Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

Gay adoption accord hailed (Associated Press)
NEWARK, N.J. -- Gay-rights advocates hailed a "landmark" settlement approved yesterday (Dec. 17, jrp) allowing gay and unmarried couples in New Jersey the right to jointly adopt children, asserting it makes the state the first in the nation to put such couples on equal footing with married couples.

The agreement by New Jersey authorities came in a class-action lawsuit brought in June by gay and lesbian families with assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union.

In about half the states, including New Jersey, each individual in a gay or unmarried relationship could adopt a child, but the "second-parent" adoption required an additional petition, taking more time and money.

Said Michael Adams, a staff attorney with the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project: "New Jersey is the first state in the country to agree to treat gay and unmarried couples the same as married couples."

Under the settlement, the state Division of Youth and Family Services must scrap its policy barring joint adoption of its wards by gay and unmarried couples. It may deny consent to gay and unmarried couples only by applying the same standards it applies to married couples, including "considerations such as the stability of the prospective adoptive couple's relationship," the settlement said.

In addition, it allows any gay or unmarried couple who believe they are denied joint adoption based on marital status or sexual orientation to ask a state judge to enforce yesterday's decree and award them legal fees.

It is no secret that the homosexual agenda in this country is to legitimize their unnatural conduct (cf. Rom. 1:26-27). Gaining judicial recognition as a “family” is one of the planks in this ungodly program.

God’s teaching on the home is clear. Marriage is for men and women. Jesus made that clear (Matt. 19:4-6). God denounces homosexuality as “vile passion,” “against nature,” “burning in lust,” “shameful” and “error” which will receive a just penalty (Rom. 1:26-27).

We cannot even begin to imagine that godliness will be the influence and outcome of such an arrangement! The fact that our courts are now asserting that homosexual “families” are as healthy and normal as heterosexual marriages greatly disturbs us! Homosexuality is sin. The person given to such conduct needs salvation in Christ. But he/she should not be allowed to infect the next generation with his/her sins! “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34) -Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, December 21, 1997

Announcements: Rusty McGrew

Opening Prayer: Rusty McGrew / Ray Hollister

Closing Prayer: Gary Bass / Aaron Bass

Song Leader: Dan Head / Morris Bass

Scripture: Loren Parker / Willie Golightly

Lord’s Supper: Rick H. / Ed D. / Ray H.

Bldg. Cleanup (Dec. 27): McGrew

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 45 December 21, 1997

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The expression "church of Christ" is a descriptive term of posses­sion. "Church" is a collective noun (like "flock" or "family") which is composed of saved souls (Christians, the "called out" ones, Acts 2:41, 47). "Church of Christ" is used to signify the church which belongs to Christ.

As such, we emphatically state that the church of Christ is not a denomination. While many promote the advantages of "the church of your choice," Jesus' urgent prayer to the Father was for the unity of His believers, not their division into religious sects (Jno. 17:20-21). Denominational­ism is the essence of religious division. We plead for the unity of believers with the truth of Jesus as the basis for that unity (Eph. 4:3-6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Others would promote the notion that the church is not important -- Christ is. Yes, Christ is preeminently important (Col. 1:18). But, we must also acknowledge the importance of His church. The one does not negate the other. The importance of Christ's church is brought into focus by accepting the following facts about His church:

1) It belongs to Jesus, not man. (Matt. 16:18) Jesus built it. It is His. Man should not construct rivals to it.

2) Jesus purchased His church with His blood. (Acts 20:28) This is the value Jesus attaches to the saved, His church.

3) Jesus is the Head of the church of Christ. (Col. 1:18) Since it is His, He exercises supreme authority over it. That is how valuable it is to Him.

4) The church of Christ is the Body of Christ. (Eph. 1:22-23) Who wants to believe for a moment that Christ's body of believers is insignificant?!

5) Jesus is its Savior. (Eph. 5:23) That is how important the church is to Jesus!

How important is the church of Christ to you? -Joe Price

A WORD ABOUT THE SEASON

Every year at this time the subject of whether we celebrate Christ­mas comes up. The answer depends upon whether one is asking about the religious celebration of the birth of Christ, or simply about the seasonal holiday of goodwill.

