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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 16, Number 08
05/19/2013

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

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
Dan Head

In this issue:

• Women in the Church
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Faith and Finances
  • Hear these Words (Acts 2)
• Noteworthy News: Islam on the Rise in UK

Women in the Church

Joe R. Price

I chose to answer the following unsolicited email desiring to give Bible answers in the face of being questioned, and so to “put to shame” those who revile good conduct in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15-16). As of this writing there has been no reply (although we have received several posts expressing agreement with our comments). –Joe Price

_________

From: darkdeacon@_________

Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 10:50 AM

Subject: women in the church

We fight for the rights of every human and have some simple questions. If you have the time please reply.

Do you allow women to speak openly?

May a women word a prayer publicly if men are in attendance?

May a woman pass communion North and South in addition to only East and West?

May a woman facilitate an adult bible class of mixed genders?

May a woman be a deacon in a roll commensurate with her spiritual gifts?

Have you carefully prayed over and studied the true roll of women in the Body of Christ?

Would you consider a woman for any roll she has talent and calling for? (with the exception of elder, it is clear this is a male roll, it bothers me; but I will not question God’s mandate in this matter)

We Are Anonymous, We Are Legion, We are Watching

_____

From: Joe Price

Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 6:36 PM

Subject: Re. women in the church

Dear Dark Deacon,

I received your unsolicited e-mail last week about women in the church. I do not normally answer anonymous posts. After thinking about it for several days, I decided to answer yours.

If you are interested in pursuing Bible study with a view toward knowing and obeying God’s truth on the role of women in the church, then I am happy to do so. In any event, everyone who received your post will have the chance to consider God’s word on the subject via this brief reply.

Christians fight for the salvation of souls using the sword of the Spirit, the word of God – not the will and wisdom of human beings. “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). The weapons at the Christian’s disposal are mighty before God to cast down the arguments and thoughts that raise themselves above the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:3-5). The Christian’s objective is to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:6; 5:9; Heb. 5:8-9).

Following the example of Jesus in Matthew 21:24, I will also ask you some simple questions which, when you answer, I also will tell you by what authority I teach concerning the role of women:

1) Does the word of God approve of women teaching or having authority over men?

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

2) Does the word of God tell women to keep silent in the churches?

“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” (1 Corinthians 14:34)

3) Does the word of God require deacons to have wives?

“Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” (1 Timothy 3:12)

4) Does the possession of talents and abilities allow one to use them to violate the authority of Christ?

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

What I teach on the role of women is available online at www.bibleanswer.com for all to study without any cloak of anonymity. This post and any reply you choose to send will be shared with all who are on your original e-mail thread.

In view of your closing, I will close by saying…

I am not Anonymous – my name is Joe Price. I am not Legion; I am a gospel preacher representing no one but myself – one person putting my faith in God and His word. Everyone is watching someone, but He who watches us all is God.

Because the truth will set you free,

Joe Price
joe@bibleanswer.com

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

Faith and Finances

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:8-11

1. Our view and use of money drives to the heart of our faith, character and goals, 1 Tim. 6:6-11.
2. How to keep faith with finances, Prov. 30:7-9.

I. REALIZE MONEY CAN’T MAKE YOU HAPPY, Matt. 19:16-22 (1 Pet. 3:10-12).

A. The World Views Happiness from a Material Basis, Lk. 12:15-19.
B. Christians View Happiness from an Eternal Basis, Lk. 12:20-21; 1 Cor. 4:11-16.

II. LIVE FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS, Matt. 6:32-34.

A. The World Places Finances Over Fairness and Faith, Amos 8:4-6; Neh. 13:15-22.
B. Riches will not Save, So Use them Justly and Faithfully, Prov. 11:4 (10:2); Mk. 10:21-22.

III. KNOW THAT RICHES WILL PASS AWAY, Prov. 23:4-5.

A. Your Soul is Immortal; Your Money is Not, Matt. 16:26, 24-25.
B. Warned Against the Foolishness of Hoarding, Eccl. 5:13-15.

