THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
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In this issue:
BY FAITH SARAH RECEIVED ABILITY A Series on
Hebrews 11 (Part 7)
Jeff Herrin
Sarah is one of only two women who are mentioned in Hebrews 11. She also holds
the distinction of being the only woman in the Bible whose age at the time of
her death was recorded (perhaps even then it was impolite to reveal a woman's
age). Far more importantly, no other woman is so pointedly designated as an
example in the manner that Sarah has been. Peter said, "For in this manner, in
former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being
submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord,
whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror" (I
Pt. 3:5-6). She was a remarkable woman who faithfully accompanied Abraham in his
sojourn.
The text does not say that Sarah used her ability by faith (not to say that
faith shouldn't encourage us to use our ability). It says that she received
ability by faith. She was miraculously enabled to conceive a child at an
extraordinary age. She is not the only woman to come to God's attention because
of her faith. Consider Rebekah, Hannah, the Shunammite woman (II Kgs. 4), and
Elisabeth. All of these were blessed with children. Not all of these cases are
obvious miracles as was the case with Sarah. God is in control and able to
bestow abundant blessings in this life. The scriptures tell of many other
faithful women who were blessed in other ways.
What is the lesson for us? God is drawn like a magnet to faith in the lives of
men and women. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). The faithless person worries, doubting the
reward will ever come. Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what
you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
(Mt. 6:25). Sarah could have worried about all of these things when she
sojourned in the wilderness, but her most precious blessing (a child whose name
means laughter in Hebrew) came through faith. The lesson for us is simple. Sarah
was rewarded for her faith.
Sarah's life encourages us to rearrange our priorities. What can be more
important than growing in faith? Jesus encourages us, "But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you" (Mt. 6:33). Therefore, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"
(Phil. 4:6).
DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH
Joe R. Price
In the New Testament, the term "flesh" often describes the passions and desires
which are opposed to God, righteousness and truth. "For when we were in the
flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our
members to bear fruit to death." (Rom. 7:5)
The person who lives according to the flesh refuses to submit to God's rule over
him (Rom. 8:7). Therefore, this person is spiritually dead and as such, an enemy
of God (Rom. 8:5-7, 13). The works of the flesh are manifestly opposed to the
fruit of the Spirit, and if we live according to the flesh we will inherit
eternal death (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 8:13).
Therefore, Christians must "put to death the deeds of the body" and live
"according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:13, 4-9). We must hear and heed the word of
truth which the Spirit of God has revealed so that we can bear godly fruit in
our lives (Gal. 5:22-25).
Remember that now you belong to Christ. As a "new creation" you no longer belong
to the world. (2 Cor. 5:17) Therefore, Christ expects you to destroy the flesh
and be led by the Spirit. "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24).
This is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 5:5: "deliver such a one to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus." Public church discipline of the unrepentant sinner is designed to
restore him to godliness -- to destroy the flesh with its passions and lusts. We
destroy the flesh whenever we repent of sin and renounce its presence and power
in our lives. How are we doing??
"This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. My treasures are laid
up, somewhere beyond the blue...." So goes the song we love to sing. I pray we
are not singing condemnation unto ourselves -- singing one thing yet living
another. Let us "crucify the flesh" and please God (Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:8).
UNDERSTANDING SIN BETTER
(Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:10-20)
Sin is real and destructive - 1 Jno. 5:4; 5:17; Rom. 6:23.
I. SIN IS NOT A BIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON.
A. Sin Is Not In Our Genes - Rom. 5:12; Jas. 1:13-14; Ezek. 18:20; Deut.
24:16.
II. SIN IS NOT IN HUMAN NATURE.
A. Man's Constitution (Made By God) Is Not Sinful - Eccl. 7:29; Eph. 2:1-3;
Jas. 1:13-16.
