____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ November 28, 1999 ____________________________________________________ Time is Swift by Tom Edwards Can you remember wondering many years ago what the year 2000 would be like and hoping you would live to see it? It's hard to believe that I had thoughts of that nature decades ago, but now--already--the new century is fast approaching and just a few weeks away! This certainly illustrates the fleeting years of our lives. As James depicts, we are but ``a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away....'' (Jms. 4:14). In view of this, we need to be sure we are using our time wisely. As Paul writes, ``Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil'' (Eph. 5:15,16). And just how are we to be this way? As Paul goes on to say, ``So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is'' (v. 17). Peter emphasizes a similar thing in which he cites Christ for our example and a life that is lived in accordance with God's will as our responsibility (1 Pet. 4:1-6). So it is not enough to merely know the will of the Lord--we must also be making it a part of our lives by doing it. For to do so is wise; but to not, is most foolish. Fearing God and keeping His commandments sums up the supreme duty of mankind (Eccl. 12:13; cf. 1 Pet. 1:17). No matter what our occupation or avocation, reverencing the Lord and living according to His word is to be the basis for all our activities (cf. Col. 3:17). It is so sad (and ironic) when people, who live each day because the Lord has made it possible for them to have a new day, will turn around and say that they ``don't have time for God''--as Felix had implied to Paul (Acts 24:25). And to compound this by realizing that some of the activities that take up people's time can be defined with one word--sin--makes it even more outrageous. Yet, we read in Romans 5:6 that ''...at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.'' What a contrast!: People not having time for God--or a ``convenient season''--while, on the other hand, God going extremely ``out of His way'' for them (see Phil. 2:5-8). And let us not forget that one of the reasons why Christ died at the ``right time'' is so that we might use ``time right'' in living a new life unto Him (cf. 2 Cor. 5:15). The great thought of time swiftly passing to the Christian is that every day that passes, we are one day closer to heaven; every week, a week closer; every month, a month closer; and every year, a year closer. To spiritually lethargic saints, Paul writes, ``And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we [first] believed'' (Rom. 13:11). No, now is not the time to be indifferent to spiritual matters--nor is it ever--for heaven's (or hell's) eternity continues to draw nearer. Time is quickly running its course; but it, too, like a wind-up clock, will one day cease. Will you be ready for the Judgment Day when that happens? Using your time now to obey the Lord is something that you will never regret in that great day of reckoning. Remember, Jesus truly took time for you; won't you take time for Him? ``for He says, `At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you'; behold, now is `the acceptable time,' behold, now is `the day of salvation''' (2 Cor. 6:2). And for those of us who are Christians, we are each to be teachers of this and other great truths from God's word, as we are carried along the swift current of time to the shore of eternity (Heb. 5:12). ___________________________________________ To The Work by Steve Klein We all need to be reminded, at least occasionally, to do the work God expects us to do in His service, and to do it consistently. Local churches are frequently handicapped by members who are simply not committed to doing their share of the work on a regular basis. One very pleasant way of reminding one another of our duties is by ``admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs'' (Colossians 3:16). The words of the song ``To The Work,'' written by William Doane, do just that. This spiritual songs reminds us that... ``We are Servants of God'' We are not put on this earth to serve ourselves, but to serve our God. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is our whole duty (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Peter, James, Jude and Paul all identify themselves as ``servants'' of God in their epistles (Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1). This is how they saw themselves. As we follow this apostolic example, we will also see ourselves as servants of God. ``There is Labor for All'' Jesus observed that ``The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few....'' (Luke 10:2). There is plenty of work for all those who are willing to labor. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. Take the initiative. Find work that needs doing and JUST DO IT. Like an ant which has ``no captain, overseer or ruler'' yet works diligently, we too should be ``always abounding in the work of the Lord'' even when no one is looking over our shoulder or cracking the whip behind us (Proverbs 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:58). ``Work in the Strength of the Lord'' God supplies the strength we need to do the work He expects us to do. We should be ``fruitful in every good work'' as we are ``strengthened with all might according to His glorious power'' (Colossians 1:10b-11a). The trust the Psalmist expressed in God's ability to strengthen him should be our trust as well: ``For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall'' (Psalms 18:29). Near the end of His life on earth, Jesus could truthfully say to His Father, ``I have