Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

A “New Light?!”

Are you aware that Vice President Al Gore, in a speech last Thursday to the Hollywood Radio and Television Society praised the ABC sitcom Ellen (whose star announced her lesbian lifestyle earlier this year)? "When the character Ellen came out, millions of Americans were forced to look at sexual orientation in a more open light," Gore said.

I do not want to see “sexual orientation” (politically correct term for homosexuality) in a “more open light,” unless it is the light of God’s word. It says, “For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Eph. 5:12). God says such a lifestyle is: uncleanness, dishonorable, a lie, vile, against nature, lustful, shameful, erroneous, debased, immoral, and those who practice or approve of such are under the penalty of death (Rom. 1:24-32). But Satan knows that when men and women are entertained by and laugh at sin, they are conditioned to accept it (or at least not fight against it). Too many Christians have been so conditioned by the media.

When then Vice President Dan Quayle took the character Murphy Brown to task back in 1992 for "mocking the importance of fatherhood" by having a child out of wedlock, he was blasted by the media and his political opponents. I predict Al Gore will not undergo a similar blast from the media or an angry populous. ABC News reports that Gore was far more positive. Is there any doubt why ABC would report the VP in a positive light??

Isn’t is interesting that the same VP who blames Joe Camel for influencing the youth of America to start smoking (and he is right), now praises Hollywood for bringing homosexuals out of the closet. Does he not know that Ellen and other shows which sanction homosexuality will contribute to even more homosexuality and the further disintegration of morals in our society?!

Gore went on to say of Hollywood, "You not only reflect who we are, but you form our national--and increasingly our world--consciousness." This observation is true, and even a casual review of the movies and television reveal the moral mess of our nation. I do not want Hollywood to form my personal consciousness (or any other, for that matter). We must always be conscious of sin! “Be sober, be vigilant (watchful, ASV), because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). “Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). -Joe Price-

Assignments: Sunday, October 19, 1997

Announcements: Joe Price

Opening Prayer: Joe Price / Ray Hollister

Closing Prayer: Gary Bass / Aaron Bass

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Morris Bass

Scripture: Loren Parker / Willie Golightly

Lord’s Supper: T. Haith / Ed D. / R. McGrew

Bldg. Cleanup (Oct. 25): Jess & Connie Bass

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. 36 October 19, 1997

Gospel Meeting

October 19-24, 1997

The Northside church of Christ

5201 Northwest Avenue

Bellingham, WA

(The North Bellingham Grange Hall, just south of Smith RD)

Donnie V. Rader

(Shelbyville, Tennessee)

Sunday Class: The Prayer Life Of Jesus

Sunday AM: Does It Make A Difference What One Believes?

Sunday PM: Confronting Cultural Moral Values

Monday: Matthew 19:9

Tuesday: Marriage And The Bond

Wednesday: Salvation By Grace Through Faith

Thursday: Romans 14

Friday: The Church Of Christ: Evolution Of A Denomination

Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30 am; 6:00 pm Monday-Friday: 7:00 pm

WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN

The plan of salvation in the gospel is clear. The sinner must believe in Jesus to be saved (Jn. 8:24). He must confess his faith (Rom. 10:9-10). He must repent of his sins (Acts 17:30). He must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). If someone asked you, “Why should I become a Christian?,” how would you reply? Here are a few reasons. If you are not a Christian we ask you to carefully examine your present heart and life in these matters.

(1) To be forgiven of your sins against God. Sin is the violation of God’s law either by committing acts which are opposed to His will, or omitting from one’s life conduct which He commands (1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17). This includes violating one’s conscience, although our conscience is not our guide in deciding what is and is not sinful (Rom. 14:23; Acts 23:1). Every morally accountable adult, at one time or another, has sinned against God (Rom. 3:23). Until we become Christians we do not enjoy freedom from our sin. It is a weight which encumbers us and brings us under the just penalty of spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). But Jesus said “I will give you rest....you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-30). Rest from the pain and penalty of sin is obtained through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). He died so you can have eternal life (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8-11).