IV. BE CONTENT.

A. Contentment is the Opposite of Covetousness, Heb. 13:5; Eccl. 5:10-11.
B. Be Honest with Money, Prov. 11:1.

V. PUT GOD AND PEOPLE ABOVE MONEY, 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Prov. 19:4, 6.

VI. INVEST IN THE RIGHT PLACES.

A. Use Money Morally, Lk. 16:11 (1-10).
B. Honorable Work Earns Money for Family and for Good Works, 1 Ths. 4:11-12.
C. Give, and it will be Given to You, Lk. 6:38; cf. Mk. 12:41-44.

VII. KEEP CHARACTER ABOVE ACQUIRING, 1 Tim. 6:6, 10-11.

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

Hear these Words (Acts 2)

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:36-41

1. Acts 2: Day of Pentecost was 50 days after Passover (death of Jesus); Pentecost always fell on the first day of the week (Lev. 23:15-16).
2. On this particular Pentecost:
a. Holy Spirit baptism empowered apostles to be infallible witnesses.
b. Christ’s commission obeyed (Mk. 16:15).
c. The church of Christ is established.

I. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM: HEAVEN’S POWER TO SPEAK, 2:1-4 (1:8).

A. Three Manifestations Attended Holy Spirit Baptism, Acts 2:2-3.
B. The Reaction, Acts 2:5-13.
C. Inspired Explanation of this Language Miracle, Acts 2:14-21 (Joel 2:28-32).

II. JESUS OF NAZARETH: THE LORD AND CHRIST, 2:22-36.

A. God Approved of Jesus, Acts 2:22.
B. You Killed Jesus of Nazareth, Acts 2:23
C. God Raised up Jesus, Acts 2:24-32 (2:25-30; Psa. 16:8-11); 2:30; 2 Sam. 7:12.
D. God Exalted Jesus at His Right Hand, Acts 2:33-35 (Psa. 110:1).
E. Conclusion: Apply the Truth, Acts 2:36.

III. THE RESULTS OF THE SERMON, 2:37-41.

A. Effect of the Truth on Good Hearts, Acts 2:37.
B. Plea of Convicted Believers, Acts 2:37.
C. Remedy Available, Acts 2:38-40.
D. Response of Convicted Believers, 2:41.

VI. THE RESULT OF THEIR SALVATION, 2:41-47.

A. Added to the Church, Acts 2:41, 47.
B. Faithful Continuance, Acts 2:42-43, 45.
C. Unity, Acts 2:44.
D. Favor with God and Man, Acts 2:47.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Islam on the Rise in UK
Joe R. Price

According to the 2011 United Kingdom (UK) census, 10% of the population under the age of 25 is Muslim. “An explosion in the Muslim population and an aging Christian demographic could mean Islam will be the dominant religion in the UK in 10 years” (“Islam could be dominant UK religion in 10 years – census analysis”, RT.com). Currently, about 5% of the total UK population is Muslim, with another 15-25% identifying themselves at atheists.

There are some things New Testament Christians should take away from this:

1) True Christians have always been and always will be in the minority. Even at the height of the advancement of the gospel in the first century, the population of saints in comparison to the world was a “remnant” (Rom. 11:5). The co-opting and legalizing of “Christianity” by Roman rulers in the 4^th century did not make the world’s population Christians. Rather, it marked the spread and solidifying of apostasy in the western world (1 Tim. 4:1). People of faith will always be in the minority on this earth! Jesus warned against being seduced by popularity (Lk. 6:26). We must keep faith in God, whose favor outnumbers and overwhelms the whole world (Rom. 8:31, 37-39; Heb. 3:12-14).

2) Do not assume the number of Christians can never decrease. History is full of apostasy and conflict, heresy and persecution (Matt. 24:10-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Jude 3-4; Rev. 2:10). Jesus’ exhortation regarding approaching trials continues to find application today: “...because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But, he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). We work for the growth of the body of Christ, but we also know many reject Him and His salvation.

3) The gospel of Christ is our answer to the rise of atheism and the advancement of false religions. The battle is the same as in the first century; only the names have changed (see examples of such conflict in Acts 15:1-2; 17:16-32; Col. 2:20-23; 1 Jno. 4:1-6; Rev. 2:6). The armor of God equips us to fight the battle. We must put it on and stand in the power of God (Eph. 6:10-18).

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