovereign rule or authority of God in Christ. If you can read Acts 2 without prejudice this is exactly what becomes apparent. The Spirit outpouring was explained (with Joel 2) as signaling the time of deliverance by Messiah; then Jesus of Nazareth was cited as one approved by divine signs and wonders -- now fulfilling David's prophecy by being resurrected ``to sit on his throne.'' ``Therefore...know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ'' (Acts 2:22-36). The church, then and now, consists of those who ``come to the mountain.'' -- Via Plain Talk, April 1970 ___________________________________________ Noah Will Be In The Audience by Tom W. Pickard A story is told of a man who got to heaven and asked about a crowd he saw gathered. ``Oh, it's story-telling time. Would you care to participate,'' answered one standing by. ``Why sure,'' he said, ``I'll tell about the big flood we had in 1889, when I was a boy in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Twenty-two hundred people drowned!'' ``That will be fine,'' came the answer, ``But remember, Noah will be in the audience.'' It will be a little hard to tell Noah about Johnstown, or for that matter how a wicked world kept us from doing God's will. It will be difficult to tell of our aches and pains to Job. I wonder if Isaiah, who spent fifty years preaching to deaf Israel, will appreciate preacher complaints? There's something humbling when one tries to match story for story, and problem for problem with those of God's faithful servants through the ages. What will be our excuse for not attending every service of the church in our high-powered cars when we tell the chariot-driven Ethiopian eunuch our troubles? What will Ezra, who walked a thousand miles to rebuild the temple, think of our inability to get to mid-week Bible study? What will Abraham, who was willing to offer his only son in obedience to God, think of the ways our boys take us from God to serve ``little league''? What would the widow, who ``of her want did cast in all she had,'' think of our level of giving to the Lord's cause? -- The Old Path II, July 18, 1999 ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________