Noteworthy News

(Taken from current news topics)

Baltimore’s oldest church finds salvation with ballpark peanuts

AP-BALTIMORE (Aug. 3, 1997) -Baltimore’s oldest church was losing hope. Its congregation was shrinking, and its building deteriorating. Gleaming high-rise hotels and a modern glass-and-steel convention center pressed adjacent the 227-year-old brick church, dwarfing it.

At one point, the city even suggested that the church, which remained standing after a 1904 fire devoured much of downtown, give up and move out.

But that was before the Baltimore Orioles’ new stadium was built a block away. And before Otterbein United Methodist Church discovered peanuts.

Now, before almost every Orioles game, church members hawk $1 bags of peanuts, along with the vendors selling soft pretzels and T-shirts on the street next to the ballpark.

Former pastor Max Powers got the idea five years ago when a church member sold only two bags of peanuts at the church’s strawberry festival......

Baseball, Powers said, has saved the church’s spirit.

Please do not misunderstand what I am about to write - I like peanuts! But, dear reader, the idea of a church selling peanuts to renew its hope and save its spirit is, from a Biblical point of view, outrageous!

Christ did not die for the church so it could maintain its hope through peanut sales! (Acts 20:28) He did not build the church so it could find its purpose and meaning through entrepreneurial enterprises! (Matt. 16:18; 1 Tim. 3:15; Jn. 18:36) The work of the local church is spiritual in nature: preach the gospel, edify the church and help needy saints (1 Ths. 1:8; Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 5:16).

“For we are not, as the many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (2 Cor. 2:17)

We only offer the gospel of Christ to the world. It comes without cost, but will cost you your life (Lk. 14:25-35; Rom. 12:1-2). Churches of Christ find their hope in Christ. And that ain’t peanuts!

N orthside News

· Remember: Keith Alsobrook (out of town), Beulah Walker (shut-in).

· The men’s Bible class will meet Thursday night at 7:00 at Rusty McGrew’s house.

· Joe Price will be preaching in Oak Harbor next Sunday morning.

Assignments: Sunday, September 7

Announcements: Gary Bass

Opening Prayer: Gary Bass / Shane Bass

Closing Prayer: Dan Head / Ray Hollister

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Rusty McGrew

Scripture: Aaron Bass / Jess Bass

Lord’s Supper: Loren P. / Terry H. / Wesley H.

Bldg. Cleanup (Sept. 13): Hollister

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. 30 September 7, 1997

Saving Faith

"Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Unquestionably, we are saved by faith. Faith is man's trust and depen­dency upon God. It is produced by the God-given evidences upon which it rests (Heb. 11:1; Jn. 20:30-31; Rom. 10:17). It is expressed through man's obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ (Matt. 7:21; Lk. 6:46). James said that faith which is not joined to works (of obedience) is dead because it is alone (Jas. 2:17). It is neither trite nor simplistic to say, "a faith that saves is a faith that obeys."

And yet, there are brethren who try to convince us to give up "the idea that we must DO SOMETHING to effect our justifi­cation" (Roy Osborne, "Dead Men Don't Climb Ladders!", Wineskins). Surely, Mr. Osborne has not thought through this statement. According to his reasoning, the faith described in Romans 5:1 would have to be inactive to result in justification. If man cannot "DO SOMETHING" (his empha­sis), then man's faith can DO ANYTHING to effect his justifi­ca­tion. But James teaches that a faith that does nothing is of no profit (2:14), is dead (v.17, 26), is of the demons (2:19), is barren (v. 20), and will not justify (2:24). Mr. Osborne has taught false doctrine, and unsus­pecting brethren are being deceived by it. In an apparent zeal for the grace of God (something we should always have), some have minimized the role of faith in salvation. Man must "DO SOMETHING" to be saved by God.

Hebrews 11 emphatically teaches that faith saves when faith obeys. From Abel to Abraham, from Jacob to Jericho, the lesson we learn is clear: God blesses those who trust His word and obey His will. After all, Hebrews 11 was written to teach us what kind of faith is "unto the saving of the soul" (Heb. 10:39). Just as their obedient faith in God was rewarded by God, so ours will be (Heb. 11:6).

Will you put your faith to work by doing God's will, or will you fight against God's definition of saving faith? -Joe Price

"BUT WHERE ARE THE NINE?"

Robert Wayne LaCoste

What would you say to a group of men who were cured of a terminal disease (as cancer or AIDS) and didn't pay their doctor's bill? What would be your response to a man whose life you had saved, and he didn't appreciate it enough to stop and even say, "Thank you?"

