THE SPIRIT’S SWORD

published by

Mt. Baker church of Christ

1860 Mt. Baker Hwy · Bellingham, WA 98226

Volume VI, Number 14 - July 21, 2002

"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)

Editor..................Joe R. Price

Visit our Web Sites:

Mt. Baker church of Christ: http://www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker

BIBLE ANSWERS: http://www.bibleanswer.com

In this issue:

• Who is God? (Joe R. Price)
• Pondering Death (Joe R. Price)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Hell is Still Real! (Mark 9:42-48)
  • Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage (Part 2 of 2) (Galatians 1:6-12)
• Noteworthy News: Gospel Meeting (August 4-9)

Who is God?

Joe R. Price

It is apparent that basic Biblical truth about God - who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do – is unknown to the vast majority of people. There is "no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18).

To reach the lost with the gospel of Christ we must teach them an understanding of God so that true faith may be established (Acts 17:23; Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17). That means we must teach people about God before we can adequately teach them to obey God.

It will also do our own faith good to review some of the basic Bible teachings about God. See if you can add to the following list using the Bible as your guide. There can be no doubt, what a great God we serve!

God is spirit - Jno. 4:24 (He does not have flesh and bones as a human, Luke 24:39)

God is not a man – Num. 23:19; Psa. 50:21 (He is divine, not human)

God is one - Deut. 6:4 (a united one, together, John 10:30)

God has revealed Himself as three persons - Gen. 1:1, 26; Matt. 28:19; Eph. 4:4-6 (Father, Son and Holy Spirit are each described as "God" or "deity," John 20:17; 20:28; Acts 5:3-4)

God is omnipotent - Job 42:2; Matt. 19:26; Rev. 4:8 (possessing all power, as seen in His work of creation, Romans 1:20; Psalms 8; 19)

God is omniscient – 1 Sam. 2:3; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 16:9 (He knows all that man thinks and does)

God is omnipresent – 1 Kgs. 8:27; Psa. 139:7-10; Jer. 23:23-24 (man cannot escape His presence)

God is wholly just - Psa. 89:14 (all His judgments are perfect and true)

God is completely holy - Isa. 6:3 (He is completely pure and free of sin)

God is totally good - Psa. 145: 9; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 8:28 (in all cases He acts for the greatest good of the whole creation)

God is eternal - Psa. 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17 (self-existing, without beginning or end)

God is unchangeable - Mal. 3:6 (His character and nature is unalterable)

God is Creator of all – Gen. 1:1; Acts 14:15; 17:24; Rom. 11:33-36 (the Origin and Lord of all)

Pondering Death

Joe R. Price

The word of God teaches us the value of pondering death: "Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart" (Eccl. 7:2).

The fatal automobile crash in front of the church building last Wednesday night during our Bible classes is a sobering reminder that death comes to us all. Our sympathy is extended to friends and family of the deceased.

Death is described as a house to which man is brought (Job 30:23). It is an appointment all the living shall keep (Job 30:23; Heb. 9:27). Nobody, whether rich or poor, wise or foolish, shall escape it (Psa. 89:48; Eccl. 9:2).

God created man a dual creature. We are both flesh (dust) and spirit (immortal). Death returns the flesh to dust and the spirit to God (Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:7). Death is a separation of the body and the spirit (Jas. 2:26).

These are some of God’s truth about death; now, what should we learn from death?

We should learn the frailty of life. "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am" (Psa. 39:4). Whether you are young or old, you are not more powerful than death. "What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave" (Psa. 89:48)? "No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death" (Eccl. 8:8). Youth does not make you invincible, and old age does not inoculate you from harm. The man who died in the car accident was 24 years old: a life ahead of his, vanquished in a moment. Life is a precious gift – do not neglect it (Eccl. 3:12-13, 22; 11:9-12:1, 13-14).

We should learn that we need to get right with God, now! God graciously gives us time and opportunity to learn and obey Him to avoid eternal death for our sins (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9). But the certainty and suddenness of death convinces us to believe and obey Him now (2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8). In view of death, today is the day you should repent of every sin and obey Jesus Christ.

We should learn that we must be teaching the gospel to the lost. Death ends one’s opportunity to hear the gospel, believe and obey it, and thus be saved (Mk. 16:15-16). We preach the gospel to the living because after death comes judgment (Heb. 9:27). To die without Christ is to die without hope (1 Ths. 4:13). Thus knowing "the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11; Heb. 12:28-29).

