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:
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SUICIDE
Joe R. Price
Unquestionably, those who commit suicide were troubled in heart. Our sympathy
goes out to those whose lives have been affected by the suicide of a relative or
loved one. We also want to understand what God's word says about suicide so that
we can make godly decisions about it. Everyone of us will face despair and
trouble in this life. Is suicide how God would have us deal with despair, pain
and trouble in our lives? Are there alternatives to suicide?
The Bible does not paint a pleasant or supportive picture of suicide. While more
and more people are openly advocating their "right" to commit suicide, the Bible
nowhere offers suicide as an option for the right-thinking man or woman. Life is
a precious gift which God has given us. We are neither to murder others, nor are
we to inflict a fatal wound upon ourselves. Those who advocate suicide reveal a
diminished view of life and humanity, who have been made in the image of God
(Gen. 1:27; 2:7). Suicide is an act of selfishness. It does not consider its
impact upon those it leaves behind.
Suicide is the result of utter despair. Experts tell us that overwhelming
feelings of helpless, haplessness and hopelessness are the warning signs of
suicide. There were people in the Bible who reached a point in their lives that
the only option they could see was to kill themselves. Notable among these was
Judas (Matt. 27:1-5). His hopeless attitude can be contrasted with Peter, who
denied Jesus three times, but repented of his sins and was restored (Lk.
22:31-34, 54-62). Life is never as hopeless, and we are never as helpless, as we
may think. we must learn to trust in God instead of ourselves!
Suicide is often contemplated when one sees no clear resolution of our troubles.
Elijah's life was under the threat of murder from queen Jezebel (1 Kgs. 19:1-4).
The Philippian jailer thought his prisoners had escaped, which meant certain
doom for him, so he prepared to kill himself (Acts 16:26-27). The problem is
that just because we do not see a solution to our troubles does not mean there
is not one -- or that God is through with us here on earth. God still had many
things for Elijah to do (1 Kgs. 19:15-18). If the jailer had killed himself he
would not have been saved (Acts 16:28-34). Although Paul wanted to be with
Christ, he knew there was still much for him to do in this life, so he committed
himself to being faithful to Jesus (Phil. 1:21-25).
Physical suffering drives many to kill themselves while they still have life.
Although Job longed for death rather than his life which at the moment was
filled with pain, agony, and humiliation, he endured, and he was ultimately
blessed beyond measure (Job 3; 6:8-11; 7:15-16; 42:10-17). It was not the
quality of life which made Job's life precious, it was life itself! He learned
(like we must) that there are many things which God does which we must accept in
faith (Job 42:1-6). If Job had killed himself he would have shown a lack of
faith in God and trust in his own opinion of how things were. We should learn
from Job not to think that we have all the answers. Paul did not allow his
physical disability to lead him to the depths of despair and suicide, but to the
heights of faith and service (2 Cor. 12:7-10)! We must trust God even when
things look helpless to us. God is great and does great things for those who
fear Him (Heb. 13:5-6). Many astounding things have been accomplished by people
who would not give up. In Christ we do not have to resort to suicide - we are
more than conquerors in Christ! (Rom. 8:37-39) You are important to God, so live
for Him!
BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED A Series on Hebrews
11 (Part 5)
Jeff Herrin
Abraham was seventy five years old when God called him to leave Ur of the
Chaldees. He lived the rest of his life in tents. How easily Abraham could have
made excuses not to obey the Lord.
Abraham obeyed because he had faith in God's promises. "By faith Abraham obeyed
when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an
inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt
in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and
Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which
has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:8-10).
Notice what Abraham's faith compelled him to do. When he left Ur, he left all
that was familiar behind. There was no security in the wilderness of Canaan.
Some speak of faith as a leap in the dark and give it mystical overtones.
Abraham's faith was reasonable, but it did cause him to journey into uncharted
territory. True faith compels us to do things we have never done before. We try
to lead a song or prayer, or talk to a neighbor about the gospel. We may try to
help someone who is very ill, not knowing exactly what to say or do. Like
Abraham, we cannot rationalize away God's call to duty.
