And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 18, Number
37
05/08/2016
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:
Why does the farmer plow his fields from sunrise to sundown during the blistering hot summer? Because he hopes for the harvest (1 Cor. 9:10). Hope energizes us to endure through present trials.
Hope combines our desires and expectations, producing a powerful force that influences faith and living. Unfortunately, hope can be misplaced. Many put their hope in the wrong things. They hope in money, as if that will solve their problems. It will not (Eccl. 2:8, 10-11; Matt. 6:19-21, 24; 1 Tim. 6:6-10). Others hope in their own wisdom and power (1 Cor. 1:18-25). Others hope in their fame. Some put their hope in their own strength to overcome, as if they need no one and nothing else (Jer. 17:5). None of these things give true hope. The Bible is clear that none of these things can possibly assure us of heaven.
Christians rejoice in the hope of eternal life that is found in Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:2; 12:12; Col. 1:27). We were “saved in hope” (Rom. 8:24). The gospel called us to the living hope of eternal life (Eph. 4:4; Titus 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:3). Christ is our “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). He alone is the source and the culmination of our hope of future, heavenly glory (Col. 3:4; Heb. 6:19-20).
Learning from the past strengthens our hope of the future. Romans 15:4 says this is exactly why we must learn the Old Testament Scriptures. Here are a few of those Scriptures that comfort us and strengthen our hope:
1) Genesis 3:15: The hope of victory over Satan and sin is predicted. The gospel reveals this victory in Jesus.
2) Judges 7: Hope is sustained as we watch Gideon and God's 300 defeat the massive army of Midian. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 Jno. 5:4).
3) 1 Samuel 17: David’s faith to face Goliath comforts us in hope as we face giant opponents of truth and godliness even today.
4) Psalms 16:8-11: We are comforted knowing David’s hope for the future was not in vain. God fulfilled His promises to David through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-32, 34-36). He will fulfill His promises to us, too.
5) 1 Kings 18:20-40: The dramatic display of God’s presence and power at Mt. Carmel confirms that our hope in the living God is properly placed.
6) Ezekiel 37:1-14: Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones returning to life gave the remnant hope to endure the Babylonian exile. God turns death into life. What joyous hope!
The Christian’s hope is sure and steadfast. Our hope is an anchor that secures us in life’s storms, safely mooring us to God’s grace through our faith (Heb. 6:19-20). Let us ever “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2).
"You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead"
Joe R. Price
The Lord commanded the apostle John,
1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis, write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 3:1-6)
This ominous warning continues to resonant with relevance among the churches of Christ today. We must ever guard against arrogant self-righteousness. The following poem aptly expresses what happens when the Lord's warning goes unheeded.
SARDIS
With prideful
hearts and itching ears
They searched the land both far and near
To find a man they could revere
Who’d give them words of peace and cheer.
He made
controversy cease
With words to put their minds at ease.
His sermons all a masterpiece
Of eloquent psycholo-gese.
And when at
last his sermon’s o’er
He oils his way across the floor
Oozing love from every pore
He meets the people at the door
To invite them back for more.
His doctrine is
polite détente.
He’s everybody’s confidant.
His name is written in large font.
He’s exactly what they want.
His tactics
makes their numbers surge.
With other groups they will converge.
Of something grand they’re on the verge.
A brand new cult will soon emerge.
If you ask that
you may see
Where is their authority
It is clear that you must be
A legalistic Pharisee.
God’s Holy Word
was once their bread.
Now eloquence they have instead,
Their numbers show they’re way ahead.
“A
vibrant church” of them it’s said,
But, alas, I fear they’re dead.
-Anonymous
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-19
1.
Influence is the force and power of godly actions
and the examples they set, 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7.
a.
Young people on believers, 1 Tim. 4:12.
b.
Young men on opponents, Titus 2:6-8.
c.
Godly spouse on her/his partner, 1 Pet. 3:1-7.
d.
Christian on the ungodly, 1 Pet. 2:11-12.
