Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

New Russian Law Restricts Evangelism

ABCNEWS.com

M O S C O W, Sept. 26 — President Boris Yeltsin today signed a controversial law on religious freedoms in Russia that U.S. congress members and human rights groups have condemned.

Supporters of the bill, including the powerful Orthodox Church, say it will help clamp down on dangerous sects that poured into Russia after the collapse of communism.

Opponents say the law violates Russia’s post-Soviet constitution and discriminates unfairly against minority religious groups. The Vatican has also criticized the law.

The new Russian law on religion includes several changes from a previous version that President Yeltsin vetoed but keeps the most controversial clauses largely intact.

The law pledges respect for Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Christianity in general, but many opponents abroad fear that the Orthodox Church wants to prevent Catholic and Protestant groups from operating freely in Russia.

One clause says religious groups must be present in Russia for 15 years before they can publish or distribute religious literature, or invite foreigners for preaching activities.

Such groups would not be able to hold worship services in hospitals, senior citizens’ homes, schools, orphanages or prisons. They would not be able to form educational establishments, found newspapers or magazines and their clergy would not be exempt from military service.

Only a few religious groups were allowed to operate during the officially atheist Soviet era, and most do not meet the 15-year requirement.

This development is not good news, but the good news of Christ will overcome the restrictions of men (Isa. 55:10-11; Acts 5:29). Pray for the Christians in Russia. Pray for the leaders of Russia, too, that such restrictions may be lifted. And pray for our brethren who continue to go to Russia preaching the gospel of Christ. May they be kept from harm, but above all, may their faith be strong against the evil one. -Joe-

· Sick: Walt Humphrey is now at St. Joseph’s South Campus (St. Luke’s), # 334.

· Out of town: Keith Alsobrook; Debbie and Jeremy Price ·

· Gospel Meeting in Bellflower, CA - I will be in a meeting next week (Oct. 5-10).

· Jim McDonald will preach for us Sunday, October 12.

· Men’s Business Meeting: Tonight at 5:00 p.m. ·

Assignments: Sunday, September 28

Announcements: Jason Holt

Opening Prayer: Jason Holt / TBA

Closing Prayer: Charles Fair / Dan Head

Song Leader: Rusty McGrew / Gary Bass

Scripture: Wesley Holt / Ray Hollister

Lord’s Supper: Rick Holt / C. Gardner / TBA

Bldg. Cleanup (Oct. 4): Price

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. 33 September 28, 1997

Grace That Is Greater Than All Our Sin

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 2:12-16)

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is an example to all men of the abundant grace and mercy of God which is found in Christ. Christ’s complete forgiveness of his sins, great though they were, assures us that Christ is willing and able to forgive all our sins.

Some would tell us that grace overcomes sin without man’s faith. This is not truth. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). While salvation is a gift of grace, it will not be obtained without man’s faith.

Some believe they have sinned so much Christ cannot possibly forgive them. This too, is wrong. The apostle Paul is proof that Christ can forgive you. Do not doubt the power of God’s grace to forgive you. Have faith in God! (see verse 16)

God’s grace is indeed greater than sin (Rom. 5:20-21). But God does not save by grace until one obeys in faith. Saul of Tarsus had to repent of his sins in order to obtain the blessing of grace (Acts 9:9-11). Saul had to be baptized in order to obtain the blessing of grace (Acts 22:16). Saul (Paul) had to discipline himself daily to be in subjection to Christ, else he would be lost (1 Cor. 9:24-27). He could not live in sin and expect God’s grace to abound (Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14). He could not teach error and expect God’s grace to overlook it (Gal. 1:6-9).

Yes, God’s grace is greater than all our sins (Rom. 5:1-2). But God’s grace is never to be regarded as liberty to teach or practice error with freedom from censure or condemnation (Titus 2:11-14). Beware of turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (Jude 4). -Joe Price

PERFECT IN CHRIST

In Colossians 1:28, Paul expresses what some people would say is an unrealistic and impossible goal when he states his objective of present­ing every man "perfect in Christ." But to the apostle it was quite possible for men and women to be brought to a point in their faith described as "perfect." We should understand that "perfect" as used here means "having reached its end, finished, complete, perfect...full-grown, mature" (Vine, III:173-174). While it is true that one never finishes the Christian race until life is ended (2 Tim. 4:7-8), it can be said that one's faith has reached a point of maturity or full-growth. Such a faith is needed to adequately serve God (cf. Heb. 5:12-6:1).

