Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

Teacher clutches stocks in death leap

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong science teacher, still clutching his share certificates, leapt 28 floors to his death after losing his savings in the stock market's recent plunge.

Yu Keung-lun, 25, jumped from a lift lobby window in a Hong Kong industrial district on Thursday and was certified dead after arrival at hospital, the South China Morning Post said in its Friday edition.

The newspaper quoted his mother as saying Yu had lost money in the recent stock market slump.

The local market has shed about 40 percent of its value since early August and many Hong Kong people are believed to have lost tens of thousands of dollars.

What a sad story. To think that the value of stocks determined this man’s decision to live or die is incredible. Still, we all know of the stories of the same thing happening in New York City in the market crash of 1929. This man lost his life and lost his soul. And for what? Possessions which we cannot take with us. Truly:

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)

“He who trusts in his riches shall fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (Prov. 11:28)

“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

“For riches are not forever....” (Proverbs 27:24)

-Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, November 16, 1997

Announcements: Rusty McGrew

Opening Prayer: R. McGrew / R. Hollister

Closing Prayer: Gary Bass / Aaron Bass

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Morris Bass

Scripture: Loren Parker / Willie Golightly

Lord’s Supper: Terry H. / Ed D. / Rusty Mc.

Bldg. Cleanup (Nov. 22): Golightly & Wilkins

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

Volume I, Number 40 November 16, 1997

Convince or Confuse?

Harry S. Truman is quoted as saying, “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” This reminds me that Jesus was accused of using confusing language: “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly,” they said. Jesus replied, “I told you, and you do not believe” (Jno. 10:24). Our Lord spoke the word of God openly and clearly to the people (Jno. 18:20). He commissioned His apostles to do likewise (Matt. 28:19-20). The purpose of gospel preaching to convince, to persuade men of the Christ and His salvation (Acts 19:8; 2 Cor. 5:11). The Word did not come to confuse men. The Light of the World shined, and people who sat in darkness saw a great light (Jno. 8:12; Matt. 4:16).

A tendencies which has developed among us is to avoid clarity of speech and decisiveness of doctrine in our preaching. Brethren appeal to the complexity and difficulty of a doctrine as a reason for tolerance of and unity with opposing and even contradictory teachings and practices (cf. Eph. 5:8-11; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). Some even try to convince us that those who boldly preach the gospel on the controversial topics of the day (i.e., divorce and remarriage, fellowship, the role of women in the church, morality) are making themselves the standard to which compliance must be given.

The “convince or confuse” approach preaches an uncertain gospel. For instance, what passes for gospel preaching on divorce and remarriage appears at times to be an exercise in confusing the audience. Can we not speak plainly and persuasively on this Bible topic? Jesus did. (Matt. 19:3-9) He spoke with conviction on the origin of marriage

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CONVINCE OR CONFUSE?..............

(God, 19:4-5). He plainly taught that what God joins together - the man and woman who are free to marry and who agree to marry - man is not to put asunder (19:6). He was persuasive in clarifying a difference between the teaching of Moses and God’s intention on marriage from the beginning (19:7-8). Without confusion He taught that anyone (“whoever”) who divorces his wife for a cause other than sexual immorality (fornication) and then marries another person is guilty of adultery (19:9). There is no confusion in His words that “whoever” marries a person who has been put away (divorced) commits adultery (19:9). The confusion does not lie with Christ. He is not the culprit of any confusion which exists on divorce and remarriage.

Some scoff at the notion that Christ’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is simple, straightforward, and can be consistently applied by men to their lives. They strenuously labor to convince us that the Bible teaching on the subject is confusing. They attempt to prove a complexity in God’s word which exonerates their fellowship with those who violate Christ’s teaching and with those who have not repented of their sin (2 Jno. 9-11).

One’s marriage affects his eternal salvation (Heb. 13:4). Therefore, we can be sure that Christ has given us a clear message on the subject. The standard by which we must live and by which we shall be judged is within our ability to read, understand, believe and obey (Rom. 10:17; Jno. 6:44-45; 8:31-32; Matt. 7:21; Eph. 3:3-5; Jno. 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10).

