And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.            Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume XII, Number 05 January 04, 2009

Published by

Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
  
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:

       P.O. Box 30821
 
Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM
Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt
Joe Price

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
John Hague
Dan Head



 

In this issue:


You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Homosexual Marriage: Deconstructing the Bible (1)

Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 5:13-21

1. America is in a culture war. One battle is over marriage between a man and a woman.
2. To justify homosexual marriage, its defenders must deconstruct the Bible and its teachings on marriage and homosexuality.
3. Review: “Our Mutual Joy,” Lisa Miller, Newsweek, Dec. 15, 2008

I. THE BIBLE ON HOMOSEXUALITY.

  A. Homosexuality is Sin, Gen. 18:20-21; Lev. 18:22-23; 20:13; Rom. 1:24-27.
  B. It is Fornication, 1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 7.
  C. The Traits of Fornication are Properly Attributed to Homosexuality, 1 Cor. 6:18; Mk. 7:21; 1 Ths. 4:6; Rev. 21:8.

II. DECONSTRUCTING THE BIBLE: TRANSFORMING HOMOSEXUALITY INTO ACCEPTED PRACTICE, Isa. 5:20; Prov. 17:15.

  A. Assertion: The Bible Allows (approves) Homosexual Marriages.
    1. “Deny the literal, final nature of Bible.”
-Bible Ans: 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 4:12-13.
    2. “Jesus didn’t say ‘not to’ have it.”
-Bible Ans: Matt. 19:4-5.
  B. Assertion:  Many Marriages in the Bible were far from the Biblical Ideal.
    1. “Deconstruct Bible pattern: man-woman.”
-Bible Ans: Gen. 2:18-25; 4:16-19; Jude 7; Exo. 21:10; Deut. 21:15-17; 24:1-4; Heb. 13:4.
    2. “Deconstruct roles within marriage to be defined by society, not by literal word of God.”
-Bible Ans: Headship established by God in His word, Gen. 3:16 (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-25); cf. Rom. 9:20-21; Gen. 1:31; Eccl. 7:29.

Conclusion
   The light of truth exposes the sin of homosexuality and the corruption of marriage as God gave it to humanity.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Homosexual Marriage: Deconstructing the Bible (2)

Scripture Reading:  Romans 1:20-28

     Continue our review of “Our Mutual Joy,” Lisa Miller, Newsweek, Dec. 15, 2008

II. DECONSTRUCTING THE BIBLE: TRANSFORMING HOMOSEXUALITY INTO ACCEPTED PRACTICE, Isa. 5:20; Prov. 17:15.

C. Assertion:  Only one Type of Homosexuality is Condemned in the Bible.
    1. “The Bible only condemns lust and violent expressions of homosexual conduct.”
-Bible Ans: Bible condemns violence and lust, Col. 3:5; 1 Jno. 2:16. Lust existed in Sodom before the threats of violence, Gen. 19:5, 9.
    2. “David and Jonathan are offered as examples of homosexual love.”
-Bible Ans: Gross perversions of 1 Sam. 18:3 and 2 Sam. 1:25-26 (see article on page 1); Psa. 19:14.
    3. “Love is defined as a committed relationship, not as obedience to God’s will.”
-Bible Ans: Committed relationships in Ezra 10:10-12 were sinful; so are homosexual ones (see Matt. 19:9).
  D. Assertion: Bible Believers are Not Consistent in Their Use of the Bible or in their Lives about Marriage.
    1. “Divorce and adultery.”
-Bible Ans: Matt. 19:6; Heb. 13:4
  E. Assertion: People Get Married “For Their Mutual Joy.”
    1. When homosexual relationships bring joy they are just as acceptable as heterosexual marriage.
-Bible Ans: Only God-approved marriage results in the joy God gives, Eccl. 9:9; cf. Mk. 6:17-18; Jno. 8:11; Lk. 15:1-2, 7 (Acts 17:30).

Conclusion
   Bible stands against these attacks against moral decency, the home and God Himself.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Another Year Gone…And Coming
Joe R. Price

Another year has passed with another year on the horizon. Reflections and resolutions are common this season. The Bible contains many, many statements that can take the form of New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps the following examples will help us plan our new year “If the Lord wills” that “we shall live and do this or that” (Jas. 4:15).

Joshua 1:7: Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (Like Joshua, we have a path set before us; Christ and His gospel. By following Him we have the light of eternal life, Jno. 8:12.)

Joshua 24:15: And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  (The decision to serve God impacts the lives of many around us, not the least of which is our family.)

2 Thessalonians 3:13: But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. (The ability to stick with doing what is right in the sight of God is essential to faithful living.)

Hebrews 2:1: Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. (Resolving to carefully follow God’s word is essential to prevent falling away.)

Psalms 19:14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. (Knowing that our lives, including our words and thoughts, are seen and known by God will help us make right choices in 2009 and all the days of our lives.)

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Created by Chuck Sibbing.  12/28/2009

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com