Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Missouri inmate's death sentence commuted

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Jan. 28 (UPI) At least one soul was saved by Pope John Paul II's visit to St. Louis this week.

Following an appeal from the pontiff, Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan today commuted the death sentence of triple murderer Darrell Mease.

Carnahan said the pope personally asked him to “have mercy on Darrell Mease.” The governor said in a statement, “In reaching this decision, I took into account the extraordinary circumstances of the pope's request and the historical significance of the papal visit to the city of St. Louis and the State of Missouri.”

Mease, 42, was convicted for a drug-related trio of 1988 murders in Missouri. He was originally scheduled to die by lethal injection Wednesday at Potosi Correctional Center. But that was before the pope agreed to visit St. Louis following a trip to Mexico.

Without explanation, the Missouri Supreme Court earlier postponed the Mease execution until Feb. 10, a move the Vatican this week decried as “a mockery.”

During a mass before nearly 100,000 people Wednesday at the Trans World Dome, the pope said, “The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.”

Carnahan said he still supports capital punishment. However, “because of a deep and abiding respect for the pontiff and all the he represents, I decided last night to grant his request.”

Carnahan said Mease would serve a life term in prison without the possibility of parole.

COMMENTARY (Joe R. Price)

One of the traits of man-made religion is its contradiction and denial of the word of God. From ancient times God commanded and commended capital punishment. The pope (who is revered as the Vicar of Christ, the Head of the visible church) contradicts God and violates His scriptures by saying “The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.” God said: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:6); “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death” (Exo. 20:12); and again: “For he (civil government, see context - jrp) is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Rom. 13:4). A triple murderer, convicted and sentenced to die, now lives at the expense of the law-abiding taxpayers of Missouri because of the political pressure exerted by the Vatican! The apostle Paul said if he had done something worthy of death he was ready to die, but he was innocent (Acts 25:11). This criminal is worthy of death, yet the pope and governor of Missouri say, he should live! The pope is a false prophet of millions. Be assured, neither politics or popery will change the word and will of God!

Assignments

January 31, 1999

Announcements: Clarence Gardner

Opening Prayer: Clarence / Justin Monts

Closing Prayer: Ray H / Rusty McGrew

Song Leader: Dan Head / Gary Bass

Scripture Reading: A Bass / Jason Holt

L. Supper: Loren P / Jess Bass / Bradley H

Building Cleanup: Gardner

IS CONSCIENCE A SAFE GUIDE?

Mike Johnson

“Always let your conscience be your guide.” “Just do what your conscience says.” This is the attitude that many people have when trying to determine what is right or wrong religiously. They think that as long as the conscience is followed, on some doctrinal matter or even on a moral issue, they will be correct. Is conscience really a safe guide, or is there some other guide which must be considered?

What do we mean by the conscience? The conscience is known as the internal recognition of right and wrong regarding our actions and motives. It can be described as the part of the mind which either approves or disapproves of one’s actions on the basis of the actions being either in or out of harmony with that standard that one has chosen.

It is important to recognize that a conscience not properly “programmed” with the right standard will lead a person astray. For example, a person might not think that it is wrong to lie. Thus, he could tell a lie, and his conscience would not condemn him. He would, of course, sin by telling the lie, but since he had not been taught properly about lying, he could lie with a good conscience.

Paul serves as a good example in this area. Prior to his conversion, he persecuted Christians, and he did this with a good conscience. He thought that he was doing the right thing. Before the Jewish council (much later) he said in Acts 23:1, “ . . . Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” He always did what his standard told him to do, but before his conversion, his standard was not correct. In Acts 26:9 he said, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Thus, Paul’s actions prior to his becoming a Christian make it clear that a good conscience is not proof that one’s actions are right.

Consider that if conscience is to be our guide, then there would be as many guides, or standards, as there are people. A person's conscience, for example may tell him that a certain practice is correct, or it may tell him that he is saved. Another person’s conscience may tell him the exact opposite. With this approach, right and wrong is based only on what each individual perceives it to be.

What is to be our standard? It is to be the Bible---God's Word. Christ has all authority (Mt. 28:18). We must abide in the doctrine of Christ and not go beyond His Word (II Jn. 9, Rev. 22:18-19). It is important that we “program” our conscience with the teaching of God’s Word.

TEACH ME, O LORD Notes

(Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-7)

1. David pleas for God’s forgiveness, deliverance & protection.

2. v. 4-5 - David wants the Lord to be his instructor, his professor.

3. v. 4-5 - David wanted to be thoroughly trained in God’s ways, paths & truth.

4. v. 5 - He would exercise the patience of faith (v. 1-2, 21) .

5. Jno. 6:44-45; Heb. 8:33-34; Matt. 11:28-29 - Learn from Christ!

I. If What We Learn Is To Be Of Any Help To Us, We Must:

A. Acknowledge Our Sins - Psa. 25:8, 11, 16; Matt. 5:3-4.

B. Be Humble - Psa. 25:9; Matt. 11:25; Lk. 15:18-19 (18:13); 1 Cor. 8:1.

C. Be Obedient To God’s Will - Psa. 25:10; Matt. 7:21.

D. Be Reverent Before God - Psa. 25:12-14 (self-examination); Acts 10:34-35.

E. Always Trust In God - Psa. 25:2-3, 15, 20-21; 1 Cor. 1:20-21; Rom. 12:16.

II. O Lord, Teach Me To Wait On You .

A. Courage & Patient Endurance When Opposed For The Truth’s Sake

- Psa. 25:1-3.

B. Trust That The Gospel Is Right & That Truth & Christians Will Be

Vindicated - Psa. 37:1-6; 73:1-3, 15-18, 25-28; 1 Pet. 4:16; 2 Ths. 1:4-7.

JESUS OF NAZARETH: HIS LAST SUPPER

WITH THE TWELVE (Part 11)

(Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:17-30)

1. Lk. 21:37-38 - For 4 days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

2. Lk. 22:7-13 - Passover arrived - Arrangements made.

I. JESUS SETTLED A DISPUTE CONCERNING SUPERIORITY

(Lk. 22:24-30; Jno. 13:1-17) .

A. The Dispute & Suggested Causes (Lk. 22:24 - “Who is greatest?”).

B. Jesus Personified His Lesson On The Greatness Of Humble Service

-Lk. 22:27; Jno. 13:4-5, Jno. 13:12-17; l Pet. 5:5.

II. JESUS IDENTIFIED HIS BETRAYER (Matt. 26:20-25; Jno. 13:21-30)

A. Judas Succumbed To Satan's Temptation - Jno. 13:2; Matt. 26:14-16.

B. Jesus Told His Disciples Of The Betrayal - Matt. 26:20-25; Jno. 13:23-27.

III. JESUS INSTITUTED THE LORD'S SUPPER (Matt. 26:26-29; Lk. 22:14-20).

A. The Comparison Of Jesus & Passover Lamb - cf. l Cor. 5:7.

IV. JESUS GAVE PERSONAL ADMONITIONS (Lk. 22:31-38).

A. Peter Given Encouragement Despite Upcoming Denial - Lk. 22:31-34; 1 Ths. 5:14.

B. Prepared Disciples For Difficult Times - Lk. 22:35-38; 2 Tim. 3:12.

C. He Promised Them The Comforter - Jno. 14 (esp. v. 31); Jno. 14:16-18, 26, 27.