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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 19, Number 03
09/18/2016

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 September 25 - 30, 2016

The Mt. Baker
Church of Christ


1860 Mt. Baker Highway • Bellingham WA

Invites you to our

GOSPEL MEETING

With Evangelist

Steve Wallace
(Grayslake, Illinois)

September 25 - 30, 2016

Monday-Friday at 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 25th at 9:30 and 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

Hear these gospel lessons:

Sunday Class: Anger in the Home
AM Sermon: Political Correctness and the Bible
PM Sermon: Lasciviousness
Monday: Cooperation
Tuesday: Sons of the Restorers
Wednesday: Adjusting to Our Changing Situation
Thursday: “He baptized him”
Friday: Eternity

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

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There Are No Scriptural Oxymorons
Ralph L. Myers

Recently, I made the correct and wise decision to ask for forgiveness of God, Jesus and the members of Mt Baker Church of Christ for living a life that was not acceptable to the Lord. Jesus crucifixion on the cross at Calvary was the ultimate sacrifice, assuring all people on the earth would be forgiven of their sins and receive the blessing of salvation when they repent, confess their faith and are buried in baptism. During his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, Peter said to those in attendance, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)

Because of my seeking forgiveness, I guess many in a secular world would say that I am a “new old” Christian or (perhaps as they like to refer to those that have sought forgiveness), they would say I am a “born again Christian,” a term which is oxymoronic. The New Edition of the Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word oxymoron as meaning a “combination of contradictory words, a phrase such as, alone in a crowd.” However, when I asked for forgiveness for living a sinful life for most of the years I have been alive, I didn’t become a “new old Christian.” Instead, I became a Christian who again was in good standing with God; forgiven of my previous sins. No, I was not a new Christian, nor was I an old or “born again” Christian. I was merely a Christian whose faith and goal to live a life that is acceptable in the eyes of God and Christ according to the scriptures was reestablished.

During a recent bible study of the Book of Acts, brother Joe pointed out as an example of a lie that a “certain man named Ananias along with his wife Sapphira” sold a possession and they kept back (withheld) a part of the proceeds and they laid it at the apostle’s feet (quotation is from Acts 5:1). Both Ananias and his wife knew they had only turned over a portion of their gain. But, they represented or implied that they had in fact given all of the proceeds to the apostles. Rather than being honest and straightforward with the Apostle Peter that they had withheld a portion of their gain, they committed what many in today’s world would consider being simply “a little white lie.” There was no reason to lie, because they were not commanded or expected to give all of their proceeds to the apostles. Due to their lies they were punished by God, suffering a punishment they would not have received (the loss of their lives) if they had only told the truth. What many today would construe as “a little white lie” cost them everything. The oxymoronic or contradictory combination of the words “a little white lie” conflicts with what it was in reality; an egregious lie. A lie is a lie, and as illustrated in Acts 5, there is or was no degree or classification of what they did as being minor - “little white lie.”

Meeting with brothers Joe and Tanner during this past week I was tasked with committing to memory 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth.” Ananias and Sapphira, instead of dividing the word of truth, didn’t even attempt to tell the truth. They paid the ultimate price for not doing so.

In today’s world, life and living are full of oxymoronic examples of the meaning of words and phrases. When we Christians hear them and apply what the scriptures say, there are no oxymoronic or double-entendre meanings, only the truth simply and clearly stated in the words of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The scriptures we are commanded to live by are the truth that sets us free (Jno 8: 31-32).

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

Faltering Faith

Scripture Reading:  Luke 22:31-34

1. Sin and its temptation deceives us, lurking (in our minds) to entice us and slay our souls.
2. Luke 22:31-34 (32)–Fail: “cease,” to be absent, to die; “to disappoint, prove undependable to; to have a state or process cease.”
3. Peter’s faith faltered, but it did not cease.
4. Jesus is our relief during times of trial that challenge our faith ,1 Jno. 2:1-2.

I. FAITH FALTERS WHEN OUR FOCUS IS MISPLACED.

  A. Focus on the Past: “Remember the good old days” Eccl. 7:10. 1 Tim. 1:13; Rev. 2:5; 3:2-3.
  B. Focus on the Future, not the Past, Phil. 3:12-14; Heb. 5:11, 14; 6:11-12; Rom. 13:11-14.

