2 The Spirit's Sword

March 23, 1997 Northside church of Christ · 5201 NW RD · Bellingham, WA Volume 1.6

The Spirit's Sword

Able To Admonish

_To admonish means “to warn, exhort.” Every Christian has the right and responsibility to admonish a fellow Christian in righteousness. We are not islands unto ourselves. Christians share in the spiritual blessings of Christ (Col. 1:12). While sharing together in heavenly blessings we show genuine care for one another when we properly admonish each other. Admonitions regarding spiritual things is an expression of true love and care (1 Pet. 4:8).

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14). We need two things to be able to admonish: goodness and knowledge. We also need these qualities in abundance. The one (goodness) identifies purity of heart and honest motives, while the other (knowledge) is the standard upon which the admonition is made. To be effective, our admonitions must reflect the goodness of Christ (cf. Gal. 6:1-2). Plus, a knowledge of the truth enables us to offer correct admonish (cf. Heb. 5:14; Jno. 7:24).

We must be able to admonish:

1. One another in song (Col. 3:16).

2. The disorderly (1 Thess. 5:14).

3. Brethren from whom we have withdrawn because of their sin (2 Thess. 3:14-15).

4. The factious man (Titus 3:10).

5. Every man to be perfect in Christ (Col. 1:28)

6. One another as beloved brethren (1 Cor. 4:14).

7. At all times (Acts 20:31).

Let us equip ourselves with goodness and knowledge to be able to admonish! -jrp

Assignments: Sunday, March 16

Announcements: Ed DeWispelaere

Opening Prayer: DeWispelaere / Gary Bass

Closing Prayer: Willie Golightly / Terry Haith

Song Leader: Gary Bass / Dan Torres

Scripture: Terry Haith / Shane Bass

Lord’s Supper: R. Holt / D. Frahm / J. Bass

Building Cleanup (Mar. 29): Torres & Fair

· Thanks to everyone who helped make our gospel meeting a success by your presence, prayers and participation! Special thanks to Gary Johnsen for his work of preaching the gospel!

· We rejoice in the baptisms of Bradley Holt and Jessica Head last Tuesday night.

· Sadly, we say “good-bye and Godspeed” to Sheri Stark who leaves Tuesday for Ft. Worth, TX. We will miss you, Sheri!

· Out of town: Loren Parker. Sick: Barbara Melton, Mackie DeWispelaere.

· Hollister’s new address: 3995 Nelson RD, Deming, WA 98244. Phone - 592-2122.

· Men’s class - 7:00 Tuesday - Gary Bass.

· Women’s class - 10:00 Friday - McGrews.

· A men’s business meeting has been called for tonight at 5:00. Every man needs to be present.

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 PM

Palm Sunday, Too?

ILarry Ray Hafley

n the religious world, today is "Palm

Sunday." Next Sunday, some churches of Christ "indirectly" will acknowledge Easter by conducting Easter egg hunts, distributing corsages, etc. Why not Palm Sunday, too? Why not have a "special" service today in honor of "Palm Sunday?" Why not wear palm leaf corsages or fasten palm leaves on classroom doors?

If similar "programs" can be conducted next week for "Easter Sunday," why not on "Palm Sunday," too? Next Friday is known as "Good Friday." How about a worship service that mimics denominational observance of that day? What of the whole "Lenten Season"? What is next--ashes smudged on our foreheads in the sign of the cross? Why not? If we may do one, why not the other? Will someone please explain?

Jesus (remember him?) says that his disciples are to observe only those things which he has commanded (Matt. 28:20; Col. 3:17). Further, he said that the celebration of human, man made traditions make worship void and vain (Matt. 15:8, 9). "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men....Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and man such like things ye do" (Mk. 7:7, 13).

Ironically, brethren who flirt with Easter observance will condemn this article. It is right for them to play footsie with denominational religion but wrong for me to call them back to scriptural worship according to the New Testament pattern (Heb. 8:5; Cf. Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Jn. 9).

Sad, isn't it?