Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Notable quotes from the news:

"It's not in my hands. It is in the hands of God. There is nothing I can do."

-- PRESIDENT CLINTON, after the House vote to authorize an open-ended impeachment inquiry of his presidency.

Commentary (Joe Price)

Yes, the impeachment proceedings are out of the President’s hands. The Congressional investigation has been approved and is proceeding.

Nevertheless, this quote reminds us that there was plenty this President could have done which would have prevented this from occurring. He could have been faithful to his wife. He could have been honest with the American people. He could have told the truth under oath. The President that promised the most ethical administration in U. S. history now has this mark of shame indelibly penned upon its legacy.

Members of our society increasingly refuses to accept responsibility for and the consequences of our actions. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). The Hebrew proverb, “But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge” (Jer. 31:30) notes that the burden of personal sin shall be borne by the one who sins (“the soul who sins shall die,” Ezek. 18:20).

We must understand that we have all sinned against God and brought upon ourselves hardships, pain and sorrow (Rom. 3:23; Prov. 13:15). Jesus will relieve us of the burden of sin if we will come to Him (Matt. 11:28-30). Sinners can be forgiven, but may still have to face the temporal consequences of their sins (cf. the thief going to prison, etc.). We must be willing and ready to accept the results of our sins once we pledge to live for Christ rather than sin (Rom. 6:1, 11, 16-18). Then, our lives will indeed be in God’s hands, to use us and to preserve us for righteousness’ sake.

Assignments for

October 11, 1998

Announcements

Ed DeWisperaere

Opening Prayer

Ed DeWisperaere / Morris Bass

Closing Prayer

Rick Holt / Clarence Gardner

Song Leader

Dan Head / Rusty McGrew

Scripture Reading

Ray Hollister / Jason Holt

Lord’s Supper

Loren Parker / Jess Bass / Wesley Holt

Building Cleanup

Morris & Nancy 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. 34 October 11, 1998

We Make It Our Aim

Joe R. Price

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” (2 Cor. 5:9)

We cannot please all the people all the time. Someone who tries to do that will surely become a neurotic, nervous wreck! But, this does not mean than we should give no thought to pleasing others. Paul said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:23). So, we should be aware of how our attitudes, speech and actions influence and impact others.

More than anything else, we must want to please God. What greater endorsement than to live in such a way that the Great Creator and Sustained of the Universe takes pleasure in you?! Jesus “always (did) those things that please Him” (Jno. 8:29). Jesus said that He kept the Father’s word (Jno. 8:55). Therefore, the way we please the Father like Jesus did is to always keep His word.

To do that, we must be diligently learning and using God’s word. “Be diligent (study, KJV) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Spend time with God by reading your Bible and becoming better equipped to use it in your life. We cannot do what we do not know!

Now, back to 2 Corinthians 5:9. There the apostle offers at least two reasons for pleasing God. In verses 7-8, it is the desire to be with God which compels a life of faith (faith which then supports one’s confident hope of being with God after death). In verses 10, it is the reality of a future judgment which causes the apostle to set his aim on pleasing God. Everywhere and at all times, Paul knew that at the judgment day he (just as we) would have to answer for his life and then receive a corresponding reward, whether good or bad.

Because we want a confident hope of heaven and because we know we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ, let us always make it our aim to please Him by keeping His word.

Evil Surmising

Joe R. Price

It is thinking the worst of somebody. That is a pretty good way of defining "evil surmising" in everyday language. The lexicons say that surmise means "to suppose, conjecture, suspect" (cf. Vine's, I:284; Thayer, 644; Moulton, 418). Berry's Interlinear translates it in 1 Timothy 6:4 as "wicked suspicions." It means to conjure up, by way of conjecture, evil and injurious suspicions against another person. Evil surmising is a companion of "envy, strife, railings...wranglings" (1 Tim. 6:4-5). Truly, evil surmising is a divisive, destructive sin!

We are tempted, from time to time, to think badly of another person. Of course, we know that we should not do it. Neverthe­less, we are tempted to judge a person's motives (assign evil purposes to him) or impugn his character. Evil surmising is the name of that sin. It is assuming an evil motive, attitude and/or character upon a person without sufficient or accurate information. "Why did she say that?" "Why did he do that?" And before we know it, we have assigned an evil intention to the person without cause. We must abstain from this evil (1 Thess. 5:22).

Jesus said, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (Jno. 7:24). That is, we must be careful not to make a judgment about a person, event or thing unless and until we have the proper and accurate information with which to make that judgment. The next time you wonder why someone said or did something, instead of surmising evil about that person, do what Jesus recommends. Talk with that person to gather information about the situation. If necessary, reconcile with him or admonish him (Matt. 5:21-25; 18:15; Gal. 5:13-15). But by all means, do not carry around with you wicked suspicions about someone else! That will only damage your relationship with that person (whom you should be loving as yourself, Gal. 5:14). And, it will bring you much bitterness and heartache. Christ says to put such things away from us (Eph. 4:31-32).

Have good thoughts about others. Give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Avoid evil surmising.

Come Over And Help Us! Notes

(Scripture Reading: Acts 16:6-10)

Like the Macedonian call of long ago, the call to “come over...and help us!”

can still be hea­rd & we should respond to it, too!

I. COME OVER & HELP US PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST - 16:9-10.

A. Preachers - cf. 1 Cor. 3:6-9. (White Rock, BC)

B. Saints - Acts 8:4; Phil. 4:15-16.

C. Don’t Offer The Excuses Of The Unspiritual (Lk. 14:16-18, 24):

D. Do What You Can Do!

II. COME OVER & HELP THE CHURCH BY.......

A. Being Faithful In Attendance - Heb. 10:24-25.

B. Being A Cheerful Giver - 2 Cor. 9:7.

C. Being A Faithful Teacher - 2 Tim. 2:2.

D. Being A Trustworthy Worker - Phil. 2:19-23.

Christ: The Head Of The Church

(Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19)

Eph. 1:20-23 - Head: “metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent” (Thayer).

I. PREDICTED - Psa. 118:21-24.

A. Would Be (Was) Rejected By Men - v. 21 (Acts 4:11); Matt. 21:33-45.

B. God Made Him The Chief Cornerstone - Psa. 118:23.

II. APPOINTED BY GOD - Heb. 1:2; Eph. 1:20-22.

A. Crowned With Glory & Honor - Heb. 2:5-9.

B. Who Has Appointed The Others?

C. Christ Is Not Head Over Denominations - Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18.

III. HE HAS AUTHORITY IN ALL THINGS - Col. 1:18 (1 Cor. 11:3).

A. Authority Over All Men - Matt. 28:18.

B. Authority In The Salvation Of Men - 1 Tim. 4:10; Mk. 16:15-16.

C. Authority In Doctrine - Jno. 8:32; 12:48; Heb. 12:25 (1:2).

D. Authority In Morality - Jno. 8:12; Eph. 5:1-7; 1 Pet. 4:1-3.

IV. AS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH, CHRIST:

A. Commissioned His Apostles - Jno. 20:21; Matt. 28:19-20.

B. Imparted Gifts To Men - Eph. 4:8, 11-12.

C. Saves The Body (His Church) - Eph. 5:23, 25-27; Acts 20:28.