THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume VI, Number 32
December 01, 2002
Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ
Bellingham, WA
(1860 Mt. Baker HWY)
(360) 752-2692
Sunday:
Bible
Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship............10:30 & 6:00
Wednesday:
Bible
Classes...........7:00 PM
Web sites:
www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker
www.bibleanswer.com
Editor................Joe R. Price
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
- The Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:17-30)
- The Day of Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15)
Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and
Remembering
Joe R. Price
Memory is an attribute given us by God that heightens joy, magnifies sorrow, increases our ability to reason and helps us shape present decisions.
This week will mark the 61st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that transformed a country and the world. The memory of that day remains etched in the heart of a vanishing generation. The sacrifice for freedom was great that day. None of us should ever forget.
The vision of smoke billowing over the Manhattan skyline and above the Pentagon vividly remains in the memory of this present generation. The scorched soil of Pennsylvanian farmland reminds us of courageous heroism. Like Pearl Harbor, freedom-loving people everywhere should remember that day.
An even more tragic event in the annuls of history has faded from the memory of most. Far too many others are not familiar with the events of that day nor their significance for every member of the human race. It ought not be so.
The event of which we speak is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Outside the city of Jerusalem at a place called Golgotha (Calvary, the place of a skull), death was exacted upon the innocent “Lamb of God” (Heb. 13:11-13; Jno. 19:17; 1:29). His death on that Roman cross is the means of redemption from our sins (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2:24). In that, the faithful take great hope and confidence.
The memory of innocent life being snuffed out by the cruelty of evil men has moved many to devoted service to their country as they fight to defend and maintain freedom from tyranny, oppression and fear.
How much more ought remembering the death of Jesus Christ move us to faithfully serve Him with complete devotion? As we keep in our hearts the memory of Christ’s death, we remember that without His shed blood we would be without hope and without God (Eph. 2:11-13).
Our ability to remember helps keep before us the greatest act of courage, sacrifice, love and devotion this world has ever known (Jno. 15:13; Rom. 5:6-8; 1 Cor. 11:24-26).
It is good to remember what happened at Pearl Harbor and on 9/11. We are thankful for those whose sacrifice has helped to secure freedom in the world. It is even better to remember what happened at Calvary. For there, freedom from sin is found. May its memory compel all to love and obey Christ with thankful and humble hearts (Heb. 5:8-9)!
Cursing & The Civil War
Larry Ray Hafley
Filthy language is a breathed form of ear pollution. Worse, it is a symbol of the heart's corruption (Matt. 15:18, 19). Cursing has been a taint of the tongue through the ages (2 Sam. 16:5-7). It fouls the air, stains the soul, and mars the mind. It is invasive and pervasive. Rotting meat, manure, lice, and flies go together as do bitter, perverse hearts and coarse, crude cursing.
During the American civil war, "A number of leaders on both sides tried to do something about the language in the ranks, (but)....It was a pointless attempt. 'Oaths, blasphemies, imprecations, obscenity, are hourly heard ringing in your ears until your mind is almost filled with them,' a Mississippi recruit complained, and a fellow Confederate chaplain lamented that in camp he 'heard more cursing and swearing in twenty-four hours than in all my life before'" (Davis, The Civil War, 440).
Where cursing and swearing are accepted as part of the cultural fabric, purity and modesty are sure to be subject to ridicule. Filthy mouths will not praise pure minds. When a nation's language is depraved, its values will not be centered in virtue. Do you deem this judgment too harsh and severe? Perhaps the state of our country's conversation makes our conclusions fearful in their consequences. They ought to do so, for they are not our views. We borrowed them from one who said,
"Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:34-37).
You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS
The Lord's Supper
"Do this in remembrance of me"
Scripture Reading: Matt. 26:17-30
1. Matt.
26:17-29 - Passover near (a memorial of deliverance). At that time Jesus
instituted the Lord’s Supper to remember His sacrifice for the sins of the
world. (1 Cor. 11:23-34)
2. People, things & words at the cross help us examine ourselves & partake
in a worthy manner.
I.
SEVEN AIDS TO REMEMBRANCE.
A. There Was
One Lord - Jno. 19:17-22; Psa. 2:6; Acts 2:36; Eph. 4:5; cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-6.
B. There Were Two Thieves - Mk. 15:27-28 (Isa. 53:12); 1 Pet. 2:22.
C. There Were Three Crosses:
1. One is
a cross of rebellion - Lk. 23:39.
2. One is a cross of repentance - Lk. 23:40-43.
3. One is a cross of redemption – 1 Pet. 2:24. (Ransom price paid to
release man from sin – 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:18-19.)