There is absolutely no Bible support for a religious observance of the birth of Jesus. Yes, the Bible records the event of His birth, and I am the first to thank God that our Savior came to earth. But the fact that the Bible records the historical account of His birth does not authorize us to have a reli­gious holiday to observe it (the traditions of men, notwithstanding). There is no evidence of a “Feast of the Nativity” until the 4th century A. D. "Christmas" means the "mass of Christ," which refers to the special mass which was conducted to honor Christ's birth. Clearly, a Catholic expression originating with the Catholic Church. Despite the best of intentions, the religious celebra­tion of Christ's birth is an invention and addition of men. It has not been ordained by God in His inspired word, the Bible.

Just as religious acts can be practiced non-religiously (cf. circumcision, Acts 16:1-3; washing hands, Mk. 7:1-4; eating of meats sacrificed to idols, 1 Cor. 10:27), it is possible to celebrate Christmas non-religiously. As a festive, joyous expression of goodwill, the seasonal traditions of Christmas can certainly be kept by all. We should be careful, however, not to give our endorsement to the religious additions of men (2 Jno.9-11; Gal. 1:6-9).

Some may call us "scrooge." Others may say we do not believe in the birth of Jesus. This is not true. We honor the birth of Christ, but we want to do so in God's way, not man's way. We must be careful not to think that God must accept whatever we believe He should accept from our hands. Remember Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2)? If one can give Bible authori­ty for the religious observance of the birth of Jesus, then we will retract what we teach on this matter and start offering religious observance of Christ’s birth. If that cannot be done, rather than brand us as heretics, why not join hands with us in being careful not to add to God's word?

-Joe Price

“Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also trangress the commandment of God because of your tradition?....Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:2-3, 7-9)

GROWING IN GRACE Notes

{Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:14-18}

--“Increase in the image & favor of God” (Adam Clarke).

I. BY LOVING CHRIST - Eph. 6:24.

A. Means Of Receiving Grace - Jno. 14:15, 21, 23.

B. The Christian Who Lovingly Obeys Christ Has God's Favor W/Him!

II. BY GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE - 2 Pet. 3:18.

A. Knowledge Of Christ Essential For Growth In Grace - cf. 2 Pet.

1:2; 1 Pet. 2:2-3.

B. God's Grace Instructs Us Þ To Obey That Instruction Is To

Increase In God's Grace - Tit. 2:11-12.

III. BY HUMBLY ELIMINATING SIN FROM OUR LIVES - Jas. 4:5-8.

A. God Gives Grace To The Humble - Jas. 4:6.

B. Grace Will Not Abound Where Sin Resides - Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14.

C. Grow In Grace By Denying Worldliness & By Living Godly - Tit. 2:11-12.

IV. BY LIVING GRACIOUS LIVES OF SERVICE - Heb. 12:28 .

A. By Serving Man & God - Heb. 12:28.

B. By Our Speech - Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6.

C. By (The) Sacrificial & Sincere Giving (Of Ourselves To Others)

- 2 Cor. 8:1-2, 6-9.

D. By Worshipping God - Col. 3:16.

BUILDING CHARACTER: PEACE

{Scripture Reading: Phil. 4:4-7}

--God expects Christians to live in peace w/ others - Rom. 12:18

I. WHAT IS PEACE?

A. Involves Absence & Presence - Isa. 32:17-18.

B. Levels Of Peace Described In The Bible

II. SOME IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF PEACE .

A. The Sources Of Peace - Rom. 1:7.

B. The Message Of Peace- Acts 10:36. (Peace has been preached!)

C. The Price Of Peace - Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 1:20.

D. The Life Of Peace - Rom. 8:6; 2 Cor. 13:11.

III. PEACE MUST BE DEVELOPED & MAINTAINED IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP OF LIFE.

A. Our Peace With God Must Be Guarded - Rom. 5:1-5.

B. Peace In The Church Must Be Diligently Nurtured - Eph. 4:1-3.

C. Peace In The Home Is Crucial To Happiness - 1 Cor. 7:15.

D. Peace With One’s Fellow Man Is Important To Christians - Rom.

12:18 (Heb. 12:14).