The Mt. Baker
church of Christ
(1860 Mt. Baker
Highway, Bellingham, WA)
Invites you to our
GOSPEL MEETING
with Evangelist
Dennis Ross
(Camden, South Carolina)
Sept. 24–29, 2006
Monday-Friday:
7:00 PM
(Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30 AM, 6:00 PM)
Learn about New
Testament Christianity!
The gospel
is God’s power to save us! (Romans 1:16)
(From I-5 take Exit # 255
and go East 4.2 miles)
For more information: please call (360) 752-2692
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"If You Have A Need..."
(Joe R. Price)
The apostles of
Christ preached the “word of faith” (the gospel, the word of God)
that produced faith in the hearts of sinners by which they called on the
name of the Lord and were saved (Rom. 10:8-12, 16, 17). We must preach the
same gospel today since the same need of salvation exists.
Paul went on to say, “For ‘whoever calls on the
name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom
they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have
not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet
of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good
things!’” (Rom. 10:13-15) The work of the preacher is to preach the
“word of faith” so that sinners hear it, believe it, repent, are
baptized and saved (Acts 22:16).
On more than one occasion I have been told of
preachers who never even offer a gospel invitation to the lost when they
preach. How can this be? Why is this the case? What kind of preaching is
being done that fails to challenge sinners to repent and obey the gospel?
Furthermore, what does this say about the kind of preaching people seem to
want these days (2 Tim. 4:3-4)?
Gospel preachers must “preach the word” (2
Tim. 4:2). That means much more than making a “motivational speech” or
offering a few “inspirational thoughts” to your audience; it means
persuading the lost with the power of the gospel (Acts 24:24-25; 26:24-29;
Rom. 1:15-16).
Instead of boldly and urgently calling on sinners to
repent, obey and be saved (Acts 2:36-40), we are hearing sermons from
pulpits that conclude with, “If anyone has a need, come forward as we stand
and sing.” Well now, I can think of any number of things I “need” (or at
least, I think I need them). But, just because I think I need
something doesn’t mean I actually need it. If that is true of my physical
needs, it is more abundantly true of my spiritual needs. By the way, why
should I “come forward” anyway? You haven’t told me why by saying, “if
anyone has a need, come forward while we stand and sing.”
Fellow preacher, make the gospel call of Christ
clear. Give the gospel invitation to the lost and dying with an urgent and
understandable exhortation (Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 2:40). Be sure you tell
them from God’s word that what they decide is a matter of their eternal life
and death! Don’t leave your audience guessing about what they need or how to
get it. Don’t assume your listeners know what they need. Preach boldly the
words of truth – many do not know what they truly need (Prov. 14:12; Jer.
10:23; 2 Tim. 4:2).
The evangelist Philip asked a man, “Do you
understand what you are reading?” and the man replied, “How can I, unless
someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31). The man needed guidance from the
Scriptures to know what he needed and how to get it. Philip supplied the
answers by preaching Jesus to him (Acts 8:35). Once the man heard the gospel
of Christ he knew what he needed. We can reasonably infer from the man’s
question about baptism that Philip not only told the man who Jesus was, he
also told him he was a sinner in need of the salvation Jesus gives. Philip
told the man what to do to be saved because the man wanted to be baptized,
and baptism saves repentant believers (Acts 8:35-37; 2:38; Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet.
3:21).
When we preach, if we do not exhort and urge sinners
to repent and obey the gospel to be saved, how can it be said we have
preached the “word of faith" (Rom. 10:8-17)? Do not leave sinners
guessing what they need. If you do, you have not preached the gospel (Rom.
1:16).
Brethren, do not reduce the gospel invitation to be
saved to a mindless tradition of men.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Righteous by Association?
Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:22-27
1. Bible rejects doctrine of “guilty by association”
(hereditary depravity & hereditary innocence are false, Ezek. 18:20); Lk.
15:1-2; 1 Cor. 5:9-10 (1 Cor. 15:33).
2. Problem stated: Thinking we are righteous because of our association with
those we deem to be righteous.
3. Mere contact / proximity to righteous people &/or activities does not
make one righteous, Ezek. 18:20; Lk. 13:23-27.
I. THE INFLUENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS POWERFUL &
NECESSARY.
A. In a Marriage, 1 Cor. 7:14.
B. In the Home, 2 Tim. 1:5 (3:14-15).
C. In the World, Col. 4:5-6 (Matt. 5:13-16).
D. In the Church, 2 Cor. 9:2.
II. THE INFLUENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON DOES NOT
REMOVE THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PERSON,
Lk.13:25ff
-In a marriage, unbeliever must obey (1 Pet. 3:1-2).
