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 IX,  Number 18
  January 08, 2006

"All material is written by Joe R. Price, unless otherwise noted."
 


Times of services:

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

Wednesday:
Bible Classes............7:00 PM

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church of Christ  Bible Answers

"...Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers..." (1 Peter 5:2)
Elders
Morris Bass, Rick Holt , Joe Price

"...let them serve as deacons, being found blameless..." (1 Tim. 3:10)
Deacons
Aaron Bass, Rich Brooks, Mike Finn
John Hague, Dan Head

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

In this issue:


Being Better Communicators
Joe R. Price

Communication is vitally important to every health relationship.  Although this simple truth is readily acknowledged, in practice it can be easily discounted, disrupted and discontinued, leading to stress, strain, chaos and sin.  Communication helps understand one another better.  It helps us “pursue peace with all people, and holiness” (Heb. 12:14).

God, the Master Communicator, has spoken to man since creation, and does so “in these last days…by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2; see article on page 2).  Where better to go to learn to be effective communicators than God’s word?  We can improve our communication skills.  It takes faith and hard work, but we can mature in the use of our tongues (Jas. 1:19-20; 3:2).

God’s word says a good communicator…

·   Delivers life, not cruelty, with his words Prov. 10:11)
·   Speaks with understanding (Prov. 10:12-13)
·   Speaks from knowledge (Prov. 10:14)
·   Is not hateful, deceptive or slanderous with his words (Prov. 10:18)
·   Is selective with his words (Prov. 10:19)
·   Reflects righteousness when he speaks (Prov. 10:20)
·   Has the welfare of his listeners in mind (Prov. 10:21)
·   Meets the needs of others with careful words (Prov. 25:11)
·   Speaks helpful words (Prov. 25:12)
·   Is reliable and trustworthy with his message (Prov. 25:13)
·   Does not exaggerate in order to flatter himself (Prov. 25:14)
·   Knows when not to speak (Prov. 26:17)
·   Knows inappropriate humor hinders effective communication and good relations (Prov. 26:18-19)
·   Does not bear tales and is not contentious – is not a gossip (Prov. 26:20-23)
·   Does not use deceptive, flattering words (Prov. 26:24-28)
·   Speaks the truth in love (Eph. 4:15)
·   Is gracious and appropriate with his words (Col. 4:6)
·   Is not swift to speak, and is a good listener (Jas. 1:19-20)
·   Exercises self-control, knows the power of his words & his accountability to God for them (Jas. 3:1-6)

-Adapted from http://www.bibleanswer.com/goodcommunicators.htm

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Dissatisfaction with the Completed Word of God
Joe R. Price

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Heb. 1:1-2).  This verse assures us that:

God has spoken.  How fortunate for us that He has!  Without God speaking His will to us we would not know how to please Him.  We cannot direct ourselves to God without God giving us directions (Jer. 10:23; Jno. 14:6).  This is fully accomplished in the revelation of the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 2:10-13, 1-5; Jude 3; 2 Pet. 1:3-4).

God has spoken in these last days“The last days” is used in the Scriptures to identify the period of the Messiah’s reign (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-17; 1Pet.1:20).  It is the gospel age, when the complete blessings of God are dispensed to man through Christ (Eph.1:9-10).  The “last days” began on Pentecost and continue until Jesus returns (Acts 2:16-17).

God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son.  The teachings of Jesus are the words of God (Jno. 7:16).  His teachings were proclaimed and recorded by His apostles who were inspired by the Holy Spirit (Jno. 14:26; 16:8; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:21).  We are confident the words of the apostles are the inspired words of God (Matt. 10:19-20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  By receiving the apostles’ doctrine one is receiving Christ and the Father who sent Him (Matt. 10:40).  When one rejects the apostles he is rejecting Christ and the Father, and will be judged by that same (rejected) word in the last day (Lk. 10:16; Jno. 12:48).

The word of God was completely revealed to the apostles (Jno. 16:8; Jude 3; Eph. 3:3-5).  Therefore, the Scriptures they produced are completely adequate to meet our spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  The word of God (inspired Scripture), is incorruptible, authoritative and understandable (1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 Cor. 14:37; Jno. 8:31-32).  We can completely trust God’s word.

But, not everyone is content to let God have the final word.  Some believe God continues to reveal Himself through visions, dreams, feelings, experiences, voices, church councils and the like.  Others say they believe in the completeness of the word of God, but they deny it by adding to, taking from or otherwise disobeying God’s word (Tit. 1:16).  Many are dissatisfied with the complete and final revelation of God to man (Jno. 16:13; Jude 3).  This is evident by observing the epidemic proportion of religious division in the world.

Here are some of the things that show dissatisfaction with the complete and final nature of God’s revealed word:

1. Foolish and ignorant disputes (2 Tim. 2:23).  This person is not satisfied with the Bible’s explanation of things.  He is convinced that real spirituality is defined by seeking for and disputing over the unknown and the unknowable.  He does not realize this actually shows a lack of faith in what God has revealed (Deut. 29:29).  Refuse such questions, knowing they generate strife.

2. Fables (1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; 2 Pet. 1:16).  A fable is a myth or story that is not supported by facts.  Oh, how many fables have men believed in the name of religion!  The Scriptures expose and condemn those who reject the first century gospel in favor of men’s fables that pervert God’s truth (Gal. 1:6-10).

3. The commandments of men (Tit. 1:14). Authority must come from heaven to have God's approval in our lives (Matt. 21:25; Col. 3:17). It is a clear sign they are not satisfied with the commands of God when men establish religious commandments and demand them of others (Matt. 15:1-9).

