Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Powerful storm hits Northwest

November 20, 1998
Web posted at: 8:00 a.m. EST (1300 GMT)

(AP) -- A powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain moved into the Pacific Northwest Friday while some residents in North Dakota and Minnesota dug out from more than a foot of snow.

Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph were expected Friday along with locally heavy rains as the storm builds in Washington and Oregon. Rainfalls could exceed more than 5 inches by Saturday.

Commentary (Joe R. Price)

“Man, it’s blowing hard out there!” That was my son’s commentary on the storm that moved into our area Friday morning. Rain and wind gusting from 40-60 mph - a typical northwest storm.

The forces of weather are used many times in the Bible to teach relevant spiritual truths. Weather is used in the scriptures to depict:

1) God as its source (Job 28:26; 37:5-6; Psa. 65:9-10; Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17).

2) God both gives rain as a blessing and withholds it in wrath against sin (Deut. 11:14, 17; 28:12, 24; 1 Kgs. 8:35-36;

Amos 4:7; Heb. 6:7).

3) The power of God (Jer. 10:12-13; 51:15-16).

4) The glory of God (Ezek. 1:28).

5) The powerful judgment of God against evil (Isa. 29:6).

6) The ability of man to discern truth and righteousness (Lk. 12:54-57).

The sheer force of nature as seen in weather reminds us of the powerful God before whom we live. Let us thank Him for the blessings which come from the rain, and be careful to remember His wrath against sin and avoid it -- lest we suffer a worse fate than the physical damage a storm can bring.

Assignments - November 22, 1998

Announcements: Rick Holt

Opening Prayer: Rick Holt / Ed Dewisp.

Closing Prayer: Aaron Bass / Morris Bass

Song Leader: Dan Head / Clarence Gardner

Scripture Reading: Jess Bass / Shane Bass

Lord’s Supper: C. Fair / C. Holp / P. Price

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

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Volume II, No. 40 November 22, 1998

Thanksgiving

I cannot see what life will bring today;

How bountiful or barren it may be,

Nor how the course of life in one swift stroke

Can redirect and change its plan for me;

But this I know, in all my daily living

I turn to Thee, O God, with my thanksgiving.

In years gone by, how surely Thou hast led

And given much where little was my due.

Thou hast in all Thy goodness known and cared,

Replenished faith, my courage to renew.

Today I look to Thee in prayer and praise,

And voice thanksgiving for Thy gracious ways.

Without Thy care, our days would empty be

And fearful as the burning desert sands.

Who else could swing this universe of ours?

How else, but by Thy great and mighty hand?

So frail and weak we are -- O make us see

That Thou art good, and raise our thanks to Thee.

-K. Stevenson Shaffer

HOMEWARD BOUND

Joe R. Price

He had not been back home for a long time. The last time he was there had been such a pleasant time. Now, facing mounting opposi­tion against him because of His new found Cause, his friends urged him to seek safety by returning to the place of his youth. He willing consented to their counsel. After enjoying the security and familiarity that home affords, one of those same friends came for a visit. He brought exciting news of major advancements in the Cause which they both zealously advocated. His help was needed. And he was more than ready to assist. Thus, Saul's work with Barnabas in preaching the gospel began (cf. Acts 9:26-30; 11:22-26).

The work in Antioch was both challenging and rewarding. Many people there learned the gospel through the work of Saul, Barnabas and others (Acts 11:26; 13:1-2). While in Antioch, the Holy Spirit called Saul and Barnabas to a new arena of work: traveling into Gentile regions to preach the gospel (Acts 13-14). This new phase in Saul's life saw many successes and trials. The power of God was displayed, truth was shown to be superior to the mythologies of the heathen, and souls were saved by the gospel. But once again, opposition grew. Persecution arose in Antioch of Pisidia. While at Iconium a murderous plot was laid against them. At Lystra, where they were first considered to be gods, their adversar­ies stirred up the people until Paul was stoned and left for dead. Those were power, perilous days for Paul and Barnabas.

Why didn’t Paul just go back home from Lystra? After all, the Cilician Gates were nearby (a mountainous passage from the interior of Asia Minor to the coastal regions of Cilicia) and home was just beyond. What a tempting thought: Home! Friends and companions! Acceptance! People who know you and care about you. Safety and peace! However, Paul did not go home to Tarsus. In fact, after preaching in Derbe, he went back through the very same cities where people wanted to see him dead! What compelled Paul to hazard death rather than seek refuge at home?

Because there was another home for which Paul was headed. He knew that this world was not his home. He pressed on toward the heavenly home (Phil. 3:12-16). His citizen­ship was in heaven, and so is ours (Phil. 3:20; 2 Cor. 5:1). Had he been seeking comfort and conve­nience, he would have avoided trouble and gone to Tarsus. But his work was not over. Heaven was ahead. He was homeward bound (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Our work is not over, either. We have not been stoned. We have not had murderous men following us from town to town. So what is keeping us from our work for Christ? Are you homeward bound?

A FEW THINGS Notes

(Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21-27)

1. God wants all men to be saved, yet most reject Christ - 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Jno. 12:37-40.

2. Where will you spend your eternity?

I. JESUS SAID FEW ARE SAVED - Matt. 7:13-14.

A. It Is A False Security To Think That Everybody Goes To Heaven - Matt. 7:13-14.

-cf. Noah (1 Pet. 3:20); Joshua & Caleb. Who goes to heaven? - 7:21-23, 24-27.

B. Those Who Strive To Enter The Narrow Gate - Lk. 13:23-24 (16:16).

1. Against unbelief - Acts 26:27-28 (Agrippa didn’t strive to believe).

2. Against self - Acts 26:9 (Saul strove with himself - admitted wrong).

3. Against sin - cf. Lk. 19:8-10 (Zacchaeus strove against sin!).

-Personal choice is being made right now! - Josh. 24:15; 2 Cor. 6:2

II. JESUS SAID THERE ARE FEW LABORERS - Matt. 9:37.

A. Who Will Truly Care For The Spiritual Welfare Of Others - Phil. 2:19-22

B. Who Will Serve Instead Of Being Served - 3 Jno. 9-10.

C. Who Will Preach The Whole Counsel Of God - Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 13:17.

III. JESUS SAID TO BE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS - Matt. 25:21-23.

A. The Lord Has Placed Something Into Our Hands To Use In His Service

- Matt. 25:14-19, 21, 23, 25-30; cf. Exo. 4:2; Lk. 16:10.

Concl. Rev. 2:14, 20; 3:4 - Which “few” applies to us?

JESUS OF NAZARETH: HIS GENEALOGY AND BIRTH

(Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38)

I. THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS.

A. Matthew’s List (Abraham to Jesus) - Matt. 1:1-17. [Purpose: To Show That

Jesus Is Of The Proper Lineage To Be The Messiah.] - Matt. 22:42; 2 Chron. 23:3.

B. Luke’s List (Jesus to Adam) - Lk. 3:23-28. [Purpose: Show Jesus’ Relationship

To All Men.]

II. THE BIRTH OF JESUS .

A. The Birth Of Immanuel - Matt. 1:21-25. Divinity of Jesus - Jno. 1:1-3; Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9.

B. The Birth Of A Man - Matt. 1:18, 25. Humanity of Jesus - Lk. 2:51-52; Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16.

C. The Birth Of A King - Lk. 1:26-33 (Jno. 18:37). Authority of Jesus - Col. 1:13, 18; Matt. 28:18.

D. The Birth Of A Savior - Matt. 1:21; Lk. 2:11. Salvation from Jesus. Jno. 1:29; Lk. 19:10.