And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD
Volume 23, Number
49
01/09/2022
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
In this issue:
Joe R. Price
January 1 is another day on the calendar. If I need to make a resolution I should not wait until New Year’s Day. But the first day of each new year lends itself to making resolutions, setting goals to do something new, different, better, or all over again – or to stop doing something.
Resolutions serve worthy purposes of improvement and advancement. Setting a goal and working toward it is a noble undertaking – when the goal itself is noble. So whether we intend to make a New Year’s resolution, let’s make these spiritual resolutions (regardless of the date on the calendar)
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Resolve to become a Christian without delay (2 Cor. 6:2).
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Resolve to read the Bible every day (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
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Resolve to pray more earnestly (Luke 18:1-8), give more bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6-7), serve more diligently (Rom. 12:11), and complain less frequently (Phil. 2:14).
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Resolve to count your blessings and not your neighbor’s failings (Eph. 1:3).
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Resolve to solve disputes with others (Matt. 5:23-26).
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Resolve to be kind and forgiving (Eph. 4:32).
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Resolve to be an asset to the local church by doing your part (Rom. 12:4-8)
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Resolve to teach someone the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Tim. 2:2).
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Resolve to live for Christ so your reward will be living with Christ forever (Phil. 1:19-23; Col. 3:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:6-8).
Joe R. Price
December 2021 saw a rash of auto accidents here in Whatcom County, some fatal. Some friends died of Covid or other illnesses last year. Others were diagnosed with chronic diseases, some potentially terminal. Our prayers for these continue. Others were blessed with strength and health, for which we give thanks.
We do not mean to be morbid, painting a bleak picture of 2021 or the year ahead. These are the realities of “time and chance,” the frailty of the flesh, and aging, among other things (Eccl. 9:11; 12:2-7; Heb. 9:27). So in that sense, not much changed in 2021 (unless we were directly or indirectly impacted).
A timely question to ask is, “What if it is you or me in 2022?” What if we are diagnosed with an illness requiring surgery or radical treatment? How will we respond? Paul set a worthy example for us (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Will we be steadfast in prayer, persevering, and trusting God’s grace? Although weak in the flesh, will we be strong in faith (2 Cor. 12:10)?
What if you or I lose a loved one through an accident? How will we react? Will we blame others or ourselves? Will we accept the moment of calamity and its trials with faith’s courage or fear’s contempt (Job 2:10; Rev. 2:10)?
What if you or I die in 2022? Will we be ready or unprepared (Luke 12:20-21)? That depends on whether we are doing God’s will today. Tomorrow never comes (James 4:13-17).
Joe R. Price
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5, NKJV).
Like the apostles, Christians want our faith to grow. Instead of working a miracle to put greater faith into their hearts, Jesus taught them how their faith could grow. His disciples have a responsibility to live in such a way that gives increase to their faith. (1) Faith is increased by trusting the power of faith (Luke 17:6). Faith is a force that activates us to live in harmony with God’s will. It is the fuel that feeds the engine of our lives (2 Cor. 5:7; see Hebrews 11 where people acted “by faith”). We can accomplish whatever God says to do when we trust faith’s power. (2) Faith is increased by offering the service of faith (Luke 17:7-8). Faith in the Lord requires us to serve Him, not ourselves. Our faith will not grow until we humble ourselves before the Lord and trust and serve Him first. (3) Faith is increased by obeying the duty of faith (Luke 17:9-10). Just as a servant has duties to perform, disciples of Christ are to do all we are commanded (v. 10). We have nothing in which to boast when we obey Christ in faith. We have earned nothing. We have only done our duty. Obeying Christ fulfills our duty to Him. Faith is dead without obedience (James 2:20). To increase your faith, diligently add to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7). Trust faith’s power, offer faith’s service, obey faith’s duty, and the Lord will increase your faith (Phil. 2:12-13). -Sword Tips #2284
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Where is Jesus?
Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-7
1.
People wanted to know where Jesus was, John 7:11; 9:12.
2. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:1-2)
I. WHERE WAS JESUS AS A CHILD?
A.
Born in Bethlehem, Matt. 2:3-6.
B.
Taken to Egypt, Matt. 2:13-15 (Hosea 11:1).
C.
