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

THE
 SPIRIT’S
 SWORD

Volume 15, Number 31
09/23/2012

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 30 - October 5, 2012

Mt. Baker church of Christ
Gospel Meeting

September 30-October 5, 2012

Evangelist
Keith Greer
(Harrodsburg, KY.)

Bible lessons nightly, Mon-Fri at 7:00 PM
 Sunday, September 30th at 9:30 & 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

"Practical Lessons for Every Christian"

                                                                          Sunday Class - Salvation and Blood

                                                                          Sunday AM – Putting the Past--In the Past (1)

                                                                          Sunday PM – Putting the Past--In the Past (2)

                                                                          Monday - Storms of Life

                                                                          Tuesday – Prayerlessness--What Happens When We Fail to Pray?

                                                                          Wednesday – Rekindle the Fire

                                                                          Thursday – Preaching What We Practice

                                                                          Friday - Taking Up My Cross

Learn about New Testament Christianity!

The gospel is God’s power to save us!  (Romans 1:16)

(From I-5 take Exit # 255 and go East 4.2 miles)
For more information please call (360) 752-2692

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Children and Accountability
 Joe R. Price

Accountability means taking responsibility for one’s actions. It is answering for one’s conduct. In a spiritual usage it implies that one has the mental and moral capacity to make decisions that affect one’s standing before God. When a person has the mental and moral capacity to make decisions, God holds him accountable for those decisions (Rom. 14:12; Ezek. 18:20). Conversely, when one does not have the moral or mental capability to make decisions we necessarily conclude God does not hold him answerable in spite of that inability (2 Cor. 8:12). Therefore, we judge infants and small children are not morally accountable to God. They are innocent of sin because their moral capacity has not yet developed to the point of discerning good and evil and in turn, of choosing sin (Matt. 18:3; 19:14).

There comes a time when children become morally responsible before God for their attitudes and actions (Rom. 7:9).  There is no magic age in the Bible assuring us that from that moment on a child is morally developed and therefore accountable to God for his or her attitudes and actions. Every child develops at a different rate.

Still, the Bible gives us a picture of young people who understood their accountability to God and who decided to obey God in their youth. Joseph was seventeen years old when he was sold into Egyptian slavery. As a youth he faced tremendous challenges to his faith (Gen. 37:2). Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight, and at sixteen years of age he began to seek after God (2 Chrn. 34:1-3). From an early age he recognized his responsibility to and his accountability before God. Jesus was twelve years old when he said that he must “be about my Father’s business” (Lk. 2:42, 49).

These Bible examples of young people teach us several things, including:

1. Young people can and should think about God. We must encourage them to remember God in their youth (Eccl. 12:1).

2. Children can and should be learning about God. Early instruction from God’s word is invaluable to their spiritual development (Eph. 6:4).

3. Parents, grandparents and concerned brethren are the ones who must teach children to prepare for their accountability before God (2 Tim. 1:5). If we wait until they are close to the age of moral capacity and accountability, we have waited far too long (Psa. 78:4-8).

Unless we teach our children about God and Christ, about moral responsibility, accountability and living by faith, no one else will. Then, they must choose whom they will serve. 

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

We Wish to See Jesus (3)

Scripture Reading:  Luke 19:1-6

1. We have “seen” Jesus in different aspects of His work revealed in Scriptures (Pt. 1 & 2). These inspired portraits of Jesus secure our faith, Heb. 2:9.
2. We also want to see Jesus as our Exemplar (standard, pattern): The one after whom we pattern ourselves, 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jno. 2:5-6.

I. WE SEE JESUS AS OUR FAITHFUL EXAMPLE, TEACHING US:

  A. Genuine Obedience to God, Heb. 5:7-9.
    1. Faithfulness, Jno. 8:28-29, 55.
    2. Obedience, Matt. 26:39-44.
    3. Jesus came to do Father’s will, Jno. 6:38.
  B. Service to Others, Jno. 13:3-17.
    1. Know your mission, 13:3, 16 (Gal. 5:13).
    2. Rise up and serve, 13:4-11.
    3. Maintain humility, 13:13, 16 (1 Pet. 5:5).
    4. Blessed by doing, 13:17.
    5. How? cf. Gal. 6:1-10
  C. Sacrifice, Matt. 20:28 (“to offer up”).
    1. Heaven, 2 Cor. 8:9 (cf. Jno. 17:5).
    2. Home (comfort, security), Lk. 9:58.
    3. Health (life), 1 Pet. 2:21-24.
    4. Discipleship: Call to sacrifice, Mk. 8:34ff.
  D. Compassion, Matt. 9:35-38, 11-13; Lk. 15:1-7; 6:33-38; Matt. 5:7; Jas. 2:13.
  E. Time Management, Jno. 9:4; 4:34-35.
  F. Respect for Authority, Jno. 14:28; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:12-13.

