NEW SITE MAP AND SEARCH ENGINE
NOW AVAILABLE ON TGOC'S WEBSITE
During the past several weeks, the Webmaster at THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, James Gravelle, has been working quietly (but diligently!) behind the scenes to make two major improvements to our Website. First, James set out to create a new site map for the entire site. That project is now complete. When you visit the Website (www.thegospelofchrist.com ), if you will look at the links on the far left-hand side of the page, you will see one labeled "SITE MAP." By clicking on it, you will be able to pull up on your computer's screen a summary of the contents of our Website. From the site map, you may navigate (through the use of hot links) to the places on the site you want to visit. We believe you will find this new tool to be quite useful. James will be updating the site map frequently to keep it current.
Second, James also has been working to build a brand new search engine for the GOC Website. That search engine is now in place and ready for your use. You can use the search engine to locate various "content items" on our site that might otherwise be difficult (if not impossible) to locate. The search engine can locate words, phrases, titles, Scripture references, and other items that we believe the average visitor to the site will find extremely valuable. We invite you to make frequent use of this new addition to our site.
MORE BIBLE QUIZZES ONLINE
TO ACCOMPANY
WORSHIP SERIES PROGRAMS
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST is pleased to announce the addition of another new round of Bible quizzes to accompany our video and audio programs. Previously we added the first four (of what would eventually be a total of eight) quizzes to go along with our Worship Series. We now have added the last four in that series. We invite you to test your Bible knowledge by taking each of these quizzes ( www.thegospelofchrist.com/quiz ).
TGOC ANNOUNCES
THE LAST TWO LESSONS IN ITS
NEW MOTIVATIONAL SERIES
In our last e-newsletter, we announced the availability of two more lessons ("Comfort from Above" and "The Greatest Things in Life") in our new Motivational Series of videos. Today, we are announcing the last two videos in that series:
"Reward for Service "
"The Suffering of Job "
In his lesson on "Reward for Service," Ben Bailey starts his discussion by observing that faithful Christians should be hard workers in the Lord's vineyard. But, as Ben goes on to note, along with the service that we offer are the blessings that we receive. Jesus spoke of this reward in Matthew 11:28-30 when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
However, in order to receive the reward, we must give of ourselves through diligence and faithfulness. Romans 12:1 teaches us that we are to be a living sacrifice to God. We must study God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11). We must faithfully follow Christ's teachings by being not just
hearers of the Word, but also doers of that Word (Jas. 1:22-25). And we must evangelize the lost (Mk. 16:15).
If we do faithfully carry out these types of things, what reward will we receive? For one thing, we will enjoy "life more abundantly" in the here and now (Jn. 10:10). We also will have "the peace that passes understanding" (Phil. 4:4). And we can ultimately triumph over death (Rev. 14:13). In the end, of course, we will receive as our reward eternal life (1 Jn. 2:25).
In his lesson on "The Suffering of Job," Ben begins by noting that Job is "one of the most encouraging books in all the Bible," because it shows us that even in the midst of suffering, faithfulness is rewarded. This lesson is an in-depth examination of all that occurred to Job during his the trials and tribulations described in the book. Ben discusses Satan's conversations with God. He explains how that, at first, God allowed Satan to afflict Job in various ways without actually harming him. Then, of course, God eventually allowed Satan to cause Job himself physical pain.
Ultimately, Job lost his children, his servants, his flocks, and everything else of value to him. Even his wife said to him, "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9). As if that was not bad enough, his three "friends" from afar came and accused him of being a terrible sinner. Yet Job maintained both his innocence and his righteousness. And in the end, he was vindicated by God Himself.
As Ben brings his discussion to a close, he turns his attention to why Christians suffer today. He mentions things like suffering for being righteous, suffering as a means of spiritual purification, suffering to develop much-needed endurance, and suffering as it causes us to yearn for a home in Heaven. To quote Ben when he referred to the fact that we very likely will have to suffer, "What is important is this:
Did we remain faithful to God? Are we holding fast to our integrity? Did we stay true to God and His Word in the midst of our suffering?"
Ben concludes that "regardless of how much we suffer, or what we have to endure in this life, if we remain faithful, we can know that Heaven will be worth it all." Indeed it will!
Both of these lessons are incredibly uplifting and encouraging. We invite you to preview them, and other lessons in our Motivational Series, by visiting our Website, where you will find them in video, audio, and written transcript formats. |
