Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Stay celibate, judge orders teen as part of sentence for gun-stealing

Cambridge, Ill. A judge told a teenager who pleaded guilty to stealing handguns that he must remain celibate for 2 1/2 years -- unless he gets married.

Brandon Stevens, 17, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months probation, 180 days jail and a $2,000 fine. Henry County Judge Clarke Barnes said Stevens won't have to serve jail time if he completes treatment at a halfway house and meets conditions that include the celibacy rule.

“Certainly he's got no business having sexual relations with people to whom he's not married,” Barnes said.

Prosecutor Ted Hamer said the requirement was based on the judge's learning in court that Stevens was sexually active, and not because of any sexually related charges.

The American Civil Liberties Union said Stevens' sex life is none of the judge's business.

And it's not clear how to enforce Barnes' order.

“It's sort of a self-policing type of order,” Hamer said. “Nobody's going to be spying on him or looking in windows. I think the judge just hopes he'll abide by the order.”

Commentary (jrp)

Well, give Judge Barnes an “E” for effort. He is trying to uphold a standard of moral decency which, if observed, will unquestionably avoid additional problems in this young man’s life. In a society that increasingly educates its children on how to use contraception rather than instill the virtues of abstinence, it is refreshing to see such attempts as his. Still, there are many who object. The ACLU says it is none of the judge’s business. In their way of thinking, stealing is the judges business, but not conduct which burdens society with unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and the increased tax burden of a welfare state (not to mention sin’s deadly outcome, Rom. 6:23).

We may have already crossed the line in America to be willing accept such judgments by the judiciary. Still, we must urge all citizens to police themselves (use self-control) to choose good and shun evil (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

Assignments: October 4, 1998

Announcements

Morris Bass

Opening Prayer

Morris Bass / Willie Golightly

Closing Prayer

Keith Alsobrook / Gary Bass

Song Leader

Rusty McGrew / Aaron Bass

Scripture Reading

Chris Holp / Philip Price

Lord’s Supper

Rick Holt / Shane Bass / Bradley Holt

Building Cleanup

Aaron & Ruby 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

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

Volume II, No. 33 October 4, 1998

THINGS CONTAGIOUS

Joe R. Price

All of us have experienced "catching" something from our kids, our neighbors or our fellow workers. The flu, running noses, sore throats and more -- all are examples of things contagious.

Spiritually speaking, there are a number of things which are also "catching." Some, we must avoid. Others, we should want to catch.

Try catching.....

·A GOOD INFLUENCE. A good influence is only obtained through hard work (Phil. 2:12-16). But, we are often helped in this effort by the good influences of others. "Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

·GODLY COMMUNICATION. Our speech is very often patterned after what we hear. Children learn good or bad speech by what they hear from their parents and playmates. "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth.... edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

·ZEAL. Like fire catches the dry blades of grass, turning the mountainside into an inferno, our zeal for the Lord's work can help others become "fired up" for Him ("....in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord," Romans 12:11).

Become immune to........

·GOSSIP. Like a cancer, gossip grows until it hurts many innocent souls. Remember, it takes a listener to make a gossip! "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?...He that slandereth not with his tongue...." (Psalms 15:1-3)

·ENVY. How do you feel and react over the good fortunes of another person? We should "rejoice with them that rejoice" (Romans 12:15). However, envy looks at the advantages of others with "an evil eye" (Mark 7:22) of discontent and resentment. Envy is infectious -- it likes company!

·WORLDLINESS. The enticements of this world will one day pass away (1 John 2:17). Therefore, we must "deny worldly lusts" and do God's will in order to "abide forever" (Titus 2:12; 1 John 2:17).

BIG and LITTLE Sins?

Joe R. Price

We humans have a tendency to rationalize our failings and justify our faults. When it comes to sin, we tend to do the same thing. One way of doing this is by cataloging the seriousness of sins within our minds. I said, "within our minds," because to the best of my recollec­tion, a catalog of "big" and "little" sins cannot be found in the Bible.

Nonetheless, it seems that certain sins have gained the reputation of being bigger (and therefore, worse) than others. To some, the Ten Commandment sins are BIG SINS, while a sin like hating our brother gets little attention. Yet, according to God, it is murder (1 Jno. 3:15). Have we fallen prey to the lie that, as long as we do not commit any of the "big" sins, we am safe?

Making some sins "big" and others "little" in our minds (and hence in our lives) is based upon subjectivism. In other words, it is the essence of deciding for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. We begin to decide what is bad and what is not so bad. Have you ever found yourself rational­izing some thought or some behavior by saying, "it is not so bad....after all, it is not a big deal....?" If so, you have substi­tuted God's word on the matter for your own will. And such reasoning is never acceptable to God (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23; Jno. 17:17).

While it is true that all sins carry the wage of death (Rom. 6:23), it must also be admitted that some sins carry greater immediate conse­quences than others. Murder robs a person of his life, while hatred may never be apparent to the person who is hated. Still, regardless of the impact of a sin upon the life of the sinner or upon the life of the person who is sinned against, every sin separates one from God and brings with it spiritual death (Isa. 59:1-2; Acts 8:20-23). For in­stance, stealing robs an innocent person of his hard-earned possessions. The consequences can be great. But, a love of money which puts Christ second in one's life will also cost the money-lover his soul (Matt. 19:21-22; 1 Tim. 6:10). Is stealing really a "bigger" sin than greediness?

Maybe this rationale can be blamed for why some place little impor­tance upon assembling for worship. To them, perhaps, it is a "little" thing to not worship God regularly (Heb. 10:24-25). But, I do not envy the person who will have to explain that to the Lord (2 Cor. 5:10).

Let us be careful not to catalog sins as either "big" or "little." Murder and hatred must cease. Lust and adultery are equally wrong. Both idolatry and covetousness are sinful (Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:5). In God's sight, there are no "big" and "little" sins!

TO SEE GOOD DAYS - 1 Pet. 3:1-17 Notes

(Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 3:10-17)

• Living With Our Spouses - 3:1-7

ÞAs wives, submissive & inwardly adorned (v. 1-6)Ü

ÞAs husbands, understand & honor your wife (v. 7)Ü

Joint-Heirs of Life / Prayers Not Hindered

• Living With Each Other - 3:8-12

Þwith brethren, be united in mind (v. 8-9)Ü

ÞWith ourselves, turn from evil & do good (v. 10-12)Ü

You Will Love Life & See Good Days / God Will Be Attentive To You

• Living Among Unbelievers - 3:13-17

ÞBe willing to suffer for what is rightÜ

(Follow after what is good / Set up Christ as Lord in your heart)

Need Not Be Afraid / Following The Example Of Jesus

Why Do You Follow Jesus?

(Scripture Reading: Lk. 14:25-33)

I. NOT FOR........

• Praise of Others - Matthew 6:5-6

• Physical Benefits - John 6:26

• Selfish Reasons - 1 Tim. 6:5; Acts 5:1-4

II. IN ORDER TO........

• Be Saved from Sin - Matthew 11:28; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:6-11

• Obtain Spiritual Benefits - John 6:35-37; 7:37

• Serve Jesus - John 12:26; Luke 6:46; 17:10

• Live in the Light of Truth - John 8:12; 12:35-36

• Go to Heaven - John 14:1-3