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 52
August 21, 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:

• Gospel Meeting Sept. 25-30, 2005
• Full of Faith
• Sermon Outlines:
  • The Christian's Place in the World (James 4:1-7)
  • "Here Am I, Send Me!" (Isaiah 6:8-10)
• Noteworthy News: The World's Ugliest Dog

Gospel Meeting Sept. 25-30, 2005

THE MT. BAKER
CHURCH OF CHRIST
(1860 Mt. Baker Highway, Bellingham, WA)

Invites you to our

GOSPEL MEETING

with Evangelist

Dennis Scroggins

(Lometa, Texas)

Sept. 25–30, 2005

Monday-Friday: 7:00 PM
(Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30 AM, 6:00 PM)

Learn about
New Testament Christianity!

Hear the gospel of Jesus Christ!
(Romans 1:16)

(From I-5 take Exit # 255 and go East 4.2 miles)
more information: please call (360) 752-2692

Full of Faith
Joe R. Price

Two men in the book of Acts, Stephen and Philip, are described as “full of faith” (Acts 6:5, 8; 11:24). To be “full” means to be filled up with, to be complete. By describing these men as “full of faith,” the Holy Spirit helps us understand the nature of faith that pleases God. While He notices different kinds of faith (little, weak and dead, Matt. 6:30; 1 Ths. 5:14; Jas. 2:17); He approves “full” faith.

Today, we more commonly speak of being “faithful.” Those described as “faithful” in the New Testament are God (1 Cor. 1:9), Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5) and Christians (Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:2). Christians who are named and noted in the New Testament as faithful include Timothy, Tychicus, Epaphras, Onesimus, Paul, Moses, Silvanus and Antipas. Oh, to be regarded by God as faithful!

Those who are full of faith are full of God’s word. We will not be full of faith if the word of God does not fill up our hearts and lives. In order to be filled up with faith, we must “let the word of Christ dwell in (us) richly” (Col. 3:16). Where the word of God is not found, faith will not exist (Rom. 10:17). To be “filled with the Spirit” means to let the Spirit’s word permeate us (Eph. 5:18). It is the implanted word that saves the soul (Jas. 1:21). Take steps to be filled with God’s word so you can be full of faith. Read and study your Bible, believe it and live it. This helps you become full of faith.

Those who are full of faith are full of service. Barnabas’ fullness of faith was seen in that “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:23-24). One who is faithful serves the Lord by serving others, like Epaphras, “our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf” (Col. 1:7). The person who is full of faith does not have to be pushed, begged and cajoled to be diligent in the Lord’s work. He is obedient and diligent in the kingdom: “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).

Those who are full of faith are full of courage. Faith requires the courage to “stand fast in the faith” against the enemies of truth (1 Cor. 16:13). The strength of the faithful comes from the Lord – they trust in Him and take their stand with Him against the devil and his temptations (Eph. 6:10-18).

Those who are full of faith are full of assurance. The hope of the faithful is a “sure and steadfast” anchor of the soul, unknown to the faithless (Heb. 6:19). The faithful have a “living hope” because Jesus Christ lives (1 Pet. 1:3). So, faithful ones live as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” while they anticipate the heavenly homeland (Heb. 11:13-14).

God says the faithful have obtained a good testimony (Heb. 11:39). Those who stand with the victorious Lord are “called, chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).

Does the Lord regard you as “full of faith”? Are you standing with Him? If not, remove every hindrance to your faithfulness. And, you will be a blessing to the church.

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

The Christian's Place in the World

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-7

1. Christian must constantly know his relation to the world, Tit. 2:11-12; Jno.17:16; 1 Jno. 2:15-16.
2. Knowing the world is not our home helps secure our eternal hope & promote faithful endurance in life (Heb. 10:36).

I. SENT INTO THE WORLD (EARTH), Jno. 17:18; 20:21.

Christians are soldiers in the enemy’s camp, Matt. 6:33; 1 Pet. 3:15; Phil. 1:10.

II. PREACHING TO THE WORLD (LOST), Mk. 16:15.

1) Gospel is for the lost, Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21.
2) We must be ready, willing, able to preach, Rom. 10:13-15; 1 Ths. 1:8 (2 Cor. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 1:10).

III. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (OF SIN), Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15.

1) World is in the darkness of sin, Eph. 5:7-8 (1 Pet. 2:9; Jno. 8:12).