B. Blaming Human Nature For Sin In Not Right.
III. SIN IS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
A. Man Has Always Tried To Blame Others For Their Sin - Gen. 3:12-13.
B. Sin Is Personal - Psa. 51:3; 32:5 (Ezek. 18:20; Jas. 1:14).
IV. SIN SEPARATES.
A. Sin Separates Man From God - Isa. 59:1-2 (Garden of Eden).
B. Sin Separates People - cf. Prov. 16:28 (Friends, family, etc.).
C. Sin Causes Eternal Separation From God - Rom. 6:23; Matt. 7:23.
V. AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE, THERE'S HOPE.
A. You Can Combat Sin - Heb. 9:13-14; Acts 4:12; Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 6:3; 1
Jno. 1:7-9; Eph. 6:13-17.
For the complete text of the following sermon, visit
BIBLE ANSWERS at:
http://www.bibleanswer.com/chu_indv.htm
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CHURCH
(Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16)
-Two extremes:
1. Church minimized out of importance (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).
2. Local church emphasized to the neglect of individual respon. of daily
Christian living [Funnel approach]. {Miss. society; support human org.; social}
I. THE WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Col. 3:17).
A. Preach The Gospel - 1 Ths. 1:8; Acts 11:22-23; Phil. 1:3-5 (2 Cor. 11:8).
B. Edify The Saints (teaching & training of members) - Eph. 4:11-12,15-16.
C. Care For Needy Saints - 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6:1-3; 1 Cor. 16:1-3. -Acts 6:1-4 -
Basic areas: Ministry of the word / tables.
II. WORK OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH.
A. The Universal Church Does Not Work In An Organized Fashion.
B. The Universal Church Does Work When Christians Live By Faith Under The
Leadership Of Christ - Eph. 1:22-23; 4:13-16.
III. EVERY INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN IS TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BODY OF
CHRIST - Eph. 4:16.
A. Notice Individual Christian's Obligations.
B. Christians Are To Be "Self-Starters" As Well As "Jumper Cables" - Gal. 6:1-2.
Noteworthy News
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
AMNESIA VICTIM TO BE REUNITED WITH FAMILY
(Updated 10:26 AM ET September 17, 1999)
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - A Native American woman who turned up in Oklahoma a
month ago and was unable to recall her name or recognize herself in a mirr or
will be reunited with family members Friday, a federal official said Thursday.
Capt. Larry Hoklotubbe, a law enforcement officer with the U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs, said the woman had been identified by a family living in the area of
Albuquerque, New Mexico, who recognized her picture on a flier that was sent to
them.
Hoklotubbe declined to release the woman's name before the scheduled meeting
with her family at the Oklahoma City shelter where she has been living for the
last month.
The woman was dropped off near Springer, Oklahoma, on Aug. 19 by a truck driver
who told a store clerk to call for help because she was bleeding from a head
wound, officials said.
She was unable to recall basic facts about her life, such as her name or the
names of anybody she knew, although she had a wedding ring and bore scars from
delivering a child by caesarian section.
Hoklotubbe said the woman's family reported her missing on Aug. 14.
"She was positively identified from a flier we sent them," he said.
COMMENTARY
Joe R. Price
Losing one's memory must be frightening! We truly hope this lady will soon
recover hers.
An even worse loss of memory is when a Christian forgets their cleansing from
their past sins (2 Pet. 1:9). Such a loss of memory causes the Christian to
become spiritually lazy and negligent, unwilling to energetically grow in faith
(2 Pet. 1:5-8).
Are you able to recall your spiritual state before you obeyed the gospel? The
apostle Paul could, and it enabled him to rejoice in and teach others of the
mercy He had received from Christ (1 Tim. 1:12-16). If you cannot remember that
you were once in spiritual death because of your sins, you will not be greatly
motivated to love and live for Jesus!
Do you let the Bible, the word of God, help you to remember what parts of your
life you need to improve? James 1:21-25 describes the man who sees himself in a
mirror, but does not use it to remember what kind of man he is. Similarly, if we
see ourselves in God's word but do not use it to correct our character and
conduct, we only deceive ourselves. We cannot be hearers only - we must be
hearers and doers of God's will in our lives. Spiritual amnesia: Do you remember
who you are???
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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