Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Religion does body good, too

Older churchgoers, Bible readers have lower blood pressure

by: GARY D. ROBERTSON

RALEIGH, N.C.-Going to church and reading the Bible regularly may do more than save your soul -- it may extend your life.

In one of the biggest studies of its kind, Duke University researchers found that people 65 or older who faithfully participated in religious activities were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure.

In particular, people who attended church weekly and read the Bible or prayed regularly had lower diastolic pressure than those who were less religious, the study found. High diastolic readings are associated with heart attacks and strokes.

While the study doesn't prove a causal relationship between belief in a higher power and good health, it does provide numeric evidence of another benefit of religious activity, study co-author Dr. Harold Koenig said.

“We're becoming more aware that religious beliefs or practices is not negative for a person's health,” Koenig said. “In fact they could be very positive.”

Numerous studies have shown that religious people are less depressed, have healthier immune systems and deal better with addictions than the non-religious.

COMMENTARY

While physical health is good, and a blessing from God, spiritual health is better (1 Tim. 4:7-8). The Christians in the New Testament often suffered ill health because of their faith. Please read these descriptions of the impact of their religious faith upon their physical health:

“To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.” (1 Cor. 4:11)

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonment’s, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings....” (2 Cor. 6:4-5)

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Tim. 5:23)

Yes, godliness tends toward better general health. But not always. Christians get sick and die, too. And often, if one is truly living the gospel of Christ, physical distress is the result.

Peace of mind does indeed come from spiritual activity (Phil. 4:6-7). But, know that if you obey the gospel of Christ your physical health is secondary to your spiritual health. If we must suffer for being faithful to Christ, it is a small price to pay for the eternal weight of glory reserved in heaven for the faithful (2 Cor. 4:16-18). -jrp-

 Welcome Visitors! 

Young men’s training class today at 5:00PM.

Gospel meeting - Tom Roberts 1 week away.

Flyers are available to invite folks to come join us.

A meal list is available for you to sign.

The sick: Beulah Walker, Rick Haith, Mavis Fair

(chemotherapy); N’Kole Holp.

Out of town: Keith A., Loren P. this week, Lynn

L’Arrivee & Polansky children.

Please volunteer your time to work at the

construction site (see Morris Bass for scheduling -

evenings, days, Saturdays).

Class teachers needed for classes # 2, 4.

Please see Gary Bass - We need your help!

Assignments: August 16, 1998

Announcements: Terry Haith

Opening Prayer: Terry Haith / Shane Bass

Closing Prayer: Rusty McGrew / Charles Fair

Song Leader: Dan Head / Rick Holt

Scripture Reading: Chris Holp / Philip Price

Lord’s Supper: Ed DeWis. / Clarence G. / Wesley H.

Building Cleanup: 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

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http:// www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

Volume II, No. 26 August 16, 1998

The Northside church of Christ

invites you to a

G O S P E L M E E T I N G

August 23-28, 1998

Guest Speaker: Tom Roberts

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall

5201 Northwest DR  Bellingham, WA 98227

Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30AM; 6:00PM Monday - Friday: 7:00PM

Bring your Bible and learn of Christ with us!

Being Convicted Of My Sin

Joe R. Price

Conviction seems to be a rather "politically incorrect" thing to have these days in the religious world (unless, of course, you have conviction against having any religious convictions!!). Nevertheless, there is one subject about which every morally responsible person on the face of this earth ought to be convicted. That is his personal sin against God.

We all need such a conviction because all have sinned against God (Rom. 3:23). To be convicted of sin includes being convinced of its existence in one’s life. But, one needs to understand that being convicted of his sin means more than just knowing that he has sinned. It also involves being brought to shame for his sins so that he is compelled to look to God for His forgiveness.

The gospel of Jesus Christ makes it very clear that every sinner must be convicted of his sin before he can ever be saved in Christ. Without being convicted of his own sin, the sinner will not be moved by godly sorrow to repent of them (2 Cor. 7:10). Like Peter, when we are convicted of our sins we ought to go out and weep bitterly (Lk. 22:62). If not, there will be no confession of the name of Christ, no baptism into Christ for the remission of his sins, and no ceasing of the sin in one’s life (Acts 26:20).

