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:
John The Baptist's Final Days (Kent E. Heaton Sr.)
Widows and Orphans in the Philippines (Jim McDonald)
Sermons:
"Going To Church?"
Christ's True Church Today
Noteworthy News:
Black Student
Receives Death Threats
JOHN THE
BAPTIST'S FINAL DAYS
Kent E.
Heaton Sr.
John the Baptist was someone who demanded attention by his
apparel and by his teaching. As the prophet Amos of his day, John possessed a
fire and determination in the great work of God to bring the people to truth.
(Matthew 3:1-12)
John's message of repentance was stern and plain to the teachings of God. He
would not allow political position or power to cause him to refrain from the
truth. In due course, this determination would find him in disfavor with those
in power. "For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison
for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Because John had said to
him, 'It is not lawful for you to have her.' And although he wanted to put him
to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet."
(Matthew 14:3-5)
The final days of John were numbered. Herod was a light minded, sensual and
vicious man. John taught that marriage is sacred before God and that such a
thing existed as an "unlawful marriage." He also taught this law applied to all
men - even the tetrarch of Galilee. What Herod had done was sinful and demanded
repentance. John sat in prison for preaching the truth.
Herod feared the multitude and would not put John to death. His mind was
directed by the whims of the largest influence. The callous feeling of a mans
life was the determination of John's future. The real fury against John would be
finalized not by the coward Herod - but by the evil of the woman that so hated
John. "Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she
could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and
he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him
gladly." (Mark 6:19,20)
Mark records for us that an "opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave
a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And
when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those
who sat with him, the king said to the girl, 'Ask me whatever you want, and I
will give it to you.'" As John sat in prison, his life was about to be ended by
the evil spite of a woman and sensual depravity of a man.
The course of humanity plunged itself into the dark abyss of immorality that the
head of a man could be asked for on a platter on just a whim. For John, the
executioner came and in a moment cut off his head. As the instrument of death
severed the head from the body, the soul, in exaltation of glory, is carried by
angels to the bosom of Abraham to rest. As John opens his eyes in eternal life,
he finds his work is done and glory awaits him.
As the bloody head of John is carried down the corridor and placed upon a
platter, Herodias gleams with satisfaction that her enemy is now dead. Blood
fills the platter to overflowing and is first given to the girl and the girl
gives it to her mother. The blood of God's servant now stains the hands of those
who murdered him.
John is murdered because he taught the truth. John is beheaded because he made
no distinction in his message - the law of God applies to all men.
John is killed based upon a whim of an evil woman. The final days of John are a
testimony of the faithful servant fulfilling his Father's will - even to the
point of death. Sadly, Herod and those like him will meet John again one day but
in that day, the judgment will be much worse. The blood stained hands of Herod,
Salome and Herodias will not be able to be washed clean in the lake of fire and
brimstone. John bears witness of the need to preach the "whole counsel of God,"
no matter the consequences. (Acts 20:27)
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS
This past October and November I saw many needy widows and orphaned children. In
one church alone I was told there are 10 needy widows in it. Unlike the US, the
Philippines do not have a welfare system that will take care of such indigents
(although some little help is available) and these are left to fend for
themselves.
Helping those who are widows and orphans is to practice pure, undefiled
religion. $30-$40 a month will not full take care of the needs of such, but it
will "gnaw the edge" off their hunger.
If you desire to help these, your brethren, then I will be happy to further
examine to make certain that any name given to you is one who is truly needy.
You can communicate with these directly, write to them directly, and you will
know a joy that comes from. helping your needy brethren. Jesus said: "It is more
blessed to give than to receive".
I will be happy to supply names of worthy widows and/or orphans to those who
inquire.
Contact: Jim McDonald · P. O. Box 155032 · Lufkin, TX 75915-5032 · (409)
637-0229
For the complete text of the following sermon, visit
BIBLE ANSWERS at:
http://www.bibleanswer.com/gochurch.htm
"GOING TO CHURCH?"
(Scripture Reading: Acts 20:7-12)
It is easy to begin speaking like the world, but we want to speak where the
Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent: Neh. 13:23-24; 1 Pet. 4:11.
