THE SPIRIT’S SWORD

published by

Mt. Baker church of Christ

1860 Mt. Baker Hwy · Bellingham, WA 98226

Volume VI, Number 20 - September 01, 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:

• What Must I Do To Be Saved? (Joe R. Price)
• Open My Eyes, That I May See! (Joe R. Price)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:10-17)
  • The Act of Marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)
• Noteworthy News: What Gospel Preaching Can Do (Jarrod Jacobs)

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Joe R. Price

Man's most essential need is the salvation of his soul from sin, since one's soul is his most valuable possession (Matthew 16:26).

The all important question, “What must I do to be saved?” is asked three times in the New Testament (Acts 2:37; 9:6; 16:30).

The Bible answer is clear and compelling. Open God's word to discover how to be saved. Then, obey the word of God and be saved from your sins.

WHAT IS SIN AND ITS EFFECT?
-Violation of God's law - 1 John 3:4; 5:17; James 4:17
-Separates man from God - Isaiah 59:1-2
-Causes spiritual death - Romans 3:23; 6:23

SALVATION FROM SIN IS AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE - Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:16-17; 10:11-13

WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR OUR SALVATION:
-Loved us even in our sin against Him - John 3:16
-Sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us - Romans 5:6-9
-This is God's grace toward mankind - Ephesians 2:1-8

WHAT MAN MUST DO IN ORDER TO BE SAVED FROM SIN:
-HEAR the gospel of Christ - Mark 16:15; John 6:44-45; Romans 10:17

-BELIEVE:
1) In God - Hebrews 11:6

2) In Christ and His gospel (good news) - Mark 16:16; John 8:24; Acts 16:30-31

-REPENT of sins - Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; 17:30; Romans 2:4

-CONFESS faith in Christ - Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10

-BE BAPTIZED - Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28; 22:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21

WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
-Sins are removed, washed away - Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21
-One becomes a Christian and is added to the church - Acts 11:26; 2:47

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CHRISTIAN?
-Live faithfully to Christ's teachings - Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 6:17-18; 12:1-2; Revelation 2:10

Both God and man have a part in man's salvation from sin (Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 7:24-27). God has done His part. He is ready to save you. Now, it is up to you to obey Him in faith to be saved from your sins.

http://www.bibleanswer.com/saved.htm

Open My Eyes That I May See!

Joe R. Price

The story is told of a little boy who wrote a letter to God. In it he said, “Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was Cool.”

Truly, as the Psalmist said, “O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength” (Psa. 8:1-2).

We can learn a lesson or two from this little boy. Better still, we can learn similar lessons from the word of God. Like this little boy, we should open our eyes to see things around us. And, we should pray the Lord to open our eyes that we may see what we ought to see.

Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of God’s creation. “The heaven’s declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1). “Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge” (Psa. 50:6; 97:6). Those who refuse to retain God in their knowledge do so, not for a lack of evidence of His glory, power and righteousness. Take time to view a sunset, to gaze at the stars, to ponder the ocean depths and the mountain heights. It is here we get a glimpse of the Almighty (Rom. 1:19-20).

Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of God’s law. “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psa. 119:18). It is important for us to understand the nature, purpose and place of law. The law of Moses teaches us the following lessons about law: (1) Every law from God is holy, righteous and good, Rom. 7:12; (2) It identifies sin for us, Rom. 7:7; 3:20; 1 Jno. 3:4; (3) The sinner cannot be saved (made righteous) by law, Gal. 2:21; 3:21. God’s people should delight in and meditate upon His law, for those who love it find great peace and safety (Psa. 119:92, 97, 165). Let us open our eyes to see the truth of God contained in His word. The words of men will fail, but God’s word abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23-25).

Open my eyes that I may see my sin. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psa. 51:3). Until we confess our spiritual blindness we will not see the Lord’s light of salvation (Jno. 9:39-41). It takes faith and a humble heart to open our eyes to our own sin (2 Cor. 13:5). But, only then will we repent and seek the Lord. Peter saw Simon’s sin, but Simon needed to see it in order to be restored (Acts 8:23-24). With faith and determination let us open our eyes to sin in our lives that we may be cleansed by the Lord (Psa. 51:7).