4. Selfishness and pride (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Some preach and teach the gospel out of hidden agendas (see Phil. 1:15-17). Such are not satisfied to let love for truth and compassion for the lost motivate them. Instead, God's word only satisfies this person if it can be used to serve a selfish advantage. Be assured, such evil will ultimately be exposed and judged by God (1 Cor. 4:1-5).

5. Bible ignorance and spiritual instability (2 Pet. 3:15-18). Some accept error over truth and twist the Scriptures because they lack proper grounding in Bible knowledge. Teaching that contradicts the Scriptures is "falsely called knowledge" by these folks. Consequently, these stray from the faith and are destroyed in their error (1 Tim. 6:20-21; Hos. 4:6).

6. Satan's deceptions (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Satan wants people to be dissatisfied with what God has spoken by His Son. The devil is at work trying to blind minds to the light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). If this is accomplished, people remain lost in their sins (2 Cor. 4:3). His tools of deception include overconfidence (1 Cor. 10:12), seared consciences (1 Tim. 4:1-2) and itching ears (2 Tim. 4:2-4). It is crucial to understand this and guard against his deceptive purposes (Jno. 8:44; 2 Cor. 2:11).

God's completed word of truth completely equips us to fight Satan and be victorious in Christ (Eph. 6:10-18). Do not be deceived; the Bible is complete and powerful to save (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12). God has spoken to us in His Son. He urges us to hear and obey the words of Jesus (Matt. 7:21-27).

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

Steps toward Apostasy

Scripture Reading:  2 Tim. 4:1-5

Intro.

1. Satan never leaves Christians alone (Rev. 12:17).
2. This is a personal battle; God is with us (Eph. 6:10-13; Rom. 8:37-39).
3. Apostasy: lit., a standing away from.
4. Apostasy is defection from…
    a. The word of God, Lk. 8:13.
    b. The faith, 1 Tim. 4:1.
    c. God, Heb. 3:12.
5. Christ’s disciples warned, Matt. 10:22; 24:12-13; 1 Cor. 10:12; Rev. 2:4-5.

I. HOW APOSTASY DEVELOPS, 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

A. First Step: A Wrong Attitude toward Truth, 4:3. (Prov. 4:23; 23:7).
    1. “Will not endure sound doctrine” 4:1-2 (Psa. 119:140).
    2. Complacency, compromise, convenience & shame toward word of God – heart is being prepared to fall away (Heb. 3:12-13).
    3. Prevention: Seek, welcome & use truth, 1 Ths. 2:12.
B. Second Step: Becoming Comfortable with Error, 4:3. (“According to their own desires”)
    1. Lustful cravings choke word of God, Mk. 4:18-19; Jas. 4:1-4 (1 Jno. 2:15-17); cf. Jer. 5:30-31; 1 Kgs. 22:5-8, 22; 2 Cor. 11:4; Eph. 5:8-13 (2 Jno. 9-11).
    2. Prevention: Instead of being comfortable with sin & error, we must contend for the faith with all humility, Jude 3; Jas. 4:7-10.
C. Third Step: Abandon Truth & Replace it with Error, 4:4. (“will turn their ears away…”); cf. Col. 2:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Pet. 1:16.
    1. Repeated warnings, 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:14.
    2. Prevention: Be watchful, endure & work…keep hearing & heeding all truth (Rom. 10:17; Jno. 8:31-32).

Conclusion

    1. Any step toward apostasy is too far (1 Jno. 2:1).
    2. Remedy: Repent & do first works (Rev. 2:4-5; Matt. 6:33); 1 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 3:13; 6:4-6 (Acts 8:20-24).

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

Do the Words of Jesus Apply Today?

Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 3:1-8

   Are MMLJ (Matt. Mk. Lk. Jno.) (before cross) a record of the Law of Moses or the gospel of Christ?  Do the words of Jesus have application today, or were they “nailed to the cross” as part of the Law of Moses?  Why this doctrine?

I.  WHAT JESUS PREACHED, Lk. 16:16.

  A. Gospel of the Kingdom, Mk. 1:1; Matt. 4:23, 17; Lk. 4:42-44 (Matt.13:16-17; 16:16-19; 18:15-17).
  B. The New Covenant, Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13; 9:15-17 (Matt. 26:19).
  C. A Different Message, Jno. 1:17-18 (7:46; 6:32-35, 51, 63; 9:28-29).
  D. Jesus & His Teaching is Presented as Superior & Preferable to the Law of Moses, Matt. 17:5 (5:22, 28, 32…; 7:29 (Jno. 5:46-47; 6:63, 67-68; 12:48-50; Gal. 2:21; 3:21).
  E. The Apostles Said Jesus Preached the Gospel, not Law of Moses, Acts 10:36-37; 13:38-39 (Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:14-18; Heb. 2:1-3; Jno. 14:26).

II.  DO MMLJ BELONG TO THE OLD OR NEW COVENANT?  2 Cor. 3:5-8

  A. Were the Apostles Ministers of Death or Life?  2 Cor. 3:5-6, 14-16 (Lk. 1:1-4; Acts 1:1)
  B. What “Writing of Requirements” was Nailed to Cross?  Col. 2:14 (Eph. 2:14-15)

Conclusion

1. If this doctrine is true…
  -The disciple cannot appeal to the very words of His Master to authorize His conduct (Lk. 6:40).
  -The personal teachings of Jesus before the cross never apply to men after the cross (1Cor.7:10; Ac 20:35)
2.  MMLJ are part of the New Testament of Christ, dedicated by his blood & in force today (Heb. 9:15-17).
3.  Authority of Jesus in MMLJ…Hear Him (Matt. 17:5).
4. We can hear & do what Jesus taught, Matt. 7:24.

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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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