And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 21, Number
30
06/16/2019
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:
A Father's Instruction
Joe R. Price
Solomon the father wrote to his children in Proverbs 4. A worthy trait of fatherhood is instructing his children, so when they reach adulthood they may walk in wisdom, do the will of God, and turn away from evil. Paul agreed, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
Solomon called on his children in Proverbs 4 to listen to his wise instruction, receive it, retain it, and live by it (Prov. 4:1-4). The tender child does not know more than his parents. Sons and daughters must be taught to listen to their fathers (and mothers, too) and learn from them. Wise and loving fathers explain to their children the blessings and benefits of following God’s word. Solomon does that in this chapter. Listen to some of the rewards of following the godly instruction of fathers.
Wisdom
(Prov. 4:1-9). A father teaches his child to “give attention to know understanding” (4:1). The world will teach your children many things that are not the will of God. Loving fathers put a premium on wisdom that is from above, and train their children to choose and retain wisdom: “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you” (4:5-6). Loving fathers will teach their children the value of wisdom (4:8-9; Jas. 3:17-18).Life
(Prov. 4:10-19). The right paths of wisdom’s truth are taught by loving fathers. They wish to see their children walk in the light, not in the darkness of sin. So, they warn their children not to “enter the path of the wicked…avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (4:14-15). A father’s love compels them to show his children the path of honor and righteousness. He knows the path of the upright person leads to the ever-brighter day of eternal life (4:18-19).A heart that issues blessings
(Prov. 4:20-27). A father’s words must be received into the heart to benefit the child. Solomon taught his son to give attention to his words and “keep them in the midst of your heart” to be blessed (4:20-22). Children must guard their hearts diligently, and refuse evil (4:23-27). Loving fathers teach truth to their children, and wise children will obey it. By teaching their children, fathers help preserve their lives and receive life’s blessings. Children, “Obey your parents in the Lord,” and fathers, teach your children what to obey (Eph. 6:1-4).
The Lord's Power to Forgive Sins
Heath Rogers
The Bible teaches that, while He was on earth, Jesus had power to forgive people of their sins. He exercised this power at different times for different reasons.
On one occasion, Jesus forgave a woman of her sins because of her faith. “Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you. Go in peace’” (Luke 7:48, 50).
On another occasion, Jesus forgave a man of his sins because of the faith of his friends. “Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you’” (Matt. 9:2).
On yet another occasion, Jesus was willing to forgive the rich young ruler of his sins if he would sell what he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The young man was unwilling to comply with the Lord’s command, but the offer was made (Matt. 19:16-22).
Indeed, Jesus has power on earth to forgive sins. He did so at His own discretion – whenever, however, and to whomever He chose. However, everything changed when Jesus died on the cross.
When Jesus died, His will went into effect (Heb. 9:15-17). Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commissioned His apostles to take the gospel into the whole world. When we compare these accounts (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47), we see that Jesus commanded belief, repentance, and baptism as conditions for salvation. These are the stipulations of His will that are in effect today.
He Has Shown You What Is Good
Joe R. Price
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
People of the world often define what is “good” by saying, “let your conscience be your guide.” But, people of faith know what is good accomplishes the will of God (Heb. 13:21).
Micah reminds us it is God who tells us what is good. He does that through the inspired Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Good things require us to “do” the will of God. Here, the prophet sets forward God’s requirements of goodness as practicing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Today, concentrate on the good things God wants you to do – things like being fair in your treatment of others. Things like showing compassion and mercy to those who hurt.
Let us listen to what God says is good,
and then do it. God wants us to be good by doing what is just, merciful, and
humble.
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:5-12
1. “In the name of” is
used 30 times in the New Testament. Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38.
2. What does the phrase “in the name of” mean? How is it used regarding
baptism? Why should this matter to us?
I. “IN THE NAME OF” IS A STATEMENT OF POWER, STRENGTH, AND AUTHORITY.
A. To Act in
Someone’s Name Means to Act Under their Authority (approval), Acts 4:7; 3:6;
4:10, 12, 19-20, 19-20 (4:2), 4:30-31.
B. Other Scriptural
Illustrations that “in the Name of” means “by the Strength, Power, or
Authority” of that Person, Jno. 5:43; 10:25; Matt. 10:41-42; Acts 9:29; 2
Thess. 3:6; Jas. 5:10.