How has God ordained that we be convicted (convinced and brought to shame) of our sins? In John 16:8, Jesus promised that the Comforter (the Holy Spirit, v. 7, 13) would “convict the world in respect of sin” when He was sent to the apostles of Christ (Jno. 16:8-15). When the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to preach the word of God on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 sinners were convicted of their sins (Acts 2:37, 41). Their conviction led them to repent and be baptized. So, we conclude that God convicts sinners of their sin through the word of truth when it is preached to them.

What happens when one is convicted of his sins by the word of God? According to Acts 2:37, sinners are "pricked in their heart" by truth and their rebellion against it. This causes within them a godly sorrow for their sin against God, which leads to repentance and obedience to the will of God (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 26:20). If you are convicted of your sins you need to repent of them and be baptized for forgiveness (or, if you are already a Christian, repent and in prayer confess your sins to God, Acts 8:22; 1 Jno. 1:9).

When does God want us to be convicted of our sins? Although it may be a great temptation to put off obeying God to be forgiven of our sins, it is a tragic mistake. When we delay obeying God we are hardening our hearts and acting in unbelief (Heb. 3:13). Today is the moment to be so moved by conviction of your sins that you are compelled to not put off obeying God any longer (Heb. 3:7-8). If you have sinned against God, you will die in that sin unless God forgives you in Christ (Rom. 6:23). Why haven't you obeyed the gospel so your sins can be forgiven? (cf. Acts 22:16) Be convicted of your sins and start living for God today!

Truth and the King’s Penknife (Jeremiah 36) Notes

(Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:23-25)

I. WHY GOD SENT SCRIPTURE TO MANKIND - 36:1-8.

A. Please Note: Scripture Is From God, Not Man - 36: 2, 4, 8, 10-11, 29.

-Authoritative - 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13 (1 Cor. 14:37).

B. God Sent Scripture To Expose Sin - 36:2-3; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Titus 1:9.

C. God Sent Scripture To Produce Repentance - 36:3, 7; 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

D. God Sent Scripture To Instruct Us In Godly Living - Tit. 2:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

II. HOW PEOPLE REACT TO SCRIPTURE (God's Word):

A. Baruch: Obeyed - 36:8. cf. Matt. 7:21, 24-27.

B. The People Of Jerusalem: Heard But Unresponsive - 36:6-8, 10 (cf. Isa. 6:9-10); 4:4.

C. Princes: Fear Without Repentance - 36:13-19; cf. Acts 24:24-25.

D. King Jehoiakim: Utter Contempt - 36:20-26.

III. RESULTS:

A. God's Word Survives Every Onslaught And Rejection - 36:27-28, 32. [1 Pet. 1:23-25]

B. Transgressors Will Be Destroyed - 36:30-31 (2 Chrn. 36:5-6; Jer. 22:18-19). [Rom. 2:5-6]

Galatians 5: Why Should I Bear The Fruit of the Spirit?

(Scripture Reading: Gal. 5:7-15)

I. WE STAND IN THE GRACE OF GOD - 5:1-12 .

A. Liberty In Christ - v. 1.

B. Christ Is Our Hope Of Righteousness--v. 2-5; Col. 1:27; Eph. 1:17-19.

C. Faith Working Through Love - v. 6-12; Eph. 2:8-9; Lk. 17:10.

II. WE SHOULD BE SERVANTS OF EACH OTH­ER - v. 13-15.

A. We Should Never Abuse Our Freedom In Christ - v. 13 (cf. Rom. 6:1-2).

-Never forget your influence/position/responsibility.

B. Pure Motives Will Cause Us To Serve One Another - v. 13-15; Rom. 13:8-10; Jas. 3:18.

III. WE ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD - v. 16-25; Rom. 8:4, 14.

A. The Battle Against The Flesh Must Be Fought - v. 16-18 (Personal­ly, Rom. 7:22-23).

B. We Can & Must Crucify The Flesh - v. 24.

Conclusion: Jno. 15:4-5 - Much fruit borne when we are Christ's! His Spirit directs us &

we pro­duce fruit as our faith works through love!