Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

Baptized ‘Boys

The Religious News Service reported the following:

“Four Dallas Cowboys football players were baptized Oct. 19, just hours after the team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Texas Stadium. Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Omar Stoutmire, and George Hegiman were immersed individually into a baptismal tank at The Potter's House Church by pastor T.D. Jakes.

“...As the baptisms took place, Sanders did a little dance, Smith clenched both fists over his head, and Hegiman pumped both arms up in the air. After the last man came out of the water, they all huddled together "weeping tears of joy," observers said.” (Religious News Service, Oct. 21, 1997)

This news didn’t receive much media coverage...no drugs, no violence, no sex...no news! While indications are that these four men were baptized into a human denomination (without Bible authority), we can nevertheless appreciate something Emmitt Smith was quoted as saying after his experience:

“...Baptism is an opportunity to start over, Smith said. ‘Young people today don't have to turn to an athlete, a teacher, or a parent for answers, they need to turn to the Bible, which is the word of God,’ he said.” (Ibid.)

Baptism is a time to start over. When one is baptized for the remission of his sins he is baptized “into Christ” (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). And, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold; all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). If you have not been baptized into the death of Christ so that your sins are washed away by His blood, you should be, immediately. Your souls salvation depends upon this action of faith on your part.

Smith also got it right when he advised young people to turn to the Bible, the word of God, for answers to life. While athletes, teachers and parents can offer importance guidance, only God’s word will give you the directions to heaven. It is vitally important that you, as a young person, remember God while you are young (read Eccl. 11:9-12:1).

There is no question that young people look to athletes as role models. I would much rather have them look at the conduct such as these four men have displayed rather than the perverted antics of someone like Dennis Rodman (the cross-dressing, filthy-mouthed basketball player for the Chicago Bulls). Wouldn’t you? -Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, November 2, 1997

Announcements: Gary Bass

Opening Prayer: Gary Bass / Aaron Bass

Closing Prayer: Ray Hollister / Dan Head

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Rusty McGrew

Scripture: Shane Bass / Jess Bass

Lord’s Supper: T. Haith / C. Gardner / W. Holt

Bldg. Cleanup (Nov. 8): DeWispeleare & Parker

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. 38 November 2, 1997

Love Of Strangers

“Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:19)

With this command God revealed His will that Israel show kindness and mercy toward all men, including those who were not Israelites. Israel had been shown kindness and mercy in Egypt during the days of Joseph (Gen. 47:11). Israel had also experienced tremendous hardships as a stranger in Egypt, enduring slavery for hundreds of years (Exo. 1:8-11). Israel knew both sides of the coin. So now, as a nation and as individuals of that nation, Israel was to love strangers.

Jesus commands Christians to love strangers, too (even our enemies, Matt. 5:43-47). Another word for this is “hospitality.” Christians are to be “given to hospitality” (Rom. 12:13) and we are to use hospitality “without grumbling” (1 Pet. 4:9). It is one thing to be kind to a stranger, and quite another to love to do so (cf. Titus 1:8). We are to be a people who “do not forget to entertain strangers” (Heb. 13:2).

We show love of strangers by seeking their salvation. Such an effort is the supreme expression of love (cf. Jno. 3:16). But we lose our opportunity to teach the gospel and save a soul if we are rude, abrasive or unkind in our demeanor and our words toward the stranger (Col. 4:6). It is essential that we convey to strangers our genuine care for them. Remember, our goal is to save the lost, not to elevate ourselves (cf. Lk. 18:9-14). There is a definite cause and effect which occurs between us and the person who needs to believe and obey the gospel. Hospitality will show your love for the lost. Hospitality undertands the plight of the sinner and tries to help him out of sin’s bondage and death.

We show love of strangers by serving them. Matthew 25:34-40 assures us that every act of kindness shown another person is seen and rewarded by the Lord (cf. Matt. 10:40-42). The good Samaritan proved himself to be a neighbor by helping the stranger when he was in a helpless condition. Hospitality requires the use of our resources (such as time, possessions, etc.). It is therefore an unselfish and sacrificial act. Hospitality allows us the opportunity to be good stewards of our goods (1 Tim. 6:17-19). But you do not have to be rich to be hospitable. We should all help others as we would like to be helped (Matt. 7:12). Let us all give ourselves to hospitality! -Joe Price

“He Who Is Not Against Us Is For Us”

The apostles of Christ had just been disputing with each other about who was greatest among them (Mk. 9:33-34). Jesus patiently taught them, as He would on numerous occasions, that greatness in His kingdom is measured by humble service, not prominent position (Mk. 9:35). Using a child to illustrate His point, Jesus teaches us to receive one another in His name. One apostle would later write, “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility”(1 Pet. 5:5). Pride can be our undoing as it disrupts the body of Christ.

