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
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In this issue:
BY FAITH JOSEPH MADE MENTION A Series on
Hebrews 11 (Part 10)
Jeff Herrin
Joseph provides one of the best examples of faith for young people to follow. He
was sold into Egyptian slavery by his own brothers at the age of seventeen years
old. This took Joseph approximately 200 miles away from home and placed him in
the middle of an idolatrous culture in the worst of personal circumstances. Put
yourself in Joseph's shoes at Joseph's age! He was, nevertheless, an exemplary
servant and soon took charge of Potiphar's household. When Potiphar's wife
wanted Joseph to have an affair with her, there were probably no faithful men
around to look over his shoulder in disapproval. It was up to Joseph alone to
say no.
From all appearances, the fruit of Joseph's faithful refusal of his master's
wife was imprisonment. Yet God was with him (Gn. 39:21). Joseph's experiences
would have driven many to bitterness, but Joseph glorified God when he finally
stood before Pharaoh (Gn. 41:16). Pharaoh then made Joseph Governor of Egypt and
we finally see his faith rewarded. Several years later Joseph had a golden
opportunity to avenge himself on his brothers, but instead he provides us with
one of the greatest examples of forgiving those who have wronged us.
In all of these things we see the great faith of Joseph. The Hebrew writer notes
none of these, but turns his attention to the end of Joseph's life. "By faith
Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of
Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones" (Heb. 11:22).
We don't know how many of Joseph's brothers were ever comfortable with him as
Governor of Egypt. In Genesis 50, they feared Joseph would punish them following
their father's death. By comparison to Joseph, most of them appear to have been
weak in their faith. Nevertheless, Joseph felt a responsibility towards them.
They needed his care for their physical needs (Gn. 50:21) and his spiritual
leadership also was important.
At the end of his life, he admonished them, "'I am dying; but God will surely
visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.' Then Joseph took an oath from the children of
Israel, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from
here'" (Gn. 50:24-25)."
Joseph was embalmed and probably could have commanded his burial in a lavish
Egyptian tomb; instead, he made them swear to bury him in the promised land.
Unlike his father, he did not request to be buried there immediately, but
instructed the people to take his bones when God delivered them out of Egyptian
bondage. Moses took the bones and Joshua finally saw them buried. Prior to the
exodus, they had Joseph's bones as a memorial of the promise of deliverance to
come.
What did Joseph have in Canaan? He could look back and remember his brother's
envy and betrayal. His greatest earthly successes were in Egypt where he was
governor, married a high priest's daughter, and had two sons (both with Hebrew
names). But God didn't have any promises for Egypt. By faith Joseph made mention
of a departure to a place which God had prepared for his people. It was a great
confession. We too have a foretold departure to a place of promise. Let's be
like Joseph and make mention of that departure to encourage others to receive
the promises of God.
PERFORMER OR PREACHER?
Joe R. Price
The October 11, 1999 issue of Newsweek discusses the political clout of
celebrities and how they use it ("Stagecraft and Statecraft," p. 43). It
contains a statement about what defines candidates and what draws the public's
attention to them. Though discussing politics, its ring is far too familiar as
it reminds us of existing attitudes toward gospel preaching:
"Experience has become almost a negative - as if it connotes stale thinking. In
politics or business, the pitch trumps the résumé almost every time."
Preaching the gospel was never intended to be a performance. It is the
communication of God's powerful word of salvation to a world lost in sin (Rom.
1:15-16). Unfortunately, the appeal of approval can seduce a preacher away from
godly motives to self-centered satisfaction (Acts 8:9-11; 12:20-23). The
temptation to flatter people for personal profit and the talent of public
speaking can be a powerful and deadly combination (1 Ths. 2:4-6). Thus, the
apostle Paul repeatedly emphasized that the message and not the messenger is the
point of focus of genuine gospel preaching (1 Cor. 1:18-24; 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:17;
4:1-5; Gal. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:2-5).
The purpose of gospel preaching is not to entertain an audience. It is not to
please men (Gal. 1:10). It is not to "scratch itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). It
is not to promote personal agendas (Phil. 1:16). It is to proclaim a saving
message to a dying world (Mk. 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:28-29).
