And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume XII, Number 07 January 18, 2009

Published by

Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 30821
Bellingham, WA 98228
(360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM
Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price

Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt
Joe Price

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
John Hague
Dan Head

In this issue:

• Why Should One Believe In God? (Heath Rogers)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Saved to Serve (Romans 6:15-23)
  • "Professing To Be Wise, They Became Fools" (Ephesians 4:17-21)

Why Should One Believe In God
Keith Greer

How does one know that God exists? This is perhaps the most basic and fundamental question that each of us has to consider. If God does not exist, then any religious effort (including this weekly column) is an exercise in futility.

We believe in God, but not just because the Bible says that He exists. The teachings of the Bible have no impact upon someone who does not believe in God. Such people view the Bible as nothing more than a collection of ancient fairy tales. There are many evidences that lie outside of the Bible that argue strongly and convincingly in favor of the existence of God.

Cause and Effect. We all understand that there can be no effect without a cause. Something has to be behind the things that we see and experience. Where did the universe come from? There are only three ways that we can account for the existence of our universe. The first is the theory that the universe is eternal – that it has always been here. We know that this is not a realistic explanation, for matter is not eternal. Science has proven that the universe is “winding down,” which indicates that it had a beginning. The second explanation is that the universe created itself. The problem with this theory is that there is no known natural process by which matter spontaneously creates itself. Nothing comes from nothing. The third explanation is that the universe was created by some force outside of itself. This is the only alternative that explains our existence. Something was in existence before this physical universe that was greater than the universe and caused it to come into existence.

Design Demands A Designer. The universe is full of examples of intelligent design. The sun exerts its gravitational pull upon all the planets in such a way that everything in our solar system is kept in balance. Scientists can accurately predict events in our solar system because they have discovered the pattern by which it functions. The earth is the perfect distance from the sun, and rotates at the perfect speed, to sustain life. If we were closer to the sun, we would burn up. If we were further away, we would freeze. The earth rotates at a fixed tilt of 23 degrees, which gives us our seasons. The moon is at just the right size and distance from the earth to affect the tides, which keep the oceans from becoming stagnant.

Your car is made up of many different parts which work together. No one would argue that a car created itself or suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was obviously designed and manufactured by intelligent people. The human body is made up of millions of interrelated parts which depend upon one another in order to function properly. Any auto mechanic can look at the human body and appreciate the fact that it was designed and created by someone.

It is amazing to think about the advances that we have made in our technology. Consider the capabilities of a modern-day camcorder. Functions such as automatic zoom and focus, the ability to detect colors, process images, record them, etc. are amazing. Do these camcorders create themselves? Do they appear out of nowhere? No, they are designed and manufactured by intelligent people. Yet, the functions of the human eye make today’s most advanced camcorder look like a child’s toy.

There is perhaps no greater question than whether or not one believes in God. If one chooses not to believe in God, then he will live in accordance with that belief. Having no absolutes or authority outside of himself, he will be free to live however he wants to live. However, if one believes that God exists, he will live in accordance with that belief, recognizing that he is accountable to God as his creator and judge. What do you believe?

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

Saved to Serve

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:15-23

1. Rom. 6:15-23: Having once served sin, we have been saved to serve righteousness (God).
2. Service to God is exemplified many times in NT; embodied in Jesus (Jno. 6:38; 9:4).

I. THE EXTENT OF OUR SERVICE.

A. Our Service Extends to Everyone:
1. To God, Rom. 6:22; 1 Cor. 7:22.
2. To one another, Gal. 5:13.
3. To all men, Lk. 10:27, 29-37 (Gal. 6:10).
B. Characteristics we need to be Genuine Servants: Faithfulness (1 Cor. 4:2); Devotion (Matt. 6:24); Diligent obedience (Lk. 17:7-10); Humility (1 Pet. 5:5); Sacrifice (Phi. 2:5f)

II. ROLES OF SERVICE IN THE CHURCH, 1 Pet. 4:10-11.

A. Service for Men (cf. Eph. 4:11-12):
1. Elder, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Rom. 12:8.
2. Deacon, 1 Tim. 3:8-13.
3. Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4:1-5; 1 Tim. 4:11, 16.
4. Teachers and exhorters, Tit. 2:2, 6-8.
B. Service for Women,
1. Teachers and exhorters, Tit. 2:3-5.
2. Good works, Acts 9:36.
3. Wives of leaders, 1 Tim. 3:11-12, 4-5.
C. Ways Every Christian can Serve, Matt. 5:16; Heb. 5:12; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 10:24-25; Gal. 6:1

III. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS A PLACE OF SERVICE, Eph. 4:16.

A. Every Christian has Ability to Serve.
B. Every Christian is Expected to Serve according to His or Her Ability, Heb. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:1, 13 (Matt. 25:20-21, 24-30).
C. Every Christian can Grow in His or Her Ability (Capacity) to Serve, 1 Pet. 2:2 (Heb. 5:12).

Conclusion - Be faithful servants, Matt. 20:25-28.

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

"Professing To Be Wise, They Became Fools"

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-21

1. Outlandish claims made in the name of God and His word, the Bible.
a. “Jesus is not God” (Bible Go-to Guy).
b. “Being gay is a gift from God.” (R. Ed Bacon)
2. The light of truth exposes the darkness of ignorance and sin (Eph. 4:17-24).

I. “JESUS IS NOT GOD.”

A. He is Eternal God, Jno. 1:1; Gen. 1:1, 26; Jno. 8:52-59 (Exo. 3:14).
B. Jesus is Creator, Jno. 1:3, 10.
1. All things made through Him, Jno. 1:3, 10.
2. Jesus is the source and the means of all Creation, Rev. 3:14; , Col. 1:16; Psa. 102:24-25; Heb. 1:10.
3. Immanuel (God with us), Matt. 1:22-23 (Isa. 7:14).
4. Child/Son, Isa. 9:6: Mighty God, He.1:8-10
C. To Deny the Deity of Jesus (God) is to Deny He is the Christ and Dishonors the Father, Jno. 20:28-31; cf. 5:18, 23.

II. “BEING GAY IS A GIFT FROM GOD.”

A. Bible Says that God’s Gifts Include:
1. Life and its purpose, cf. Eccl. 12:13.
2. Sexuality and morality, Gen.1:27; 1 Co 7:2
3. Sin of homosexuality, Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:9, 11; Jude 7 (Acts 17:30)
B. Spirituality: Bacon defines as “meaningful connection.” (Bible: Submission to truth, Rom. 8:5-11; Gal. 5:16-26)
C. Love: Bacon says “unconditional.” (Bible says: decisions that conform to will of God in the interests of others, Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 4:10-11)

Conclusion

1. Many deceivers have gone out into the world, 2 Jno. 7.
2. Do not be deceived or shaken in your faith, Matt. 24:4.

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