And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 20, Number 47
09/16/2018

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
  
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:

       P.O. Box 30821
  Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

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

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers


Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rich Brooks

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Shane Bass
Mike Finn
Dan Head


 

In this issue:


Gospel Meeting September 22 - 26, 2018

The Mt. Baker
Church of Christ


1860 Mt. Baker Highway • Bellingham WA

Invites you to our
GOSPEL MEETING
With Evangelist
Micky Galloway
(Lancaster, California)
SEPTEMBER 22 - 26, 2018

Saturday at 6:00 PM; Monday-Wednesday at 7:00 PM
(Sunday, Sept. 23 at 9:30, 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM)

Attitudes Toward…

Saturday: The Majesty of God
Sunday Class: Sin and Error
AM Sermon: God's Family
PM Sermon: Self
Monday: Repentance
Tuesday: "What Has God Ever Done For Me?"
Wednesday: God's Word

Bring your Bible and join us in learning God’s word and will for our lives!

(From I-5 take Exit # 255 and go East 4.2 miles)
For more information please call (360) 752-2692

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He Who Is Without Sin
Joe R. Price

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7, NKJV)

They had brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery (John 8:4). Desiring to accuse Jesus of wrong, His enemies tested Him by asking if He agreed with the Law of Moses that the woman should be stoned (John 8:5-6). If Jesus agreed with Moses, they could accuse Him to the Romans. If Jesus disagreed with Moses, they would accuse Him to the Jewish council. What they failed to remember is that Moses charged the witnesses of a death penalty offense to be the first ones to cast the stones (Deuteronomy 17:6-7). That is why Jesus replied as He did. He was not saying it is wrong to judge sin. He was exposing the hypocrisy of those who brought the woman to him (yet for some reason had not also brought the man with whom she was caught “in the very act” of adultery). Jesus was not a witness to her sin. When those who claimed to be witnesses departed, He had no legal ground to condemn her (John 8:9-11). But, He told her to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Jesus knew her sin and commanded her to stop sinning. Are you willing to let Jesus tell you to “go and sin no more?” Or, will you condemn Him for telling you that your conduct is sin?

-Sword Tips #1494, September 11, 2018 

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The Law of Liberty
Joe R. Price

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
(James 1:25, NKJV)

Apparently some believe that since Christians are under the “law of liberty” they are at liberty to adapt the law of liberty to current cultural norms and expectations. We are told that what worked in the first century to draw people to Christ for salvation is antiquated in the twenty-first century. Such a relativistic view of truth is ready made for this present age, but it is not the nature of the abiding truth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:35; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:3-4). Others say the law of liberty frees us from the regulatory demands of law-keeping (as if the commands of God are burdensome, 1 John 5:3). Yet, James is very clear in saying there is a “law” that one must continue in as a “doer of the work” in order to be blessed. If today’s verse does not say we must keep God’s law, then I must confess ignorance as to what it means! Later, James made it clear that Christians will be judged by the law of liberty: “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12). Beware if you use the law of liberty as a license to change and discard the commands of Christ. To do so is to rob yourself of eternal blessings. The law of liberty frees us from sin, not from the restrains of following the law of Christ.

-Sword Tips #1490, September 7, 2018 

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Fast Food Faith
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 25:1-5

Fast food slogans from which we can take warnings against abandoning the faith that was “once for all delivered” for forms of faith that will never satisfy the soul.

I. “HAVE IT YOUR WAY.” (Burger King)

A. Man-Defined Salvation and Faith, Gal. 1:6-10.
B. Man-Defined Worship, Mal. 1:6-14; Jno. 4:23-24.
C. Man-Defined Churches, Matt. 16:18; Col. 2:20-23 (Jer. 10:23; 1 Kgs. 12:25-33).
1. The church is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical playground, Jno. 18:36; Rom. 14:17; cf. Jno. 2:13-17.
2. The church belongs to Jesus, not to us, Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28. (Matt. 6:10)

II. “WHERE’S THE BEEF?” (Wendy’s

A. Religious Deception, Matt. 16:6, 12; Gal. 4:8-10; 6:14-17.
B. Religious Hypocrisy, Matt. 15:7-9; 23:1-2; 6:24; Jas. 4:1-4.