IV. NOT CONFORMED TO THE WORLD (OF EVIL), Jno.17:15; Rom.12:2.

1) We are to conform to image of Son, Rom. 8:29
2) Losing our identity, 2 Cor. 6:17-18; 2 Tim. 2:19

V. LOVE NOT THE WORLD (FLESH), 1Jn.2:15-17

1) Affections must be turned away from selfish, sinful lusts to God & heaven, Col. 3:1-3; 2Tim.4:10.

VI. PASSING THROUGH THE WORLD (MATERIAL), 1 Pet. 2:11.

1) Values & contentment, Mt. 16:26; 1 Tim. 6:6-8.
2) Patient hope, faithful continuance, He.11:8-16.

VII. NO FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD (ENEMY), Jas. 4:4; 1:27; Phil. 4:8 (Jn. 15:18-21).

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

"Here Am I, Send Me!"

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:8-10

1. God has always sent men to do His work here on earth, Jer. 7:25 (13); Ezek. 2:3; Matt. 10:16; 28:19-20.
2. Three men whom God called; how are we reacting to God’s call?

I. THREE MEN CALLED BY GOD.

A. Jonah: “Here am I, I’m not going” – Jonah 1:1-3; 4:1-5.
B. Moses: “Here am I, send Aaron” – Exo. 3:10 (3:11-4:17).
C. Isaiah: “Here am I, send me” – Isa. 6:8.
1. Motives which prompted Isaiah’s response:
a. Majesty / glory of God, 6:1-4.
b. Personal sin, 6:5.
c. Forgiveness from God, 6:6-7.
2. Ready eagerness; cf. 2 Cor. 8:3-5, 11-12.

II. GOD CALLING YET...SHALL I NOT HEAR?

A. The Call to be Saints­, 1 Cor. 1:2 (9); 1 Ths. 4:7 (Jno. 17:17); 1 Pet. 1:15-16.
-“Hear am I, send me…”
a. To be the salt of the earth, Matt. 5:13-15.
b. To be a light in the world, Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:14f.
c. To be a sojourner, 1 Pet. 2:11-12.
B. The Call to Service in the Church, Ro. 12:3-8.
-“Here am I, send me…”
a. To teach classes, worship services; bldg. upkeep, visit & help those in need; to edify, to restore…
b. Use your gifts to serve church, 1 Pet. 4:7-11.
C. Call of Evangelism, Mk. 16:15; Acts 16:9-10; Rom. 10:12-15 (Matt. 25:15, 19); Acts 8:4.
-“Here am I, send me…”
a. Teach family, friends, neighbors, Jno. 1:40-42.
b. Teach our community, Acts 5:28.
c. Teach the world, Acts 17:6; cf. Rom. 1:15.

Conclusion
How do we react, knowing that God has called us to action? Eph. 4:1

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

The World's Ugliest Dog
Joe R. Price

“Sam” won the “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest for the third consecutive year last June at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California. Can’t argue with the judges decision! (“World’s Ugliest Dog,” Snopes.com)

The Bible talks about some “dogs” that are ugly, but not the four-legged kind. These walk on two legs and are the object of reproach and disdain by God. Please consider:

Blind and slumbering watchmen are ugly dogs. The prophets who should have warned of danger were “dumb” and “greedy” dogs, ignorant of the spiritual danger while they loved to indulge themselves (Isa. 56:10-11). We must preach the word “in season and out of season” or be counted among these “ugly dogs” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

The enemies of Christ are ugly dogs. David prophetically described those who crucified Jesus as dogs in Psalm 22:16, 20. With fierce cruelty, such enemies of righteousness continue to encircle God’s servants, tasting the blood of their prey. But, the Lord delivered David, Christ, and will deliver His people (Psa. 22:19-24; see 59:6-15).

The profane person is an ugly dog. Jesus warned not to give holy things to the dogs (profane) in Matthew 7:6. These are unholy; a pack of dogs who despise the gospel while scavenging for innocent souls to devour.

Those who bind without divine authority are ugly dogs. Paul warned of those who bound circumcision, calling them “dogs” and the “mutilation” (Phil. 3:2). Binding where the Lord has not bound is sinful (Acts 15:24).

Those who return to sin are ugly dogs. Depicted as dogs returning to vomit, returning to sin is repulsive (2 Pet. 2:20-22). If you have done so, repent! (2 Pet. 3:9)

Sometimes, the ugliest dogs are found in the church!

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