2 The Spirit's Sword

July 27, ‘97 Volume 1.24

The Spirit's Sword

What You Can Do

You can:

1 - You can go to God in prayer every day that passes.

2 - You can study the word of God some, every day.

3 - You can visit the sick and shut-ins.

4 - You can give generously into the Lord's treasury.

5 - You can invite a friend to attend services.

6 - You can let your "light" shine by good examples.

7 - You can give someone a good tract or bulletin.

8 - You can take some food to someone in distress.

9 - You can faithfully attend worship and Bible study.

10 - You can be sympathetic to someone with a problem.

Assignments: Sunday, July 27

Announcements: Rusty McGrew

Opening Prayer: Rusty McGrew / Rick Holt

Closing Prayer: TBA / Terry Haith

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Gary Bass

Scripture: Terry Haith / Jess Bass

Lord’s Supper: TBA / Morris Bass / J. Holt

Bldg. Clean (Aug. 2): Shane & Justina Bass

· Sick to remember: Beulah Walker, Floy Nell Bass, Marietta Ashton’s mother.

· Torres’ new address: 7714 Champions CIR, Wichita, KS 67226. Phone: (316) 630-0307.

· Travelers: Connie Golightly is in TX, Gardners in Idaho, Haith family home Tuesday; Fairs back from Alaska, Debbie Price leaves Thursday.

Timeless Thoughts.........

As long as vengeance seems sweet, there's bitterness in the heart.

To be moderate in sin is no more possible than to be moderate in death.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

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

Wednesday: 7:00 PM

Making The Application

_It occurs to me that many people are uncomfortable with Bible preaching and teaching that makes specific applications to people and their lives. Speak on the principles of truth all day long and they are ardent supporters. But begin to apply the principles to real life situations and real life people, and they become squeamish, if not your adversaries. These people have missed a fundamental point in their Bible study: God's truth is for people and their lives. A good language teacher shows how the principles of grammar are applied by having his students write sentences. A good Bible teacher shows how a scriptural principle applies to men's lives.

Then there are those who apparently have no problem with the preacher making applications - as long as they apply to someone else. Reminds me of the saying: "The average person's idea of a good sermon is one that goes over his head and wakes his neighbor up." If we are satisfied with applying truth to those around us but not to ourselves, we have become judgmental and hypocritical (Matt. 7:1-5).

The fact of the matter is that Jesus not only taught the principles of truth, He also made specific (and pointed) application of them. Read Matthew 23; 16:22-23; 15:1-14; Jn. 9:40-41 for just a few examples of such. His apostles also made specific application of divine principles to the lives of those who needed to hear it: see Acts 2:36; 8:20-23; 24:24-25; 3 Jn. 9-10.

The determining factor for whether something ought to be taught is not "will it hurt someone's feelings...will they be offended." Truth does that when the hearer's heart is not right (Matt. 15:12) No, the determining factor for Bible teaching must be, "is it profitable for the spiritual welfare of the listener?" "I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable..." (Acts 20:20). Until one is ready to accept this God-given guideline he will be a hindrance to sound Bible preaching instead of a supporter of it. Think on these things. -Joe Price