II. BAPTISM “IN THE NAME OF” JESUS CHRIST.
A. Not a Baptismal
Formula.
B. Statement of the Power by
Which One is Baptized, Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48.
C. Water is the Element Used
for this Baptism, Acts 2:38; 8:14-17; 10:47-48.
D. The Result (Purpose) of
Baptism “in the Name of” Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38; 22:16; Matt. 28:19-20;
Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:4-7).
III. THE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE TO US.
A. To be Saved One Must Believe in the
Name of the Son of God, Jno. 3:18.
B. One Must be Baptized in the
Name of Jesus Christ to be Saved, Acts 2:38; 4:12.
C. Whatever We Do Must be “in
the Name of” the Lord, Col. 3:17 (Eph. 5:20; 1 Jno. 5:13)
Conclusion
Will you be baptized in the name of the Lord and be saved? (Matt.
28:19; Acts 2:38)
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
The Responsibilities of Liberty in Christ
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22-6:5
1. Christians have
“freedom” in Christ (5:1, 13):
a. From curse of the old law,
Gal. 3:10-14.
b. From sin, Jno. 8:34-36.
2. Context: With liberty in Christ, we are called on to bear certain things,
Gal. 5:22-6:17.
I. FRUIT-BEARING, Gal. 5:22-23.
A. The Spirit’s
Product in the Christian’s Life (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1-8; Eph. 2:10).
B. This Fruit Affects All Our
Relationships, etc., Lk. 13:6-9; Heb. 5:12; Gal. 5:6-7; Jno. 15:4-5.
C. We Will Bear Fruit from the
Seed We Sow, Gal. 6:7-10 (Heb. 5:14).
II. BURDEN-BEARING, Gal. 6:2, 5.
A. Though Free in
Christ, We are Obligated to Bear the Burdens of Others, 6:2; Phil. 2:1-4.
B. Though Free in Christ, We
Must Bear Our Own Burden, Gal. 6:5, 7; 1 Cor. 9:21.
III. BRAND-BEARING, Gal. 6:17.
A. Permanent
Ownership, Gal. 3:26-29.
B. Bearing the Marks of Jesus:
Suffering Because of Our Freedom in Christ, Gal. 6:17 (1 Pet. 4:15-16); 2
Cor. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 4:11-13; Lk. 8:14.
C. Those Who Share in the
Sufferings of Christ Also Share in His Comfort, 2 Cor. 1:5-7.
Conclusion
1. Freedom in Christ doesn’t mean we set the rules, or that we have
liberty as long as it fits our definition of “love.”
2. Instead, our liberty calls on us to bear fruit, bear burdens, and bear
the marks of Jesus, Gal. 5:6.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
Who's Minding the Kids?
Joe R. Price
According to a report from KGMI Radio, “A Bellingham Christian day camp has turned away a prospective counselor because he is gay” (“Gay teen unallowed to be counselor at Bellingham kids’ camp,” kgmi.com). THE FIRS, a faith-based non-profit organization, hired 18-year-old Jace Taylor as a counselor at Fircreek Day Camp in May, but terminated his position upon learning of his sexual orientation. THE FIRS executive director Tom Beaumont said they could not accept Jace as a counselor “when it became evident in the application process that he did not personally align with our statements of faith (in particular, one regarding sexuality)” (Ibid). (The director’s full statement is available online at q13fox.com.)
This is another example of the moral dangers children face in today’s world. Some will see this action as outrageous, unjust discrimination. Others will see it as the right, moral decision. While this non-profit appears to be on solid legal ground (for the moment), that could change in the future as our nation increasingly puts a premium on immorality at the expense of the expression of one’s religious faith.
God-fearing parents must continually devote themselves to teaching and equipping their children with the truth of God (cf. Deut. 6:5-9; 11:18-21). A foundation for faith must be laid for them to build upon as they live in this dark world (Matt. 7:24-27). Else, the tidal wave will sweep them away.
God-fearing Christians will not be
intimidated into silence as the dark forces of sin envelope our nation. We
will keep on being the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt.
5:13-16). We will continue to speak the truth in love, trying to save some
(Eph. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:2). We will remain honor bound to obey God rather than
men (Acts 5:29). We applaud THE FIRS for the courage it took to make this
principled decision in the face of inevitable backlash.
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 06/17/2019
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
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