Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

Quote Of The Week: Rock Icon Mick Jagger

(RNS) "There's a hunger for spirituality (today) and the same rejection of Christian beliefs and search for other ways that happened at the turn of the last century. That makes me feel hopeful, because the beginning of (this) century was actually very productive from an artistic point of view. There were a lot of new ideas burgeoning, and hopefully that may happen again. Of course, what followed all the new ideas was a very terrible war, so you don't want history to repeat itself."

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, quoted in "Inside the Music" (Shambhala), on the connection between spirituality and creativity.

Will man ever learn that rejecting Christ and the search for true “spirituality” cannot be separated? Many will not, since the “god of this world” (Satan) blinds the minds of unbelievers so that truth cannot penetrate the darkness of their ignorance (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Rom. 1:21-22; Eph. 4:17-18). Jesus Christ is the true Light who brings light to every man (Jno. 1:4-5, 9; 14:6).

Jagger’s definition of spirituality is a common one today. Many think “spirituality” is a matter of “connecting” with one’s inner self and tapping into one’s own expressive and creative being (pop psychology is making a killing!). Spirituality is being understood in terms of feelings, self-realization, experiences, new ideas, etc. The church is not immune to this thinking. Some Christians are searching for “new directions” to take and new ideas to implement, which they think will produce greater personal satisfaction as Christians. This emphasis is clearly without Bible authority and endorsement. “New ideas” and new directions exalt man, not God (Col. 3:17; Gal. 1:8-10; 2 John 9).

The Bible teaches that to be “spiritually-minded” one must “walk according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5-8). Since the Spirit of God has revealed the truth of God to mankind, we are truly spiritual when we conform our lives to God’s word of truth (Jno. 16:8-15; Gal. 3:2). Does Jagger think true spirituality produces war and death? He should read James 4:1-4. Spirituality which is defined by human wisdom and worldly desires will never bring about peace with God or man (Jas. 3:13-18).

-Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, January 11, 1998

Announcements: Morris Bass

Opening Prayer: Morris Bass / Keith Alsobrook

Closing Prayer: Ed DeWispelaere / Willie Golightly

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Rusty McGrew

Scripture: Shane Bass / Wesley Holt

Lord’s Supper: Terry Haith / Clar. Gardner / Jason Holt

Bldg. Cleanup (Jan. 17): Gary & Marie 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

Volume I, No. 48 January 11, 1998

Doctrine Affects Salvation

Some brethren disagree over whether doctrine affects salvation and whether we should warn others of false doctrine.

Galatians 1:6-9 affirms that we are removed from the grace of Christ when we accept teaching which is different from what the apostles of Christ preached and what was received in the first century. How much of the apostolic doctrine can one differ with and remain in the grace of Christ: 1%? 5%? 30%? 50%? 80%? 90%? Must a person be in error on every point of doctrine before God’s grace is forfeited in his life? Doctrinal error causes one to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4). Therefore, doctrinal error is sin against God.

How much of God’s will did Nadab and Abihu have to violate before they died before God? (Lev. 10:1-2) How much error did Uzzah have to commit before it cost him his life? (1 Chron. 13:9-10) Was straying from one point of truth enough to jeopardize the salvation of Hymenaeus and Philetus? (2 Tim. 2:17-18; cf. 1 Tim. 1:18-20) How much did the rich young ruler lack before he could inherit eternal life? (“....one thing you lack....” - Mk. 10:21)

Grace does not save us from unrepented sin. A view of grace which allows man to rest comfortably in error rather than “contend earnestly for the faith” does not please God (Jude 3). Such an approach turns the grace of God into lasciviousness (Jude 4).

Galatians 3:10 is not an indictment against those who exhort Christians to obey all the commands and truth of God. It is an explanation of what it means to be saved by the works of (the) law, namely, sinless perfection. That is what it takes for a person to be justified under a system of law. This fact is not at all at odds with the Christian keeping the commands of Christ as a dutiful servant, loving his Master Jesus Christ (Lk. 17:10; 2 Jno. 6; Eph. 2:8-10). The grace of God instructs us how to live (Titus 2:11-12). Unless our lives and teachings are in harmony with the “word of His grace,” we will not stand in the grace of God (Acts 20:24, 32; Rom. 5:1-2).

-Joe Price

Saved “By Grace, Through Faith”

We certainly are “saved by grace, through faith.” The Law of Moses produced a knowledge of sin but did not possess a mechanism for the removal of sins (Rom. 3:20; Heb. 10:1-4). Law condemns -- unless one perfectly keeps/never violates law (Gal. 3:10; Rom. 4:1-2, 4). When Jesus brought grace into the world it did not eliminate man’s responsibility to obey God’s law (Matt. 7:21-23; Heb. 5:8-9).

