Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

GLENN SAYS LIGHTS OF PERTH BIGGER AND BETTER SECOND TIME AROUND

John Glenn admired the heartwarming glow of Perth, Australia -- bigger and even more beautiful from orbit than he remembered -- as the city repeated a 36-year-old tradition Friday and turned on all of its lights for the space pioneer.

"It's been a long time ago I looked at the same thing from a little lower altitude," the 77-year-old astronaut said as space shuttle Discovery soared 350 miles above the continent. "But it looks beautiful up here and you can pass that along to the people of Perth."

"We got a good view of Perth, a nice glow and spread out," the retiring Ohio senator reported. He said the city "looks even better now than it did back then. They've really got them lit up tonight here."

Townspeople gathered in the streets for a glimpse of the shuttle; they didn't see it, but that didn't dampen the jubilant mood. "It's been incredible," said Perth Mayor Peter Natrass. "It's captured the imagination of everyone in Perth." (NorthWest Cable News, web site, 30Oct98, edited for length)

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COMMENTARY

Joe R. Price

The achievements of the NASA space program are truly remarkable. The heroism of brave astronauts is commendable, and the display of support from Perth, Australia must have truly been a dramatic sight from high above the earth.

How dramatic would it be if every single Christian on this entire globe were to brightly shine his or her “light” every moment of every day? (Matt. 5:14-16) This type of shining would not be seen from outer space. It would, however, be seen here on earth by others, and the God of heaven will see the light with pleasure.

How often we rob our world of illumination and direction because we, the ones capable of shining forth light which no may can extinguish, chose rather to turn off our light and live in darkness.

If the citizens of Perth can turn their lights on so that an astronaut over 300 miles above them can see them, shouldn’t we be able and willing to “turn on our lights” as disciples of Jesus so that a world darkened by sin can see them and glory God who is in heaven?

Assignments for November 1, 1998

Announcements: Morris Bass

Opening Prayer: M. Bass/Willie Golightly

Closing Prayer: TBA / Gary Bass

Song Leader: R. McGrew / Aaron Bass

Scripture Reading: Chris Holp / Philip Price

Lord’s Supper: R Holt / S Bass / B Holt

Building Cleanup: Shane & Justina 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

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Volume II, No. 37 November 1, 1998

WAKE UP!

Joe R. Price

Sin dulls our senses and slows our responses of righ­teousness. The influence of the world around us often has the subtle effect of putting us to sleep when we should be vigilant and steadfast (Matt. 26:41; 1 Ths. 5:6). Used in this way, "sleep" refers to the sleep which accompanies sin, that of spiritual death. Sin must not be allowed to lull us into a spiritual stupor.

Three times in the New Testament we are urged to "wake up" out of the slumber of sin's death and live holy lives. Consider them with me. They will help all of us to "wake up!"

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11)

Here we are called to remember the brevity of life and the urgency of living by the faith we have professed. The continuing admonition is to put away the works of darkness which contribute to spiritual death (v. 12-14).

“Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)

The corrupting influence of false doctrine and evil companionships call for sober thinking on our part. Our objective must be righteous living. To do so, we must be ashamed of sin and its intrusions into our lives, thereby prompting repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).

“Therefore He says, ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’”

(Ephesians 5:14)

Probably taken from Joel 1:5, this urgent call is designed to awaken us out of a state of moral sloth. Spiritual alertness must be reestab­lished as we consider the effects of sin upon our lives (vs. 3-13). Christ will forgive our sins and shine His mercy upon us. We must confess them and repent of them (1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22).

UGLY

Dick Blackford

This is an ugly bulletin. It is the ugliest I've ever seen. It is the ugliest I have edited. It deals with some of the ugliest sins mentioned in the Bible. These are sins of the tongue. Here is a list of some of those, with definitions, where they are found in the Bible and the outcome of those guilty.

LYING. Telling something that is false. One of the 7 things the Lord hates (Prov. 6:17). Satan is the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). All liars shall have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

TALEBEARING, WHISPERING, BACKBITING. Talking bad about others behind their backs. Whisperers are cowardly sneaks who have not the courage to come out in the open and say damaging things about others, but secretly peddle their slanderous statements and insinuations ...Such characters have aptly been called "snakes in the grass." Backbiters...delight in destroying the good name of others...It is a pity that the slimy trails of both are found in this good land of ours (COMMENTARY ON ROMANS, R. L. Whiteside, p. 43f). "The words of a talebearer are as wounds (Prov. 18:8). "Where there is no talebearer the strife ceaseth" (Prov. 26:22). Mentioned with murder (Rom. 1:29-30).

