Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Four Years After '94 Takeover, Gingrich Out as House Speaker
By: Curt Anderson, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A scant four years after leading Republicans to glory, House Speaker Newt Gingrich is stepping aside amid caustic criticism from his own party over unforeseen losses in this week's mid-term elections.

The stunning departure set up a wide-open succession struggle for the post that the Constitution places second in line to the presidency, with four lawmakers already in the race or openly mulling it over.

"I spent 40 years of my life getting us here," Gingrich told colleagues in a conference call Friday night. "The idea that I would be the excuse to cannibalize the majority is so sickening I couldn't risk it."

Gingrich indicated he would resign by year's end from the Georgia congressional seat he has held for two decades. He made the decision three days after Republicans were blindsided by the loss of five House seats and a weak Senate showing in Tuesday's election. (Fox News Web Site, 07Nov98)

COMMENTARY (Joe Price)

One of the blessings our democratic form of government affords us is the peaceful transition of power within our government. Without guns, tanks and mortars, political leaders rearrange themselves upon the political landscape to reflect the will of the people. We ought to be thankful for the peace that democracy furnishes us.

It also occurs to me that while politicians can resign from their work, Christians must never do so. Jesus said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jno. 9:4). Dear Christian, do not grow weary doing good. You will reap the eternal reward after awhile (Gal. 6:9). Remember, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62). When you became a Christian you committed yourself to a life of faithful obedience to the Lord. Do not lose that commitment, for “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22).

Assignments - November 8, 1998

Announcements: Ed DeWisperaere

Opening Prayer: Ed DeW. / Justin Monts

Closing Prayer: Rick Holt / Clarence G.

Song Leader: Dan Head / Rusty McGrew

Scripture Reading: J Monts / Jason Holt

Lord’s Supper: L Parker / Jess B / Wesley H

Building Cleanup: Parker & DeWisperaere

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 Sites: http://www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

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Volume II, No. 38 November 8, 1998

Things Common to Man

Justin Monts

Know of someone you have absolutely nothing in common with? Just about all of us are convinced we do. In the Bible, however, we read about certain things common to all men and we would do well to learn these. Notice some common things listed below.

1) Physical Death. Moses announced to Israel, "By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me" (Num. 16:28-29). Here Moses placed Korah and his rebellious cohorts on trial before God. Notice, however, that he also acknowledged death is the common fate of all men. Elsewhere it is written, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

2) A Maker. Solomon stated, "The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all" (Prov. 22:2). Although the wise Solomon made this observation, it didn't take an intellectual to reason it out. Job raised the question, "Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?" (Job 31:15). The same One who created me also created you.

3) Temptation. In writing to Corinth, Paul penned, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. 10:13) Temptation is something we all can relate to. Perhaps this is why Jesus asked His disciples to pray, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Lk. 11:4). Only by looking to God can we escape the temptation that is common to all men.

Apostasy

Harry R. Osborne

The book of Hebrews is filled with statements warning the readers about the danger of apostasy. Those original readers were Christians from a Jewish background. They had accepted Christ initially, but were now tempted to forsake the Gospel and return to life under the Old Testament law.

The warnings given to those people should serve as a lesson for Christians today who might be tempted to forsake the service of the Lord in obedience to the Gospel by returning to worldliness or false religion. The Scriptures plainly teach that we may fall from grace or lose our salvation. Let's notice a few such passages.

Hebrews 6:4-6 - "For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

How could it be made any more plain? The Scripture affirms that one may fall away and be in a lost state after being saved initially. One can receive all the benefits of salvation listed and yet lose them through rebellion to Christ.

Hebrews 2:1 - "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them." One cannot "drift away" from a place without first being there. Thus, this passage teaches that individuals may depart from the Gospel after first hearing and obeying it.

Hebrews 10:26-27 - "For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." Yes, the Bible teaches that one who has been saved may so sin as to be lost in the eternal judgment.

The same writer goes on to says, "A man that rejected Moses' law died without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10:28-29)

Who is it that could be guilty of such vile actions? Was it some atheists who had always rejected God? Was it those who had never believed that Jesus was the Divine Christ? No, those guilty of such sins were Christians who had turned away from their faith in denying their Lord.

Hebrews 12:15-16 - "Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."

As Esau had a physical inheritance, Christians have a spiritual inheritance (Romans 8:14-17). Just as certainly as Esau lost his inheritance, Christians can lose their inheritance. The Christian who sells his inheritance for fornication or profane living cannot expect God's grace to cover him while living in such. He will "fall short of the grace of God."

Some may say that it is impossible for the Christian who has been saved ever to be lost, but the Bible clearly teaches to the contrary. Therefore, Christians must be continually watchful about their lives. Any worldliness or false beliefs must be purged.

Christians must be characterized by the words of the Hebrew writer: "But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who have faith unto the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39). That kind of faith demands one continue letting his life be molded to God's will as found in His word.

THE CHURCH: The Pillar And Ground Of The Truth Notes

(Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16)

· PILLAR: “a prop or support”

· GROUND: “a stay, prop, support; sitting, sedentary; firm, immovable, steadfast”

-Stable, Unchanging; Imperishable (Matt. 16:18)

· OF THE TRUTH: Teach it (Matt. 28:19; 2 Tim. 4:2); Live It (Gal. 5:7); Contend for it (Jude 3-4)

I. HUMAN REDEMPTION.

• Problem of Sin (Rom. 3:23; 5:12; 6:23)

• Remedy: Jesus (Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 6:3-4) (Death, Burial, Resurrection)

• Plan of Salvation (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47)

II. THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

• Promised (2 Sam. 7:13) • Prophesied (Dan. 2:44) • Preached (Mk. 1:15)

• Participate In (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9)

III. THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE.

• Inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16) • The Word of God (1 Ths. 2:13;1 Cor. 2:13)

• Complete (2 Pet. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:23) • Authoritative (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Ths. 2:15)

Are You Really A Christian?

(Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

I. YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN MERELY BECAUSE:

A. You Believe Something About Jesus - Jno. 12:42-43; Jas. 2:19.

-Must believe truth about Jesus! - Heb. 11:6; Jno. 1:12-13.

-Must have obedient faith - Acts 6:7; 10:34-35; Matt. 7:21.

B. You Are Religious - Acts 8:26-39.

-Yes, Christians are religious - Acts 2:42; Jas. 1:26-27.

-Object of your religion must be God, not self! - Matt. 6:1; Lk. 18:9-12

C. You Are Moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22; 11:14; Phil. 4:8.

D. You Are Sincere - Acts 26:9-11; Phil. 3:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:1.

E. You Have Been Baptized - Acts 19:1-5.

-Proper method (Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4); proper purpose (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16);

proper result (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13).

F. You Are A Member Of A Church - Eph. 4:4; 3:10-11; Acts 20:28.

II. A CHRISTIAN IS:

A. Saved From His Sins - Eph. 1:7; Acts 2:40-41; cf. Acts 9:3-11; 22:12-16.

B. Lives Faithfully - Rom. 6:4; Lk. 6:46 (Acts 11:26); 2 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9.

C. Is Sacrificial - Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Matt. 6:33.