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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 19, Number 19
01/15/2017

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:


This Grace In Which We Stand
Joe R. Price

Grace (charis) is defined as “favor” bestowed upon another (Vine, Thayer). As used in Scripture, God’s grace (favor) toward sinners is unmerited, undeserved; but it is not unconditional (else there would be universal salvation, 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23). God loves sinners and offered us grace in Christ, even when we were dead in our sins (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:4-5; Titus 2:11-12; 3:4-7). “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” explains the unmerited nature of God’s grace (Rom. 3:24). Furthermore, God is the “justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus,” assuring us that the condition upon which grace is obtained is “faith in Jesus” (necessarily including obedience, Jas. 2:17-24; Heb. 5:8-9), and not “the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:26-28).

Through Jesus Christ “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2). As we rejoice in hope, let us think upon this grace in which we stand.

Grace is not a license to continue to sin. Even though grace is greater than sin, we cannot continue in sin so that grace will abound (Rom. 5:20-6:2). We cannot take a careless, cavalier attitude toward sin, mistakenly exalting grace at the expense of repentance and denial of the flesh. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” focuses our attention on God’s grace that saves us as well as the obedient faith required to stand in grace through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:13-14; 5:1-2).

Grace does not excuse unrepented sin in the judgment. We should not think we can ignore, rationalize, minimize, or redefine sin until the day of judgment, at which time God’s grace will allow us entrance into eternal life anyway (2 Cor. 5:10). Instead, “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:14-16).

God’s grace cannot be separated from God’s word. Grace brought salvation to the world. Grace also teaches us to deny sin and live “soberly, righteously and godly” (Titus 2:11-12). The lost are saved by “the gospel of the grace of God” and the saved are built up and given an inheritance by “the word of His grace” (Acts 20:24, 32).

The grace of God includes the commands of God. The apostle Peter wrote, “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand” (1 Pet. 5:12). What Peter briefly wrote to the saints (the epistle of 1 Peter) contained instruction about the “true grace of God.” So, by learning what the apostle wrote in his epistle, we can understand components of “true grace of God.”

1 Peter explains the grace of God in which we stand. God’s grace expects us to obey and live holy (1 Pet. 1:13-16), to abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Pet. 2:11-12), to submit to civil government (1 Pet. 2:13-17), to meet our spousal responsibilities (1 Pet. 3:1-7), to put away worldliness (sexual immorality, drinking, drunkenness and associated riotous conduct, 1 Pet. 4:1-3), to abstain from idolatry (1 Pet. 4:3), to be hospitable (1 Pet. 4:9), as elders oversee local churches (1 Pet. 5:1-3). These are but some of the instructions God’s grace teaches us so that we may stand in the true grace of God (Acts 20:32; Tit. 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:12). We cannot violate “the word of His grace” and still abide in “the true grace of God" (Acts 20:28-32; 1 Pet. 5:12). Any attempt to extend the blessings of fellowship and unity among God’s people beyond the boundaries of revealed truth, and then justify that broadening upon the basis of God’s grace, has failed to properly define the grace of God. One cannot disobey the teachings of God and legitimately claim to stand in His grace.

When we obey Jesus we are not establishing a righteousness of our own that is contrary to grace. Noah did not establish his own means of righteousness when he obeyed God and built the ark. Neither did Abraham when he prepared to offer Isaac as God commanded  (Heb. 11:7, 17; Jas. 2:22-24). These men obtained God’s grace because in faith, they obeyed God’s word. So shall we.

Now, for an application that has drawn a lot of attention among brethren: Marriage, divorce and remarriage. The Christian who disobeys Christ’s teaching on marriage, divorce and remarriage has ceased to live by faith, thereby forfeiting fellowship with Christ and the salvation “by grace, through faith” once obtained in Him (2 Jno. 9; Eph. 2:8-10). Due to practicing sin, this Christian is no longer standing in the true grace of God. When one moves away from obeying and teaching the revealed gospel of Christ, he removes himself from the grace of Christ (Gal. 1:6-9). He has fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4, 7). That includes one’s practice (and teaching) on marriage, divorce and remarriage. (Remember, Peter wrote about marriage in his discourse on the “true grace of God,” 1 Peter 3:1-7.)

Standing in grace does not mean God will accept us in spite of our sin (1 Jno. 2:1-2, 1:9). We cannot “agree to disagree” with God and still be saved (Amos 3:3; Jno. 17:20-21).

We stand in the true grace of God when we obey God’s commands in faith (Acts 20:32; Rom. 5:1-2). By doing so, we are not saved by our own righteousness (which would require sinless perfection, Rom. 4:1-5). We are but unprofitable servants doing our duty to our Master (Lk. 17:10). Like Abraham, we are sinners, saved by grace through faith.

Let us “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Live by faith, and stand in grace (Rom. 5:2). 

