Noteworthy News

(Taken from current news topics)

INDIA - A study presented by Hindus Against the Abuse of Women at the Second International Conference on Bride Burning and Dowry Deaths in India concluded that the number of murders of women committed by ``intimate relations'' in the United States is almost double those in India -- 15 per year per million population for the U.S., compared with 6.25 in India. The rate of female murders in India has declined by 50 percent since the passage of a recent law making husbands and in-laws guilty until proven otherwise if a bride dies within the first year of marriage. -- Hinduism Today

Here’s something to think about: I wonder how many men are guilty of “murdering” their marriages through their own selfishness, arrogance, worldliness, or neglect? The Bible says that husbands are to love their wives sacrificially and completely, as Christ loves His church (Eph. 5:25-29). If you do not mistreat yourself, why do you mistreat your wife?

I wonder how American men would fare being held to a “guilty until proven innocent” standard when it comes to killing marriages? (Oh, by the way, this also applies to wives, Eph. 5:33.)

-Joe Price

Northside News

· business meeting: Our regular monthly business meeting is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. tonight.

· out of town: Connie Gardner, Gary and Marie Bass.

· new quarter begins September 7: New class assignments begin next Sunday. Please check your teaching assignments. Our classes are important, let’s treat them as such.

Assignments: Sunday, August 31

Announcements: Loren Parker

Opening Prayer: Loren Parker / TBA

Closing Prayer: Walt H. / Willie Golightly

Song Leader: TBA / Clarence Gardner

Scripture: Jess Bass / Ray Hollister

Lord’s Supper: Aaron B./Shane B./Clarence G.

Bldg. Cleanup (Sept. 6): Dan & Roberta Head

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. 29 August 31, 1997

AIDS Epidemic Strikes Church

The scourge is being spread by perverted preachers

The church of our Lord is suffering from AIDS. I do not mean the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, but a spiritual ailment that is much more deadly--Addition of Innovations to the Detriment of the Saints.

The church has suffered from AIDS often. The apostles knew there would be those who would want to add something to revelation (1 Cor. 4:6), pervert the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), adulterate the gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) and promote destructive heresies to their own downfall (1 Peter 2:1; 3:16).

Recent cases of AIDS include the use of man-made machinery to do the church’s benevolence or evangelism (various societies and extra-church organizations). Some brethren are trying to introduce more of these today (different kinds of “marathons” to raise money from the unbelieving for the Lord’s work!).

Another case of AIDS is in the confines of “ministries.” There are more “ministries” in some churches than members. Some “ministries” are dangerous and some are just silly. Somebody reported the “Attendance Care Restocking Ministry.”

A dangerous AIDS is the current trend to get rid of the outdated church of Christ image ministry. It seems to be coming largely from preachers who seem bent on destroying the distinctive nature, message and life of the Lord’s church, and replacing it with an upbeat, unity in diversity, hand clapping, antinomian conglomerate of the libertines and spiritually sophisticated.

This can be recognized by such terms as “traditionalist viewpoint,” “new Hermeneutic,” “watchdog attitudes,” “sharing ministry,” and “celebration of worship.”

When you hear these terms, beware! The speaker is likely one who is promoting fellowship with error, rebellion against authority, or undermining the binding implications of biblical statements.

Let’s “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11) and get away from this new vague nomenclature that leads to unbelief.” AIDS is deadly.

-Robin W. Haley, banner of truth, Aug. 24, 1997

Max Lucado: Departure From The Faith

Max Lucado preaches for the Oak Hills Church of Christ In San Antonio, Texas. He is a prolific writer and he is currently riding a crest of popularity among evangelicals as well as many brethren. Lucado has been on the path of digression for many years, but now he has reached a new milestone (see below).

Some brethren are enamored with Lucado. They need to understand clearly that they are drinking from the well of apostasy (read Jeremiah 2:11-13).

Here is the proof (read it and weep). Lucado now offers “the sinner’s prayer” to the lost to be saved. He has drunk from the well of Calvinism and ecumenism. We must not drink of his poisonous well. Why would a Christian want to follow in this man’s footsteps?!