finished the work which You have given Me to do'' (John 17:4). How many of us will be able to say the same when our lives draw to a close? God has given us all work to do in His service. Are we accomplishing it? In Nehemiah's day, when God's people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the work got done because ``the people had a mind to work'' (Nehemiah 4:6). If the work gets done among God's people today it will be for the same reason. -- Via The Exhorter ___________________________________________ Defining Success THE GOD OF THIS WORLD with his entrapments of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, confuses many as to what success is. The confusion is not about what the word means. But there is confusion. It has to do with the fact success applies to specific areas, and it is possible to be a success in one area and a failure in another. The successful athlete may be a business failure. The successful executive may be a failure as a husband or father. The successful family man may be a failure as a musician or artist. Everybody has known success and failure (somewhere, sometime, at something). Now, when all is said and done, what does it take to make a successful life? The fact that one makes a lot of money, or is a great success in some field of endeavor, is by no means the equivalent of a successful life. Al Capone was a successful crook (at least he was for a long time) and made lots and lots of money. But at the pinnacle of that success, he was even then a failure. Adolph Hitler wanted to kill Jews and conquer neighboring countries, but in his hour of greatest success in carrying out his ambitions, who would say he--as a man, his life--was a success? If one succeeds in satisfying and gratifying the lusts of the flesh and eye, and the pride of life, that is not true success. Oh, sure, he succeeded at what he was trying to do, but what he was trying to do was so opposed to his own best interests that his is a legacy of foolishness and failure. It is like a man wanting to commit suicide, and succeeding at it. The more successful a fool is, the worse off he is. You need a clear view of what makes life itself a success. Here it is: ``Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole ____ of man'' (Ecclesiastes 12:13). That last phrase, without the word duty in the blank space, is what the passage literally says -- ``the whole of man.'' The whole; whole suggests the fulness, the completeness or, if you please, the success and blessedness of man, is in fearing God and keeping his commandments. Do that, and no matter what else of good or ill befalls you, you will be a success. Your life, dear reader, is a success to the extent that you obtain the approval of your God. Love God with all your heart, and your fellow man as you love yourself. Submission to God and kindness to man are more important than hitting ``home runs'' in business or earthly enterprises. What is success? It is Jesus saying, ``Well done'' and ``enter in.'' -- Selected Via The Bulletin of the North Courtenay church of Christ, June 20, 1999 ___________________________________________ "...be steadfast...knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). ___________________________________________ Willing Submission by Andy Diestelkamp In times of discord it is not unusual to hear the plaintive cry, ``Why can't we all just get along?'' Confrontations often arise and are exacerbated by those who are unwilling to submit to others. From family problems to labor disputes, from church divisions to war, unsubmissive attitudes are core. To many, submission is a negative word that conjures up visions of victimization at worst and weakness at best. However, submission is consistently presented positively in Scripture. The English word submit means: ``to yield to governance or authority; to commit to the discretion or judgment of another; to defer to the opinion or authority of another.'' The dictionary lists yield as a synonym. The Greek word translated submit literally means to yield under. Where do conflicts come from? They come from our selfish desires and pride (Jas. 4:1-10). When we approach our relationships in this life (with God or anyone else) on a ``me first'' basis, then we are unsubmissive. This causes friction. We are called upon to humble ourselves before almighty God and let Him do the exalting. Of course, He has the ability to force us to conform, but it is His desire that we choose to submit ourselves to Him (1 Tim. 2:4). -- Via Think On These Things ___________________________________________ A FINAL THOUGHT Spiritual Slumber Means (Rom. 13:11) 1. You are not working (Phil. 2:12). 2. You are wasting time (Rom. 13:11). 3. You are not alert to danger (1 Thes. 5:6). 4. You are not a help to others (Gal. 6:1). 5. You wouldn't be accomplishing anything (Mk. 14:2). 6. You will be rewarded accordingly (II Cor. 5:10). 7. You are lazy (Prov. 6:6). -- Via Sound Doctrine, August 15, 1999 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Being the last Sunday of the month, we are having two special speakers today: David Hawthorne from Tallmadge, Ohio, will present the morning sermon; and John Pitman from Louisa, Kentucky, will preach in the evening. Free Bible courses are available upon request. If you live in our area and would like to study the Bible with a couple of us from church, please let us know. Also, if you live nearby and need a ride to our services, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to provide you with transportation. We welcome all of you who are visiting with us this day. Please come again. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________