Ready!
Set! Go!
"They shall mount up with wings like eagles"
(Isaiah 40:31)
Volume 6—Number 3 March 2004
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
READY: Design in Nature
SET: Maintain Good Works
GO: Search For Truth: Lesson 3
A Monthly Publication of the Church of Christ at Duluth, Georgia
to equip the saints in reaching
the lost through example and evangelism.
Editor
Skip Andrews
3239 Highway 120
Duluth, GA 30096
770 476-2159
email: Skip Andrews
Produced under the oversight
of the
elders at Duluth, GA
Rod Rutherford
Dennis Hatchett
Skip Andrews
This paper is sent free to all who request it.
Bobby Wood Resigns as Co-Editor
of Ready! Set! Go!
When the plans for this paper were being made, it was easy to reach
the conclusion that Bobby Wood should be asked to help.
His example as a personal worker is certainly one of the best ever.
While Bobby was a student at Memphis School of Preaching, and we were located
at Verona, Mississippi, we had him come and speak on evangelism.
That was in the early 1970s. Ever since then, I have been aware of
his personal interest in teaching people through personal evangelism.
So, he was the obvious choice for a coworker in this effort.
But now he has reached the point where he needs to resign as co-editor.
So I am writing this to thank him for his help and influence in this paper.
And I am writing to honor him for his friendship and his work in the vineyard
of the Lord. I will continue to admire him and work with him whenever
possible.
Contributions for R!S!G!,
Family Matters,
and A New Commandment
Kent & Rita Moss (Elkins, WV)—$40
Dennis & Karen Clark (Dacula, GA)—$50
Thank You!
Design in Nature :
The Existence of God
(Note: Page numbers given are from the book by Bert Thompson,
recommended at the end of the article). The theme for this study
is the second of the three major arguments that prove the existence of
God: The “Design in Nature” argument (often called the Teleological
Argument).
This argument can be stated concisely:
- If the Universe evinces purposeful design, there must have been a designer.
- The Universe does evince purposeful design.
- Thus, the Universe must have had a designer (p. 144).
The word for “built” in the above verse is “kataskeuazo.” It means “to prepare, establish, furnish.” In the New Testament it is also translated “make,” “ordain,” and “prepare.” All of this goes along with the language in the three-point argument quoted from brother Thompson.
Psalm 19 also teaches the design argument. It makes the claim in verse 1 that the universe declares the glory of God. And in verses 2-6, various statements are made about how the things that God made “say” things about Him.
The message that God’s world “says” is about His existence and glory (Psalm 8). In Psalm 19:2-6, David’s poetry reminds us that this message is available:
- At all times—day and night (v. 2).
- In its own way, it is “heard”—we can be reminded of this message no matter what our language is (v. 3).
- In all places, this message is available—from every spot on earth, the “wonders” of nature can be pondered (v. 4a).
- In spectacular glory and strength—through the power of the sun we are able to see, think, and understand that this world was built by the glorious God (vv. 4b-6)!
“The disagreement between the theist and the atheist is not whether design demands a designer. Rather, the point of contention is whether or not there is design in nature adequate to substantiate the conclusion that a Designer does, in fact, exist. This is where the Teleological Argument is of benefit” (p. 146).
The subject of design can be studied by obtaining books and tracts on various subjects. I will summarize a few points from brother Thompson’s book, and I will encourage you to order the tracts that Apologetics Press has produced on various themes relating to the existence and nature of God. You can study them, keep them as resource material, and give copies away to other people.
A summary of some of the evidence includes the following:
The Design of the Universe (pp. 146-150):
- It operates in accordance with exact scientific laws. This allows us to do the everyday things we do, as well as the extraordinary things, such as sending spacecraft to other places, where we can make them land just where we intended.
- Scientific facts clearly imply design:
receive the proper amount of heat and radiation to sustain life as we
know it.”
—“The rotation of the Earth on its axis, and the revolution of the Earth
around the Sun are at exactly the right speed and accuracy to preserve
life. The slightest variation would cause us to be frozen or incinerated.”
The Design of the Human Body (pp. 150-155):
- An evolutionist wrote: “Your body is a structural masterpiece more amazing than science fiction.
- The human body can be studied at four levels:
—Tissues (groups of the same kinds of cells carrying on the same kind
of activity)
—Organs (groups of tissues working together)
—Systems (groups of organs carrying out specific functions)
- We have over 30 kinds of cells, about 100 trillion total cells (placed end to end, your cells would circle the earth 200+ times!), cells have three major components (cell membrane, a “three-dimensional cytoplasm,” and a nucleus). All three of these components have specific functions. For example, the nucleus is the control center with its own membrane. Inside is the “genetic machinery,” including the DNA molecule. A single DNA molecule has enough chemically stored information to fill 1000 volumes of 600 pages each!