-In the home, child grows to accountability (Lk. 2:52).
-In the world, each person is responsible (1 Pet. 4:5).}
-In the church, each bears his own burden (Gal. 6:5).
A. Faith by Association is not True Faith, cf. 2 Tim. 1:5 (Jno.
6:70; 2 Pet. 2:8; Gen. 19:17, 26); Jno. 12:42-43.
B. Repentance by Association is not True Repentance, Matt. 3:5-9
(Acts 19:18-20).
C. Worship by Association is not True Worship, Jno. 4:23-24 (Heb.
10:25); Matt. 15:8-9; 1 Cor. 11:27-30 (Psa. 5:7; 29:2; Heb. 2:12).
D. Morality by Association is not True Morality, Phil. 4:8 (1 Jno.
3:3); Mk. 7:21-23 (1 Tim. 2:8-10).
E. Bible Study by Association is not True Bible Study, 2 Tim. 2:15;
Acts 17:11-12.
F. Evangelism by Association is not True Evangelism, Acts 8:4
(2:41; 8:5-6; 8:29-30).
G. Salvation by Association is not True Salvation, Lk. 13:23-27.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Let No One Despise Your Youth
Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 17:32-37
1. Nearly everyone wants to be respected, including young
people. Many do not understand what respect is & what it takes to be worthy
of respect.
2. Timothy was a young man who stood up for Christ; a man of conviction &
devotion, Acts 16:1-2.
I. LET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH: THE EXAMPLE OF
DAVID.
A. His Brother Scolded His Boldness as Evil, 1 Sam.
17:22, 28-29.
B. King Saul Doubted David’s Ability Due to his Youth, 1 Sam. 17:31-33
(17:34-36, 37-40).
C. Goliath Despised David’s Youth, 1 Sam. 17:42-44 (17:10 & 17:42).
D. David Withstood Every Criticism & Taunt, & Gave Glory to God, 17:45-47.
E. Young Person: You can have Similar Faith to Serve God, Phil. 2:19-22; 1
Cor. 16:10-11.
II. BE AN EXAMPLE, 1 Tim.
4:12.
A. Be an Example to Christians (Matt. 5:13-16).
B. Be an Example to non-Christians, Titus 2:6-8.
III. SET THE EXAMPLE… (1
Tim. 4:12)
A. In Word, Tit. 2:8; Eph. 4:29; 5:3-4; Mt.12:36-37
B. In Conduct (“manner of life”), 2 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:6-8; Rom. 12:2; 1
Pet. 4:3-5; 2:11-12.
C. In Love, Matt. 22:37, 39; 5:44; Rom. 12:10 (1 Jno. 4:7-8; Jno. 13:35
(Matt. 5:45, 48).
D. In Spirit, Jas. 3:13-18; Rom. 12:11; Lev. 19:32.
E. In Faith, Heb. 11:6; Dan.
3:16-18.
F. In Purity, 2 Tim. 2:22 (Gen. 39:12; Dan.
1:5, 8); 1 Ths. 5:21-22; Psa. 119:9-11.
Conclusion
Proven character helps prevent being despised
(Phil. 2:22). Remember God in your youth (Eccl. 12:1).
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NOTEWORTHY
NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
The Price of Gas and Souls
Joe R. Price
High gasoline prices are driving a surge in scooter sales,
especially in American cities. It is not hard to see why, when scooters get
60 to 80 miles to the gallon and many cars only get 20 mpg (“US drivers hop
on scooters to dodge rising gas prices,” Virginie Montet, YahooNews, Sept.
4, 2006).
The high cost of gasoline is changing our driving habits.
However, we continue to drive our cars (motorcycles and even scooters) just
about every time we really need to be somewhere. And that gets us to the
point of this column.
Christians should be on guard against the temptation to
use the high cost of gasoline as an excuse not to assemble with the saints
for worship (Heb. 10:25). If we catch ourselves beginning to say, “I won’t
go to worship today because gas is so high,” it is time to stop and reassess
what we value the most in life (Matt. 6:33).
What profit is it to a man if he gains a tank of gas,
and loses his own soul? (cf. Matt. 16:26)
The high cost of gasoline does not keep us from driving to
work. Would the boss accept high gas prices as a reason not to go to work?
Why should we think God accepts it?
The high cost of gasoline does not keep us from driving to
the grocery store or restaurant. We pay the high fuel prices to feed our
stomach. Why should we consider gas prices too high a price to pay when it
comes to feeding our soul?
We will find you a ride to worship services if you cannot
afford the price of gasoline.
A lack of faith, not the price of gasoline, prevents some
from regularly worshiping God. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are
in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)
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