2. There are also evil influences to avoid.
I. THE POWER OF EVIL INFLUENCES, Prov. 22:24-25; 1 Kgs. 11:1-4.
A. The
Corrupting Influence of Evil and Error, 1 Cor. 5:6-8.
1.
Through the persuasion of false teachers, Gal. 5:7-9 (teaching, Matt.
16:6, 12); 2 Tim. 2:14.
2.
Through the deception of lust, Prov. 6:25-29; cf. Heb. 3:13.
B. The
Corrupting Influence of Unfaithful Christians, 1 Cor. 5:6; 8:10-13; 2 Tim.
2:16-18.
1.
Our sin can influence other Christians to join us in sin, Gal. 2:11-13.
2.
Our sin can influence unbelievers to reject God, Rom. 2:24; 1 Tim. 6:1; Tit.
2:5.
C.
The Corrupting Influence of the Ungodly, Mk. 15:11.
-Influence
of evil associations results in:
-Misery, Num. 33:55.
-Parental shame, Prov. 28:7.
-Moral defilement, 1 Cor. 15:33.
-Denial of Christ, Jno. 18:18, 25.
-Apostasy, 1 Kgs. 11:2.
-Divine wrath, 2 Chron. 19:2; Prov. 13:20.
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Scripture Reading: Psalm 26:1-8
The power
of the influence of the gospel, Rom. 1:16; Col. 1:3-6.
a.
Power to change the mind, Eph. 4:20-23.
b.
Power to change our conduct, Eph. 4:24; 5:8-10.
c.
Power to change spiritual condition (from death to life), 2 Tim. 1:10.
d.
Power to turn darkness into light, 2 Cor. 4:4.
II. THE POWER OF GODLY INFLUENCES.
A. The
Flavoring and Preserving Power of a Godly Influence, Matt. 5:13; Mk. 9:50.
1.
Flavors with goodness, Col. 4:6 (Prov. 15:1).
2.
Preserves godliness, Ezek. 22:30.
3.
Creates thirst for righteousness, Matt. 5:6.
B. The
Saving Power of a Godly Influence, 1 Pet. 3:1-2; 2:11-12.
C.
The Encouraging Power of a Godly Influence, 2 Cor. 9:1-2; Heb. 10:24-25.
D. The
Evangelizing Power of a Godly Influence, 1 Thess. 1:8-10.
E. The
Enduring Power of a Godly Influence, Heb. 11:4, 35-40.
Conclusion
1. No one should say, “I have no influence!” As surely as the sun
influences the earth, your life influences many people in unseen ways.
2. No one should say, “I am not influenced by others!" As surely as the moon
influences the tides, you are influenced by the people around you and the
values they hold.
3. Pursue the influence of godliness and flee the influence of the world, 1
Tim. 6:11.
4. Overcome evil with good, Rom. 12:21.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
The Earth Shakes
Joe R. Price
I heard a news report this week speculating on the "big one" that is overdue along the southern San Andreas fault in California. Today's headline says the US Geological Survey reports "they have discovered a swarm of small earthquakes underneath Mount St. Helens since March, which could mean it's recharging with magma," although there is no indication of an eruption anytime soon ("USGS says swarm of earthquakes detected below Mount St. Helens," FoxNews.com).
The earth has great and powerful forces working upon it at all times. These forces remind us of God's great power to create and sustain this world (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).
Our minds are drawn to a moment in time when God's voice "shook the earth" (Heb. 12:18-21, 25-26). He spoke from Mt. Sinai, and men trembled.
It is this same God who has now spoken to us "by His Son" (Heb. 1:2). He has now promised, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven" (Heb. 12:26). He promises a great day of judgment when temporal, material things will be consumed, and eternal things remain (Heb. 12:27-28). The kingdom of God, the church of Christ, is unshakeable, enduring into eternity (Dan. 2:44). Therefore, we ought to fear God, who is "a consuming fire" and prepare for His day of judgment (Heb. 12:29).
Many will
prepare for the next earthquake or volcanic eruption. But will they prepare
for "the day of the Lord" when the heavens will pass away and the earth will
melt with fervent heat (2 Pet. 3:10)? Get ready. It's coming.
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 05/08/2016
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
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