(2) To have the proper direction to your life. In a world where people are constantly seeking the newest viewpoint on life, the which never bring complete satisfaction and fulfillment, Jesus Christ offers direction to life which is enriching, joyful and enduring (Jn. 16:22; Phil. 4:4-7). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn. 14:6). The guidance Jesus gives us leads to the very throne of God! In John 8:12 He said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” By becoming a Christian you choose to follow the true light which gives and sustains for you spiritual life (read Jn. 1:4-5, 9). You choose to no longer walk in darkness when you choose to become a Christian.

(3) ­Present blessings are obtained by becoming a Christian. We speak of the blessings of brotherhood in the family of God. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mk. 10:29-30). Untold blessings are ours in the house of God! The blessing of encouragement, exhortation, teaching, prayer, support, rebuke, love - all these and more are ours in Christ and expressed by our brethren. The Christian lives a sharing, caring life. He does not seclude himself from his brothers and sisters. Some have said Christianity promotes communal living, but they have misunderstood. Christians have the attitude that “what is my is yours” and gladly shares without thought of return (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34-35). Whatever you give up to become a Christian, rest assured you will receive blessings in return -- many times over again. And finally, you receive eternal life.

(4) ­To escape the penalty of sin. Judgment is coming (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-15). If our deeds are evil we will be judged and condemned (Rom. 2:6-10). God commands you to repent and escape wrath (Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 2:4-5). Will you obey and be saved today?

-Joe Price

WRONG REASONS FOR BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

Sometimes people become Christians for the wrong reasons. Having explored some of the reasons why one should become a Christian, let us now turn our attention to why you should not become a Christian.

(1) ­Do not become a Christian for material or physical gain. Some people are so driven by greed for money that they actually become a Christian in order to increase themselves financially. The salesman may think he has found a new group of prospects, so he is baptized. The professional sees a new client base. Some think that becoming a Christian means they will never have anymore financial concerns. That is not true. Jesus was a poor man by the world’s standards. Becoming a Christian does not remove one’s responsibilities to earn his living by honest labor, pay his debts and provide for his family. Indeed, these responsibilities are more clearly understood by the Christian (1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:8-11; Rom. 13:8; 1 Tim. 5:8). Do not become a Christian expecting to freeload off the generosity of other Christians. Jesus rebuked those who followed after Him because they “ate of the loaves and were filled” (Jn. 6:26). A wrong motive will condemn the soul (cf. Prov. 23:7; 14:12).

(2) Do not become a Christian to receive the praise of men. Most people like to be praised by others. When our parents praised us, we smiled and felt good all over. There is nothing wrong with one’s good being acknowledged by others. The worthy woman is praised by her children and husband (Prov. 31:28-30). Jesus and His apostles often praised the faith of others. But be careful that you do not do your righteousness to be seen of men (Matt. 6:1). The desire to be accepted by others can be very strong. Sometimes young people are persuaded to become a Christian, not by the power of the gospel, but by the power of emotional peer pressure. The husband or wife who is not a Christian may think that if he or she will just go along, get baptized and satisfy the Christian mate. But, has he or she satisfied the Lord with such an attitude? No, the Lord wants your whole heart, not so that you can be praised, but so that He will be praised and honored.

(3) Do not become a Christian if you are not willing to live for Christ. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23). Deciding to become a Christian involves deciding to live in a new way. You are commanded to repent of sins. Repentance is produced by godly sorrow over your sins (2 Cor. 7:10). It is a change of heart which produces a change of life (Lk. 3:8-10; Rev. 9:20-21). The sinner is baptized into Christ and then raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). We cannot continue in sin after becoming a Christian and expect grace to abound (Rom. 6:1). When one is baptized into Christ he becomes a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). He must put off the old man of sin and put on the new man that is created in righteousness and truth (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10). Some brethren tell us to baptize the sinner and he will eventually repent of his sins. But repentance come before baptism in God’s plan of salvation (Acts 2:38). Others say do not demand repentance - just accept them as they are (i.e., remarried people who would come to God). But whenever repentance is needed, it must be obeyed to receive God’s blessing. Be baptized for right reasons - To put of Christ and be saved from sins!

-Joe Price