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

Inspiration of the Scriptures

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 –All scripture “God-breathed”.
2. How we view inspiration of the Bible has practical effects on our faith - Rom. 10:17; Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
3. Some present doctrines among us are undermining respect for Bible’s inspiration.

I. THE CLAIM OF INSPIRATION - 2 Tim. 3:16.

A. Apostles Words & Writings – 1 Ths. 2:13; 1 Cor. 14:37; cf. Jer. 10:1-2; Ezek. 1:3; 1 Cor. 14:37.
B. Received By Revelation – Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3-5 (1 Cor. 2:10).

II. THE NATURE OF INSPIRATION.

A. Divine – 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 2:11-12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Pet. 1:10-12.
B. Verbal – Matt. 10:19-20; 1 Cor. 2:13; Deut. 18:15-18; 2 Sam. 23:2 (Mk. 12:36); Jer. 1:9, 11. {Zech. 7:12: From the Lord to Israel}
C. Plenary (Full, complete, extending to every part): Jno. 10:35; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Psa. 119:160, 138; Matt. 5:18 – Down to smallest letter (jot, “Yod”) & stroke (tittle).

III. FALSE DOCTRINE UNDERMINES FAITH IN BIBLE INSPIRATION – Rom. 3:4.

A. Days of Creation in Genesis 1. (Psa. 33:6, 9; Exo. 20:9-11)
B. Flood: Local or Global? (Gen. 6:13; 7:11, 17-21, 27)
C. Miracles of Bible Such As:
1. Sodom & Gomorrah? (Gen. 19; Lk. 17:29-32)
2. Jonah & the great fish? (Jonah 1:17; Matt. 12:39-40)

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

The Act of Marriage

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33

1. Sexual activity outside of marriage is sin against God, man and oneself – Gen. 39:9, Psa. 51:3-4; 1 Ths. 4:6; 1 Cor. 6:18.
2. Within marriage it is pure & honorable – Gen. 2:25; Heb. 13:4.
3. Preachers are not preaching God’s word on this subject (perhaps afraid to, or don’t think it is sin, etc.)

ARE YOU READY FOR THE “ACT OF MARRIAGE”?

• No, if you are not married – 1 Cor. 7:1-2.

a. 5 mil. unmarried Americans living together.
b. Over 60% couples live together before marriage.
c. Cohabitation is not training ground for marriage!
d. Must control the flesh – Matt. 5:27-30; 2 Tim. 2:22.

• No, if you are married to the wrong person – Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Heb. 13:4
• No, if you are not ready to be a parent – Gen. 4:1.

-Blessing & responsibility - Psa. 127:3-5; 128:1-3, 6; Prov. 17:6

-Marriage suited for children – Gen. 2:24; 1:27-28

• No, if you think it is about you – 1 Co. 7:3-5

-In marriage you don’t have power over your body

-Selfishness harms many marriages – 7:5; 1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4

• No, if you are not committed to being faithful to your spouse – Heb. 13:4; 1 Ths. 4:3, 8; Gen. 2:24 (Matt. 19:5-6).
• Yes, if you…

1. Are married – 1 Cor. 7:1-2
2. Are married scripturally – Matt. 5:32; 19:9
3. Are prepared to be a parent – Gen. 4:1
4. Know it is about your spouse – 1 Cor. 7:3-5
5. Are committed to fidelity – Heb. 13:4

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

"What Gospel Preaching Can Do"

Preaching Divine Creation stirs the Evolutionist.

Preaching the one true church stirs the denominationalists.

Preaching against liquor stirs the drinker.

Preaching on modesty stirs the immodest.

Preaching on attendance stirs those unfaithful in attendance.

Preaching on pure speech stirs the gossip.

Preaching on dedication stirs the uncommitted.

Preaching on honesty stirs the cheat.

Preaching against sin stirs the guilty.

Preaching on Christ stirs those who love Him.

Preaching on Heaven stirs the hearts of those who want to go there.

Come visit the Mt. Baker church of Christ and hear soul-stirring Gospel preaching (Acts 17:6; Rom. 1:16; II Pet. 1:13, 3:1)!

(Website, Southside church, Owensboro, KY)
http://www.southside-churchofchrist.com/answers/answers.htm

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