Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

Court: In matters of faith, kids a priority

BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts' highest court has laid down a commandment to divorced parents: Thou shalt not teach your children religious beliefs that could ruffle their relationship with your former spouse.

The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a divorced father who became a fundamentalist Christian cannot share his newfound beliefs with his children if it alienates them from their Orthodox Jewish mother.

Jeffrey Kendall was ordered to not share his religious beliefs with his three children if doing so causes them significant emotional distress.

He can have pictures of Jesus on the wall, but cannot take the children to church where they would be told that non-Christians are "destined to burn in hell," the court ruled.

The decision was denounced by Kendall's lawyer, who claimed it infringed on freedom of religion and essentially favored the mother's religion over the father's.

"A court cannot -- shall not -- establish a religion for someone, and here the court effectively has established a religion for these three children," said attorney Michael Greco. "That's the court intruding where it shouldn't be intruding."

The point of our comments is not to justify any wrongdoing or false teaching on the part of the father of these children. But we are compelled to point out the seriousness of the courts of men attempting to dictate the practice of religion upon the citizens under its jurisdiction. There is a court which is higher, which has greater authority, and that is the court of God Almighty. Any authority wielded by human courts is granted by the Divine Power (cf. Jno. 19:10-11). Civil authority, including a judicial system, exists for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the wrong-doer (Rom. 13:1-4).

God teaches parents to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). This means teaching them His word and His ways (cf. Deut. 6:6-9). So, what must parents do if or when man’s laws attempt to prevent such instruction? “We ought to obey God rather than men” still applies today (Acts 5:29). God expects us to teach our children His will and ways, regardless of man’s objections.

We also learn from this incident the importance of marrying one who shares your faith in the Lord. Trials are increased when one’s mate objects to the Christian’s faith (1 Cor. 7:16). One can still be faithful to God, and even win the unbeliever over to Christ, but it may not be easy (1 Pet. 3:1-2). Look for a partner in life that will help you and your children go to heaven! -Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, December 14, 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 (Dec. 20): Holt

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 44 December 14, 1997

Children’s Bible Classes

As noted elsewhere in this bulletin, the responsibility of teaching our children falls firstly upon parents (Eph. 6;4; Prov. 22:6; Deut. 11:18-21). The shaping of a soul into the character of Christ is a tremendous task, and one which we must take very seriously as we bring children into this world. As we provide for their physical needs (and wants), we simply must also (and primarily) be providing them with the spiritual instruction and direction they need to be right with God -- now and eternally (Matt. 6:33; 16:26).

This local congregation has determined to provide regular periods of instruction for children and adults. These Bible classes are perfectly authorized in God’s word (Acts 2:42; 5:12; 11:26; Acts 19:8-9).

We want to address, not the right to have Bible classes for our children, but rather we priority we attach to them. The importance we place upon our children’s Bible classes is indicated in several ways: (1) Do we help our children prepare for class? (2) Do we talk to them about the importance of studying the Bible? (3) Do we willingly volunteer to teach a Bible class? (4) Do we take time to adequately prepare as teachers?

We should not have to beg for Bible class teachers. We have plenty of folks among us with the ability to teach (Matt. 25:14-15; 2 Cor. 8:12; Lk. 12:48). Neither should we excuse ourselves from teaching because we may not always be present. Someone else will be glad to help teach if we are absent. Ask someone to be your backup when you have to be gone. If you want to teach, but are unsure of yourself, ask a teacher to sit in with them so you can observe and better learn how to be a teacher.

We will be rewarded as we renew our commitment to be teachers of our children. First, we will be growing spiritually ourselves (2 Tim. 2:2). And, we will be helping our children grow in their faith. Also, the church will be strengthened by such activity (Eph. 4:16). Every Christian can contribute to the growth of the body by being a Bible class teacher. -Joe Price

