And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 18, Number
35
04/17/2016
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:
Gospel Meeting May 1 - 6, 2016
The Mt.
Baker
Church of Christ
1860
Mt. Baker Highway • Bellingham WA
Invites you to our
GOSPEL MEETING
With Evangelist
Dennis Scroggins
(Lampasas,
Texas)
May 1 - 6, 2016
Monday-Friday at
7:00 PM
Sunday,
May 1st at 9:30 and 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM
Hear these gospel lessons:
| Sunday Class: | What The Devil Sees In Your Marriage |
| AM Sermon: | Counted Worthy To Suffer For His Name |
| PM Sermon: | Distractions Of The Devil |
| Monday: | Is It Lawful To Divorce For Every Cause? |
| Tuesday: | Excuses For Sin |
| Wednesday: | How Is It You Do Not Understand? |
| Thursday: | Soft Preachers And Soft Preaching |
| Friday: | When Satan Calls |
Bring your Bible and join us in learning God’s word and will for our lives!
(From
I-5 take Exit # 255 and go East 4.2 miles)
For more information please call (360) 752-2692
People expect many different things to happen at the end of the world. The word of God makes it very clear that Jesus Christ will return one day, and in that moment this world and everything in it will be consumed (2 Pet. 3:10). People may scoff at such a prospect if they wish, but one day the scoffing will end as "every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11). With Peter we ask, "Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Pet. 3:11)?
A brief look at what to expect when Christ returns when the world ends will help us have greater determination to be faithful to Christ every moment of our lives.
When Christ returns, all people can expect: 1) To be resurrected from the dead (Jno. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:21-22), 2) A judgment of one's life (Heb. 9:27), and 3) A reward commensurate with one's life (2 Cor. 5:10).
When Christ returns, Christians can expect to receive: 1) Eternal life (Titus 1:2), 2) A heavenly inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3-4), 3) Glory with Christ (Col. 3:4), 4) Rest (2 Thess. 1:7), and 5) A home with Christ forever (1 Thess. 4:17).
When Christ returns, those who are not Christians (lost) can expect to receive: 1) Eternal punishment/destruction (2 Thess. 1:8), 2) Divine vengeance (2 Thess. 1:7), and 3) Eternal sorrow and pain (Matt. 25:30; Mk. 9:43-48).
With these
future prospects, what is keeping you from being a Christian? Or, are you
convincing yourself you can be a halfhearted Christian and yet go to heaven
when Jesus returns? God does not deserve and never will accept second place
in our hearts and lives. This glimpse into future events assures us we must
be preparing now for our own death and for Christ's return. Are you ready to
meet Jesus? Obey His gospel, become a Christian without delay. Get ready to
meet your God.
Decency Demolition Derby
Joe R. Price
Cooper Union College, New York City, "claims to be the first college in the country to completely remove gender signage from all campus bathrooms. Instead of reading “men” or “women,” the doors will now hold signs labeling “restrooms with urinals and stalls,” “restrooms with only stalls” and “restroom single occupancy” ("Cooper Union removes gender designations from restrooms," Abbey Schubert, Northwestern University 12:02 pm EDT April 4, 2016, college.usatoday.com). So if a male feels his gender is really female, he may enter the rest room used by teenage coeds, no questions asked.
We are told the rationale is so the transgender/"gender non-conforming"/"non-binary" students will feel accepted and have a non-threatening environment. What about the non-trans teenager and her safe environment?
Decency is
being demolished in America. Like sinful Judah, "Were they at all ashamed
when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, nor
did they know how to blush" (Jer. 8:12).
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-17
1. Behavior
reveals our heart, our motives, our goals, our values, our faith (and
our unbelief), our treasure..., Prov. 4:23.
2. Sharp contrast to the behavior of the world, and how we behaved in
the world before our conversion to Christ.
I. YOUR FORMER CONDUCT (before you were a Christian).
A. You
Lived in the Flesh, Eph. 2:1-3; Gal. 5:16-17, 19-21; Rom. 7:13-25; 2 Pet.
2:7-8.
B.
Your "Old Man" was Driven by Darkness and Lust, Eph. 4:22 (17-19).
