Noteworthy News

(Taken from current news topics)

ME TOO

Daniel Foster, Idaho director of American Atheists Inc., wants to place a monument to atheism as prominent as the Ten Commandments monument outside Caldwell City Hall. Mayor Dick Winder said he will take Foster's request to the city council, but does not believe the city is obligated to meet the request. Foster said he may sue if the city turns down his request. -- The Associated Press

This got me to thinking about what ought to be engraved upon a monument to atheism:

A Monument To Atheism:

Thou shalt be a fool for saying there is no God. (Psalm 14:1)

Thou shalt not inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:9-11)

Thou shalt be cursed for trusting in the strength of man. (Jeremiah 17:5)

Thou shalt be without excuse and under the wrath of God. (Romans 1:18-21)

Thou shalt be given up to uncleanness and dishonor. (Romans 1:24)

Thou shalt exchange the truth for a lie. (Romans 1:25)

Thou shalt be given up to vile passions and corrupt thinking. (Romans 1:26-28)

Thou shalt live in ignorance and superstition. (Acts 17:22-23).

Thou shalt live in futility, blindness, lewdness and greed. (Ephesians 4:17-19)

Thou shalt live forever in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

-Joe Price

Sentence Sermons

· “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” (Eccl. 7:9) ·

· Study and learn the truth! When you understand it, dare to be different, and obey it! ·

N orthside News

Assignments: Sunday, Aug. 24

Announcements: TBA

Opening Prayer: TBA / Rick Holt

Closing Prayer: Loren Parker / Terry Haith

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Dan Head

Scripture: Terry Haith / Jason Holt

Lord’s Supper: C. Fair / J. Bass / Ed D.

Bldg. Cleanup (Aug. 30): Haith

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Vol. I, No. 28 August 24, 1997

Learning Is Work!

Learning takes a good amount of effort on our part. But, before learning occurs, we must want to learn. Without first having the desire to learn, real learning will not occur. We simply will not apply ourselves to the task. But when one is driven to learn by an insatiable desire to be right with God, then the real work begins.

When it comes to spiritual matters, we must be driven by a constant desire to learn more of God's will for our lives so that we can live what we learn. Consider the following verses which counsel us to learn and obey God's word:

"Show me thy ways, O Jehovah; Teach me thy paths. Guide me in thy truth, and teach me; For thy art the God of my salvation; For thee do I wait all the day." (Psa. 25:4)

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments." (Psa. 119:73)

"If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself." (Jno. 7:17)

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

Knowledge by itself does us little good. In fact, it can lead to the arrogant treatment of others (1 Cor. 8:1). Paul counseled Timothy to study for the purpose of being an approved workman of God. Paul assumed Timothy would put what he studied and learned from God's word of truth into use. Likewise, we must not be content with learning truth. We must be equally committed to obeying what we have learned. Paul reminded Timothy of a compelling reason to commit himself to learning and diligently obeying God's word: to avoid being ashamed before God. What a tragic scene it will be to stand before God having wasted our opportunities to learn and obey His word (cf. Matt. 25:24-30).

Yes, learning anything new is hard work. It takes time and devotion. When it comes to learning and obeying God's truth, we cannot afford to take a shortcut. With commitment to learn and obey, we will be "taught of God" and not be ashamed before Him (Jn. 6:44-45). -Joe Price

WISE COUNSEL

You have probably heard the one about the man who was going to represent himself in court....he had a fool for an attorney. Well, the Bible teaches just about the same principle when it says "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Prov. 12:15). The person who is so consumed with himself that he could never possibly be wrong is a fool. He will not consider that his way may not be the best. And if you suggest that he could be wrong, he will gladly change your "wrong" impression. He is obstinate and rebellious toward the will of God, too. Never mind that the God of the Universe has revealed truth, this person is right because "he says so." Truly, he is a fool.

Foolish, because he has allowed pride to dominate his heart. Pride is in opposition to God and truth (1 Jn. 2:16). Pride will only bring us shame, contention and destruction (Prov. 11:2; 13:10; 16:18).

However, the proverb also says "he who heeds counsel is wise," and "in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Prov. 12:15; 24:6). The importance of good counsel cannot be underestimated. We can all remember times in our lives when the wise advice of someone helped us address a problem or deal with a difficult situation.