Hometown of Nazareth, Matt. 2:19-23.
II. WHERE WAS JESUS DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY?
A.
Began in Galilee, Matt. 4:12-17, 4:23-25; 15:21; Heb. 13:12; Luke 24:50-51.
B. Now
at God’s Right Hand, Heb. 1:3.
III. IN HEAVEN PREPARING A PLACE FOR HIS FOLLOWERS, John 14:1-6.
A.
On His Throne, Acts 2:29-31, 33-36.
B. King
and High Priest, Psalm 110:1-4.
IV. JESUS IS IN THE MIDST OF THE CHURCHES, Rev. 1:11-13, 20.
A.
He Knows the Churches, Rev. 2:2.
B. He
Commands, Warns, and Will Reward those who Overcome, Rev. 2:5, 7.
V. JESUS IS IN THE CHRISTIAN’S HEART AND LIFE, Col. 1:27.
A.
In Our Hearts by Faith, Eph. 3:17 (Col. 3:16); Gal. 2:20; John 14:23 (21).
B.
Spirit of Christ Dwells in Us, Rom. 8:9-11.
VI. WHERE WILL JESUS BE?
A.
Return on the Throne of His Glory to Judge the World, Matt. 25:31; 2 Thess.
1:7-10.
Top
You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
Now Abide Faith, Hope, Love (Part 3)
Joe R. Price
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:22-25
1. The
motivations, reverence, and rewards of faith, hope, love.
2. The three-fold cord remains strong:
a.
Faith pleases God, Heb. 11:6.
b. Hope
is secured by our faith, Heb. 11:1.
c. Love
fills our heart, Rom. 5:5.
I. THE MOTIVATION OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, Heb. 10:22-25.
A.
Faith (22): To Draw Near to God, Heb. 9:14; 12:24.
B. Hope
(23): To Hold Fast Our Confession, Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 6:9-12.
C. Love
(24): To Consider One Another (stir up, exhort, etc.), Heb. 3:12-13.
II. THE REVERENCE OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, 1 Pet. 1:17-23.
A.
Faith (17): To Live With a View Toward Judgment, 2 Cor. 5:7-10.
B. Hope
(18-21): To Remember God is Our Reason for Hope, Psalm 39:7.
C. Love
(22): To Fervently Love Each Other, 1 John 4:20-21.
III. THE REWARD OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, 1 Pet. 1:3-9.
A.
Faith (9): Its Goal is Our Salvation.
1. It
guards us (5).
2. It
is purified by trials (6-7).
3. It
brings us praise, honor, and glory (7).
B. Hope
(3): It is Living and Sustains Us.
C. Love
(8): To Abide with God Forever.
Conclusion
1 John 2:28-3:3: Faith to practice righteousness because of God’s love,
purified in hope.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
The Treasury of Snow
Joe R. Price
The past couple of weeks brought extreme weather in Whatcom County. Other parts of this country and the world have also endured traumatic typhoons, tornadoes, floods, and blizzards. These weather events and their accompanying hardships and loss become etched into our memories.
When Elihu answered Job’s complaint against God by calling attention to the truth that the wind and clouds “swirl about, being turned by His guidance, that they may do whatever He commands them on the face of the whole earth” (Job 37:12, 9-13; Ps. 135:6-7).
Elihu enumerated three purposes of God in nature in Job 37:13:
(1) For correction. God, not man, assigned the weather cycles. We witness humanity’s hubris in the notion that we control the climate. We ought to examine and correct ourselves when extreme weather events grab our attention. Accepting the discipline trials bring is a mark of faith (1 Pet. 1:6-7).
(2) For His land. God set in motion the seasons and their weather patterns to sustain His earth (Gen. 8:22; Eccl. 1:5-8). He founded the world by wisdom. By knowledge His clouds drop dew that sustains the earth (Prov. 3:19-20).
(3) For mercy. While extreme weather brings moments of fearful trials and opportunities for self-discipline, the weather also dramatically displays God’s merciful sustenance. He gives us “rains and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with gladness” that we might turn to Him (Acts 14:16-17).
May we honor God and rejoice in Him whatever the weather. The weather’s powerful presence displays and fulfills the sovereign purposes of God.
Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 01/10/2022
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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