THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
Visit our Web Sites:
Mt. Baker church of Christ:
http://www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker
BIBLE ANSWERS: http://www.bibleanswer.com
In this issue:
SWIFT TO HEAR
Joe R. Price
The epistle of James teaches every man to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow
to wrath." (Jas. 1:19) Until we learn to listen we will never be able to hear
what God's word teaches us. And, we will not be able to effectively communicate
with others. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matt. 13:9)
Ears to hear require:
Humility of heart. Listening involves the ability to say to, "I need to hear
what some else has to say." Sadly, some do not develop this trait. They are
always right. They have all the answers. They don't have time to listen to
anybody else. For the lack of humility, many refuse to listen to God's word
(Jno. 8:43).
Listening to the right people. All of us need to listen to God. It is utter
folly for us to "refuse Him who speaks" (Heb. 12:25)! Listening to God means
that we listen to the word He has spoken to us through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2). The
New Testament writers wrote the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). To cast
their words aside and refuse to listen to them amounts to refusing to listen to
God!
Listening to divine wisdom. There are many people who will give you their
opinions about God and the Bible. But, they only draw from the well of human
wisdom, knowledge and experience (1 Cor. 3:18-20). But the person who will
listen to divine wisdom is blessed by God: "Blessed is the man who listens to
me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever
finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD" (Prov. 8:34-35). The best
person to listen to for wisdom is Jesus (via His New Testament), for in Him "are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).
Obeying what we hear from God's word. Listening to God but not obeying what His
word says is of absolutely no spiritual value to us. It is like the man who sees
his unkept hair in the mirror, but instead of combing it he walks away and
forgets about it! (Jas. 1:23-24) That is why the Holy Spirit inspired James to
say that we must be "doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves" (Jas. 1:22).
Listening takes a lot of effort. It is easier to open our mouths and talk than
it is to hear and ponder what someone else is saying to us. But the rewards are
eternal when we listen to and obey the word of God. Do you have "ears to hear?"
BY FAITH NOAH PREPARED A Series on Hebrews
11 (Part 4)
Jeff Herrin
In the parable of the wicked servant, Jesus warns, "And that servant who knew
his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will,
shall be beaten with many stripes" (Lk. 12:47). Noah was warned by God
concerning the flood and told what he needed to do to save himself and his
family. He was saved from the flood because of his faith in God's plan to build
an ark.
We have also been warned. This earth will not last forever. Peter concluded,
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (II Pt. 3:11). Have we prepared?
Are we living the kind of life that makes us ready for the Lord's return? Have
we made preparations to provide our families with an atmosphere and
opportunities that will encourage them to be saved? The clock is ticking. You
are running out of time with your little ones and your teenagers. Your own life
is passing as a shadow.
One of the most familiar parables is referred to as the "parable of the ten
virgins". Five of them were not adequately prepared. They tried to get ready at
the last minute, but the bridegroom came in their absence and the door was shut.
They begged to enter, "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do
not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in
which the Son of Man is coming" (Mt. 25:12-13). Don't try to get one of your
children ready at the last minute. Don't wait until the last minute to talk to
your neighbor, or put off obeying the gospel. If you are not prepared to meet
God in judgment, you will regret it for all of eternity.
For the complete text of this sermon, visit BIBLE ANSWERS at: http://www.bibleanswer.com/silence.htm
DOES THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES GRANT PERMISSION OR SET LIMITS?
(Scripture Reading: 1 Chron. 13:1-8)
-Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Num. 4:1-6, 15; 7:9; 1 Chron. 13:9-14; 15:11-15-
Silence of the scriptures is not license...silence restrains!
