And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 23, Number
08
03/07/2021
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
In this issue:
How Can Jesus Be God and the Son of God?
Joe R. Price
It can be said in the same way it can be said of a man that he is man and the son of man. Jesus is human, and he came forth from humanity. Even so, it can be said that Jesus is God (Deity, see Jno. 1:1-3), the “Son of God” who came forth from God (Lk. 1:35; Jno. 16:27-28).
The expression “son of” conveys the idea of being like that of which one is the “son.” For instance, a “son of peace” was one who bore the character of peace (Lk. 10:6). the “sons of thunder” bore a thunderous nature (Mk. 3:17). A “son of the devil” bear the traits of their father (Jno. 8:44; Acts 13:10). Likewise, Christians are to be “sons of your Father” in heaven (Matt. 5:45).
In like manner, Jesus is God. He is Deity, the Almighty One, eternal God (Isa. 9:6; Jno. 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; 2:9). He is termed the “Son of God” to speak of His divine nature and character. “Son of God” also identifies Jesus as the Messiah of prophecy (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Psa. 2:7; Lk. 1:31-35). Jesus is Immanuel (“God with us,” Matt. 1:23).
A thorough definition of “Son of God” is found in John 10:30-38. Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (Jno. 10:30). The Jews tried to kill him because to call God his Father was to “make yourself God” (Jno. 10:33). Jesus reminded them even their law called some men “gods,” so it was not blasphemy to call the one “whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world” the “Son of God” (Jno. 10:34; Psa. 82:6; Jno. 10:36). Then, in John 10:38 Jesus said being the “Son of God” means that “the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” “Son of God” is Messianic terminology (see Isa. 9:6; 2 Sam. 7:13-14; Psa. 2:7; Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4; Heb. 1:5; 5:5). As such, it identifies the nature of the Messiah. He is “God with us.”
From the testimony of
Scripture we conclude that Jesus is God (Deity). Furthermore, the “Son of
God” (Messiah) fulfilled His work and mission as the Savior of the world
(Jno. 17:1-5).
Joe R. Price
Although many people do not wish to consider it or believe it, the Bible teaches there will be a judgment day when every person who has lived will be judged (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-6; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-13). Jesus Christ will be the Judge on that day (Jno. 5:26-27; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, we should all honor and obey Him now so that our judgment will be unto life rather than unto death (Matt. 25:31-46).
That great day of judgment will be when Almighty God renders His judgment against every disobedience, every vile passion, every faithless act, every neglected duty. It will be a great day of vindication for the gospel and for Christians as the saints of God are ushered into the eternal kingdom (2 Thess. 1:5-10; Rev. 19; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Rev. 21:1-7, 27). As for sinners, Judgment Day holds only the terrifying expectation of an eternity of utter darkness, agony and suffering because of their sins (Matt. 25:30; Mk. 9:43-48; Rom. 2:5-9; Rev. 20:15; 21:8). Knowing this truth ought to cause us to live holy lives in anticipation of the Lord’s return (2 Pet. 3:8-13).
No one should worry that their judgment will be unfair. God’s judgments have always been and will always be preeminently fair and appropriate (Rev. 16:7). Romans 2:2-11 assures us God’s judgments are just.
Let us consult and use the descriptions of divine judgment contained in Romans 2:2-11 to prepare ourselves for when our lives will be judged.
1) Judged according to truth (v. 2). Since God’s word is truth, we must be in harmony with truth to receive a favorable judgment (Jno. 17:17).
2) Inclusive judgment (v. 3). None shall escape its reach.
3) Righteous judgment (v. 5). God’s judgment is just and uncompromising.
4) Individual judgment (v. 6-10). It will be personal, according to each person’s life.
5) Impartial judgment (v. 9-11). God looks on a person’s heart and life. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35).
Are you ready for the
Judgment Day? Are you prepared to stand before God in judgment? Will you
hear Him say “well done, good and faithful servant” or “depart from Me, I
never knew you!” (Matt. 25:21; 7:23) Become a Christian (Mk. 16:16; Acts
2:38). Live for Jesus (Rev. 2:10).