II. SHOW JESUS TO OTHERS WHEN THEY SEE YOU, Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:1.

Conclusion

1. With Jesus as our Savior and our Exemplar we are saved and we are taught how to live to the glory of God. Lk. 6:40
2. Jesus has left us an example for us to follow His steps, 1 Pet. 2:21.

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

Faith and Bible Authority (Bible Authority, Part 16)

Scripture Reading:  James 1:21-25

1. Series on Bible authority designed to build and reinforce respect for the authority of God as we live by faith. Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17
2. The constant choice before us all is whether to respect and obey the authority of Christ, Col. 2:8-10, 20-23; Matt. 21:25; Acts 4:12.

I. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS SUBMITTING TO BIBLE AUTHORITY.

  A. Great Faith Draws Necessary Inferences as it Submits to the Authority of Christ, Lk. 7:1-3, 6-8, 9 (Heb. 11:1, 6).
  B. Great Faith Loves Christ by Obeying His Commands, Jno 14:15; 1 Jno. 5:3; 3:18.
  C. Great Faith Follows the Examples of Christ in Hope, 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17-21.

II. FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S COMMANDMENT, 1 Tim. 1:3-5.

  A. Bible Authority Establishes the Doctrine We Teach, 1:3-4 (Gal. 1:6-9).
  B. The Purpose of God’s Commandment (His Authority) is Love, 1:5.

III. GENUINE FAITH RESULT OF RESPECT FOR BIBLE AUTHORITY, Jas. 1:21-27.

  A. Cleanse Your Heart to Make Room for God’s Word, Jas. 1:21; 4:8.
  B. Implant God’s Word Deeply within Your Heart, Jas. 1:21.
  C. We Follow Bible Authority when we Obey the Word, Jas. 1:22-24.
  D. Faith at Work is Blessed: Submission to Bible Authority, Jas. 1:25-27 (Jno. 20:5, 11).

Conclusion: Gal. 5:5-7: Faith obeys the authority of Christ.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
 (Current events in the light of Scripture)

Did Jesus have a Wife?
 Joe R. Price

This week, Harvard professor Karen King presented to the world a 4th century Coptic papyrus fragment identified as “The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife”. “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife…’” is part of the inscription on the piece of papyrus that smaller than a business card and of unknown authorship.

“Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, even though no reliable historical evidence exists to support that claim,” King said in a statement released Tuesday by Harvard. “This new gospel doesn’t prove that Jesus was married, but it tells us that the whole question only came up as part of vociferous debates about sexuality and marriage.” (‘Jesus Said to Them, “My Wife...”’, Daniel Burke, Religious News Service, Christianity Today)

According to King’s statement, the silence of the Scriptures about Jesus being married is “Christian tradition” and insufficient evidence to conclude he was not married. Then again, she admits this so called “new gospel” does not provide evidence he was, only proof of the second and third century debate over “sexuality and marriage” (i.e., celibacy and its bearing on Christian virtue). We’ve known about that debate from the writings of the so-called “Church Fathers” along with the development of monasticism, etc. that led to the Roman Catholic doctrine of celibacy. That’s old news.

There is no Bible reason to believe Jesus had a wife. The Scriptures are silent on the subject (and that’s not “tradition”). The silence of the Scriptures does not give us consent to conjecture and concoct doctrines and practices which God’s word does not authorize (Heb. 7:13-14). The Scriptures do present Christ as a bridegroom and His church as a wife who is joined to Him (Eph. 5:22-33; Rom. 7:2-4; 2 Cor. 11:2).

We will not presume upon the silence of the Scriptures. We conclude Jesus was not married (but Peter was, Matt. 8:14). Celibacy is not a mark of greater devotion to Christ (1 Cor. 7:27-28). 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  09/23/2012

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