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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 21, Number 44
09/22/2019

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:
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Editor......Joe R. Price



 

In this issue:


The Grace of God that Brings Salvation
Irvin Himmel

Nothing is more clearly revealed in the Scriptures than our dependence on God’s grace for redemption. Paul said to the saints at Ephesus, “by grace are ye saved” (Eph. 2:5). Everyone who is permitted to enter heaven will be there by grace.

Today there are teachers, even in the church, who have warped conceptions of grace. Some seem to feel that grace is the big “cover-up” for whatever they want to allow that is not taught in the Bible. There is endless speculation about what grace may do. Having no desire to join the ranks of the conjecturers, I offer the following facts revealed in God’s word.

1. Grace does not circumvent Jesus Christ. It is folly to imagine that God’s saving grace may somehow take a circuitous route that by-passes Jesus Christ. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). God demonstrated His loving-kindness for sinful man in the gift of His Son. In Christ “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). Saving grace is found in Jesus, not out of Him. Paul said to the Corinthian Christians, “I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:4). The grace that saves comes to man by or through, not apart from, Jesus Christ.

2. Grace does not ignore the Gospel. The good news of justification through Christ is referred to as “the gospel of the grace of God” and “the word of his grace” (Acts 20:24, 32). To preach the gospel is to distribute saving grace. The saints at Colosse were reminded of “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Col. 1:5,6). It was not until the gospel was preached in Antioch that people turned to the Lord and the grace of God was “seen” in that locality (Acts 11:19-23).

3. Grace does not permit access apart from faith. “Access” is that which gives admittance, entrance, or introduction. One must show faith in Jesus Christ in order to gain access into saving grace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1,2). Since faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17), one must hear the gospel to enter God’s favor. “For by grace are ye saved through faith . . .” (Eph. 2:8). God provides salvation through undeserved favor; man accepts that provision of grace by means of faith.

4. Grace does not rule against baptism for the remission of sins. The faith which gives access into grace is active trust-confidence expressed in cheerful obedience. God requires that we show faith by being baptized, and that demonstration of faith is unto the remission of sins. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12). Peter preached repentance and baptism “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). But he acknowledged that it is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” that we shall be saved (Acts 15:11). Salvation by grace requires faith, and faith requires baptism unto the forgiveness of sins.

5. Grace does not give license to sin. The law of Moses was given to show the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Under the law sin abounded. “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. . . “ (Rom. 5:20). Does this mean that the more men sin, the more grace will be shown? Or, as Paul worded the question, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” He answered, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1,2). The triumph of God’s grace over sin is not to be interpreted as a license for the Christian to indulge in unrighteousness. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Rom. 6:12). “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly . . .” (Tit. 2:11,12).

6. Grace does not offer unconditional security. Just as our entrance into saving grace is conditioned on our willingness to show faith in Jesus Christ, our remaining in that grace is conditioned on our willingness to continue in faith. The Hebrew writer warns us that one may “fail” or “come short” of the grace of God (Heb. 2:15). The Galatians were called “into the grace of Christ” but afterward accepted false teaching that “removed” them (Gal. 1:6,7). Paul wrote to them, “ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). This explodes the theory of once in grace, always in grace.

7. Grace does not save on the basis of human merit. The Bible sometimes uses the word “work” to convey the thought of activity that earns, or effort that deserves reward. In this sense Paul used the word when he wrote, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt” (Rom. 4:4). Our salvation is based on faith, not something earned or deserved, “that it might be by grace” (Rom. 4:16). This is why boasting is excluded. “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:9). Actions in exercise of faith are sometimes called “works” (James 2:24), but they are not in the category of efforts that earn or merit. No man deserves salvation. God’s grace saves and shows our inability to reach heaven by our own might, ingenuity, or deserving. God owes us nothing; we owe Him everything.

I have used this negative approach to show some of the revealed limitations which God places on grace. Hopefully, this will point out that God’s saving grace is not a mystical catch-all for whatever odds and ends the speculators in theology may wish to conceal. And let us stay with revelation, giving no honor to speculation.

-(Truth Magazine, XVIII:8, p. 2, Dec. 20, 1973)

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

Only Speak a Word
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 8:5-10

1. How often must God say something before we believe and obey Him? Jer. 7:13, 21-27
2. Listen carefully and obey fully, Isa. 6:8-10.

I. IT ONLY ToOK (TAKES) A WORD FROM GOD TO…

  1. Create the world, Psa. 33:6-9; Heb. 11:3.
  2. Uphold all things, Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17.
  3. Heal, Matt. 8:8, 13, 16 (cf. Psa. 107:20).
  4. Reveal His mind, 1 Cor. 2:9-13.
  5. Speak the word that save, Rom. 10:8, 17.
  6. Judge us, Jno. 12:48 (Rev. 20:12).