III. “YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY.” (McDonald’s)

A. Felt-Needs v. God-Defined Needs, Prov. 14:12; Jno. 6:60-68. 1 Kgs. 12:28.
B. We Can Never Take a Break from Christ’s Revealed Authority and Please God, Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7-10.

IV. “I’M LOVING IT.” (McDonald’s)

A. Redefining Love: “If it Feels Good, Do It.” Heb. 11:25; 1 Jno. 5:3; Acts 23:1.
B. Redefining Purpose: “If It Works, Do It.” Rom. 3:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eccl. 12:13.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Why Jesus Wept
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading:  John 11:28-37

1. The death of Lazarus an occasion for the glory of God even in sorrow, Jno. 11:3-6 (40), 11-15, 25-26, 41-42, 45.
2. We are assured that in our darkest moments of sorrow, uncertainty, separation and loss that Jesus cares and comforts, Heb. 2:14-18; 4:15-16.
3. Why Jesus wept, Jno. 11:35.

I. MARTHA AND MARY’S FAITH DURING THEIR GRIEF, Jno. 11:17-27.

A. Martha: Jesus Refocuses Her Grief Toward Him and the Future, 11:21-27.
B. Mary: She Worshiped Jesus Even in Deep Sorrow, 11:32 (Mk. 7:37; Rom. 8:31-37).
C. Christians do not Sorrow Like the World, 1 Thess. 4:13-14, 18.

II. THE EFFECTS OF THEIR GRIEF.

A. On Jesus, Jno. 11:33-35.
B. On those Present, Jno. 11:36-37.
C. The Raising of Lazarus, Jno. 11:38-44.
1. Verifiably dead, 11:39.
2. See the glory of God, 11:40.
3. A time of thanksgiving that looks beyond ourselves, 11:41-42 (Jas. 1:2-4).
4. Testify of the humanity and the deity of Jesus, 11:4, 42, 45 (25-26).

III. WHY JESUS WEEPS, Jno. 11:33-35.

A. He Weeps Because of What Sin Does to Us All, Gen. 6:6; 2:16-17; 3:22-23; Isa. 59:1-2.
B. Jesus Weeps Because He Cares When We Hurt, Lk. 8:40-42, 49-56, 26-39; Matt. 18:10-14.
C. Jesus Weeps Even When Sinners Refuse to Repent, Lk. 19:41-44; Ezek. 18:31-32.

Conclusion
Is Jesus weeping for you right now?

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Running to Danger
Joe R. Price

The usual instinct when danger presents itself is to flee, not run toward the danger. Thankfully, Blaine Hodges is unusual that way. When a woman ran into a Bakersfield, CA Starbuck’s last Sunday screaming, “Help me, this guy’s going to kill me,” Hodges ran to her aid. When a man entered the store with something in his hand (a machete), Hodges’ friend Joe Harris described the scene: “Everyone else was running away and he was the first person to run straight to the action,” Harris told KGET. “He was like: ‘I’m going to stop this guy, regardless if I get stabbed or not. I can’t let this woman die.’” “Hodge was reportedly stabbed ‘many times’ during the encounter, and required nearly 200 stitches.” (“California man steps in front of machete to save woman at Starbucks: report,” foxnews.com).

We applaud Mr. Hodges’ bravery and valor. We should develop this sort of courage for fighting spiritual enemies to protect others and ourselves (1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Pet. 1:5).

It takes moral courage to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). We must battle false faiths and enemies of the cross to seize (“lay hold of”) eternal life (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

It takes moral courage to fight against the devil (Eph. 6:10-13). The armor of God must be put on and bravely worn into battle, not hung on the wall to admire but not used (1 Pet. 5:8).

It takes moral courage to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). We must be willing to risk the rejection (and even wrath) of men when we oppose their error (Jude 4).

It takes moral courage to run to the fight instead of away from it. David ran toward the giant and his army (1 Sam. 17:48). Shall we run to the fight with faith in the living God, or run away in fear for ourselves and of men? (Matt. 10:28)

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  09/17/2018

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