Abraham spent the rest of his life in pursuit of the promises of God. He "Died
in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were
assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they
seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which
they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they
desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be
called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (Heb. 11:13-16). God was
not ashamed to introduce Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham. If we live a
life of faithful obedience, He will be righteous to proclaim us as His people
also.
For the complete text of this sermon, visit BIBLE ANSWERS at: http://www.bibleanswer.com/encourag.htm
ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
(Scripture Reading: Isaiah 41:8-13)
Everybody in the church needs daily encouragement - Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24-25; Acts
11:23.
I. WAYS WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
A. By Having Singular Devotion To Christ - Matt. 6:21-23; Exo. 14:13; 2 Cor.
5:7; cf. Isa. 41:8-13; Jno. 6:27-30.
B. By Urging Each Other To Trust In God - Heb. 13:5-6; Col. 2:6-7.
C. By Urging Each Other To Be Faithful In Service To The Lord - cf. 2 Chrn.
35:1-2; Acts 14:21-22; 15:41; 18:23; Acts 9:31; Rom. 12:10-16; 1 Cor. 14:26.
D. By Using The Word Of God - cf. 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb.
13:22; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 15:32.
E. By Assisting Each Other Physically & Spiritually - Matt. 25:34-40; Jude
20-23; Gal. 6:2; Jas. 5:19-20; 1 Jno. 3:16-18; 1 Pet. 2:17 (love).
II. BARNABAS: SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Acts 4:36-37; 11:21-24
A. The Qualities We Need In Order To Encourage Each Other Are Seen In
Barnabas: -Generosity (4:37), Unselfishness (cf. 4:37 & 5:1-2), Devotion
(11:22), Spiritual perception (11:23), Goodness (11:24), Full of the Holy Spirit
and faith (11:24).
B. We Are Not Meeting Our Spiritual Obligations & Opportunities If We Are Not
Encouraging Each Other In The Faith - Eph. 4:16; Matt. 10:41-42.
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)
SOME STUDENTS JUST NEED A GOOD CANING, SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY
LONDON (Reuters) - School beatings were finally banned from Britain's
private schools Wednesday, drawing sighs of relief from schoolchildren, but an
angry backlash from independent schools that swear by the cane.
A group of 40 independent Christian school leaders said it would go to the
European Court of Human Rights later this year to try to have the ban lifted.
Caning was banned in state run schools 13 years ago but the ban has only just
been implemented in the private sector.
Philip Williamson, headmaster of the Christian Fellowship School in Liverpool,
which is spearheading the protest, argues the ruling interferes with parents'
right to choose the way their child is educated and disciplined.
"This is dictatorial and an example of the nanny state," Williamson told
Reuters.
He said he could not remember the last time he used his cane, but said in a bad
month he would typically reach for the ruler three times.
However most of Britain's fee-paying schools welcomed the end to an archaic
tradition which they said hindered education.
"Many independent schools concluded, long before any form of legal ban was
contemplated, that corporal punishment impeded good education," said Ian Beer,
head of the Independent Schools Council, a group of 1,300 independent schools.
COMMENTARY
Joe R. Price
"Beatings," "sighs of relief," "an archaic tradition," "hindered education,"
"impeded good education" - so goes the humanistic verbiage against spanking
unruly children. God's word, the Bible, on the other hand, says that physical
correction will not kill the child, but will save him from death (Prov.
23:13-14). Of course, the school children of England sighed in relief - they
don't want to be spanked! (What child does?) But, it is for their good and an
expression of love when properly administered (Prov. 13:24; 19:18; Heb. 12:5-6,
10-11).
Society needs the benefit of well-trained children. A generation that has not
learned self-restraint and respect for others will be a detriment to any nation.
Even so more, the church of Christ. We must train our children to respect God
and others, or we will surely reap the whirlwind which inevitably blows when we
refuse to train (or be trained) in righteousness.
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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