At the same time, God expects man to use his intellect in learning the truth: “...how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph. 3:3-4). Just as reading a newspaper requires the use of our reasoning capacities in order to understand it, God requires that we apply our ability to reason, comprehend and understand when it comes to His word of truth. God has revealed His will to convince us, not confuse us, but we must give ourselves to learning it.

To be convinced rather than confused by the word of God, there are several things we need:

1. A good and honest heart (Lk. 8:15). The heart that is closed off to truth will not be convinced to walk in truth no matter what the cost (Lk. 8:11-14).

2. A desire to do the will of God (Jno. 7:16-17). The person who wants to know and obey truth will be convinced by it, because its evidences of authenticity are adequate (Jno. 20:30-31).

3. Diligence in our study of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15). Some may be confused by the Bible because they have not adequately learned how to study it. Or, perhaps they have failed to diligently pursue an accurate use of it.

4. Spiritual growth through being nourished by the word of God (1 Pet. 2:2; 3:16-18). Rome was not built in a day, and our journey toward spiritual maturity is a daily quest to press onward to the goal of heaven (Phil. 3:13-14). As we do so, we must commit ourselves to “walk by the same rule” of truth (Phil. 3:15-16).

The gospel convinces us of heaven’s reward. Let there be no confusion! -Joe Price

HELL: WILL GOD PUNISH ETERNALLY? Notes

{Scripture Reading: Matt. 10:27-33}

I. FIVE PROMINENT VIEWS OF HELL:

A. Absolute Denial: “There Is No Hell.” (Psa. 14:1)

B. Earthly Interpretation: Hell Is Suffering On This Earth - Mt. 10:28.

C. Extreme: Annihilation (wicked cease to exist) - 2 Ths. 1:9; Rev. 14:11.

D. Eternal Optimist: Universal Salvation (ultimately, all saved) - Jno. 3:16, 36.

E. Bible Believer: An Eternal Place Of Torment For The Unrighteous

- Mk. 9:43-44.

II. THE BIBLE DESCRIPTION OF HELL.

A. “Hades” - The Unseen State Of The Dead - Lk. 16:22-24.

B. “Gehenna” - The Place Of “Everlasting Punishment:”

C. “Tartarus” - Torment - 2 Pet. 2:4.

D. “Hell” - Bible Descriptions - Matt. 25:30, 46; 13:49-50; Rev. 14:11; 21:8;

Mk. 9:43-44; Rev. 20:10.

E. Inhabited By : Satan & his servants (Matt. 25:41); All who don’t know

God/don’t obey gospel (2 Ths. 1:8-9); All who live ungodly lives

- Matt. 7:23 (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:20-21).

III. AVOIDING HELL:

A. Believe God & Obey The Gospel Of Christ - 2 Ths. 1:8; Rom. 2:8; Heb. 5:9.

BUILDING CHARACTER: KINDNESS

{Scripture Reading: Eph. 4:31-32}

-Kindness is a companion of compassion (Col. 3:12):

a. Fruit of the Spirit - Gal. 5:22.

b. Characteristic of love (joined w/ long-suffering) - 1 Cor. 13:4.

c. Commanded of us - Eph. 4:31-32.

I. GOD HAS BEEN KIND TO US - Titus 3:4-7.

A. Kindness Is Thoughtful, Generous & Sacrificial - Eph. 1:3-5;

Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:8 (2 Cor. 8:9).

II. KINDNESS IS AN ACTION OF FAITH (Lk. 10:25-37).

A. Being Kind Toward Enemies - Matt. 5:43-48 (cf. Josh. 2:12-14).

B. Being Kind Toward Brethren - 2 Pet. 1:7.

III. THE ADVANTAGES OF KINDNESS.

A. Kindness Overcomes Evil - Rom. 12:20-21 (Matt. 7:12); Prov. 25:11-12.

B. The Power Of Kindness.

C. Areas Where We Need Kindness.

Conclusion - Our character is the clothing w/ which we adorn ourselves.

Is your garment woven with the thread of kindness?