[Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 10/21/07
tedwards at onemain.com
tedwards at onemain.com
Tue Oct 30 13:18:04 CDT 2007
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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
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"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).
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October 21, 2007
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Contents:
1) The Joy of Winning Souls (Doug Seaton)
2) The Solution to Episcopalian Church Problems
(Steve Klein)
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-1-
The Joy of Winning Souls
by Doug Seaton
This article is being written for the purpose of waking some of
us out of sleep and reminding us of God's purpose for us in the
world. The most valuable possessions in the world are souls. Jesus
said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26) Once we recognize the value of our
souls and the value of the souls of others, we will want to do all
we can to save souls.
Winning souls is thrilling, adds true meaning to life, and
starts a fire burning Satan can't extinguish. The reason many
churches are dying is many Christians forgot how to win souls to
Christ. Many have not experienced the joy found in winning souls.
If you are interested in the most effective method of soul-winning
in the world please read carefully and apply the things you read
from God's word.
Leading souls to Jesus Christ is simple. It takes love for God,
love for the souls of others, and love for our own soul. This love
will cause us to examine the Scriptures and find the secrets of
soul-winning. Notice how Andrew led a soul to Christ. "Again the
next day after John stood and two of his disciples; and looking
upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the
two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. . . One of
the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon
Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith
unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted,
the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus" (John 1:35-42). Andrew led
his brother to Christ by his enthusiasm in finding Christ, his joy
in discipleship, his determination to find his brother, and his
urgency in bringing him to Jesus.
Enthusiastic converts to Christ are the best soul-winners in
all of the world. This enthusiasm can't be taught in "how to"
seminars. This enthusiasm comes from putting on Christ, being born
again, or in other words from being saved. The convert truly being
born again and knowing Christ is his Savior can't help but be
excited.
This enthusiasm causes one to be a joyful disciple. It's
refreshing to see new converts joyfully give up a life of sin and
ask, "What else does Christ want me to do?" A disciple is a
follower or one learning. Disciples want to work and the best time
to begin working for Christ is immediately upon one's conversion.
There are plenty of people to teach the contacts and friends of new
converts so send them out and let them do all they can and, if
needed, let others help in the teaching. If you are not a new
convert just think about your own conversion to Christ as you work
to tell others about salvation in Jesus Christ. Remember we are not
"selling" the local church, we are "selling" Christ. People coming
to Christ will of course see the need to be faithful, active
members of his body, the church. They will want to work and worship
with others of like precious faith. When folks are converted to
Christ, churches in local communities will flourish.
Andrew didn't wait for his brother to ask about Christ; he went
out to find him. Too many are waiting in their offices for sinners
to come and find them. Too many churches put an ad in the paper and
look for the building to be full. We aren't selling cars; people
generally will not come to us, we must go to them. The personal
touch works. You can't see another's joy and enthusiasm in mass
media advertising. "And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom.
10:15) Too many Christians expect the preacher to find the lost and
too many preachers have limited their teaching to the walls of a
building. The Gospel message is a message to be taken to the world
(Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). A lot of men would do well to put
down the denominational commentaries and take up the sword of the
spirit which is the word of God, and seek some sinners.
As Andrew found his brother, he compelled him to come to Jesus.
Notice he "brought him to Jesus." Peter saw the urgency in Andrew's
face and heard the urgency in his voice. We know this because the
text shows us that Peter did come to Christ. As we seek that which
is lost we need to remember the words of Paul, "Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). Notice also the admonition
of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a
time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee:
behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation." All need to get busy now teaching others about Jesus
Christ.
Like Andrew we will rejoice and those coming to Christ will
rejoice as we lead others to Jesus Christ. Are you presently doing
your best in leading others to Christ? Have you joyfully told your
friends, family members, and fellow workers, what Christ means to
you? Have you studied God's word with them? Remember the power is
in the gospel and the daily lives of Christians is often what
causes lost souls to look at the Bible which can save their souls
(Rom. 1:16; Matt. 5:13-16). Start today to lead a soul to Christ!
-- Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 1, pp. 3-4, January 7, 1988
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-2-
The Solution to
Episcopalian Church Problems
by Steve Klein
For those unfamiliar with it, the Episcopalian Church in
America is a denomination that has its roots in the Church of
England. These churches, along with Episcopalian denominations in
other nations, are collectively referred to as Anglican churches.
