THE SPIRIT'S SWORD
Published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
Bellingham, WA (1860 Mt. Baker HWY)
(360) 752-2692

Editor/Evangelist  Joe R. Price
Volume VII,  Number 42
 
March 28, 2004

Times of services:

Sunday:
Bible Classes............9:30 AM
Worship......10:30 & 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
Bible Classes............7:00 PM

Web sites:
www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker  www.bibleanswer.com

"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)

In this issue:


The Lord's Evening Meal?
Joe R. Price

        According to The Watchtower, the official publication of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, April 4, 2004 will be a special day.  That is the day they will observe “The Lord’s Evening Meal.” 

        You might be wondering what is “The Lord’s Evening Meal,” since we do not find that terminology in the Bible (1 Pet. 4:11).  This is their way of speaking of the Lord’s supper (which is Bible language, 1 Cor. 11:20).

        The Watchtower says that April 4, 2004 “corresponds to Nisan 14 on the Bible’s lunar calendar.”  They believe that since the Passover meal was eaten only once a year, the “Lord’s Evening Meal” (the Lord’s supper) should only be eaten once a year (Exo. 12:1-14; cf. “The Lord’s Evening Meal, How Observed,” The Watchtower, 15Mar2004, page 6).

        New Testament Christians came together “on the first day of the week” to break bread (Acts 20:7).  Which first day of the week:  Only the one that “corresponds to Nisan 14?”  No.  Nothing in the New Testament suggests that.  Are we to only eat the Lord’s supper once a year?  No, that is also without New Testament authority.  The force of the implication in Acts 20:7 is necessary:  whenever there was a first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread.  This is just as sure and certain as Israel remembering the Sabbath day every time there was a seventh day of the week (which was once a week, Exo. 20:8-11).  Since there is a first day of the week every week, the Lord’s supper should be eaten every first day of the week, not only once a year.

        The Lord’s supper was something new and different from the Passover that God commanded of Israel.  While Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples He gave a completely new meaning to the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine.  In the Passover meal the unleavened bread suggested the haste with which Israel left the bondage of Egypt (see Exo. 12:8-11, 34, 39).  In the Lord’s supper it represents the undefiled body of the Savior that was given for the sins of mankind (Lk. 22:19; 1 Pet. 2:24).  Fruit of the vine was present during the Passover meal, but Jesus gave it new significance when He commanded His disciples to drink it in His remembrance.  Jesus said it represents the blood of the new covenant that was shed for the sins of the world (Matt. 26:27-28).  The blood of a lamb was vital in the Passover, but Christians remember the blood of the Lamb of God when we eat the Lord’s supper (Exo. 12:6-7, 13, 21-24; Jno. 1:29).

        The Lord’s supper is not a continuation of the Passover given to Israel (Exo. 12:12-14).  His supper is “new” in His Father’s kingdom (Matt. 26:29).  When He taught His disciples to eat His supper, Jesus spoke of “the new covenant,” not the old, Mt. Sinai covenant that was passing away (Heb. 8:13).

        Therefore, just like early Christians, present-day Christians eat the Lord’s supper every first day of the week as a communion of the body and blood of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16).  It is the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:20).  It certainly is not the “Lord’s Evening Meal” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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God the Refuge of His People
Mark Mayberry
 

Introduction
    On occasion, the people of God face individual troubles, family troubles, congregational troubles, and national troubles. From time to time, we are burdened with uncertainty, sickness, frailty, and sorrow. Yet, the Holy Scriptures afford comfort in trials. This is especially true of Psalms Forty-Six, written by the sons of Korah for the chief musician, where God is presented as the refuge of his people.
 

God Provides Shelter
Psalm 46:1-3 ... 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (KJV)

Psalm 46:1-3 ... 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. (NASB95)

    God provides shelter and strength. Elsewhere, David said, “He is my rock” (Psalm 18:2; 62:1-2). He furnishes us with confidence (Psalms 62:5-8). Even when it seems like our entire world is falling apart, God offers help to his people (Psalms 23:4-6; Habakkuk 3:16-19).

God Provides Support
Psalm 46:4 ... 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (KJV)
Psalm 46:4 ... 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. (NASB95)

    God provides support and sustenance for his people. The Lord provided for Israel during their wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy 8:15-16; Psalms 105:40-43). In like manner Jesus Christ provides us with the bread of life and streams of living water (John 6:35; 7:38).

God Provides Fellowship

Psalm 46:5 ... 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. (KJV)

Psalm 46:5 ... 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. (NASB95)

    God also has fellowship with his people. God was with Israel during the wilderness (Exodus 40:34-38). When Solomon initiated worship in the temple at Jerusalem, the glory of the Lord filled the house (1 Kings 8:10-13). In like manner, Jesus Christ shares an abiding relationship with all his followers (Matthew 18:20; 28:18-20; Luke 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

God Provides Punishment

Psalm 46:6 ... 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. (KJV)

Psalm 46:6 ... 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. (NASB95)

    All worldly evil can be summed up in three words: “The nations raged.” Yet, when God comes in judgment, the kingdoms of men fall (Psalms 2). Although the power of evil appears invincible, Satan’s doom is sealed (Revelation 20:7-15). Let us, therefore, be God’s allies and not his enemies (Hebrews 12:25-29).