D. Four
Soldiers Divided His Garments into Four Parts - Jno. 19:23-24.
E. There Were Five Wounds (hand, feet, side) - Jno. 19:32-37; 20:27.
F. There Were Six Horrible Hours - Mk. 15:25, 33.
G. There Were Seven Sayings by Jesus on the Cross:
1. A prayer of forgiveness - Lk. 23:34.
2. A promise of salvation - Lk. 23:43.
3. A show of compassion - Jno. 19:26-27.
4. An expression of suffering - Jno. 19:28.
5. A cry of loneliness - Matt. 27:46.
6. A proclamation of victory - Jno. 19:30.
7. A declaration of trust - Lk. 23:46.
Conclusion
1. 1
Cor. 11:24-25 – Eat & drink “in remembrance of Me.”
2. 11:26 – In the L. S. we proclaim the Lord’s death.
3. Let us forever examine ourselves as we partake so that we partake in a
worthy manner (11:27-28)!
You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS
The Day of Judgment
Scripture Reading: Rev. 20:11-15
1.
Judgment day coming - Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10.
2. Some object – Lk. 16:22-23.
I.
THERE WILL BE A DAY OF JUDGMENT.
A. Jesus – Matt.
10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:41-42.
B. Apostles & Prophets - Acts 17:31; 24:25; Rom. 14:10; 1 Pet. 4:5; 1 Jno.
4:17; Jude 6.
C. The “Last” Day – Jno. 12:48; Rev. 20:13.
D. Assured by Judge’s Resurrection - Acts 17:31.
II. THE
JUDGE & THE STANDARD.
A. Judge: Jesus
Christ – Acts 17:31; 2 Tim. 4:1
B. Standard: Word of God (Divine Truth) – Rev. 20:12; Rom. 2:12-16; Jno.
12:48; Heb. 1:1.
III.
EVENTS OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.
A. All Will Stand
Before God (Judgment Seat of Christ) – Rev. 20:12; 2 Cor. 5:10.
B. The Divine Standard of Judgment Will be Opened – Rev. 20:12.
C. The Divine Record of the Faithful Will be Opened – Rev. 20:12, 15.
D. Each Person Will be Judged by the Divine Standard – Rev. 20:12; Rom.
14:12; 1 Cor. 4:5; Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10 (Rev. 20:12-13).
E. Each Person Will Receive Their Just Reward – Rom. 2:5-11; 2 Ths. 1:8-10
(Rev. 20:15).
IV. WHY
A FUTURE DAY OF JUDGMENT?
A. Glory of Christ
Will Be Recognized – Phil. 2:9-11; 2 Ths. 1:10.
B. The Justice of God Will Be Served & Acknowledged – 2 Ths. 1:4-8; Jude 15;
1 Tim. 5:24-25 (Matt. 7:22-23; 25:44-45); Rev. 14:13; 16:5-7.
C. The Victory of Righteousness & the Defeat of Evil Will be Complete - 1
Cor. 15:25-26; Rev. 20:14; 19:1-2 (14:1-13)
D. Eternal Sentence Will be Pronounced – Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of
Scripture)
He Said I Would Be Invisible!
Joe R. Price
This from the Australian news service, www.news.com.au
‘Invisible’ bank robber arrested
November 08, 2002
IRANIAN police have arrested a man who calmly walked into a bank and attempted to rob it while convinced he was invisible, the Jam-e-Jam newspaper reported.
The paper said customers at the Tehran bank were stunned to see the man stride into the bank and begin to help himself to large quantities of banknotes.
The man, whose identity was not given, was quickly overpowered before police were called. But appearing in court, he tearfully told the judge that he had been the victim of a con.
“I had recently been to see a Muslim holy man, because I was looking for a way to get rich. He made me pay five million rials ($A1,115) for a parchment that made me invisible,” he was quoted as saying.
The paper said the man had been jailed, while police were hunting the swindling sorcerer.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5448092%255E13762,00.html
Faith can be misplaced. We can think we are right when we are very wrong. Prior to his conversion the apostle Paul fell into this trap: “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). True faith is built upon credible evidence, including eyewitness testimony (Heb. 11:1; Jno. 20:30-31; 1 Cor. 2:1-5).
We must use the mirror of divine truth (Jas. 1:21-25). (I guess this guy didn’t think to look in a mirror before paying the “holy man” and trying to rob a bank!!) With the word of God we investigate ourselves to see if we are “in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). With it we learn to be doers of the word instead of hearers who do not obey what God expects of us.
Don’t believe every religious claim you hear! There are many false religious claims and teachings in the world (1 Jno. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Created by Chuck Sibbing. 11/27/2002
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication
of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com