Where we seek counsel can make all the difference in the world. Some of the people and places we should go to for wise counsel:

1) The word of God (Ps. 119:97-100, 104, 130). When we turn to God's word for counsel, we are going to the wisdom of The Wise One. God's word, the psalmist declares, made him wiser than his enemies, his teachers and the aged. In contrast to man's failure to understand the value of wisdom, Job declares that "God understands its way, And He knows its place" (Job 28:13, 23). There is no greater source of wise counsel than God's word!

2) Our parents (Prov. 1:8-9; 4:1-2). Many times children think their parents do not know anything. But, since parents have already experienced much more of life than their children, it is wise to hear what they have to say. To disregard the advice of your parents is the way of foolishness.

3) A true friend (Prov. 17:17; 27:6). This is one who, because of your close friendship, holds your best interests supreme. His advice may hurt, but it is intended to help, for it is "faithful." We should seek out friends who are willing to give us godly advice.

4) People with experience (2 Kgs. 12:4-13). In pride, Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of the old men for the counsel of youthful power. It led to civil war and the division of Israel. We should listen to those who have experienced the things we are now facing (cf. Tit. 2:3-5).

The fear of God is to hate pride (Prov. 8:13). God favors the humble, but resists the proud (Jas. 4:6). "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser: Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:9-10).

-Joe Price

Where Are We Headed?

I came across this item recently. It deserves our serious attention:

"Efforts are being made to change our preaching, remodel the gospel and modernize he church. I was in the audience when a young man spoke disparagingly of those who would preach on such things as 'adultery, instrumental music and institutionalism.' This young man stated that 'these things are not relevant to salvation anyway.' Others have stated 'that God does not expect us to be completely, doctrinally correct.'" (Mickey Galloway, "Are We Taking the Backbone Out of the Church of Christ?," Guardian of Truth, 8/18/94, p.8).

This report is shocking, to say the least. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of brother Galloway's report. I believe his assessment is correct. I have talked with some who adhere to the belief that "100% doctrinally conformity" is not necessary for our approval before God (it is my conclusion that this view has evolved in part as a continuing effort to accommodate error on marriage, divorce and remarriage, and fellowship.) Whether intentionally or otherwise, a movement has been on for some time which does indeed take the backbone out of the church. Let me be clear. The church of our Lord Jesus Christ does not need to be "modernized." Our preaching does not need to change when that change means compromising with the doctrines and philosophies of men (Col. 2:8; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).

More and more Christians are no longer interested in contending for the faith, when that is the very thing needed if we are to address the growing problem of minimizing the doctrine of Christ on such subjects as "adultery, instrumental music and institutionalism" (Jude 3). Unfortunately, some simply do not have the stomach for it. They may voice their opposition to the "peace at all cost" approach to unity, but their actions betray them. It is easier to look the other way, to turn a deaf ear to error than it is to withstand it to the face (Gal. 2:11-14). For others, it may be that they are unfamiliar with the Bible subject under question. They have been Christians for years, and "have intended to study that sometime," but they never seem to get around to it. So, when the truth needs standing up for, they are usually sitting on the sidelines. Then there is that group of brethren who, out of an appeal for "open-mindedness" cast doubt upon anyone who has the audacity to think and teach that the Bible can be understood, that its teachings are definitive, and that we are obligated to conform strictly to it. They cannot tolerate boldness in preaching. To them, defending the truth is out of vogue (Acts 4:13; 2 Tim. 1:7; Phil. 1:16). Then there is another group which has an aversion to contending for the faith. These want their itching ears scratched with the latest trend, the newest speculation, the comfortable path (2 Tim. 4:3-4). They are enemies of truth, though often disguised as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14-15). They follow their "own lusts" rather than the way of truth.

Where the church is headed depends upon you, me, and every other Christian. After all, we are the church (Acts 2:47). The church needs Christians who will study to show themselves approved unto God and handle His word properly (2 Tim. 2:15). Brave Christians with the courage and faith to engage the errors of false doctrine with the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:11-17). Christians who love truth and the souls of men more than themselves. More than the comfort of saying nothing, or saying only what others what to hear (2 Tim. 4:2-5). The church needs Christians who will live their convictions, not simply speak them. Then, the church will not be looking to "modernize" - it will be walking in the "old paths" of truth (Jer. 6:16).

Perhaps an equally important question is, "Where are you headed?" -Joe Price