Luke records in Luke 17:11-19 just such an incident. Ten men were cured of a dreadful terminal disease known as leprosy. They were made white as snow and their skin, as well as their health, returned as they had it as a child. Nine of these ten men went their merry way and didn't so much as send word by another how thankful they were. None gave glory to God.

However, one of the ten men, when "he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud voice glorified God" (Luke 17:15). When the inspired record says that he "turned back" it is meant he went on his merry way at first, but got to thinking about what had been done and decided to return to the one responsible and thank Him. He fell down after giving glory to God at the feet of Jesus. Of course, through such an action he glorified God again, for when one honors the Son, he honors the Father who sent Him (John 5:23).

Jesus wanted to know about these other men who had been healed. He asked this Samaritan, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" The response was: "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger" (17:17-18).

Was Jesus angry or hurt? Was the Savior of men disappointed or did He brush it off as being simply the nature of men? We know not. The record tells us very little about the Savior's feelings on this occa­sion. HOWEVER, THE SCRIPTURES IN MANY PLACES TELL US THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THANKFUL AND HOW GOD SMILES ON ONE WHO IS! How displeased He is with one who isn't thankful!

Dear reader, we may not possess a terminal disease, but if we are God's children, we have been cleansed of something far worse! The blood of the Christ has "cleansed us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Sin to the soul of a man is as leprosy to the body of a man, except sin has a more tragic end: eternal death! These facts alone behoove us to be thankful. Each day of our lives we should ask God for sins to be remitted, as we repent of them. Each day we should turn to Him and thank God for what this precious blood does for us.

Let it never be said of any of us we are an ungrateful people. One thing is for certain: we can't be the people of God and not glorify our heavenly Father. Saying thank you is only one way we can and must and should.

[My dear friend knew whereof he spoke. In August, 1993, his earthly life was extinguished by a terminal illness. But, in Christ, his spirit was (and is) free. His life of gratitude continues to encourage me and all who knew him. Thank you, Lord, for such a brother and friend. (By the way, did you thank God for your life in Christ this morning?) - jrp]

ROMANS: TRAITS OF THE GOSPEL Notes

{Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-17}

1. Gospel (euangelion) - "Originally denoted a reward

for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped,

& the word stood for the good news itself." (Vine)

2. Romans teaches us some of its characteristics.

I. IT IS THE PROPERTY OF GOD - Rom. 1:1-3.

A. God Prepared Good News For Us.

B. Its Subject: The Son - 1:3.

C. God Has Revealed It To Man - Gal. 1:11-12.

II. IT CONTAINS A CALL TO SERVE GOD - Rom. 1:9.

-In my spirit - cf. 7:25; Jn. 4:24.

III. IT IS GOD'S POWER TO SAVE MAN FROM SIN-1:15-16.

A. It Must Be Preached - 1:15; 10:13-15.

B. God's Power To Save From Sin - Mk. 16:15-16.

IV. IT IS GOD'S INSTRUMENT OF JUDGMENT - Rom. 2:16

V. IT MUST BE OBEYED TO BE SAVED - Rom. 6:17-18.

A. Deliverance Through Obedience.

B. God Allows Man's Free Will To Operate - Rom. 10:8-16.

VI. IT IS TO BE SHARED WITH OTHERS - Rom. 15:16.

A. The Treasure Of Salvation Is Too Valuable To Keep Silent!

VII. IN IT IS FOUND FULL BLESSINGS FROM GOD - 15:29.

VIII. BY THE GOSPEL WE ARE FULLY ESTABLISHED - Rom. 16:25

THE POWER OF FAITH

{Scripture Reading: James 3}

I. FAITH CONTROLS THE TONGUE - 3:1.

A. The Tongue Reflects The Heart - Mk. 7:20-23; Matt. 12:34-35.

B. The Use Of The Tongue Will Be Judged - 3:1; Matt. 12:36-37.

II. Tongue Control Is A Mark Of Faith - 3:2-12.

A. Maturity - 3:2.

B. Understanding - 3:3-7; cf. Prov. 10:19; 29:11, 20; 15:23; 17:9.

C. Consistency - 3:8-12.

III. FAITH ACTS WISELY - 3:13.

A. In Speech: Integrity & Goodwill - Matt. 5:33-37; Prov. 12:18;

Isa. 50:4.

B. In Conduct (3:13) - Col. 4:6 (cf. Jas. 1:26-27).

IV. Two Types Of Wisdom - 3:14-18:

A. Worldly - 3:14-16.

B. Heavenly - 3:17-18 (Prov. 4:7; 3:13).