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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 18, Number 04
08/02/2015

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
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
Dan Head


 

In this issue:


Killing Babies and Selling Body Parts
Joe R. Price

The mutilation and dismemberment of unborn babies takes place in abortion. It is the deliberate taking of human life and the extraction of the dead child from its mother's body. That is the horrific truth of abortion.

Since 1973, when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion with its Roe v. Wade decision, legal protection has enabled the killing of almost 56 million babies in this country (lifenews.com). However, legality does not establish morality. Man cannot ignore God's will by taking innocent life and escape His just and righteous wrath (Amos 5:24; Rom. 1:18; 2:1-11).

Medical advances, including those in ultrasound technology, have helped identify the fetus for what it is; a new human life (a baby, the fruit of the womb, Lk. 1:41-42, 44). It cannot be scientifically, reasonably or morally denied that the fetus is in fact a child, a human life, new and distinct from its mother. By 9-10 weeks legs, toes, arms, hands, head, ears, face and other physical features are clearly discernible. By 12 weeks the eyes, nose, mouth and ribs are obvious. First trimester images, along with the beating heart of new life, leave only the most calloused to deny the obvious fact that new human life is growing inside its mother. Abortion destroys the child. That is murder, dear reader, and murder will always be sin (Gen. 4:8-10; Exo. 20:13; 1 Jno. 3:15).

Recent videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the procurement and selling of fetal body parts from abortions has produced a political firestorm and a call to stop the federal government's funding of Planned Parenthood (the most egregious oxymoronic title I have ever heard). What we are longing for is the moral outrage of a nation that has for too long turned away from the horror of abortion, deferring to "the mother’s convenience or health" to justify the slaughter of the innocent ("Abortion", uslegal.com). Will such outrage occur? Or, has America already filled its cup of iniquity (Gen. 15:16)? As this is being written a court has issued a restraining order preventing the release of more of the videos exposing the practices at Planned Parenthood (foxnews.com). The truth is terrible. Many do not want to see it.

Let us reinvigorate our efforts to defend the sanctity of life at every stage of existence (unborn or aged). No person, or nation, can expect God's blessing while taking innocent life from others (Prov. 14:34). 

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Giving Our Best To God
Tom Roberts

Some people seem to be content to give God their leftovers. They give Him their leftover time, their leftover money, their leftover talents. When their own wants and wishes have been fully and completely gratified, anything left (if it is convenient) is presented to our heavenly Father.

How would you like it if you never had anything served on the table but leftovers? How would you like it if your boss paid you only if he had any profits after taking all he wanted from the company? How would you like it if your children gave you what little affection they had leftover from their friends, pursuits, etc.?

David refused to offer in sacrifice to God, “that which cost me nothing,” and this should be our attitude. We should give to God a service that is meaningful and sacrificial. Romans 12:1 states it in clear terms: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice…”

In our singing, giving, praying, study, all worship, and living, we should give to God the best we can offer. Nothing but the best should be offered. Remember, the nature of the gift reflects the attitude you have toward the one given the gift. Does your service to God reflect that you love and appreciate Him?

-The Central Voice, Sept. 2014

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Leaving Our First Love
Joe R. Price

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent. (Revelation 2:4-5)

This warning to repent of sin or lose their identity before Christ was sent to the church in Ephesus. Imagine, God’s people were in jeopardy of losing their fellowship with Jesus Christ! It is a serious and sobering reminder that we must continue to live by faith and not become half-hearted and negligent in our faith. Christ will not walk among churches whose members love other things than him. Christians cannot live like the devil and then claim fellowship with Christ. This is a clear statement that those who once loved Christ may fall back into sin and forfeit Christ’s presence and blessings. Christian friend, if that has happened in your life, “repent and do the first works”. This warning does not accuse God’s ability to save you; it shows that sin still separates people from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Use today to repent of sin in your life so that fellowship with the Savior is restored and your love for him is renewed. 

-Sword Tips, #111

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
 

Washed, Sanctified, Justified

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 6:7-11

1. Inconceivable for a Christian to suppose he or she can live in sin and go to heaven, Jas. 4:4; 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Rom. 6:1-2.
2. Yet, some in Corinth were arguing just that, 1 Cor. 6:13-15.
3. Even though they had been washed, sanctified and justified (6:11; Acts 18:8).

I. YOU WERE WASHED.

  A. Cleansed by Blood of Jesus, Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:13-14, 22.
  B. Through the Washing of Water by the Word, Eph. 5:25-26. Baptism, Rom. 6:3; 5:8; Acts 22:16 (18:8); Christ's blood, Heb. 10:19-22; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21.

