2 The Spirit's Sword

March 30, 1997 Northside church of Christ · 5201 NW RD · Bellingham, WA Volume 1.7

The Spirit's Sword

Your Sanctification

_For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that he abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:3-4).

Sanctification means to be set apart. It carries the idea of purity and holiness. The apostle makes a sharp contrast in this passage between the pagan practice of gross immoralities as a form of service to the idols of the day and “the will of God.” The Thessalonians had previously honored the idols by walking in fornication and the “passion of lust” (1 Ths. 1:9; 4:5). But now they lived to please God, and so they abandoned uncleanness and lived in purity and holiness (1 Ths. 4:1-2, 7).

We, like they, must “know how to possess” our bodies in holiness and purity (1 Ths. 4:4). Living pure lives comes by learning and then doing (cf. Phil. 1:9-11). In context, the Holy Spirit demands sexual purity. It is the chaste man and chaste woman who bring honor to the marriage bed (Heb. 13:4).

Some brethren say that a person cannot “live in adultery.” However, our text implies that is not the case. One will either “walk” so as to “please God” (v. 1), or walk in “fornication,” the “passion of lust” and “uncleanness” (v. 3, 5, 7). Colossians 3:5-7 emphatically teaches that one can “live in” fornication. My brethren, that includes adultery! We must abandon false doctrines which twist the scriptures and return to sanctification to which God has called us (1 Ths. 4:7-8).

How do we do this? By deliberately presenting our bodies unto righteousness (Rom. 6:19-22). We make up our minds to serve the holy God, not the lusts of the flesh (1 Pet. 1:15-16). That may require our repentance like it did at Thessalonica (1 Ths. 1:9). If so, why should we object and reject God?! (1 Ths. 4:8) -jrp

Assignments: Sunday, March 30

Announcements: Rick Holt

Opening Prayer: Rick Holt / Rusty McGrew

Closing Prayer: Charles Fair / Aaron Bass

Song Leader: Tim Beckley / Rick Holt

Scripture: Clarence Gardner / Gary Bass

Lord’s Supper: Ed D. / Morris B. / Jess B.

Building Cleanup (Apr. 5): M. & N. Bass

· BUSINESS MEETING - 5:00 TONIGHT ·

· The sick: Mackie DeWispelaere is home from the hospital doing very well; Connie Gardner’s mother. Shut-in: Beulah Walker.

· Men’s Class - 7:00 Tuesday - Gary Bass ·

· Women’s Class - 10:00 Friday - McGrew ·

· Sheri Stark · 5300 Coventry PL · Colleyville, TX 76034 · (817) 571-0501

SERVICE SCHEDULE

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

Wednesday: 7:00 PM

Who Moved?.................

c hurches of Christ have become more like denominational churches.

Are denominational churches more nearly like New Testament churches, or are churches of Christ more nearly like Protestant churches--which? If churches of Christ and denominational churches are drawing "closer together," who moved? Did they, or did we? Today, is "Easter Sunday." Look around at what is going on today where you worship. Perhaps what you see and hear will help you to answer the question, "Who moved?"

Who Moved?

Larry Ray Hafley

For years, Christians have struggled to call men "back to the Bible." We have earnestly encouraged our denominational friends to obey the gospel and work and worship "according to the pattern" of the word of God (Heb. 8:5; Cf. 2 Tim. 1:13). Now, the work and worship of denominational churches is more nearly like that of some churches of Christ. Why is that? Who moved? Have denominational churches scooted closer to the New Testament plan, or have some churches of Christ drifted from the teaching of the Bible?

Today, "Easter Sunday," is a case in point. Most Christians know that Easter is a human tradition. Its observance is totally devoid of divine authority (Matt. 28:20; Col. 3:17). Because of our appeals to the religious world around us, have Protestant and Catholic churches moved closer to the truth, gradually forsaking and removing unscriptural elements of the "Easter tradition?" Or have some churches of Christ become more like denominational churches by adopting certain elements of the trappings and traditions of Easter? Which is it? Have they nudged closer to the Bible standard, or have some of us drifted closer to their human traditions? Who moved?

In years gone by, the distinctions between churches of Christ and denominational worship activities were glaringly obvious. Today, however, those lines of distinction are converging and the differences are being blurred. From those who advocate "fasting" as a means of seeking greater piety to those who contend for an expanded role for women in public worship; from those who employ choruses and choirs in special "musical programs," to those who are not "convinced" that "we can bind the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper"; from those who provide gymnasiums and dining rooms for social and recreational purposes to those who conduct special Easter and Christmas "programs,"