EVIL SPEAKING. Would include bad language, lascivious talk. Should "abhor (hate) evil" (Rom. 12:9). Use sound speech that cannot be condemned (Tit. 2:8).

SLANDER. ...accusing falsely...those who are given to finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendoes and criticisms in the church (VINE, IV:39). "Speak not one against another, brethren..." (Js. 4:11). Don't impugn another's motives or put the worst interpretation on their actions (1 Cor. 13:6).

BOASTFUL. An empty pretender; he boasts of things he does not possess or of things he has never done. He wants people to think of him as...a doer of great things...Such fellows are shoddy goods marked up...When a man boasts, he is generally lacking in the things of which he boasts (Whiteside, p. 44f). "Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up" (1 Cor. 13:4).

HYPOCRISY. Pretending to be what you are not. "These people honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me..." (Mt. 15:8). Hypocrites destiny is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 24:51).

FLATTERY. Insincere praise, exaggerated compliment, as in order to win favor. "Meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips" (Prov. 20: 19). "The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips..." (Ps. 12:3).

We should be swift to hear, slow to speak (Js. 1:19). "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mt. 12:34). "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Mt. 12:36). -edited, jrp

Let God Be The Judge! (Scripture Reading: Psa. 119:137-144) Notes

I. WHAT IT MEANS TO “JUDGE.”

A. Krino (krinw): To Separate & So Decide - Matt. 7:1; Lk. 12:57; Jno. 7:24.

B. Anakrino (anakrinw): To Examine, Scrutinize, Determine - 1 Cor. 2:14-15.

C. Diakrino (diakrinw): To Separate, Make A Distinction, Discriminate - 1 Cor. 11:31.

II. Contrast: “Judge Not” And “Judge.”

A. Do Not Judge: Hypocritically - Matt. 7:1-5 (Rom. 2:1-3); By appearance - Jno. 7:24;

The liberty of another - Rom. 14:3-5, 10, 13; The law of God - Jas. 4:11-12.

B. Judge: Righteous judgment - Jno. 7:24. cf. Jno. 5:30; What is right - Lk. 12:54-59

(1 Jno. 4:1, 6; 1 Ths. 5:21-22); Sin / sinner - 1 Cor. 5:3-5, 12-13 (to be worthy of discipline);

Fruit of teachers - Matt. 7:15-20; When to walk away - Matt. 7:6 (cf. Acts 13:44-46).

C. Our Standard Of Judgment: Word Of God - Psa. 119:137-138; Jno. 12:47-49; Lk. 22:28-30

(Matt. 16:19; Rom. 2:16); cf. Psa. 119:30.

III. “JUST LET GOD BE THE JUDGE & LEAVE OTHERS ALONE.”

A. Some Brethren Want To Selectively Apply This Approach: Modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10); MDR (Matt.

5:32); Unity-in-diversity (2 Jno. 10-11; 1 Cor. 1:10).

B. Let’s Apply This Same Approach To: The plan of salvation (Who is lost?) - Mk. 16:15-16;

Binding OT law on Christians - Acts 15:1-2; The work of the church - Heb. 8:5; Moral issues

[Who decides (judges) right & wrong?] - Tit. 2:11-12; Doctrine - 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

C. The Results Of This Philosophy - 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Isa. 30:8-11; Jer. 6:14; Col. 3:17.

Christians Need To Be Good Communicators (Part 1) (Scripture Reading: Prov. 10:11-21)

A good communicator will:

Prov. 10:11.............................Try to help rather than be cruel with his words

Prov. 10:12-13........................Speak from a good understanding of his topic, people, etc.

Prov. 10:14.............................Speak from knowledge

Prov. 10:18.............................Not be deceptive with his words

Prov. 10:19.............................Be judicious with his words

Prov. 10:20.............................Reflect his honesty as he speaks

Prov. 10:21.............................Have the welfare of his listeners in mind

Prov. 25:11............................ With careful words meet the needs of others

Prov. 25:12.............................Speak helpful words

Prov. 25:13.............................Be reliable and trustworthy

Prov. 25:14.............................Not exaggerate in order to flatter himself

Prov. 26:17.............................Know when not to speak

Prov. 26:18-19........................Know that inappropriate humor hinders communication

Prov. 26:20-23........................Not tell tales and will speak to the person who needs to hear his words

Prov. 26:24-28........................Not use deceptive, flattering words

James 3:1-6............................Exercise self-control, knowing the power of words & his accountability