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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 21, Number 35
07/21/2019

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
Rich Brooks

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Shane Bass
Mike Finn
Dan Head

In this issue:

• What is the Work of an Evangelist?
• The Church of Christ (Part 3)
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Handling Regret
  • Why the New Testament (Still) Applies To Us
• Noteworthy News: Man Walks on the Moon

What is the Work of an Evangelist?
Joe R. Price

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

What is the work of an evangelist? When brethren do not know the work of the evangelist, unscriptural and unrealistic expectations and demands will be placed upon him. When the evangelist does not know his work, he is tempted to please men instead of God (2 Tim. 4:3-4; Gal. 1:10).

It ought not be so. There is work he must do and for which he is accountable. An evangelist is a herald, a “bringer of good tidings” (Thayer, 257). He is a gospel preacher. Paul explained, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word!” (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

The evangelist’s work is not to entertain an audience with comedy and storytelling. It is to “Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).

The evangelist’s work is not defined by rhetorical eloquence (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1, 4, 13; 2 Cor. 10:10). Neither is his work to be the church’s social coordinator. Preaching the gospel is about feeding souls the gospel, not feeding stomachs goulash (Jno. 6:26-27).

To fulfill his work, the evangelist must devote himself to “reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). He cannot preach what he does not know. Do not demand he have a D.D. or some other academic credential initialed behind his name in order to preach. We appreciate educational accomplishments, but they do not qualify the evangelist for his work, nor do they recommend him to others as a preacher of truth (1 Cor. 1:26-29; 2:1-2). (We have seen an uptick in brethren advertising preachers’ academic credentials, and we are made to wonder, why?)

The evangelist must go into the pulpit (and Bible class) prepared to proclaim the word of God. A seasoned preacher use to tell young men wanting to preach, “Get brim full and running over with the word of God.” That will equip you to preach (2 Tim. 2:15). The work of gospel preaching is not about filling time, it is about filling the time you have with the word of God. Planting God’s seed (His word) into hearts is the work God gave evangelists (Lk. 8:11-15; Rom. 10:13-17).

Preachers and brethren must remember the work God gave evangelists to do (Eph. 4:11-12). So evangelist, fulfill your service without being deterred and distracted by false definitions and faulty expectations of your work (2 Tim. 4:5). And brethren, help the evangelist do his God-given work. Our charge is before God, who will judge us all (2 Tim. 4:1).

The Church of Christ (Part 3)
Joe R. Price

Can you find the church you are a part of in the New Testament? If it is not in Christ’s word, how can it be Christ’s church?

The Church of Christ is in the New Testament

Founder: Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:18

Place: Jerusalem, Luke 24:47; Acts 1:6-8; 2:37-42

Time: Day of Pentecost, approx. 30 A.D., Acts 2

Creed: The word of God, Galatians 1:6-9

• It is sufficient, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• It is complete, 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3
• It is necessary, 2 John 9; Revelation 22:18-19

The church of Christ is described as:

• The body of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23; Col. 1:18
• The house of God, 1 Timothy 3:15
• A holy temple, Ephesians 2:21-22
• The kingdom of the Son, Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13
• The bride of Christ, Ephesians 5:25-32; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:9

The members of the church of Christ are:

• Christians, Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16
• Saints, 1 Corinthians 1:2
• Disciples, John 8:31-32; Acts 11:26
• Brethren, Matthew 23:8; Acts 6:3

Entrance into the church of Christ:

• Hear the gospel, Romans 10:17
• Believe in Jesus Christ, John 1:12; 8:24
• Repent of sins, Acts 2:38; 17:30
• Confess faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-10
• Be baptized, Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27
• Added by the Lord, Acts 2:47

The worship of local churches of Christ (1 Cor. 14:26):

• Prayer, Acts 2:42
• The Lord’s Supper, Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:18-34; 10:16-17
• Singing, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16
• Preaching, Acts 20:7; 1 Tim. 4:16
• Giving, 1 Cor. 16:1-2

The work of local churches of Christ:

• Edification (building up) of the body of Christ by teaching the word of God, 1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 11:26
• Benevolence to needy Christians, Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; 1 Tim. 5:16
• Evangelism of the lost, Acts 13:2-4; 1 Thess. 1:8

The organization of churches of Christ:

• Universal Church: No structural organization, no worldwide headquarter, no ecclesiastical hierarchy
• Local Churches (Phil. 1:1):
-Elders (overseers, bishops, shepherds, pastors), Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4
-Deacons (servants), 1 Tim. 3:8-13
-Saints (every member), Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:27

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

Handling Regret
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:28-32

1. Regret: “to care afterwards,” 2 Cor. 7:8.
2. Regret can help or hurt, depending on what we do with it. (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

I. UNDERSTANDING REGRET.

A. What Causes Regret? (sources)
1. Our sins, 2 Cor. 7:9-10. cf. David, Psa. 32:3-4; Paul, 1 Tim. 1:12-15.
2. Our failures, Matt. 26:75; Lk. 15:17-19.
3. Knowing we could have done better, cf. Peter, Matt. 26:33, 35.