A gospel preacher is not a celebrity and the pulpit is not a stage. He is not
and should not try to be a showman. It is his job to display Jesus Christ to the
world, not himself (Gal. 3:1). When the focus of preaching is upon the preacher,
his stories, humor and personal experiences, gospel preaching suffers - and so
do souls.
The purpose of gospel preaching is to "preach the word...convince, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:2). Inspired scripture is
our message (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Our means of fulfilling our task is not comic
relief or personal promotion, but the sincere proclamation of truth (Phil.
1:15-18).
The aforementioned Newsweek article summarizes,
"Celebrities, with the help of the media, tend to trivialize politics by turning
it into entertainment. Their presence further subordinates substance to
performance, and encourages the media to review how something 'plays' rather
than to analyze what's being said."
We can see this point when it comes to politics. Why can't we also see it when
it comes to gospel preaching? Whenever preaching becomes entertainment it
trivializes the gospel and erodes an audience's desire to investigate the
credibility of what is preached (Acts 17:11).
Fellow-preacher, be careful to display Christ when you preach, not yourself (1
Cor. 2:2). Fellow-Christian, accept no less than preaching which proclaims "the
whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). We need gospel preaching, not celebrity
performances!
For the complete text of the following sermon, visit
BIBLE ANSWERS at:
http://www.bibleanswer.com/judgjesu.htm
JUDGING JESUS
(Scripture Reading: John 7:24)
1. Greatest religious question every man must answer is "Who Is Jesus?"
2. Jno. 7:24 - Jesus invites righteous judgment of Himself (use His words and
works - 7:50-51).
I. HIS IDENTITY: WHO WAS HE?
A. He Claimed To Be God - Jno. 5:17-18; 8:58; 10:30-36.
B. What People Said (Say) About Him - Jno. 7:12ff (Matt. 16:13-16).
1. v. 12 - Good man (cf. Good moral teacher - Moral man doesn't lie!).
2. v. 12 - Leads astray.
3. v. 20 - Have a demon (Deluded, deranged, visions of grandeur).
4. v. 31 - Believed (Untested - Matt. 27:20-22) - "the prophet", Christ (7:40,
26-27, 41-42).
II. HOW WILL WE JUDGE WHO HE WAS (IS)? - 7:24.
A. His Teachings - Jno. 7:14-18.
-His claims: To speak from God (7:15-18), from above (Jno. 8:23-24), sinless
(Jno. 8:46), rise from dead (Matt. 16:21; Jno. 11:25), the way, truth life,
light (Jno. 14:6; 8:12), all should love/obey Him (Matt. 10:37; Lk. 6:46; Jno.
14:15).
B. His Works - Jno. 7:19-23.
1. What do His works say about Him?
-That He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! - Jno. 11:47; 10:37-38
(20:30-31).
Noteworthy News
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
UT'S $3,500 MASCOT COSTUME STOLEN
Copyright © 1999 Nando Media
Copyright © 1999 Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (October 7, 1999 9:50 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -
Smokey, the University of Tennessee's 6 1/2-foot-tall bluetick hound mascot
costume, is missing.
Adam DeVault, who for four years has pranced, danced and flipped along the
sidelines in the $3,500 outfit, discovered the costume stolen from his apartment
just hours after the Tennessee-Auburn football game Saturday. "It's really made
me sick," said DeVault, a 23-year-old graduate student.
The costume was the only thing missing, he said. The thief apparently entered
through an unlocked balcony door sometime between midnight and 1 a.m.
Susie Gorman-Aierstok, who oversees the cheerleaders, dance team and Tennessee
Hostess program, said she didn't want to say anything about the disappearance of
the 12-year-old outfit until now.
"We were afraid that if it got out, they would just throw it away," she said.
Now she's publicly pleading for the costume's return, and promising not to bring
charges against whoever brings Smokey home.
COMMENTARY
Joe R. Price
Every football team should be so lucky as to have bluetick hound dog for a
mascot! By all means, bring Smokey home (no offense intended to University of
Tennessee students or fans)!
Could be it be that you, although a Christian, are walking through life wearing
a costume? Are you pretending to be something or somebody you are not? If so,
you need to repent of the sin of hypocrisy and live a genuine life, not a
deceptive one (1 Pet. 2:1-2; Col. 3:5-11).
It has been said that character is who we are when nobody is watching. But we
should never forget: God is always watching! (Heb. 4:13) Let us live holy lives
which are genuine, not feigned.
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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