APPEASEMENT POLICIES

The only consistent and scriptural course for papers, editors and preachers is one that unequivocally exposes the teachers, along with the error they teach both in the church and out. The pioneers who uprooted sectarianism and established the truth upon its ruins were not the tread-easy, soft-pedaling kind. Every well-informed man among us knows where such men as Lipscomb, Sewell, Kurfees, McQuiddy and others stood on the divisive theories of their day, and we all know where they would stand on present tendencies that threaten the aggressive spirit and work of the church were they here now. If those of the present day who "sat where they sat" would stand where they stood against the speculative, man-inflating theories, it would not be necessary for a few men of courage among us to be sacrificed upon the altar of popular public opinion in their work of condemning false brethren and their peace-destroying speculations. This false theory under the guise of "a better policy in religious journalism and pulpit preaching," if followed to its logical conclusion, will completely destroy the aggressive and uncompro­mising spirit of the New Testament church and make it appear to the general public as "just another denomination" in the religious struggle for prominence before a wandering, a wayward world of skepticism, atheism, and pantheism. Personalities timely and clearly stated, so that all may know where certain of these "new method" prophets can be found, if indeed they may be located, are rather to be preferred than insinua­tions cunningly clothed in soft-spoken verbiage and directed against the men who are personating these fellows and destroying their influence, methods and doctrines which are so destructive to the peace and influ­ence of the church.

-By W. Clarence Cooke, taken from THE BIBLE BANNER, April 1941, Page 9

Reprinted in GOSPEL TRUTHS, March 1993, Page 24

PLEASE CONSIDER GOD’S WORD ON THE MATTER:

...I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it! (2 Cor. 11:4)

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed.... (Gal. 2:11).

Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” (Matt. 15:12-13)

Do You Know Christ? Notes

{Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4}

Hebrews: Superiority of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must

we must hear Him in all things. -Knowing Jesus will cause us to hear Jesus!-

I. GOD HAS SPOKEN TO MAN - Heb. 1:1-2.

A. In The Past God Spoke Thru Prophets - 1:1; Acts 3:21.

B. In These Last Days - God Has Spoken To Man In His Son - 1:2;

Acts 3:22-24; Jno. 1:18; 14:9.

II. DO YOU KNOW CHRIST? (or, Why The Son Must Be Heard &

Followed In All Things?) Heb. 1:2-3

A. Appointed Heir Of All Things - 1:2: Matt. 28:18; Psa. 2:8.

B. Through Whom He Made The Worlds - 1:2. Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16.

C. Who Being The Brightness Of His Glory - 1:3; Col. 2:9; 2 Pet. 1:16-17.

D. The Express Image Of His Person - 1:3; Jno. 10:30; 14:9.; Col. 1:15.

E. Upholding All Things By The Word Of His Power - 1:3; Psa. 33:6, 9.

F. When He Had Made Purification Of Sins - 1:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Cor. 5:21.

G. Sat Down On The Right Hand Of The Majesty On High - 1:3; Acts 2:33.

III. NOBODY COMPARES TO CHRIST! Heb. 1:4-2:4 (Neither Man Nor Angels)

-Therefore: We Have A Moral Obligation To Heed His Word - 2:1-4.

Building Character: Love Is.....

{Scripture Reading: 1 Jno. 4:7-11}

Love is.......

1. Keeping the commandments of God - 1 Jno. 5:3; 2 Jno. 6.

2. Doing good to enemies - Lk. 6:27-36.

3. Disciplining loved ones - Heb. 12:6; Prov. 13:24; 1 Cor. 5:5.

4. Forgiving brethren - 2 Cor. 2:6-9.

5. Sacrificing yourself for others - Jno. 15:13.

6. Aiding the needy - 1 Jno. 3:14-18.

7. Preaching the gospel - Phil. 1:15-17; Eph. 4:15.

8. Giving to church work - 2 Cor. 8:24.

9. Supporting evangelism - 3 Jno. 5-8.

10. Encouraging the saints - Heb. 6:10-12; Heb. 10:23-25.

11. Giving yourself up for your wife - Eph. 5:23, 28-33.

12. Obeying your husband - Titus 2:4-5.

13. Being courageous in faith - 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Jno. 4:17-19.

14. Forbearing one another - Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13.

15. Brotherly affection - 1 Pet. 3:8; Rom. 12:9-10.

16. Showing hospitality - Heb. 13:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:8-9.

17. Not offending weak brethren with your liberty - Rom. 14:15.

18. Greeting each other - 1 Pet. 5:14.

19. Daily Bible study - Psa. 119:97.

20. A way of doing everything - 1 Cor. 16:14.