2 The Spirit's Sword

April 6, 1997 Northside church of Christ · 5201 NW RD · Bellingham, WA Volume 1.8

The Spirit's Sword

Walk by the Spirit

_But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. (Gal. 5:16-17)

Each of us choose to either live spiritual lives or to satisfy the flesh. Just as Jesus said we cannot serve two masters, the apostle teaches that we cannot walk (live) by the Spirit and after the flesh at the same time. They are opposite tendencies which produce opposite fruit. The works of the flesh will keep its bearer out of the kingdom of heaven, while the fruit of the Spirit evidences kingdom citizenship (Gal. 5:19-23).

To walk “by the Spirit” means to live by the gospel which the Holy Spirit has revealed to us (cf. Gal. 3:1-5; 5:18, 25). We will bear the “fruit of the Spirit” in our lives when we “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23).

To accomplish this walk one must willingly subject himself to “the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5-8). Let us heartily renew our minds and conform to the will of God instead of the world (Rom. 12:2). May we more diligently “crucify the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:24) as we live in subjection to the gospel of Christ.

As you make daily decisions which affect your life, be sure to consider how those decisions affect your soul’s salvation. Are you walking by the Spirit or after the flesh? -jrp

Assignments: Sunday, April 6

Announcements: Terry Haith

Opening Prayer: Terry Haith / Rick Holt

Closing Prayer: W. Humphrey / L. Parker

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Gary Bass

Scripture: C. Gardner / Dan Torres

Lord’s Supper: W. Golightly / J. Bass / S. Bass

Building Cleanup (Apr.12):Gary & Marie Bass

· Sick: Marietta Ashton (surgery Tuesday); Barbara Melton (surgery Thursday), Mackie DeWisperlaere recovering well from surgery, Connie Gardner’s mother in Idaho (knee surgery last week).

· Joe Price and Willie Golightly are at Oak Harbor this morning.

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

· Women’s Class, 10 Friday, McGrew’s

· “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance.” (Psalm 43:5)

· “...giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father....” (Eph. 5:20)

SERVICE SCHEDULE

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

Wednesday: 7:00 PM

Creation Taught In New Testament

_Did New Testament Christians believe in creation or evolution? Here is list of what some N.T. characters had to say.

1. Jesus: “But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them.” (Mark 10:6)

2. Early church: “And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is.....” (Acts 4:24)

3. Paul & Barnabas: “...bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is....” (Acts 14:15)

4. John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.” (John 1:1-3)

5. Peter: “For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God....” (2 Peter 3:5)

6. Men and women of faith: “By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.” (Heb. 11:3) -jrp