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

The "Spirit of the Law" v. the "Letter of the Law"

Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:10-14

1. Bible does not suggest a “spirit” v. “letter” conflict, Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 3:5-6.
2. It is said: “If you keep the letter of the law, the outcome is death.” Wrong, Gal. 3:10-14.
3. It is said: “The Pharisees kept the letter of the law.” No, Matt. 15:1-9; 23:1-3.
4. Promoting this alleged conflict produces self-defined righteousness, Rom. 10:3-10.

I. THE PROBLEM:  SUBJECTIVE STANDARD FOR FAITH v. AN ABSOLUTE STANDARD OF TRUTH FOR FAITH, cf. Rom. 1:16-17.

  A. “Spirit of the Law” is Code for a Self-Defined Approach to Righteousness.
  B. “Spirit of the Law” is Code for Tolerant Grace and Mercy from God. Jer. 6:14; Psa. 85:10-13; Eph. 2:4-10. Gen. 6:8-9; 6:22-7:1
  C. “Letter of the Law” is Code Disparaging Careful Understanding of and Obedience to God’s Revelation of Truth, 2 Tim. 3:10; Isa. 8:19-20; 1:10; Jno. 6:68; Rom. 7:10-12.

II. GOD ALWAYS WANTS OUR SPIRIT AND OUR OBEDIENCE.

III. THE WAY OF MAN v. THE WAY OF GOD.

  A. The Way of Man, Jer. 10:23; Prov. 16:18.
  B. The Way of God, Isa. 55:8-11; Rom. 7:12.
  C. We Choose the Way We Will Go, Josh. 24:15; Matt. 7:13-14; Gal. 6:7-8.

Conclusion
1. Christ has given us an understanding, 1 Jno. 5:20; Jno. 14:6; 8:31-32; 6:60-63, 68.
2. How are you going to know Jesus without knowing His word?

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

When the Foundations are Destroyed

Scripture Reading: Psalm 11

1. Foundation is the support and stay of a structure. When it erodes, the structure fails, Psa. 11:4.
2. Even as it is true of buildings, it is true of individuals, nations and the church of Christ.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF BELIEF IN GOD, Psa. 14:1; Heb. 11:6.

  A. The Creator is Ignored and Denied, Psa. 94:8-11; Rom. 1:20-23; Psa. 95:6; Mal. 1:6; Matt. 15:7-9 (Jno. 4:24).
  B. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Heb. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 4:12; Jno. 20:29-31.

II. THE FOUNDATION OF MARRIAGE.

  -25% of Millennials do not get married; about 40% 1st marriages divorce.
  A. Marriage is the Cornerstone of the Family, Gen. 2:18-25; Col. 3:18-21.
  B. The Dishonoring and Dissolution of Marriage, Mal. 2:13-16; Heb. 13:4; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; Gen. 2:24.

III. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH, 1 Tim. 3:15.

  A. The Church is to Uphold and Secure Itself by the Truth, Eph. 5:31-32, 25-27; Jno. 8:31-32; Jas. 1:21-22; Col. 3:17.
  B. The Church is Held in Low Regard Today, Even by Christians, Rev. 2:4-5; 1 Pet. 2:11-12 (2 Tim. 4:10); 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6-7; Gal. 3:1.

Conclusion
1. Who do you trust? Psa. 11:1-3 (Heb. 11:6)
2. Strengthen the foundations.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Threats and Deterrence
Joe R. Price

Defense Secretary nominee General James Mattis said at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, “’I think [the world order is] under the biggest attack since World War II … from Russia, from terrorist groups and with what China is doing in the South China Sea.’ To address this, Mattis testified, ‘deterrence is critical’” (“Defense secretary nominee Mattis warns world order under historic threat,” foxnews.com).

We concern ourselves with even more serious threats as the people of God. Like national threats, spiritual threats require adequate deterrence to hold them at bay, and finally, to be victorious over them in Christ (Eph. 6:13).

There are threats from our adversary, the devil (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan is constantly looking for opportunities to tempt us to yield the precious ground of holy living to the flesh and its fleeting, sinful pleasures. The apostle advises us to be “sober” (self-controlled) and “vigilant” (watchful) in order to resist sin’s temptations. Faith prevails put to the test by evil (1 Jno. 5:4). Live by faith, and overcome the world.

There are threats from spiritual apathy and complacency. This prevents spiritual development, which in turn hinders our ability to spread the gospel as well as guard against spiritual threats (see Heb. 5:12-14; 6:1-12). Apathy toward spiritual growth is laziness, and a lazy, complacent faith is bound to be overrun by the enemy. The armor of God is worn by the Christian who zealously stands “against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-17).

There are threats from within and without. The Ephesian elders were warned of both threats by Paul in Acts 20:29-30. Whether it is false teachers or factious brethren, they must be deterred by “contend(ing) earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3-4). A local church does not remain faithful by relying on the past, but by continually pressing forward in faith (Rev. 2:4-5; 3:1-2). Inertia dooms nations. Spiritual inertia dooms churches and Christians. And so, press onward and upward (Phil. 3:12-16). 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  01/16/2017

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