They trace their common beginning to the 16th century rift over the
issue of divorce between King Henry VIII of England and the Pope of
Rome.
American Episcopalian's have been in the news a lot lately
because of controversy within the denomination over the ordination
of a homosexual bishop and the blessing of homosexual marriages.
While many Anglicans in America approve of these practices, some do
not, and most Anglican Church leaders outside of the U.S. firmly
disapprove.
The division among Episcopalians has become so sharp that some
American Episcopalians are leaving the denomination. In September
2007, "the members of St. Clement's church in Central El Paso
decided to leave Episcopal Church USA and the Episcopal Diocese of
the Rio Grande. 'We feel that we have been released from an
institution that is not really excited about the gospel of Jesus
Christ,' said Rev. Bill Cobb of St. Clement's Church" (Reported by
KFOX-TV).
On October 2, 2007, the Fort Worth Star Telegram carried the
following quote from a local church official identified as the
"Rev. Ryan Reed" president of the Standing Committee of the
Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. He said, "To submit to and comply
with the current direction of the General Convention would mean for
us to embrace a distortion of the Christian faith that our
forebears would not recognize as a continuation of the Apostles'
teaching and fellowship."
On September 18, 2007 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported
that David Wardell and more than 100 other former members of Saint
Andrew's Episcopal Church had left the Episcopalian church "and
aligned themselves with a Nigerian bishop. Their new congregation
is called All Saints Anglican Church." The report goes on to state
the following: Three other metro Atlanta congregations operate
under the authority of a Bolivian bishop. Episcopalians across the
U.S. are joining more conservative foreign church provinces and
forming their own organizations because they believe American
church leaders are sliding into irrelevance and sin. "They are just
changing scripture to, like, anything goes," Wardell said.
About now, you may be asking yourself, "Why should I care about
the problems of this denomination?" Well, because their problems
are mirrored in the problems of many religious groups, and can even
be seen to some degree within churches of Christ. By seeing the
solution to Episcopalian Church problems, maybe we can see the
solution to ours as well.
What's the solution? Follow the Bible! Follow it completely.
Don't add to it. Don't take from it. Just follow the Bible.
Accept the Scriptures as the complete and perfect guide that they
claim to be (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Don't just give lip service to
following the Scriptures. Don't complain about how a given
practice like homosexuality is not approved by the Scriptures and
then turn around and accept seventeen other things that are not
approved either. Jesus said, "These people draw near to Me with
their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far
from Me. {9} And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the
commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9).
If you'll notice in the news reports cited above, the very
Episcopalians who were complaining about the unscriptural practices
of their denomination are still doing the following:
* Participating in a form of church government that is NOT what
the Bible describes. One of the dissenters quoted above is a
"president" of a "standing committee" of a "diocese." Where is the
Scripture for any of that? Individual churches in the Bible had
bishops (or elders), deacons and saints (or members) (Philippians
1:1). There was no over-arching earthly regional organization such
as a "diocese." Such is unscriptural and contrary to the
Scriptural plan.
* Naming their churches after "saints." No church in the Bible
was ever named after a disciple, let alone after a person who had
been canonized by the Catholic denomination. No church in the
Bible ever named itself after Clement or Andrew. Not only was such
not practiced, it was expressly forbidden. The great apostle Paul
forbade Christians from calling themselves after him, or Peter or
Apollos. "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or
'I am of Apollos,'or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.' {13} Is
Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in
the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13).
* Calling their leaders "Reverend" even though the BIBLE says
that this is God's name (Psalm 111:9).
Now, the purpose of this article is not to expose every
unscriptural belief and practice of the Episcopal Church. Our
purpose here is to challenge all men to go to the Bible for every
belief and practice, not just for the ones that make us comfortable
with what we are already believing and doing. From our
perspective, it is clear to some that well-meaning Episcopalians
have a large blind spot here. It makes me wonder if the Lord sees
something similar when He looks at us.
-- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia,
October 7, 2007
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MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
1022 Myrtle Street
Denham Springs, LA 70726
(225) 664-8208
Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 PM
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com
web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go
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