-The Spirit’s Sword , Sept. 23, 2001, edited
Personal Preaching
Joe R. Price
Someone said, “A good sermon is one that flies over my head and heads my neighbor between the eyes.” Not hardly!
Gospel preachers should make practical applications when preaching God’s word (2 Tim. 4:2). Preaching is practical, and without applications it fails its primary purpose (Rom. 1:15-16).
Some don’t like that kind of preaching. Longing for smooth words that tickle their ears, they ally with preachers willing to scratch their itch (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Here’s a poem that reminds us to be neither the preacher nor the listener who loves to have it so (author unknown).
PREACH A SERMON, PREACHER
Preach a sermon preacher,
But don’t get too specific;
As long as you generalize
We think you are terrific.
Preach a sermon preacher,
Make it good and plain;
But don’t you dare to get so close
As to call sin by its name.
Preach a sermon preacher,
Preach it round or flat;
We love to play at hide and seek,
And guessing where you’re at.
Preach a sermon preacher,
Make it what we love to hear;
We’ll pat you on your spineless back
While you scratch our itching ears.
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
What Will You Do With Jesus? (Part 1)
Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:15-22
Intro.
1. Pilate: “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matt.
27:22)
2. All the apostles fled (Matt. 26:56). What would we have said and done?
I. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?
A. Judas Betrayed
Jesus, Matt. 26:14-16. Jno. 6:64; Matt. 27:3-5
B. Peter Denied Jesus,
Matt. 26:69-75. Matt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12; Mk. 8:38; 1 Tim. 5:8
C. The Crowd Said
Crucify Jesus, Matt. 27:22-23. Jno. 12:37-38; Matt. 27:25; Acts 3:14-15;
7:52; Heb. 10:26-29
D. Pilate Wanted to be
Neutral about Jesus, Matt. 27:23-24. Jas. 4:17; Matt. 12:30; Col. 1:13; 1
Jno. 1:6-7
E. Saul Persecuted
Jesus, Acts 9:1-5 (1 Tim. 1:13). Acts 26:14; 2 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 25:40, 45
F. Felix Postponed
Jesus, Acts 24:24-25. 2 Cor. 6:2 (Heb. 3:7-8)
G.
Herod Agrippa was Almost Persuaded about Jesus, Acts 26:28. 2 Tim. 3:7.
H.
Many Would Be Persuaded, Acts 2:36-38, 41-42, 47.
Conclusion
1. “What shall I do with Jesus?”
2. What will you do?
3. Part 2: What will Jesus do with you?
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
Rejecting Absolute Truth
Joe R. Price
The blurring of lines between God-defined good and evil is not new (Isa. 5:20-21). A recent survey by Dr. George Barna, Director for the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, found 58% of adults surveyed believe moral truth is up to the individual to decide. It also found only a minority – 43% of those attending evangelical churches still embrace absolute moral truth. (“A Nation Unmoored – CRC Study Shows Americans Reject Moral Truth Rooted in God’s Word,” Dr. Tracy Munsil, arizonachristian.edu).
An interesting article by Jason Jimenez, President of Stand Strong Ministries, distills three main issues in evangelical churches that contribute to moral decline (“Exposing 3 church weaknesses causing moral decline,” christianpost.com). While we have many Scriptural disagreements with evangelicals, our own need to be watchful against error and immorality demands we listen, learn, and guard ourselves against similar threats. Jimenez notes three dangers we summarize here.
1. Wrong views of the Bible. He reports a progressive pastor recently said, “The Bible, isn’t: the Word of God, self-interpreting, a science book, an answer/rule book, inerrant or infallible.” Rather, it is: “a product of community, a library of texts, multi-vocal, a human response to God, living and dynamic.” Answer: The Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25).
2. Worshiping self. People expect to be satisfied in worship instead of glorifying God. Answer: Worship is about honoring God, not ourselves (John 4:23-24).
3.
Sin is subjective. He reports justifying sin and caving to culture’s
pressures to accept same-sex marriage, abortion, and transgenderism. Answer:
God defines sin, and the gospel calls us out of its grasp (1 Jno. 3:4; Matt.
7:21-23; 2 Cor. 6:14-18).
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 03/07/2021
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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