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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 14, Number 44
12/18/2011

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
All sing last Wednesday

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
Dan Head

In this issue:

• "Why Don't You?"

  Well-Doing (By Jerry Fite)

  Sermon Outlines:

  • Do Not Love the World
  • Celebrating Sin

  Noteworthy News: War Officially Over

"Why Don't You?"
Joe R. Price

We are happy to answer sincere Bible questions. Doing so helps us consider God’s word and our relation to it. We can know God’s will and faithfully do His will. In fact, without knowing and doing God’s will, we are not truly disciples of Jesus (Jno. 8:31-32; Matt. 7:21).

Here are some questions that typically arise this time of year:

1. Why don’t you sing songs about the birth of Jesus at Christmas? There are some songs in the songbook we use that are traditionally sung by those who celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25. However, since the Lord has not authorized a religious holiday in honor of His birth, we do not sing songs that suggest we are doing so at this time of year. The message of the songs may indeed be scriptural, but for the congregation to sing them during this time of year would imply celebrating the man-made religious holiday of Christ’s birth. Neither do we intend to be a stumbling block to others by doing anything that suggests we are following the religious additions of men (1 Cor. 8:7-13).

2. Why don’t you participate in ecumenical Christmas services? First of all, we do not participate in such services because we do not have Bible authority to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ (Col. 3:17). Secondly, we will not have fellowship with those who practice things that do not have the approval of God’s word (2 Jno. 9-11). Thirdly, since the denominations of men are not the church the Christ, we will not have fellowship with them in such things (Matt. 16:18; 2 Cor. 6:14-18). Christ has one church, not hundreds upon hundreds of churches (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4). We will plead for unity based upon truth, not the unity in diversity of ecumenism that makes doctrine inconsequential (Eph. 4:3; Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13).

3. Why don’t you (the church) have a Christmas party or some other kind of fellowship activity? Social gatherings are not described as “fellowship” in the New Testament. The work of the local church includes the spiritual building up of the body of Christ (edification, Eph. 4:11-16). Feeding the stomach does not strengthen the soul. We have houses to eat and drink in, and so families arrange social events (1 Cor. 11:22, 34). As a church, we will offer and feed upon the word of God (Acts 20:32; 1 Cor. 14:26).

Well-Doing
Jerry Fite

Paul writes, “and let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Not many have died the moment they were raised up from the waters of baptism. Most of us arise to live the life of the Christian. We are honored to live for Christ for years. But time can be a difficult component for us. It is one thing to do what is right for an hour, but to continue in well-doing year after year is a challenge. Paul exhorts Christians to continue in well-doing and not grow weary. The spiritual harvest of eternal life awaits those who consistently day after day engage themselves in well-doing. What does well-doing involve?

Since Paul relates such activity to reaping, we examine the immediate context regarding sowing to see one aspect of well doing. Sowing to the spirit, as we are led by the Holy Spirit, thus producing the fruit of the Spirit is well-doing (Galatians 6:8, 5:16, 22-23). Over time, we might become lax in studying and applying the Spirit revealed Word. We might tire from always having to manifest love, joy, peace and meekness. We might grow weary in continual kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. During our time on earth we must continue to make sure these spiritual qualities flourish as our spirit sows in the Spirit’s field.

Serving others is well-doing. Paul exhorts the Christian to use the freedom enjoyed in Christ to not selfishly serve the flesh, but “one another” (Galatians 5:13). He encourages the Christian to manifest the Spirit’s fruit of “gentleness” in “restoring” those who are suddenly overtaken in sin (Galatians 6:1-4). Those who teach us the word are not to be overlooked either. We should share our physical means or “communicate” with those who share with us the spiritual truths of God’s word (Galatians 6:6). As we have opportunity, we are to “do good” or meet the current need of all men, but especially those who are faithful Christians (Galatians 6:10). Over time we might become weary in always being aware of the needs of others, and grow tired in expending our energy and physical blessings to help others. But this is the life of the servant. Grow not weary in such well-doing. Not compromising with error is well-doing. Paul led by example and did not give in to false teaching, “no not for an hour” (Galatians 2:5). He withstood his fellow apostle face to face pointing out Peter’s hypocrisy in “not walking according to the truth of the Gospel” (Galatians 2:14). He did this not to promote himself, but to make sure “the truth of the Gospel might remain” before all (Galatians 2:5).