God Provides Peace

Psalm 46:7-11 ... 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (KJV)

Psalm 46:7-11 ... 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. (NASB95)

    God affords peace in several ways. Physical peace prevailed when Israel was faithful to God (Leviticus 26:6). Spiritual peace is granted to those who trust and obey (Philippians 4:6-7). Familial peace belongs to those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways (Psalms 128:1-6). He also shows us how to enjoy peace within congregations (Romans 14:16-19).

Conclusion
    Consider the following words, written by my sister-in-law Anne Stevens. This song was finished at Texas Children’s Hospital where her second newborn grandson was struggling with a variety of serious health problems:

1.  Oh, waste not this day in worry. You must face the past and let it go. For the Father who knows your sin and sorrow, Is the Father who loves you so.
2.  Oh, waste not this day in worry. Oh, borrow not tomorrow's woe. For consider the birds in all their glory, Neither gather, nor reap, nor sow.
3.  Oh, waste not this day in worry. Won't you treasure ev'ry single hour? For your life, it is nothing but a vapor, Like a lovely but fading flow'r.
Chorus: Waste not this day in worry. Spend not this day in fear. For he knows the sparrow, Is He, your loving Father, ever near.

    Great blessings come to those who are right with God. They enjoy shelter, security, support, and sustenance. It is not so with the wicked. The only thing they can rightfully expect to receive is the outpouring of God’s wrath. Where do you stand? Is your heart right with God? Are you a faithful Christian?  If not, obey his word, rejoice in his grace, trust in his goodness and love, and come to know the peace that surpasses comprehension.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Bible Question Box Mar. 2004

Scripture Reading:  Romans 13:1-10

#1:  Is it wrong to be paid “under the table” (not reporting all of your income)?

1.  Yes, it is wrong, because it is being dishonest – Eph. 4:25 (Phil. 4:8).
2.  Cheating the IRS is stealing – Eph. 4:28; cf. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:7 (Lev. 19:35-36; Prov. 11:1
3.  Not okay as long as you don’t get caught, Heb. 4:13 (Num. 32:23); Psa. 19:12-13; Prov. 11:3-6.

#2:  (a) Is the main reason or “the” reason we gather on the 1st day of every week to partake of the Lord’s Supper?  (b) If not can you please explain why we should show reverence during the song service, sermon & prayer service as well as the Lord’s Supper.

(a)…
1.  NT teaches multiple activities in assembled worship (responsibilities & purposes).  All of these fall under the general purpose of worship:
  a.  Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7 (1 Cor. 11:33).
  b.  Teaching gospel – Acts 20:7 (Acts 11:26).
  c.  Giving as prospered – 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
  d.  Praying – 1 Cor. 14:15-16 (1 Tim. 2:8).
  e.  Singing – Col. 3:16.
2.  All of these give homage to God & edify the saints – 1 Cor. 14:26.
(b)…Show reverence (give honor to God) during worship… (Jno. 4:23-24)…
 -Praise God in humble, reverent worship, 1Chr.29:16-20
  -May our words & thoughts be acceptable to God, Psa. 19:14

#3:  What is the purpose of the book The Song of Solomon?  What spiritual gain can we take from it?

1.  The choice between true love & sensuous love.
2.  Theme:  Do not force love – SS 2:7.
3.  Lessons include: 
  a.  Traits of true love (cf. Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:4).
  b.  Dangers of sensuality & the enticements of the flesh.
  c.  Moral virtue is to be protected & enhanced.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

The Lamb of God
Joe R. Price

The Reuters new agency reported last Thursday that Palestinians in the West Bank town of Hebron were gathering by the hundreds to see “a lamb born with what looked like Allah spelled out in Arabic on its coat.”  The lamb’s owner Yahya Atrash told Reuters Television, “This is clear evidence of God’s existence.”  (Hundreds Flock to See Lamb with Allah’s Name, http://news.yahoo.com, Mar 25, 10:12 AM ET)

There is no doubt that evidence exists in support of God’s existence.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1).  Even the marvelous birth process of this little lamb demonstrates the power and complexity of God and His creation (Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:24, 28; Psa. 139:14).

But be assured, the term for the Islamic deity (Allah) is not burned into this lamb’s coat as evidence of his existence.  The God of heaven and earth speaks to all of mankind today in His Son, Jesus the Christ (Heb. 1:2).  The record of His life and deeds among men has been written “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jno. 20:31).  While God’s creation provides evidence that God exists, it is the word of God (given through Jesus Christ) that contains proof that Jesus is the Son of God.  Only by faith in Him may we have everlasting life.

God did send a lamb with His name upon it.  Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jno. 1:29).  Based on the evidence he saw when he baptized Jesus, John the baptizer testified that Jesus is the Son of God (Jno. 1:30-34).  We are redeemed from our sins by the “precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

People run to see a false sign attributed to a false god, and accept it as true, but reject the genuine evidence of the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Yes, the god of this world (Satan) continues to blind the minds of unbelievers so the light of the gospel will not shine on them that they may be saved (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

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Created by Chuck Sibbing - 03/11/2009

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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