THE SPIRIT'S SWORD
Published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
Bellingham, WA (1860 Mt. Baker HWY)
(360) 752-2692

Editor/Evangelist Joe R. Price
Volume VIII, Number 35
Mar 06, 2005

"All material is written by Joe R. Price, unless otherwise noted."

Times of services:

Sunday:
Bible Classes............9:30 AM
Worship......10:30 & 6:00 PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes............7:00 PM

Web sites:
www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker www.bibleanswer.com

"...Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers..." (1 Peter 5:2)
Elders
Morris Bass, Rick Holt , Joe Price

"...let them serve as deacons, being found blameless..." (1 Tim. 3:10)
Deacons
Aaron Bass, Rich Brooks, Mike Finn
John Hague, Dan Head

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

In this issue:

• The World - Its Peril & Promise (Mark Mayberry)
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Against Such There is No Law (#11)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (I) (Deuteronomy 18:15-22)
  • Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (II) (Galatians 1:6-10)
• Noteworthy News: Around the World

The World - Its Peril & Promise (Mark Mayberry)
Mark Mayberry

Introduction

From a Scriptural standpoint, “the world” describes different things, depending upon the context. It refers to the orderly universe which God created (Romans 1:20). It identifies the planet earth as a place of inhabitation (Mark 16:15-16). It describes humanity in general (John 1:29; 3:16). It also depicts “the system of human existence in its many aspects, the world; (a) as scene of earthly joys, possessions, cares, sufferings (Matthew 16:26); (b) the world, and everything that belongs to it, appears as that which is hostile to God, i.e. lost in sin, wholly at odds w. anything divine, ruined and depraved” (John 1:9-10) [BDAG, kosmos].

The Peril of the World

The world is controlled by Satan (1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:12; Revelation 12:9). The world is in conflict with God (John 3:16-21; 9:39; 12:27-32; 12:46-48). The world is given to error (1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-9). The world is full of hostility (John 15:18-19; 17:14; 1 John 3:13-14). The world is given to persecution (John 5:16-17; 15:18-21; 16:1-3).

The Promise of the World

Christ offers forgiveness (John 1:29; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-2). Christ offers life (John 3:16-21; 6:33; 6:51). Christ offers light (John 1:9; 8:12; 9:4-5). Christ offers peace (John 14:27-31; 16:33; 20:19-21). Christ offers truth (John 1:14; 14:6; 17:13-19). Christ offers sonship (John 1:10-13; 11:51-52; 1 John 3:1-3). Christ offers salvation (John 4:39-42; John 10:7-10; 1 John 4:14). Christ offers victory (John 16:33; 1 John 4:4; 5:4-5).

Conclusion

Like the Son, we must die to the world (John 12:23-26; Romans 6:3-7). Living in the world, we are not of the world (John 17:14-17; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Therefore, let us reorient our affections to things above (1 John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:1-4)

The Fruit of the Spirit: Against Such There is No Law (#11)
Joe R. Price

Just as Paul did not give a complete list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21 (“and such like”), neither is the listing of “the fruit of the Spirit” exhaustive (see “such” in Gal. 5:23). These are samples, along with which many other worthy attributes could be included, such as those named in 2 Peter 1:5-7. But, the apostle has emphatically made his point: Each person lives to satisfy either the flesh or the Spirit, and the choice we make impacts our eternal destiny (Gal. 5:16-24).

After describing the fruit of the Spirit, Paul reminds us that “against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:23). No law of God prohibits or opposes these worthy attributes of character and conduct. The fruit of the Spirit enjoys immunity from the censure of law. The business of law is to identify and magnify sin (Rom. 3:20; 5:20; 7:7). Law is for sinners, for while its demand compliance, it exposes man’s sin and need for redemption (1 Tim. 1:8-10; Gal. 3:10-14). It is vital that we live so as to be free of what law condemns – sin – for sin causes our spiritual death (1 Jno. 3:4; Rom. 6:23). And, how magnificent is our God who has revealed His grace and truth, to redeem us from sin and lead us in the path of life that is free from sin and spiritual condemnation (Eph. 2:4-10; Jno. 14:6; Tit. 2:11-12). There is no ground for condemning those who produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, since “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, 2-4). We are secure as we live in Christ and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Because the Christian belongs to Christ his life is to reflect the change of masters that occurred when he became a Christian (1Cor. 6:19-20; Gal. 2:20; Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16). Christians are challenged to maintain consistency in our lives: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). Having put the flesh to death at the point of conversion, we are now to continually refuse to let sin live in us (Rom. 6:3-7, 11-13, 17-18). We must renounce sin and devote ourselves to Christ’s service (Gal. 5:25; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 5:18). The world says to compromise, to give lukewarm service to Christ, to do just enough to get by. But Jesus calls us onward and upward to the “heavenly places” of purity, holiness, faith and devotion. “Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin.” If we allow the flesh to again invade and infect our lives, the fruit we produce will be corrupted, resulting in our eternal demise (Gal. 6:7-9).

Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is a lifelong endeavor. The fruit will not ripen at the same time or in a single season. But finally, living by faith will yield a bumper crop (Mk. 4:26-29). “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9).

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)

For more on The Mormon Church, please go to http://www.bibleanswer.com/ldspart1.htm and follow the links at the top of the page.

Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (I)

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-22

1. These warnings apply, Col. 2:8; 1 Jno. 4:1.
2. We will find: Bible doctrine is NOT Mormon doctrine, and Mormon doctrine is NOT Bible doctrine – They are NOT one and the same.
3. “No Mormon truly believes the Bible, and a true Bible-believer cannot be a Mormon.”

I. JOSEPH SMITH, JR.

A. No Middle Ground.
B. The Story of Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844).
C. The Boast of Joseph Smith, Jr., 2 Cor. 11:13-15.

II. TESTING THE PROPHETS – 1 Jno. 4:1; Rev. 2:2.

A. Traits of God’s (True) Prophets.
1. Spoke in the name of the Lord what God said – without error – 2 Pet. 1:21; cf. Num. 23:5, 12; 24:12-13; 1 Sam. 3:19; 9:6).
2. Spoke regardless of the people – Ezek. 3:10-11; 2:5 (Jer. 14:13-14; 23:16; 5:31).
B. Doctrine Test, Deut. 13:1-5; 1 Jno. 4:1-6.
C. Accuracy Test, Deut. 18:20-22 (Jer. 28:7-9). Smith’s prophetic failures.
D. Character (fruit) Test, Matt. 7:15-20. Smith and polygamy.

III. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MORMONISM.

A. Gospel Preached to Adam–Lost by Apostasy–Repeated Restored Required.
B. Gospel not to Adam – Eph. 3:3-5 (Rom. 16:25-26); Gen. 3:15; Gal. 3:8, 23-25; 4:4.
C. Mormonism’s Crucial Mistake, 1 Tim. 4:1

For more on The Mormon Church, please go to http://www.bibleanswer.com/ldspart1.htm and follow the links at the top of the page.

Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (II)

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:6-10

IV. SOME DOCTRINES OF MORMONISM.

A. LDS View of Scripture. LDS prophets & NT prophets on the nature of word of God:
-All truth (Jno. 16:13); LDS (No).
-Adequate (2 Tim. 3:16-17); LDS (No).
-Incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:22-25); LDS (No).
-Once for all delivered (Jude 3); LDS (No).
-Authoritative (Jn.13:20; 1Co. 14:37); LDS (No).
-Understandable (Eph. 3:3-4); LDS (No).
B. Continuing Revelation, Jno. 16:13; et al.
C. The God of Mormonism, Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6.
D. The Christ of Mormonism, Col. 1:15-18; Jno. 8:58; 1:1-3, 14.
E. Mormonism and Man, Gen. 1:27, 31; Zech. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:24-28.
F. Temples and Mormonism, Acts 7:47-50; Jno. 4:23-24
1. Baptism for the dead, 1 Cor. 15:29.
2. Temple Marriages & Sealings, Lk. 20:34-36

V. REACHING MORMONS WITH THE GOSPEL - Col. 1:5.

A. Preliminary Pointers, Jno. 7:14-17 (Rom. 10:17).
B. Expose Error & Defend Truth, 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Matt. 15:2-3; Jude 3.
C. Decision Time: A choice must be made between Mormonism & the Bible – Cannot accept both because they contradict, Gal. 1:8-10; Josh. 24:15.
D. Teach Them the Saving Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1:16-17; Mk. 16:15-16. Urge them to repent & be saved, Acts 2:37-38.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Around the World
Joe R. Price

Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo around the world without refueling earlier this week when he spent 67 hours alone in his single-engine jet.

This got me to thinking about spreading the gospel around the globe. The goal is not to achieve a world’s record, but to save lost souls (Mk. 16:15-16). It is not a solo event, since every Christian is to participate in this work as their abilities and opportunities allow (Matt. 25:15; Gal. 6:9). Still, there are some notable parallels we can apply to teaching the gospel to the lost.

• Goal-setting. Fossett and his colleagues had a goal. Our goal is to teach and save the lost, but unless we hold that goal before us, how will it ever be achieved? (Rom. 1:15-16; Col. 1:28)

• Preparation and planning. Fossett’s goal was not reached haphazardly. Likewise, we should prepare ourselves to reach the goal of teaching the lost. Personal study, holy living and prayer are a few such preparations (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 4:2-6; 2 Pet. 2:9-12).

• Determination and sacrifice. Like Fossett, we must count the cost and pay the price to reach our goal of teaching the lost. Jesus discussed this requirement of discipleship in Luke 14:25-35.

• Teamwork. Fossett was not alone; he was in constant contact with helpers. Christians are fellow workers; we should help each other (Phil. 2:20-30).

• Problem-solving. Fossett faced challenges, and so will we as we teach the lost. The Bible will solve the problem. Rely on God and His word (1 Pet. 3:15).

The gospel filled the world in the first century (Col. 1:23). It can, again (Matt. 28:19-20).

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