You may be courageous and take a stand for revealed truth momentarily. You may have many follow your example and stand with you for truth. But you may be tempted to grow weary when few stand to preserve truth. You may even want to give up, especially when those who compromise hurl disparaging remarks against you. Standing for truth is sowing to the Spirit. We must not become weary in such well-doing. Reaping eternal life is at stake! Are you continuing in well-doing?

Glad Tidings (Dec. 11, 2011)

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Do Not Love the World

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:15-17

1. Two prevailing principles that identify our affections and affiliations, Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16.
2. We are not to love the world, for by doing so we are God’s enemy, 1 Jno. 2:15; Jas. 4:4.

I. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE BEAR ITS TRAITS, 1 Jno. 2:15-16.

A. Lust of the Flesh. The indulgence of animal desires, cf. 1 Pet. 2:11; Gal. 5:16-21.
B. Lust of the Eyes. Prov. 23:24-28; 4:25
C. Pride of Life, cf. Jas. 4:16 (10).

II. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE COMPROMISE WITH IT.

A. Moral Compromise, 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1.
1. Social drinking, Prov. 20:1; 23:31-32.
2. Dishonesty, Eph. 4:25.
3. Profanity, Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6.
4. Immodest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10.
B. Doctrinal Defiance, Gal. 1:6-10. Col. 2:8, 20-22; cf. 2 Cor. 4:1-4; 1 Jno. 4:1, 5-6.

III. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE HAVE AND HOLD ITS VALUES, Matt. 16: 24-27.

A. “Might makes right.” 1 Cor. 1:26-29, 31
B. “The one with the most toys, wins.” Eccl. 5:13-14; Lk. 12:19-21 (1 Tim. 6:6-8)
C. “You only live once.” Jas. 4:13-17
D. “Money is power.” 1 Tim. 6:9-10

IV. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE WILL NOT TURN AWAY FROM IT, Rev. 9:20-21; Acts 26:20.

A. How Do We Turn Away from the World? 1 Jno. 4:4; Rom. 6:17-18 (5-14)
B. Do not Give the World any Place in Your Hearts, Eph. 4:27; cf. Lk. 11:24-26.

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Celebrating Sin

Scripture Reading: Psalm 11

1. We live in a sin-soaked world (2 Pet. 3:7).
2. Christ calls us out, 1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:7.
3. While this world celebrates sin we must be saints – holy and separate – this is the calling of the gospel and the challenge of our faith, Eph. 4:1; 1 Pet. 2:11-12.

I. THE WORLD'S CELEBRATION OF SIN. Heb. 11:25

A. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” (Could be any city) Num. 32:23; Heb. 4:13; Gal. 6:7
B. “There are no rules here!” 2 Cor. 5:10
C. “It feels good, so it must be right.” Prov. 14:12; Jer. 17:9 (Acts 23:1); 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Jno. 8:31-32.
D. “Those Christians are extremists and hypocrites; do what you want, not what they say.” Rom. 1:16; Col. 3:17; Matt. 5:13-16.
E. “Christians must be opposed.” Jno. 16:1-4; 15:18-21; Rev. 2:8-11.

Conclusion

1. When David was surrounded by enemies and the outcome appeared in doubt, he continued to trust in the Lord, Psa. 11:1.
2. When his advisers cast doubt upon trusting God saying “the foundations are destroyed”, he did not waver, Psa. 11:2-7.
3. Like David, we must not waver or doubt when the world all around us celebrates sin. The Lord will not allow wickedness to prevail. He will judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. 2 Ths. 1:6-10

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

War Officially Over
Joe R. Price

The U.S. Pentagon officially announced the end of the Iraq War on Thursday after almost nine years of U.S. military presence in that country. As the last soldiers come home and are reassigned we are both thankful for their service and cautious of new enemies of freedom still on the horizon.

Christians must remember that our enemy Satan never rests. We must always be vigilant against his incursions into our lives (1 Pet. 5:8). Only with the “whole armor of God” will we stand in the day of peril (Eph. 6:13).

Christians fight this battle every day. Fighting the good fight of faith lasts a lifetime (1 Tim. 6:12). We have victory in Christ, yet we can never declare the end of these wars:

1. The war against the flesh. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Our victory comes as we “walk in the Spirit” and reject the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-17). We will be victorious when we walk in the truth (be led by the Spirit) and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:18-26).

2. The war against false teaching. “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The battle line against error is clearly defined in the word of God; going beyond the doctrine of Christ puts one inside the enemy’s camp (2 Jno. 9-11). We will be victorious when we conform ourselves to the truth of God (Gal. 1:6-12).

3. The war against apathy and compromise. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Victory is assured; don’t be distracted! (1 Cor. 15:57-58)

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