But wait! The apostles saw a man “casting out demons in Your (Jesus’s, jrp) name” and told him to stop “because he does not follow us” (Mk. 9:38). What was the problem here? The apostles were being territorial. They were trying to protect their “greatness” in the kingdom! After all, Jesus had given them the power to work such miracles (Mk. 3:14-15). The man they saw was not one of the twelve. He was not a part of their company. He must not be allowed to work in Jesus’ name! (Never mind that the man could only do such work with Jesus’ approval, or that Jesus had given such powers to more than just the 12! -- Lk. 10:1, 9) The fact is, the 12 had recently failed to cast out a demon (Mk. 9:18). Now, they come across someone else doing what they could not do! Truly, pride and jealousy are deceptive and damning traits! Both are seen here as we study the reaction and the words of the apostles.

Some have tried to use this passage to approve of “Christians” in all the churches. Such is a misuse of the passage. Jesus nowhere endorses false doctrine or false practices, here or in any other text. Neither does Jesus say that one can be saved without following Him (cf. Jno. 8:12; 14:6). What He does say is that even though the man was not in the immediate company of Himself and the twelve, the man’s work was consistent with Jesus’ authority and purposes. The man should not be caused to stumble by the apostles’ rebuke (Mk. 9:38, 42-43). The man was on their side because he was on Jesus’ side. He was doing the work of God by the authority of Jesus. He should have been encouraged, not hindered (v. 38-39). “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Mk. 9:41)

Our should be willing to endorse and encourage every person who is walking in the truth of Christ (1 Jno. 2:3-6; 2 Jno. 4-6, 9-11; 3 Jno. 5-8). And, we must refrain from all elements of pride and jealousy which choke out brotherly love while generating partyism and factionalism (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 3:1-3). That which enables both is child-like humility (Mk. 9:35).

We must not try to make Jesus say something in Mark 9:38-41 which He did not say. Jesus forbids sectarianism in this passage, He does not endorse it! Those who would justify doctrinal differences by using this text greatly err. The man was not in doctrinal error, he was working in the name of Jesus. His work was not against Jesus and His apostles, but in harmony with the Lord. Therefore, “he who is not against us is on our side” (v. 40).

We must be careful to avoid pride and jealousy in the kingdom of God. All humble service to others in the name of Christ will be rewarded. But, the one who causes another to stumble will certainly lose his soul (Mk. 9:41-43). -Joe Price

WITH WHAT WILL YOU FILL YOUR LIFE? Notes

{Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19}

I. FILL YOUR LIFE WITH THE GRACE OF GOD - 2 Pet. 3:18;

1 Cor. 15:9-10.

A. Saves Us - Acts 15:11.

B. Eliminates Personal Boasting - Eph. 2:8-9.

C. Protects Us From Sin - Tit. 2:11-12.

II. FILL YOUR MIND WITH GOOD THINGS - Prv. 23:7; Phil. 4:8;

1 Jn. 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-4.

III. FILL YOUR TIME WITH THE GOOD WORKS OF GOD -

2 Tim. 3:16-17; Gal. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:20-21.

IV. FILL YOUR HOME WITH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT -

Gal. 5:22-23 (Eph. 5:22, 25; 6:1, 4).

V. FILL YOUR BIBLE WITH WORN EDGES, CREASED

CORNERS, LOOSE PAGES & STUDY NOTES - Psa. 1:1-2;

119:124-128; 2 Tim. 2:15.

BUILDING CHARACTER

{Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-12}

Character: "Inner strength” - That which defines the person...It

is not what he does, but what he is.....It is who you are when no

one is watching (cf. Joseph - Gen. 39:7-10).

I. CHARACTER IS THAT WHICH DEFINES THE PERSON - Prv. 3:1-12.

A. It Is The Issue Of The Heart - Prv. 23:7; Matt. 12:35.

B. It Results In: Life & peace (v. 2); favor & good understanding (v. 4);

direction (v. 6); strength (v. 8); plenty (v. 10); God's love (v. 12).

II. CONVERSION: CHANGING CHARACTER - Col. 3:5-17.

A. A New Relation To Sin - 3:5-11; cf. Rom. 6:1-7.

B. A New Heart - 3:12-15; cf. 1 Sam. 28:3-8.

C. A New Message Is Accepted - 3:16. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3).

D. A New Authority - Col. 3:17.

III. THINGS WHICH DEVELOP CHARACTER (Heb. 12:4-11):

A. Difficult Circumstances:

1. Trials of faith - Gen. 22:1-2; Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7.

2. Temptations - 1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Jas. 4:6-8.

B. Successful Circumstances - 2 Chron. 32:31, 24-26; Lk. 12:16-21.

-The Christian’s character is to be conformed to the image of Christ

-Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:12-17.