C. You
Lived in Confusion and Evil, Jas. 3:13-16. (Tumult) 2 Cor. 12:20
D.
Former Religious Zeal, Gal. 1:13. Without knowledge, Rom. 10:3.
E.
Aimless (empty, vacuous, fruitless, worthless), 1 Pet. 1:18 (Jas. 1:26).
II. YOUR CONDUCT AS A CHRISTIAN.
A. Worthy
of the Gospel, Phil. 1:27-30.
B. In
Simplicity and Godly Sincerity, 2 Cor. 1:12. 1 Ths. 2:10
C. Be
an Example to Other Christians, 1 Tim. 4:12.
D.
Contentment, not Covetousness, Heb. 13:5.
E.
Good Conduct of Heavenly Wisdom, Jas. 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:16.
F.
Holiness and Godly Fear, 1 Pet. 1:15, 17; 2 Pet. 3:11.
G.
Honorable, 2 Pet. 2:12 (Matt. 5:16).
H.
Purity, 1 Pet. 3:1-2. Pure of carnality, modest (Titus 2:5)
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Scripture Reading: Psalm 26:1-8
1. Can we
think the way Christ thinks?
2. Our hearts (minds) are tested by God, Psa. 7:9; Psa. 26:1-3.
3. Disciples must think like their Master, Lk. 6:40; Matt. 10:24; 1 Jno.
2:6.
I. THE MIND OF CHRIST IS AVAILABLE TO US THROUGH THE GOSPEL GIVEN THROUGH HIS APOSTLES, 1 Cor. 2:16 (1-15); 2 Cor. 4:5-7
A. We
Preach (Proclaim) the Mind of Christ, 1 Cor. 2:1-3, 6-9.
B. We
have the Mind of Christ Confirmed by Miracles, 1 Cor. 2:4; Heb. 2:3-4.
C. We
have the Mind of Christ through Revelation, 1 Cor. 2:10-12.
D. We
have the Mind of Christ via Verbal Inspiration, 1 Cor. 2:13.
E.
Question: Who Will Receive the Mind of Christ? 1 Cor. 2:14-16 Isa. 40:13-14
(Rom. 11:33-35)
II. CHRISTIANS ARE TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, Phil. 2:5.
A.
Disciples Put the Word of Christ into their Minds, Col. 3:16; Matt. 11:29;
Eph. 4:20-24 (20).
B. As
Disciples, We Cannot Follow the Examples of Christ Unless We Start Thinking
Like Christ, 1 Pet. 4:1-2.
C.
Some Ways to Think Like Christ.
Conclusion
1. If you think like the world you will die with the world, 2 Cor.
4:1-4.
2. When our minds are set on heavenly things, our lives reflect our heavenly
citizenship, Col. 3:2, 4.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
A Time to Speak
Joe R. Price
Friday, April 15 was a "Day of Silence" in colleges, high schools and many middle schools across America. Arranged by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), students were urged to remain silent at school to bring "attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT" (dayofsilence.org). "Students are encouraged to wear special pro-homosexual badges, stickers, and bracelets -- which are often handed out at the school entrances that day. There are also pro-LGBT posters in the hallways, handouts, and even workshops" ("How to confront the ‘Day of Silence’ and other LGBT propaganda in schools," lifesitenews.com).
Let's be clear. We object to all actions of bullying and intimidation - including those by the LGBT community toward its opponents. Opposition to LGBT on moral grounds is not an issue of "name-calling, bullying and harassment." We see clearly the sleight of hand being used by the LGBT supporters when any resistance to their sinful conduct is labeled as bigoted, bullying and harassment. Hardly ever is objection viewed as a conscientious difference based on the moral convictions of personal faith. The reason is clear. The objective is not only to eliminate bullying, but especially to legitimize every part of the LGBT lifestyle. Therefore, any "anti-LGBT behavior" (like this article, for example) is viewed with contempt.
We will not be
bullied into silence for speaking out against the sins of LGBT. "Now, Lord,
look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness
they may speak Your word" (Acts 4:29). Now, as then, is a time to speak
(Eccl. 3:7).
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 04/18/2016
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