II.  HOW WE REACT WHEN GOD SPEAKS HIS WORD.

  A. Do We Listen and Obey When God Speaks? (Samuel, Cornelius)
  B. Do We Argue, Dispute, and Gainsay against God? (Saul, Israel)
  C. Reaction toward God and His Word Reveals Our Heart, Acts 17:11 (Jno. 7:17).
    1. How to be saved, Mk. 16:15-16.
    2. Music in worship, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.
    3. Moral conduct, 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pe. 4:1-3
    4. MDR, Matt. 19:6, 9; Rom. 7:2-3.
  -Do we look for loopholes in God’s word and logic? Isa. 55:6-9

III. WE MUST SPEAK WHAT GOD SPEAKS, Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:11 (Acts 20:27, 20-21)

Conclusion
1. What do you want to hear? Heb. 1:2 (Isa. 30:10); 2 Tim. 4:2
2. We must have ears to hear: Listen with open, receptive, faithful, and obedient ears (hearts), Lk. 8:8, 18.
3. We must have mouths that speak the utterances of God, 1 Pet. 4:11.

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

Overcoming Doubt
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 31:19-24

1. Examine the strength of our faith.
2. Endurance is key, Prov. 24:10; Gal. 6:9 (Heb. 12:3-6).
3. Doubt: Lit., “to be without a way (no way).” Without resources, in perplexity, at a loss, cf. Lk. 12:28-29 (little faith).

I. THE AIM (OBJECTIVE) OF DOUBT AND FAITH’S RESPONSE.

  A. Aim: Diminish and Destroy Our Personal Faith in God (life for Christ), cf. Psa. 73:13-18, 2-3; Mt. 13:20-21; 1 Co. 4:9-13; Heb. 3:6, 12-14.
  B. Response: Overcome Personal Doubts by Trusting God’s Sovereignty, Psa. 73:21-28.
  C. Aim: Doubt God’s Care for Us and His Power in Our Lives. Psa. 22:1-2; Mk. 4:38, 40; Matt. 14:30-32; Heb. 5:7; Psa. 77:1-3, 7-15.
    1. Keep praying, 77:1.
    2. Realize the problem of doubt is with me, not with God, 77:10.
    3. Remember God’s mercies in life, 77:11-12.
    4. Remember God’s strength, 77:13-14.
    5. Remember God’s salvation is real, 77:15.
  D. Response: Overcome Doubt in God’s Care and Power by Trusting God to Deliver Us, Psa. 22:19-21, 24; Heb. 13:5 (Psa. 71:1-5).
  E. Aim: Doubt the Truth and Effectiveness of God’s Word, Rom. 10:16; 3:8; 10:21.
  F. Response: Overcome Doubt in God’s Word by Relying on the Power of Truth, Isa. 55:11 (Heb. 4:12); 2 Cor. 4:7.

Conclusion
1. Victory in Christ over Satan, sin, and death.
2. Be steadfast, trusting Him, 1 Cor. 15:56-58.
3. Live by faith and fully commit ourselves to God’s care today, 2 Tim. 1:12.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

"Storm Area 51" - Earthlings Arrive
Joe R. Price

Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All Of Us” began as a Facebook event “set up by college student Matty Roberts,” inviting “people to attempt to run into the mysterious site at 3 a.m. Sept. 20.” 2.1 million initially said they planned to attend. Local media reports “campers and trucks have begun to set up camp near Rachel and Hiko, Nevada” despite “repeated warnings from law enforcement officials and the U.S. Air Force” not to breach the restricted military base’s defenses (“Alien Enthusiasts Begin Arriving for ‘Storm Area 51,’ voanews.com). To mark the weekend, various events, including music festivals, are occurring as far away as Las Vegas (“Area 51 raid – live updates,” Andrew Griffin, independent.co.uk).

Area 51 has long been ground zero for conspiracy theorists who are convinced the U.S. government has hidden proof there of alien life from outer space. Many people want to believe we are not alone in this vast universe. Without proof they speculate, theorize, and affirm it is so as they explore heaven and earth for signs of alien life.

All the while, the evidence of Almighty God is before their heaven-trained eyes, yet many refuse to see it and accept it. Nevertheless, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1). The enormity of outer space proclaims the boundless power and wisdom of God, its Creator (Psa. 19:2-4; Gen. 1:1).

Only humans (male and female) are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). We are not descendants of aliens visitors from outer space. Such creatures are the fanciful creation of human imagination and fantasy. Human beings are truly unique in all the universe (Psalm 8). “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men” (Psa. 115:16). Rather than spending time searching for non-existent space aliens and chasing down conspiracies, we should “seek the Lord…and find Him,” for “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  09/23/2019

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