I. LET'S "GO TO CHURCH!" (Generally means: "Let's go to worship
services.")
A. First Of All, Nowhere In The NT Do Christians "Go To Church:" Acts
11:26; 14:27; 1 Cor. 11:17-18, 20, 33; 14:23.
B. Understand What The Church Is ("Called out ones," Acts 7:38; 19:32, 39, 41;
Heb. 12:23).
C. In The Bible: To "Go To The Church" Means To Go To The Messiah & Be Saved! -
Isa. 2:3; Micah 5:2 -- Acts 2:41, 47.
D. Let Us Speak As The Bible Speaks - 1 Pet. 4:11.
II. WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING WHEN WE COME TOGETHER:
A. Go To Worship God - Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20; cf. Heb. 2:12.
B. Go To Be Edified By True Worship - 1 Cor. 14:26 (Jno. 4:24).
C. Go To Edify Others - 1 Cor. 14:19, 26; Heb. 10:24-25.
III. WHY MORE DO NOT "GO TO WORSHIP SERVICES:" (All show a lack of
spiritual interest!)
A. "I'm Too Busy." - Eph. 5:16
B. "It's Boring." - Psa. 122:1
C. "I Don't Like The Preacher." - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 1:10
D. "The People Are Unfriendly." - Prov. 18:24
E. "There Are Too Many Hypocrites There!" - Col. 3:5; Rev. 21:8
F. "All They Are Interested In Is My Money." - 2 Cor. 12:14; cf. Matt. 10:8; 2
Cor. 9:6-10.
For the complete text of the following sermon, visit BIBLE ANSWERS at: http://www.bibleanswer.com/truechur.htm
CHRIST'S TRUE CHURCH TODAY
(Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:14-22)
The church is a valuable & necessary part of God's eternal plan of human
redemption - Eph. 3:10-11.
I. NO CREED BUT CHRIST. [Creed: (credo) - "I believe"]
A. Jesus Christ Is The Object Of Our Faith - Jno. 8:23-24; 20:30-31; Acts
8:36-37.
II. NO RULE OF FAITH & PRACTICE BUT THE REVEALED WILL OF CHRIST, THE NEW
TESTAMENT.
A. We Follow Christ's Word In All Things - Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17; Heb. 1:1-2.
How?
B. The Bible Is Man's Only & All-Sufficient, Infallible Guide Spiritual Matters
- 2 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
III. TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE AS ONE'S ONLY "RULE OF FAITH & PRACTICE" IS TO....
A. Wear No Name But Christ's - Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.
B. Arrange No Organization But The Local Church - 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1.
C. Offer No Worship But That Which Is Authorized In The NT - Jno. 4:23-24
D. Live A Life Devoted To Jesus Christ - Matt. 28:19-20; Lk. 6:46; Jno. 14:15;
Rom. 12:1-2.
Noteworthy News
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
BLACK STUDENT RECEIVES DEATH THREATS
FERNDALE, WA January 27 - Police are investigating a letter that "uses the
n-word" and ends with a death threat against a black high school student in this
town north of Bellingham.
AN INVESTIGATION under a state law banning malicious harassment was ordered
after the half-page note, apparently produced on a computer printer, was
received by the student, police said Wednesday. If the offender is a student, he
or she will be expelled, school officials said.
The letter named two other black students and Malcolm Oliver, a Bellingham man
who led an assembly on Martin Luther King Jr. last week, Police Chief Dale Baker
said. Oliver and members of the student's families would not comment Wednesday.
Baker would not release the letter, saying it would be easier to determine who
sent it if the exact wording remained known only to investigators, but he
described it as "outrageous" and "unconscionable." "It uses the 'n' word and
others and compares them to animals commonly found in the jungle," Baker said.
"It goes on to give this person's opinion of their physical attributes and
suggests they return to Africa," Baker said.
"It refers to interracial marriages and their (black people's) 'limited mental
capacities' and suggests that their death is nearby."
About half a dozen blacks attend Ferndale High School, comprising about 0.5
percent of the student body. (c)2000 Associated Press
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of
the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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