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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 23, Number 33
09/12/2021

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

In this issue:

• Full of Grace and Truth By Jesse Flowers
• "God is in Control"
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Faith Toward God
  • Live in Hope
• Noteworthy News: Never Forget

Full of Grace and Truth
Jesse Flowers

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

What a profound statement the apostle John makes when He records this marvelous description of Christ as being full of grace and full of truth. These two are not in competition or conflict with one another, but rather they complement and join together as the perfect pair.

How was Jesus “full of grace”? Consider how He left the perfect beauty and realm of heaven and came in the flesh to dwell upon the earth. Consider the mockery and ridicule He endured. Consider the Roman scourging he suffered. Consider the shame and curse of the crucifixion upon a tree. Consider how He willingly suffered and died an agonizing death in order to provide a means of salvation for all of humankind. Indeed, Jesus was FULL of grace.

Furthermore, Christ was “full of truth.” He declared “I am the truth” in John 14:6. He made known to Pilate, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37). He tells us in His beautiful prayer that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). And that when a person knows the truth, they will be set free from their sins (John 8:31-36). It is the gospel of Christ (or New Testament of Christ) that reveals all truth to us.

Jesus brought the full measure of both grace and truth, and how incredibly blessed we are that He did. There continues to be no greater need for you, me, and everyone else in this world than the fullness of grace and truth that our Lord and Savior provides!

"God is in Control"
Joe R. Price

Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places” (Psalm 135:6, NKJV).

“God is in control.” We hear that a lot, but what does that mean? Scripture helps us understand God’s control over the world. (1) God’s sovereign will prevails on earth (Psa. 135:6; Dan. 4:34-35). “He rules and works according to His eternal purpose even through events that seem to contradict or oppose His rule” (Holman, 1523). (2) God did not create the world and then walk away from it. The false theology that only nature’s laws operate in this world is called Deism. It rejects God’s interaction with His creation whether by revelation, miracles, or answering prayers (Eph. 3:3-5; Heb. 2:4; Matt. 7:7-11; Acts 14:17). (3) God does not control every event in your life. Free will means we choose between good and evil, and our choices have consequences (Deut. 30:19; Gal. 6:7-8). Conversely, fatalism says “events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them” (Merriam-Webster). Calvinism’s predestination is false since God gave us free will (Josh. 24:15). (4) God’s plan for us is that we fear Him and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). His will and purposes prevail in heaven and earth, and human redemption in Christ is the centerpiece (Rom. 8:28-30). God calls us through the gospel to believe and obey Him to be saved and walk with Him in life and eternity (Mark 16:15-16; 1 John 1:5-10; Matt. 7:21-23). -Sword Tips #2240

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

Faith Toward God
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: John 6:41-51

1. Scripture mandates we “go on to perfection” instead of only laying a foundation of first principles, Heb. 6:1-3.
2. Faith toward God is fundamental to redemption in Christ and mature discipleship, Heb. 6:1.

I. DEFINING FAITH, Heb. 11:1.

A. Two Parts of Faith, 1 Pet. 1:21; 3:15.
B. Faith Toward God, Heb. 11:6.
1. Believes God exists, 11:3; Ps. 19:1-4.
2. Believes God rewards diligent seekers of Him, cf. Rom. 1:20-25.

II. WHAT WE MUST DO TO HAVE FAITH TOWARD GOD.

A. Hear What God Says, 1 Sam. 3:10.
1. We must give an audience to Christ’s words, Heb. 1:1-2.
2. Requires a ready heart, Matt. 13:3-9, 10-17 (34-35, 43). John 6:44-45; 8:43 (7:16-17).
B. Trust What God Says, 1 Thess. 2:13.
1. Lack of trust (no faith) v. trust (faith), John 6:60-68.
2. Faith replaces fear and doubt when we trust the truth (Matt. 14:27-33); John 18:37. Luke 7:1-10; 8:40-42, 49-50; Acts 8:30-38.
C. Do What God Says, Matt. 4:4.
1. Faith is active, hearing God, trusting God, and obeying God, James 2:14-26.
2. Hebrews 11: Rewarded because they heard, trusted, and obeyed God. (Contrast Israel in wilderness, Heb. 3:17-4:2.)

Conclusion
1. Walking by faith or sight? 2 Cor. 5:7 (9)
2. When we patiently endure we will inherit the promises, Heb. 6:10-12.

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

Live in Hope
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-5

1. How Christians view life and death reveals indicates our hope (or lack of it).
2. Faith and hope are joined, 1 Cor. 13:13; Eph. 4:4-5. Our hope is secure in Christ when our faith is in Him

I. THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE (Christ, 1 Tim. 1:1).

A. A Living Hope, 1 Pet. 1:3.
B. The Hope of Resurrection from the Dead, Acts 23:6; 24:15; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:19-20; 1 Thess. 4:13-14; Phil. 1:19-23.
C. The Hope of Eternal Life, Titus 1:1-3; 1 Pet. 1:4-5 (2 Tim. 4:7-8); Matt. 6:20-21.
D. Our Hope is Sure and Steadfast, Heb. 6:19 (13-20); 3:6 (14); Rom. 5:3-5, 12:12.
E. Our Hope is Unseen, Yet Eagerly Waited For, Rom. 8:24-25; Heb. 10:23 (4:14); 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8; 2 Thess. 2:16-17.

II. THE WORLD HAS NO HOPE, Eph. 2:12.

A. Without Hope there is Fear, Spiritual Pain, and Eternal Sorrow in Death.
1. Christians released from fear of death, Heb. 2:14-15.
2. Death swallowed up in victory, 1 Cor. 15:54-57.
3. Do not sorrow like world when death comes; Rejoice, 1 Thess. 4:13 (Ps. 16:9-10).
B. No Hope in Sin (Eter. Death), Rom. 6:23.

Conclusion
1. Gospel contrasts hope’s joy with sin’s despair, despondency, and death (1 Thess. 4:13; Rom. 12:12).
2. Hope of salvation (Rom. 8:24; 1 Thess. 5:8), resurrection (Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:19), eternal life (Col. 1:5; Titus 1:2), glory (Col. 3:4; Rom. 5:2).
3. Psalm 42: Hope in God in times of distress.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Never Forget
Joe R. Price

Saturday marked 20 years since the terror attack on the United States killed nearly 3,000 souls, toppled the twin towers of the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon, and scared the Pennsylvania countryside. Thousands more were injured, while families and friends suffered tremendous losses.

Out of the calamity of 9/11 arose something dramatic; Unity in America. However brief, it reminds us of the unifying power of a common message, a common goal, and a common enemy. The message, “Never forget.” The goal, justice. The enemy, terrorists.

Signs of apathy appear after twenty years of never forgetting. Time goes on, memories fade. Then, another generation arises that does not remember the events of that day.

We are reminded of the vital role of memorials. They cause us to pause, remember, reflect and resolve, never to forget. The Lord’s Supper is such a memorial. “Do this in remembrance of Me” is a clarion call never to forget the sacrifice of the Son of God for the sins of the world (1 Cor. 11:24-25).

The first day of the week is when first-century disciples “came together to break bread” in memory of Christ’s sacrificial death (Acts 20:7). Thus, we never forget assembling ourselves since one of our activities is to eat the memorial supper and “never forget” (Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:20, 33).

We pledge never to forget 9/11. But can we say the same of Christ’s death for our salvation (Rom. 5:6-11)?

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