II. YOU WERE SANCTIFIED.

  A. Set Apart from Sin by the Blood of Jesus, Heb. 10:29. 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Eph. 5:25-27.
  B. Things that Sanctify Sinners:
    1. Blood of Christ, Heb. 13:12.
    2. Holy Spirit (agent), 2 Ths. 2:13 (1 Pet. 1:2).
    3. Truth (means), Jno. 17:17, 19.
    4. Obedience to the gospel, Rom. 6:17-22.
    5. God’s grace and man's faith.
  C. Set Apart for Holy Living, Eph. 5:27; 1 Ths. 4:3-8.

III. YOU WERE JUSTIFIED.

  A. Acquitted of the Guilt of Sin by the Blood of Christ, Rom. 5:9; 4:25; 5:10, 18; 3:23-26; Jas. 2:21-24.

Conclusion

1. Acts 18:8: Hearing, believed and were baptized, 1 Cor. 6:11.

  •  Washed (cleansed by their sin)
  •  Sanctified (separated unto God)
  •  Justified (freed from their guilt of sin

2. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Cor. 6:9

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
 

"He Commanded Us To Preach"  Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Acts 10:34-43

1. When we examine the preaching of the apostles in the book of Acts we are impressed by what they do not preach and by what they do preach.
2. Did not preach: Themselves, to please men, human wisdom or personal opinions.
3. They preached the gospel, 1 Cor. 15:1-5; Acts 10:42; 1 Cor. 1:21; 1 Thess. 2:4; 2 Cor. 4:5, 7; Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:20; 1 Cor. 9:16.

I. THE APOSTLES' PREACHING IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.

  A. They Preached the Apostles' Doctrine, Acts 2:42; 1 Thess. 1:5.
  -Lesson: When we preach apostles' doctrine we preach heaven's message. All others are counterfeit. Gal. 1:8
  B. They Preached the Word, Acts 8:25; 13:5; 17:13 (16:6).
  -Lesson: God communicates to us through His word. We must hear it and obey it. 1 Cor. 14:37
  C. They Preached Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2; Col. 1:28), Acts 8:5, 35; 9:20; 17:18.
  -Lesson: Jesus is our Master. We must honor and serve Him. Col. 3:23-24
  D. They Preached Forgiveness of Sins through Jesus, Acts 13:38 (42).
  -Lesson: Preaching that does not address sin and does not explain God's remedy for sin is not Bible preaching. 2 Tim. 4:2
  E. They Preached the Kingdom of God (cf. Acts 1:6-7), Acts 8:12; 20:25 (28); 28:31.
  -Lesson: Man does not make God; He made us. Trust Him, obey Him. We are accountable to Him. He will judge us. Acts 17:30-31
  G. They Preached Human Existence Beyond the Grave, Acts 17:18, 17:30-31; 20:21.
  -Lesson: This life is not all there is to our existence. Job 14:14
  H. They Preached the Whole Counsel of God, Acts 20:27, 20.
  -Lesson: Give me all of the Bible! 2 Tim. 4:2

Conclusion  God's purpose for preaching is our salvation, Rom. 10:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:21.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Husband and Wife Outdated, Biased
Joe R. Price

California Senate Bill 1306 that replaces the words husband and wife in the California Family Code with "spouse" is now law. According to the bill's sponsor, Mark Leno (D), San Francisco, "This legislation removes outdated and biased language from state codes and recognizes all married spouses equally, regardless of their gender" ("Governor Moonbeam Makes the Words Husband and Wife Illegal in California", tpnn.com). (Leno's bias against traditional marriage is showing through.) Another CA representative, "Rep. Lois Capps, a California Democrat, has introduced new legislation with the goal of replacing "gender terms" with "gender neutral" language – suggesting that the difference between men and women is neutral and requires no distinction" (naturalnews.com). The differences between men and women are neutral and require no distinction? Yeah, right (Gen. 1:27; 2:18-25).

The renaming of marriage partners shows disregard for the roles of men and women in marriage while disrespecting God who instituted it and them. If there is no husband in a marriage, then there is no "head" who must sacrificially love his wife (oops, sorry, CA law says there is husband and wife! Eph. 5:23, 25-29). Furthermore, if there is no head in a marriage (the husband), then there is no one to whom the wife (sorry, the other spouse) must "submit" (Eph. 5:22-24). (I wonder, is the wedding officiate compelled to say, "I now pronounce you spouse and spouse. You may kiss your spouse"? How gender neutral!) God cannot be pleased.

It is not as though the state of California (or other states, for that matter) has been a defender of marriage up to this point. Divorce for every cause has long been the order of the day, sundering what God has joined together (Matt. 19:6).

Of course, the agenda for changing husband and wife to "spouse" in California law is to accommodate and legitimize same-sex marriages. Now, a heterosexual married couple cannot legally be termed "husband" and "wife". The generic "spouse" must be used in all legal documents.

Such efforts to distort and destroy marriage do not go unnoticed by the Almighty. The sorrowful words Isaiah once applied to Judah ring in our ears today, “Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward” (Isa. 1:4). And, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil" (Isa. 5:20). It is past time to repent. 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  08/10/2015

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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