According to the apostle, this maturity in Christ is accomplished as a direct result of proclaiming Christ by admonition from and teaching of the word of God (Col. 1:25-28). It becomes obvious that the growth of our faith is the effect God's word is to have upon us. When Christ is preached and obeyed, the soul is saved from sin (Acts 8:4-6, 12-13, 35-39). Once we are saved from our past sins, the word of God provides us with the teaching we need to increase our faith, obey God's will, and thereby become "perfect in Christ" (Acts 11:21-26; 1 Pet. 2:2).

We also learn from Colossians 1:28 that spiritual immaturity is not a license to sin. If, as some say, the Lord overlooks the sins of the spiritual babe, then where is the incentive to improve and grow? No, sins of ignorance due to spiritual immaturity is no excuse for sin. (Study Simon's case in Acts 8:14-24 to see this fact). As the word is taught and the babe in Christ learns he repents, confesses his sin and improves his life. His faith works and grows (1 Jn. 1:9; Gal. 5:6).

Those who are mature in Christ must be equally diligent to maintain their faith. Paul brought his body into bondage, exercising self-control, lest he be rejected (1 Cor. 9:23-27). Every Christian must continue to "press on toward the goal" (Phil. 3:14). Every man can be "perfect in Christ.”

-Joe Price

THE GRACE OF GOD, THE SALVATION OF MAN Notes

{Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10}

I. WHAT IS GRACE? - Eph. 2:4-7; 2 Tim. 1:8-10; Heb. 2:9.

-God’s grace: God’s unmerited favor which was freely planned by God, executed by Christ & offered through the gospel to sinners.

II. WHERE IS GOD’S GRACE FOUND (HOW IS IT OBTAINED)?

A. In Christ - 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:7; Jno. 1:14-17 (Rom. 5:15)

B. In The Gospel Of Christ - Acts 20:24; Col. 1:4-6.

C. By Faith - Rom. 5:1-2 (Eph. 2:8).

III. WHAT DOES GOD’S GRACE DO FOR SINNERS?

A. Saves - Acts 15:11 (Eph. 2:4-9; 2 Tim. 1:9).

B. Sustains - Acts 20:32 (edifies & secures) - Jas. 4:6; Heb. 4:16.

C. Justifies - Rom. 3:24; 4:16; 5:2.

D. Enables Hope - 2 Ths. 2:16-17; Titus 2:13.

IV. THE REQUIREMENTS OF GRACE:

A. Faith - Eph. 2:8.

B. Obedience - Rom. 1:5.

C. Conversion - Titus 2:11-12 (Rom. 6:1).

V. WHAT GRACE DOES NOT DO:

A. God’s Grace Doesn’t Give An Occasion For Sin - Rom. 5:20-6:2.

B. God’s Grace Does Not Tolerate (Allow Fellowship With) Sin & Error - Jn. 1:14, 17; Col. 1:6; Gal. 1:6-9.

C. God’s Grace Does Not Make Repentance Unnecessary-Jas. 4:6-10.

THE DANGER OF COMPROMISE

{Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-13}

We are warned against both moral & doctrinal compromise

(2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Jn. 9-11; Eph. 5:8-11).

I. COMPROMISE IS SIN.

A. Double-Mindedness - Jas. 4:4, 8 (1:8); Matt. 6:24.

B. Compromise Stands By When Sin Could Be Prevented - 11:7-8.

C. Truth Does Not Continue In Such An Environment - Gal. 2:5.

D. Causes God’s People To Be Indecisive & Faithless - 1 Kgs. 18:21.

II. COMPROMISE BEGINS IN THE HEART - 1 Kgs. 11:4.

A. In Compromise, The Heart Is Turned Away From God - 11:2, 9.

B. In Compromise, The Militant Spirit Of The Gospel Is Replaced With

A “Kinder, Gentler” Approach - Jer. 6:14; 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

C. In Compromise, True Love For God Becomes Secondary - Mt. 6:21.

D. To Avoid Compromise®Keep Your Heart Pure - Jas. 4:8 (1 Tim. 1:5)

III. COMPROMISE IN KING SOLOMON’S LIFE:

A. Unlawful Marriages - 1 Kgs. 11:1-3; Neh. 13:26 (Matt. 19:4-6, 9).

B. False Worship - 1 Kgs. 11:5-8 (Col. 3:5).

C. Compromise Causes Wrath, Loss & More Compromise - 1 Kgs. 11:

9-11; 12:28-33 (Gal. 5:9).