Yes, indeed, the heavens do declare the glory of God—and the firmament does show His handiwork!
(Note: The following book is highly recommended for your use in these
things: ROCK-SOLID FAITH, HOW TO BUILD IT, By Bert Thompson, Ph.
D., Apologetics Press, Inc., 230 Landmark Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117-2752).
Have you told anyone about this?
The Bible has all
the answers to all the questions that matter!
Maintain Good Works:
Citizenship
The goal of maintaining good works was included in Paul’s letter to
Titus. Titus was to help the brethren to accomplish this goal (Titus
3:8).
This lesson will show that being a good citizen is a good work, and
that when we Christians follow New Testament guidelines on this subject,
we are more likely to be able to influence our neighbors in a good way.
Let us look briefly at five things that will help us to “maintain
good works” by being good citizens.
This text begins with this important rule: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Paul’s justification is not based on the lifestyles of the rulers; it is based on the authority of God! Verse 1 goes on to say, “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
When we disobey the law of the land, we are resisting God’s ordinance (v. 2). This puts us in the following situation:
- We deserve punishment for our violation.
- We have offended God.
- We are setting a bad example.
PAY YOUR TAXES (Matthew 22:15-22)
In Romans 13:5,6, Paul taught the same thing with the point that those to whom we “pay tribute” are “God’s ministers.” If we are not honest in reporting income and paying taxes, we have done the same thing to the law, God, and our neighbors as shown under the previous point of this lesson!
Is saving a little bit on my taxes really worth being a dishonest law-breaker?
- That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
- For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.
- He would have all (including these for whom we are to pray) to be saved.
In this world, we will often encounter situations where we must choose between God’s will and man’s will. Often the circumstances will be easily resolved with few consequences. But sometimes it will not be so easy. Let us exercise ourselves spiritually so that we can follow the path of the apostles.
Let us close by remembering that “maintaining good works” is related to our influence in daily life on the world about us. In the same passage where Peter tells us to “Honor the king,” he teaches that our lives must set forth good examples if our neighbors are going to “glorify God in the day of visitation”
(1 Peter 2:12-17).
Accepting the challenge
to let our light shine so
that our Father
might be glorified!
SEARCH FOR TRUTH:
LESSON 3
(Note: During 2004, we will promote and say a few words about the Bible study lessons that are a part of the “Fishers of Men” program. For more information, contact Timothy Wilkes at 800 338-1530).
Lesson 3 of the “Search for Truth” series covers two major subjects. They are:
The lesson begins with a review that ties the previous subjects to these and encourages the student to feel free to ask any questions that have arisen since the last meeting.
The first thirteen sections of scriptures and questions relate to the role of the Old Testament today. Here are the headings:
Anyone who has studied with denominational people knows how important these subjects are. Sinners need to know that the Old Testament plays an important role today, but they also need to know that it is not God’s law for this dispensation.
More than thirty Bible references are given in this study to help the student reach the right conclusions about these matters.
The last two sections of scriptures and questions relate to the subject of miracles and their purpose.
Although this part of the study is brief as compared to the first part, there are still nine references given. This appropriately presents the case regarding the purpose of miracles. The key here is that if people will learn the answer to this, it will be much easier to realize that once the purpose was fulfilled, the miracles ceased.
The lesson concludes with a Review and Summary, plus a note introducing the theme for Lesson 4:
“What Is Man’s Greatest Problem?”
Truth for the World
Truth for the World is a balanced approach to soul-winning that
includes a variety of approaches, efforts, and tools.
This month, I would like to encourage you to look at the TFTW
website (www.tftw.org) and notice the variety of evangelistic efforts.
Particularly, I would invite you to note the long list of tracts that
have been written and are available for distribution.
Read them for yourself, encourage others to read them, and think of
ways they can be used. Researchers say that each tract is read by
at least a dozen people in foreign countries.
Our printer, Bob Knox, printed more than one million tracts
last year. These have been mailed all around the world—meaning that
twelve
million readers have been touched by these tracts!
I would like to encourage you to help us with dollars for ink, paper,
postage, and salaries so that even more can be done.
If you can help in any amount—if you can help with a one-time contribution
or monthly checks, please do. If you can help to get TFTW
in the budget of the congregation where you attend, please do so.
About 60 million people will die this year—many of them will die before
ever hearing the gospel even once. Let us do all we can to get at
least one tract in their hands before they leave this world.
Urgency, sacrifice, dedication, thoughtfulness, and love for lost souls
can motivate us to work together to reach the lost—so let us work together
in planting and watering the seed of the kingdom so that God can give the
increase!
Please send your check to:
Truth for the World
P O Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096
Equipping ourselves
to go everywhere and tell everyone!