I. GOD'S SILENCE: MAN'S DISRESPECT & GOD'S JUDGMENTS.
A. Nadab & Abihu - Lev. 8:36; 9:2-4; 10:1-2.
B. King Saul - 1 Sam. 15:3, 9, 13-15, 22-23.
C. Jeroboam - 1 Kgs. 12:26-33; Hosea 8:4-7.
D. Judaizers - Acts 15:1, 24; Gal. 2:5.
E. Priestly Tribe Of The Law Of Moses - Heb. 7:12-14.
II. ADDING TO GOD'S SILENCE IS GOING BEYOND HIS DOCTRINE & AUTHORITY - Col.
3:17; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Jno. 9.
A. Music In Worship (Eph. 5:19). Sing + Play = Beyond Christ's authority!
B. Mode Of Baptism (Rom. 6:4). Immerse + Sprinkle = Beyond!
C. Subject Of Baptism (Mk. 16:16). Believer + Proxy = Beyond!
D. New Birth (Jno. 3:5; Eph. 5:26). Water & HS + Tong.-Speaking = Beyond!
E. Divorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:9). Fornication + desertion = Beyond!
F. Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7). 1st day + Thursday = Beyond Christ's authority!
THE URGENCY OF THE GOSPEL
(Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:42-51)
I. The Planning Of Salvation Before Creation Calls Us To Urgency - Eph.
1:4-8; 3:11; Col. 3:1-3.
II. The Compassion Of Christ Calls Us To Urgency - Matt. 9:36-38; Mk.
1:40-41.
III. The Crucifixion Calls Us To Urgency - Rom. 8:32; 5:6-8; Heb. 10:26-31.
IV. Christ's Exaltation Calls Us To Urgency - Acts 2:34-36; Dan. 7:13-14.
V. Christ's Future Coming Calls Us To Urgency - Acts 1:11; 2 Ths. 1:8-9; 1
Ths. 4:16-18.
VI. Christ's Charge To His Church Calls Us To Urgency - 1 Tim. 3:15; 4:11; 2
Tim. 2:2; 4:1-2.
Noteworthy News
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
Even the Vatican is Y2K ready
And in U.S., bankers push for sermons urging the faithful to keep cash in
bank By George Bullard / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Religious leaders are working hard to make sure that coming of the
year 2000 isn't the end of the world.
At least not for their computers.
The Vatican's machines are ready to fight off the Y2K bug, reports Cardinal
Edmund Szoka, president of the city-state and the former archbishop of Detroit.
Szoka, who runs the 108-acre nation, has supervised everything from Y2K
compatibility to a new parking garage to a new entrance for the Vatican Museum.
"We're ready," Szoka said this week during a visit to Detroit.
Consultants checked out church computers and upgraded software at the Vatican,
which is even wired with state-of-the-art fiber optics. Some 29 million
additional visitors are expected next year.
In the United States, a group of bankers has proposed a model sermon they hope
will convince the faithful to keep their money in their institutions at the turn
of the millennium.
The American Banker Association is urging its members to publicize a sermon that
says, in part, "Banks will keep your money safe. ... Trust God ... and take a
few practical steps." (8.26.99)
COMMENTARY
Joe R. Price
Y2K -- will it disrupt our electronic world or will it be only an annoying speed
bump on the information super highway? It is hard to know.
But, there is a future event we have good reason to believe will occur. For this
event, all of us should be prepared. It is the return of Jesus on the last day
(Acts 1:11; 2 Ths. 1:7-10; 2 Pet. 3:4, 9-13). We do not know when Jesus will
return. But, we do know He will come again. (1 Ths. 4:13-18)
Preachers should be more concerned about preparing themselves and others for the
return of Jesus than for Y2K! "For when they are saying, 'Peace and safety!'
then sudden destruction comes upon them...and they shall not escape." (1 Ths.
5:3) Like a thief in the night, Jesus will return suddenly and without warning
(1 Ths. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10).
Maybe why people are more concerned with getting ready for Y2K than with getting
ready to meet Jesus is they know when Y2K will happen - they don't know when
Jesus will return. It is easy to forget, and think there is "time enough yet."
Tomorrow may be too late! Prepare to meet Jesus today! (Jas. 4:17)
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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