We should learn the love of God in Christ Jesus. God so loved the world that He gave His Son to die on a cross to save us from eternal death (Jno. 3:14-16). Although the flesh dies, the spirit of the Christian is renewed daily in anticipation of eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18; Rom. 5:1-2). Without fear, those who love God eagerly await the advantages death brings (Heb. 2:14-15; Phil. 1:21-23; 3:20; 2 Tim. 4:8).

Life, at best, is brief and uncertain, so live it wisely, doing the will of God (Jas. 4:13-17).

Are you ready to meet the Lord in judgment (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10)? Are you ready to die?

You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Hell is Still Real!

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:42-48

1. Although Jesus & His apostles taught about hell (Matt. 10:28), more & more it is being stricken from the pulpit & Bible class as one reason for our faith.

2. Why? What does this indicate? What did Jesus say?

I. DOWNPLAYING DAMNATION: WHY THE TREND IS AWAY FROM "HELLFIRE & BRIMSTONE" PREACHING.

A. Men Do Not Want To Hear About Hell – 2 Tim. 4:2-4.

B. A "This Life" Focus Has Emerged.

1. Secular humanism (Col. 2:8; Matt. 7:21).
2. Influence in the Lord’s church, too. Cry for "positive preaching" & denunciation of "negative" preaching (doctrine) – 1 Cor. 2:2; Jer. 6:14.
3. Need "next world" living - 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Heb. 11:13-16.

II. WHAT THIS TREND INDICATES.

A. Many Are Not Content With Bible Teaching – Jno. 6:60, 66; 2 Tim. 4:2; 3:1-2, 5.

B. Man Perverts Truth to Please Himself – Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 3:16-18.

C. False Teaching Leads to Reckless & Sinful Living – 2 Tim. 4:3; Jude 4; 2 Pet. 2:19.

III. THE BIBLE STILL TEACHES THE SAME TRUTH ABOUT HELL.

A. Jesus Says Hell is Real: Matt. 5:29-30; 8:12; 10:28; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:47-48.

B. His Apostles Say Hell is Real: Rev. 20:14-15.

C. Jesus & Apostles Use Hell as One Compelling Reason to Fear God – Matt. 10:28; Rom. 2:5-11; 11:22; Rev. 20:15.

D. Receive The Words of Jesus! – Jno. 12:47-48

You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage Part 2 of 2
(The Bible Pattern versus a False Pattern)

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:6-12

FALSE CONCLUSIONS ABOUT MDR

#1: "One law for unbelievers (i.e., universal moral law; law of the heart), & another law for believers (the gospel)"

-This pattern does not recognize the universal nature of marriage (Mk. 10:6; Matt. 19:4-6, 9)

-This pattern does not recognize universal authority of Christ (Matt. 28:18; Jno. 17:2)

#2: "Jesus was only teaching Jews how to obey the Law of Moses in Matt. 19:3-9"

-Jesus said "from the beginning of creation" - Mk. 10:6-9; Matt. 19:9

-Jesus said "male & female…whosoever" – Matt. 19:4, 9

#3A: "Remain in the marriage in which you were called (1 Cor. 7:24)"

-This pattern does not properly apply the requirements of repentance (Acts 26:20; Rev. 9:20-21)

#3B: "Husband & wife cannot commit adultery together"

-Violates Matt. 19:9; Rom. 7:3-4

#4A: "One loosed, both loosed"

-But, one way obligations in place (Rom. 7:2-3; Matt. 19:9)

#4B: "1 Cor. 7:15 adds another cause: desertion of unbeliever"

-Violates "except" of Matt. 19:9

• One may not continue to live in sin after he becomes a Christian – Rom. 6:1-2, 11-18

• All men are under & amenable to the gospel of Christ – Psa. 110:1-3; Matt. 28:18-19; Jno. 16:8-13; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 2:16; 1 Pet. 4:4-6

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

The Mt. Baker church of Christ

(1860 Mt. Baker Highway – Bellingham, WA)

invites you to a

GOSPEL MEETING

with evangelist

DENNIS SCROGGINS

(Lometa, TX)

August 4-9, 2002

Bible lessons presented nightly at 7:00 PM

Sunday, August 4^th: 9:30 & 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

(From I-5 take Exit # 255 and go east 4.2 miles)

For more information, please call (360) 752-2692

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA

Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com