B. What Regret Causes. (results)

1. Regret causes sorrow, Gen. 6:6; 1 Sam. 15:11; 2 Cor. 7:8; 2:4.
2. Regret can immobilize us, Eph. 5:16; Heb. 6:9-12.
3. Regret can lead to despair, Matt. 27:3-5.
4. Regret can change conduct, Matt. 21:29; 2 Cor. 7:10.
5. Regret can prompt us to accept personal responsibility, 2 Cor. 7:11; Lk. 22:32.
6. Regret can cause us to take on more responsibility than is ours, Gal. 6:1-5; Ezek. 18:4, 10, 13 (17); Gal. 6:5.
7. Having “no regrets” can become a veil behind which we hide arrogance and self-righteousness, Matt. 21:32 (Lk. 18:9; Jno. 8:7).

II. AVOIDING REGRET, Eccl. 9:9-10.

A. Live Joyfully, 9:9; Phil. 4:4-6.
B. Be Thankful for What God Gives You, 9:9
C. Do Your Own Work Diligently, 9:10; Rom. 12:11 (Jas. 4:17).
D. Accept the Inevitable, 9:10; Heb. 9:27.

Conclusion
1. No regrets in heaven, Rev. 21:4.
2. Remove regret and press on, Phil. 3:13-14.

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

Why the New Testament (Still) Applies To Us
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

1. Jesus put apostles and prophets in His church, who wrote the NT, Eph. 4:11-12. But, does it apply to us? More and more say it does not.
2. The apostles claimed their words have heaven’s binding authority, Gal. 1:8-9. If true, we must yield to them. If false, we are deceived.

I. WHY THE WRITINGS OF CHRIST’S APOSTLES AND PROPHETS HAVE BINDING AUTHORITY OVER US.

A. Their Letters are the Commandments of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14:37; 4:17, 6; Matt. 16:19; 18:18; 2 Thess. 2:13-15.
B. Jesus Said to Hear/Receive Them is to Hear/Receive Him, and to Reject Them is to Reject Him, Lk. 10:16; Matt. 10:40; Jno. 13:20.
C. Their Writings were to be Circulated because of their Universal Authority, Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27 (remember 1 Cor. 4:16-17).
D. We Can Understand what Apostles Knew When We Read What They Wrote, Eph. 3:3-5; 4:11-16; 2 Pet. 1:12-16.
E. The Salvation Jesus Began to Speak is Confirmed to Us by His Apostles, Heb. 2:1-4.
F. Their Writings are Scripture and Completely Equip Us for Every Good Work, 2 Tim. 3:15-17. (Inspired) 2 Pet. 3:16, 1-2
G. The Apostles’ Teachings (NT) were to be Taught to Others Repeatedly, 2 Tim. 2:2.
H. The New Testament:
1. Brings the lost to faith and salvation, Jno. 17:17, 20 (Rom. 10:17).
2. Equips the church to serve the Lord, Acts 2:42; Eph. 4:11-12.
3. Equips us for unity in Christ, Jno. 17:21; Acts 4:32-33; Eph. 4:3, 13.

Conclusion
It is God’s word, 1 Thess. 2:13; Jno. 20:30-31.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Man Walks on the Moon
Joe R. Price

Do you remember the reading from Genesis 1 on Christmas Eve, 1968, as Apollo 8 orbited the moon? I do. (See it here.) While the sun rose with the earth suspended in space, the splendor and creative wonder of God was honored. Do you remember Neil Armstrong of Apollo 11 taking “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?” I do. (See it here.) Saturday marks fifty years since that historic event. Since then, monumental advances in technology, medicine, and science have occurred, making life on earth safer, more convenient, and more productive.

The world has certainly gotten smaller over the past 50 years as a result of space travel. Satellites communicate words and images instantly from one side of the globe to the other. The internet brings the world onto your computer screen. Space fails us here to expand the many advances of humanity resulting from space exploration.

The past fifty years have also seen a startling decrease in faith. The God who “created the heavens and the earth,” and who created us in His own image is cast aside as a myth, a superstition, a relic of an unenlightened, ignorant age (Gen. 1:1, 27). This is His world, given by Him to us to sustain us and bless our lives (Acts 14:17). Yet “Mother Earth” has become the object of worship and adoration (Gen. 1:28-31).

With every human advancement there ought to be humble acknowledgement of and gratitude toward God, who made us in His image with the amazing ability to think, to problem solve, to explore, expand, innovate and improve our lives. Yet, hubris (excessive pride and self-confidence) had led many to abandon the true God. This is not a new phenomenon (read Rom. 1:20-25).

As we mark the 50^th anniversary of the first lunar landing, let us remember who gave us the moon, and who blessed us with the ability to go there (Gen. 1:16).

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