Max Lucado - Radio Station KJAK, Lubbock, Texas - December 1996:

You can be sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. You see, in God, by virtue of your adoption, you have a divine affinity, you have eternal security, and you have a golden opportunity. I cannot imagine an orphan turning down an opportunity to be adopted. With one decision, with one raising of the hand, with one agreement to leave the orphanage, that person all of a sudden goes from being abandoned to claimed, from having no name to a new name, no future to a new future, he leaves the orphanage, and enters the house of the father.

That's what God offers you. There is no quiz, no examination, no charge. All you have to do is say "yes" to the Father. And many of you have done that. But I have a hunch that not all of you have. I have a hunch that there's a few of you listening, even now, and God is using this to pull on your heart. The Holy Spirit is informing you of something that you have never really heard before - and that is, God is ready to be your Father. Maybe you never understood that the invitation was for everyone. Maybe you thought you weren't worthy. Maybe now you do understand. God will make you worthy, and the invitation is for you. And all you have to do is call him Father. Just call him Father. Just turn your heart to him even right now as I am speaking. Call him your Father. And your Father will respond. Why don't you do that?

[Instrumental music playing in background] "Father, I give my heart to you. I give you my sins, I give you my tears, I give you my fears, I give you my whole life. I accept the gift of your Son on the cross for my sins. And I ask you, Father, to receive me as your child. Through Jesus I pray. Amen."

ANNOUNCER:

And friend, if you prayed along with Max Lucado just now, here on UPWARDS, we want to welcome you into the family of God. We hope you will contact us and share your personal testimony. If you are already a believer, we thank you for praying for these new brothers and sisters in Christ.

-Joe Price

GOD-GIVEN INCENTIVES FOR OBEYING THE GOSPEL Notes

{Scripture Reading: Romans 2:1-16}

· God is calling mankind to Himself - Acts 2:38-39:

Þ To Salvation - 2 Ths. 2:13-14.

Þ To Grace - Gal. 1:6.

Þ To Peace - 1 Cor. 7:15.

Þ To Fellowship w/ His Son - 1 Cor. 1:9.

Þ Out of Darkness to Light - 1 Pet. 2:9.

Þ To His Eternal Glory - 1 Pet. 5:10.

· God has given us incentives to obey Him.

I. THE LOVE OF GOD - 2 Cor. 5:14; Jno. 3:16-17.

Þ Rom. 5:6-8 - While sinners, Jesus died for us, His enemies.

Þ 1 Jno. 4:9-11, 19 - The love God has shown toward us?!

II. THE GOODNESS OF GOD - Rom. 2:4.

Þ Physical provisions from His hand - Acts 14:15-17 (Matt. 5:45-47).

Þ Spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ - Eph. 1:3; 3:20-21.

Þ Forbearance (a holding back, patience) - Rom. 3:25-26; Acts 17:30

Þ Long-suffering (to not hastily retaliate, wait) - 2 Pet. 3:9.

III. THE SURE JUDGMENT OF GOD AGAINST SIN - Rom. 2:5-6.

Þ 2 Pet. 3:10 - The day of the Lord will come.

Þ Acts 17:30-31 - He will judge the world (you).

James 2: THE PROFIT OF FAITH

{Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26}

I. FAITH HARBORS NO PREJUDICES - 2:1-13.

A. Faith Is Impartial In Its Judgments & Conduct - 2:1-11.

1. Favoritism destroys unity & love.

2. Favoritism is arrogant, selfish and self-serving. - cf. Gal.

3:28; 1 Cor. 12:20-27; 1 Cor. 1:10.

3. Favoritism leads to compromise w/ sin & false doctrine

- 1 Tim. 5:21-22; 1 Cor. 5:2-3, 6.

B. Faith Is Merciful Because It Has Received Mercy - 2:12-13.

II. Faith works (obeys) - 2:14-26.

A. Faith without works (of faith) is......

1. Profitless - 2:14; Phil. 2:12; Acts 10:35; Rom. 2:10.

2. Dead - 2:15-18, 20; Jn. 6:28-29; Gal. 5:6-7; Matt. 5:14.

3. Demonic - 2:19; Mk. 1:23-27; Rom. 7:4.

B. Illustrations - 2:21-26.

1. Abraham (father of the faithful) - Heb. 11:17; Rom. 4:16.

2. Rahab (Gentile, saved by grace through faith) - Heb. 11:31.

Conclusion

1. The faith that saves is the faith that obeys!

2. Is your faith profitable?