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 IX, Number 06
October 02, 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:
Mt. Baker church of Christ Bible Answers

"...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:

• God's Word Endures
• Live a Life that Matters (Author Unknown)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Why You Should Become a Christian (Romans 6:15-23)
  • Appointments (Acts 13:44-49)

God's Word Endures
Joe R. Price

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). With these reassuring words, Jesus claims an eternal nature for His words. His words were the very words the Father gave Him to speak (Jno. 8:28; 12:49; 17:8). When we receive the word of Jesus we are receiving the word of God (Matt. 10:40; Jno. 13:20; Heb. 1:1-2).

This gives the Christian great confidence. God’s word has not been altered; it is “incorruptible” (1 Pet. 1:23). It has not disappeared from the world.

This gives the sinner hope. The word of God is a light from above that shines in the darkness, giving light and direction to every wayward soul as it leads to salvation in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6; Jno. 8:12; 14:6).

It is amazing that many object to the enduring nature of God’s word, the Bible. Some believe it is no longer relevant to address the needs of men and women. They believe we have outgrown the Bible. To them, its relevancy has not endured. Others deny the enduring nature of its adequacy or completeness. According to them, truth once found in the Bible has been taken away. These believe men have taken away many “plain and precious things” from God’s incorruptible word. Their false doctrine destroys the faith of many, convincing them we cannot be sure we have the word of God. Nevertheless, we are sure the incorruptible seed was not corrupted; we know Jesus’ words have not passed away (1 Pet. 1:23-25; Matt. 24:35). The Bible tells us so.

The word of Jesus denies and rejects these doctrines of men and do must we (1 Jno. 4:1, 6; 2 Jno. 9-11). God’s word endures in both its relevancy and its adequacy (2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Faith-building conclusions are drawn from the enduring nature of God’s word: 1) It must be trusted, because it is true (Jno. 14:6; 17:17). 2) It is understandable and we must understand it, since by it we will be judged (Jno. 12:48; Acts 3:22-23). 3) It must be obeyed, since by obeying it one’s soul is purified of sin (1 Pet. 1:22; Heb. 5:8-9).

Yes, God’s word endures. The question is, “Will it endure in your life?”

Live a Life that Matters
(Author Unknown)

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (Jas. 4:14-15)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matt. 6:33)

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

Why You Should Become a Christian

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:15-23

1. World uses the word “Christian” very loosely (Acts 11:26; 26:28; Jno. 8:31-32).
2. Bible tells us how to become a Christian & how to be faithful Christians.
3. Why you should become a Christian…

I. SIN.

A. What Sin has done to you - Jno. 8:34-36 (Acts 8:23) [Rom. 5:12 (Gen .2:17); 7:9-11].
B. What Sin will do to you, Rom. 6:21-23.
* Remedy: Wash away your sins, Eph. 2:1,4-5, 8-9; Acts 22:16 (Rom. 6:3).

II. JESUS.

A. Because of Who He is (Deity), Jno. 1:1-4, 10-14 [5:17-18, 22-26; 2 Cor. 5:18-21].
B. Because of what He Paid: The Sacrifice for your Sins, 1 Pet. 2:24 (1 Jno. 2:2; 4:14) [Heb. 9: 22; 10:4, 10, 12; Jno. 15:13; Rom. 5:8].
C. Because He Is Lord - Lk. 6:46; Matt. 28:18.
* Response: Repent & be baptized, Acts 2:36-38, 41 (Eph. 1:20-23).

III. DEATH.

A. Your Death is Certain - Heb. 9:27; Psa. 90:10
B. You will face Judgment - 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rom. 2:4-11.
C. Your Judgment will last all Eternity, Matt. 25:41, 46.
* For Rest: Get into Christ, Rev. 14:13 (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27).

IV. LIFE.

A. The Purpose of your Life, Eccl. 1:13 (12:13); Acts 17:24-28.
B. Blessed Life (Matt. 5:3-12); Ac 8:39; Phil. 4:4.
C. Contentment, Phil. 4:10-13.
* Result: Life worth living! - Acts 16:25-34.

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

Appointments

Scripture Reading: Acts 13:44-49

1. We are acquainted with appointments.
2. The word of God tells of appointments made by God; some we must keep & others we choose to keep; all affect salvation & relationship with God.

I. APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE, Acts 13:48.

A. God has Arranged Salvation Based on His Purposes, Fulfilled in Christ, Eph. 1:4-12. Some principles concerning salvation:
1. God gives us the freedom of choice, Gen. 2:16-17; cf. Lk. 10:42.
2. God is not a respecter of persons, 2 Chrn. 19:7; 1 Pet. 1:17 (Psa. 138:6; Prov. 3:31-34).
3. Salvation is not wholly dependent on God, Eph. 2:4-10 (Tit. 3:5); Acts 2:36-41.
B. The Condition: Belief (cf. Acts 13:38-39, 44-49; 16:30-34…).
C. The Class: In Christ, Eph. 1:3-5; Gal. 3:26-27.

II. APPOINTED TO DIE, Heb. 9:27.

A. Take Care of your Spiritual Health, 1 Tim. 4:6-11 (1 Cor. 9:26-27).
B. Use Your Time Now to Do God’s Will, Jas. 4:13-17; Eph. 5:17; Rom. 13:11.

III. APPOINTED TO BE JUDGED, Acts 17:30-31 (1 Ths. 5:9).

A. Day of Judgment is set by the Authority of God, Acts 17:30-31.
B. Judged in Righteousness, Acts 17:31; Rom. 2: 5-6 (2:2; Rev. 20:12; Tit. 2:12; Jno. 12:48 (5:28-29)
C. Things about the Judgment that Apply to All:
1. I am known by God, Heb. 4:13 (Gal. 4:9).
2. I will stand Before God, 2 Cor. 5:10.
3. I am accountable to God, Heb. 4:13.
4. I will answer to God, Rom. 14:12.
D. Separation…Saved…Commit Your Soul to God, 1 Pet. 4:17-19.

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