Truth is a companion of grace in John 1:17. Both came through Jesus Christ. We do not seek to elevate truth over grace. The Scriptures reveal that grace and truth are companions. To stand in grace we must abide in truth (Jno. 8:31-32). When we forfeit truth we fall from grace (Gal. 1:6-9; 5:4; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:12; Jude 3-4).

Galatians 5:4 affirms that to seek justification by law causes the Christian to be severed from Christ and fallen from grace. Now, please note in verse 6 that “faith working through love” is what gives us strength in Christ. Is there any room for grace within the boundaries of a faith that works? Absolutely, for verse 7 says “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” When the Galatians were obeying the truth they were strong in Christ and in His grace. When they turned to the Law of Moses for justification, they became impotent in Christ, severed from Him, fallen from grace. Likewise, when we obey the truth in faith, we abide in the grace of God. When we do not obey the truth, we fall from His grace.

Can one live in disobedience and remain in God’s grace? Can a Christian engage in the works of the flesh and remain in the grace of God? (Gal. 5:19-21) By no means! If understanding and obeying divine law is not important to remaining in the grace of God, then one could walk in the works of the flesh and enter heaven (Gal. 5:19-21). But we know one cannot commit sin and inherit the kingdom of God without forgiveness.

Could the Galatians have committed adultery - a work of the flesh - and remained in the grace of God? (Gal. 5:19-21) No, they could not. The point of disagreement among some brethren on this matter is over whether the word of God’s grace has adequately defined adultery. Has it been revealed to us in such a way that we can understand it and obey it, thereby obtaining the grace of God! I believe it has and we can. Some, by their doctrine of grace and their view of the nature of revealed truth, deny it. This is the issue currently facing brethren who disagree on marriage, divorce and remarriage. The disagreement is not about demanding “salvation by perfection.” That is not the issue! Nobody among us demands salvation upon that basis. -Joe Price

Who Is Harmed When Christians Do Not Notes

Attend The Worship Services Of The Church?

{Scripture Reading: Psalm 95}

I. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPPED WITH: (Jno. 4:24 )

-Reverence (Psa. 89:7); Praise (Psa. 107:32); Whole Heart (Psa. 111:1);

Pure Lives (Isa. 1:10-13); Desire For Spiritual Growth (Acts 11:26).

II. THE ABSENT CHRISTIAN IS HARMED BY NOT WORSHIPPING

A. Symptomatic Of Spiritual Drifting - Heb. 2:1-3; 10:36-39.

B. Hardening Of The Heart Against Worship - Heb. 3:13-15.

C. Lost In Sin - Jas. 4:17; Heb. 10:26-29.

III. OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE HARMED WHEN A FELLOW-CHRISTIAN

FORSAKES OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER .

A. Can Be Influenced By A Casual View Of Attending Worship - Heb. 10:23-25.

B. An Empty Seat Means Someone Is Not Present To Encourage Those

Who Are! - cf. 1 Cor. 12:23-26; Eph. 4:16.

C. Sends A Message That Worship Is Secondary & Not Worshipping Is

Inconsequential To One’s Spiritual Well-being - cf. Acts 2:42.

IV. THE WORLD IS HARMED (& HELPED) WHEN A CHRISTIAN FORSAKES

WORSHIP ASSEMBLIES.

A. A Light To The World Has Gone Out - Matt. 5:14-16.

B. The World Has Gained A Friend - 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Jas. 4:4).

C. The World Has Gained An Opportunity To Speak Against Christianity - Titus 2:7-8.

THE POWERFUL WORD OF GOD

{Scripture Reading: Psa. 19:7-11}

I. GOD’S WORD: A CREATIVE FORCE.

A. The Physical World - Heb. 11:3; 2 Pet. 3:5; Gen. 1:3, 6...; Psa. 33:4-9.

B. Man’s Spiritual Life - Matt. 4:4.

1. Power to produce faith - Rom. 10:17.

2. Power to save - Rom. 1:16; Jno. 8:31-32, 51; 17:17; Acts 13:26; 2 Cor. 5:19;

Eph. 1:13; 5:26; Jas. 1:18, 21; 1 Pet. 1:22-23.

II. GOD’S WORD: A SUSTAINING FORCE.

A. The Physical World - Heb. 1:3 (preservation); 2 Pet. 3:7 (cf. Psa. 147:15-18).

B. Man’s Spiritual Life - 2 Pet. 1:3; Matt. 13:23.

III. GOD’S WORD: A JUDGING FORCE.

A. The Physical World - cf. 2 Pet. 3:7, 10, 12.

B. Man’s Life On Earth - Jno. 12:48; Rev. 20:12.

IV. PRACTICAL RESULTS OF HONORING THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD:

A. Spend Time With God’s Word - Psa. 119:97; 1:2.

B. Use God’s Word - Psa. 119:104-105.

C. Share God’s Word - Mk. 16:15.