II. FAITH FALTERS WHEN FAITH IS WEAK.

  A. When We Begin to Doubt the Presence and Power of God, Psa. 42:1-3; Job 2:9-10; Psa. 6:1-3; 1 Jno. 1:9; Lk. 22:32.
  B. Let Us Use God’s Ways for Strengthening Our Personal Faith, Heb. 5:13-14; Matt. 6:31-34; Mk. 4:37-41; Psa. 42:5-8, 9-11; Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 13:5-6.

III. FAITH FALTERS WHEN WE NEGLECT PRESENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUTURE ACCOUNTABILITY.

  A. The Present Gives Us Opportunities We Must Not Neglect, Matt. 25:14-18.
  B. Future Accountability Motivates Us to be Diligent in Faith, Matt. 25:19-21, 23, 26.

Conclusion   Trust in God’s promise, Rom. 4:19-22. Seek the Lord, return to Him, Isa. 55:6-7.

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

Plundered Treasure (Part 1)

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 3:18-23

1. All things are yours, 1 Cor. 3:21-23 (18-20). We have great treasure in Christ.
2. It is possible for others to plunder our treasures in Christ, Col. 2:8 (2-3).
3. When this happens, faith falters, hope is unsure, and love is unstable (1 Cor. 13:13).

I. WE MUST NOT LET PEOPLE PLUNDER (TAKE AWAY) OUR TREASURE.

  A. Do Not Let Catholics Plunder the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Heb. 9:28; 10:11-12.
  B. Do Not Let Protestants Plunder the Music in Our Worship, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12.
  C. Do Not Let Evangelicals Plunder Our Relationship with Christ, Jno. 14:23; 1 Cor. 1:9 (Eph. 2:5-6); Jno. 13:13-14; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Heb. 2:11-12; Jno. 15:14; Jas. 2:21-23.
  D. Do Not Let Pentecostals Plunder Being Led by the Holy Spirit, Gal. 5:16-18, 25; Eph. 5:17-18; Col. 3:16; cf. Rom. 8:7-11.
  E. Do Not Let Premillennialists Plunder the Kingdom, Col. 1:13; Mk. 1:15; 9:1 (Lk. 17:20-21); Matt. 16:18-19; 2 Pet. 1:11.

Conclusion
1. The perversions of the gospel by men must not deter us from boldly living by its truth, Gal. 1:6-10.
2. Denominational doctrines are the “wisdom of this world” and “foolishness with God,” 1 Cor. 3:18-20.
3. “All things are yours,” 1 Cor. 3:21-23.
4. Do not let men rob you of your treasure in Christ.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Violent Disrespect of Others
Joe R. Price

Paul described himself prior to his conversion as “an insolent man” (1 Tim. 1:13). He treated others with aggressive disrespect. He was “violently arrogant” (footnote, NKJV), treating others with offensive disrespect and insults (cf. Acts 8:3; 22:4; 26:9-11). The recent violence toward police officers in our country testifies to this violent disrespect in the world (see NYPD officers attacked by man with meat cleaver, and Phoenix police intentionally rundown).

Violence and pride are treated as companions in Romans 1:30, where they are associated with “haters of God” and being “disobedient to parents.” Disrespecting and insulting others grows out of a prideful heart, one that cares less for others and more for self. We ought to pause and consider whether we are also being insolent, treating others with disrespect, insults, or even violence.

We must be respectful to God. Reverence for God is expressed by humble obedience, without which, we will not be acceptable to Him (Acts 10:34-35).

Children must be respectful to their parents. The respectful treatment of our parents does not end with adulthood (Eph. 6:2; Lev. 19:32).

Spouses must be respectful to each other. The one flesh relationship of marriage is dishonored by prideful insults and disrespectful treatment (Eph. 5:28-31, 33).

Brethren must be respectful to each other. We enhance unity in the church by considering our brethren as more important ourselves (Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:3).

We avoid insolence by treating others with humility, by loving God and by loving our neighbor as ourselves. 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  09/19/2016

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