And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 24, Number
29
09/11/2022
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:
Keith Greer
The Hebrews writer boldly asserts that Christ is better than anything the Jews had under the Old Law. The letter begins with seven credentials that place Christ in a class by himself. Following this foundation, the writer argues that He is “better than the angels.” The argument follows:
He has a more excellent name. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Christ’s name is the only name linked to our salvation. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
Angels adore and worship Him. “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’” (Hebrews 1:6) These angelic beings worship the Son. Why shouldn’t they? He is God and deserves their worship.
He created the angels. “And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7) God is able to change the angels’ makeup to fit his needs. The Son is unchangeable. They are changeable and therefore, inferior to the Son.
Scepter of His kingdom is righteousness. “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’” (Hebrews 1:8, 9) Some angels have fallen because they transgressed (Jude 6). The Son’s kingdom is based on His perfect righteousness.
He is eternal—angels are not. “They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail. (Hebrews 1:11, 12) This is not the idea of eternal destruction, but of ruin and loss. Angels are created beings and therefore not eternal —the Son is God; He is eternal.
Angels are servants, Christ is God’s Son. “But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?’ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13, 14) This shows that the function of angles is to serve, and the Son is to rule.
From examining the first 14 verses of the Hebrew letter, we learn that no one has credentials comparable to those of God’s Son. No man, group of men, or angel has such a resume. The Son is in a superior position, and He always will be!
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Love Is…
Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17
1. Love: One of the most overused and
least understood words in the Bible.
2. Bible paints a clear and undeniable picture of love as it reveals God to
us (God is love, 1 John 4:8).
I. LOVE IS…
A.
Observable in its Actions, John 3:16.
To say
we love someone without acting with goodwill toward them is not love, 1 John
3:16-18; Eph. 5:25, 28-29.
B.
Sacrificial.
Love
is unselfish (giving, not taking), 1 John 4:9-10; John 3:16; 1 Cor. 13:5
(3); 2 Cor. 12:15.
C.
Obedient to the Lord, John 14:15.
Obedience is a direct reflection of love for Christ, cf. John 14:24, 31; 21,
23.
D.
Respectful (of God and others).
Love is
not governed by how others act or treat it, 2 Cor. 12:15; 1 Cor. 13:1-3
(Christ remains our example, John 15:9-14).
Love on
display (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
E.
Just, 1 Cor. 13:6.
Love
does not justify the guilty or punish the innocent, Exod. 34:5-7.
Love
disciplines (warns, corrects, and punishes), Heb. 12:5-6 (Prov. 13:24); 2
Cor. 2:6-9 (1 Cor. 5:4-5).
Conclusion
1. Many other things can be said about love. It is the enduring motive and
defining trait of the Christian because “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8).
2. Love never fails (always powerful and effective), 1 Cor. 13:8 (13).
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
The Pulpit
Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-8
1. There have always been a variety of
expectations and demands put upon gospel preachers (some right and some
wrong),
Isa. 30:10; Jer. 5:31; Matt. 15:12; 2 Tim. 4:3; Acts 20:27; 1 Cor. 2:2.
2. The goal of gospel preaching is the conviction and conversion of souls,
John 16:8; 2 Tim. 4:2.
3. Preaching is God’s work (Eph. 4:11-12); It is a service (2 Tim. 4:5).
I. THE PULPIT IS NOT:
A. A
Soapbox to Promote a Personal Agenda, Phil. 1:15-16 (2 Cor. 10:12, 17-18;
Gal. 6:12-15).
B. A
Stage to Entertain the Audience, 1 Cor. 2:1-5 (Acts 8:9-11); 2 Tim. 4:3-4.
C. A
Lectern for Academia and Human Wisdom (opinions), 1 Cor. 1:26-29; 2:1, 4;
Col. 2:8, 18 (Eph. 6:19; 1 Tim. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9-10.
D. A
Rifle Range to take Target Practice (pot shots) at One Another, 3 John 9-10;
2 Cor. 11:3; Acts 20:20 (Matt. 18:15); cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-26.
E. A
Bully Pulpit to Intimidate, Manipulate, and Silence Critics; Acts 19:8-10;
26:25; 3 John 9-10; 2 Pet. 2:12.
II. THE PULPIT (GOSPEL PREACHING) IS:
A. A
Divine Charge, 2 Tim. 4:1-2 (1 Cor. 9:16); Neh. 8:8; Acts 20:20, 25-27.
B. A
Sober Responsibility (James 3:1) 2 Tim. 2:25-26; 4:5 (Phil. 1:15, 17); 1
Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:5.
C. A
Perpetual Work, 2 Tim. 4:5; 2:2 (Phil. 3:1; (2 Pet. 1:12-15); Rom. 10:13-15;
Acts 13:2-3.
Conclusion
1. The
pulpit is a blessing, but it is a curse when misused, Gal. 1:6-9.
2. Preach the “right things” (Isa. 30:10).
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
Sharks, Sasquatch, and Mary
Joe R. Price
Shark researchers in the northwest Atlantic Ocean recently thought their fish finder spotted a long ago extinct megalodon shark (estimated to have been about 50 feet long and weighing 40 tons). It turned out to be a school of mackerel (foxnews.com). First impressions are not always accurate. Better to pause and investigate than to rush headlong into assumed pronouncements that turn out to be false (Prov. 18:13, 17).
We are fascinated by alleged sightings of strange phenomena. Reported sightings of the Loch Ness monster (Nessie) were the rage when I was younger. No such creature was ever found. Then there is Sasquatch (Bigfoot). Although alleged sightings are without credible evidence, the legend of this humanoid “wild man” continues. Imaginations run wild.
Then there are the claimed sightings of a religious nature. Appearances of Mary are renowned in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1531 a man claimed Mary appeared to him requesting he build a church. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Mexico City remains to this day. Fatima, Portugal, Paris, France, and many other locations claim visions of Mary. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bases its existence on Joseph Smith Jr.’s reported vision of the Father and the Son when he was fourteen. Imaginations run wild.
God speaks to us today by His Son (through His apostles and prophets), not visions and dreams (Heb. 1:1-2). Do not be fooled by “cunningly devised fables” no matter who reports them (2 Pet. 1:16; Gal. 1:8-9).
God’s
inspired Scriptures assure us He created the sea monsters, including big
sharks (Gen. 1:21). His word teaches us His will and our responsibility to
obey it (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2:15; Matt. 7:24-27). “False apostles” and
“deceitful workers” are still in the world (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
The wild imaginings of men will never lead us to God.
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 09/15/2022
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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