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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 23, Number 43
11/21/2021

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:

• “You Shall Enlarge My Heart”
• Are Denominations Sanctioned by the Seven Churches of Asia?
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Is My Heart Right With God?
  • How to Avoid Partiality
• Noteworthy News: The Death Penalty and Justice

“You Shall Enlarge My Heart”
Joe R. Price

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart (Psalm 119:32, NKJV).

An enlarged heart indicates one is not well. This condition is treatable but can be dangerous and life-threatening. The opposite is true of the heart most often discussed in the Bible (one’s mind or inner being, Acts 2:37; 1 Pet. 3:4). The psalmist was sure God would enlarge his heart because he “ran the course” of God’s commands. Perhaps Jesus best described this large heart, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength,” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).

Here are ways our hearts grow larger by keeping God’s commands.

(1) Wisdom and understanding are associated with an enlarged heart. God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). Our knowledge and discernment increase as we abound in love and keep God’s commands (Phil. 1:9-11; Heb. 5:14).

(2) Christians’ hearts are enlarged with joy. Isaiah prophesied Zion’s joy when he predicted the Lord’s glory in the church, “Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy” (Isa. 60:5; Heb. 12:22-23). Our hearts are full of joy in Christ (Phil. 4:4)!

(3) Christians open their hearts to God’s truth instead of closing their minds to its teaching and rebuke. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and the truth he preached, even as he had opened his heart to them (2 Cor. 6:11, 13; 7:2). Accepting and obeying the truth is not always easy. An open heart receives the truth and runs the course of God’s commands (Luke 8:15). How large is your heart today? Hearts grow as God is obeyed.

-Sword Tips #2371

Are Denominations Sanctioned by the Seven Churches of Asia?
Joe R. Price

The second and third chapters of the book of Revelation contain letters to seven churches of Asia (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea). These were actual churches in real places that constitute a representative look at Christ’s relationship with congregations of Christians. He walks in their midst and knows who they are, what they are doing, and what others are doing to them. Thus, He says to each church, “I know your works.” Christ has fellowship with each church as He is “in the midst of the lampstands” (churches, Rev. 1:13, 20). Each local congregation was responsible for remaining faithful to Him, or their fellowship with Christ would be extinguished (2:5).

Some say these seven churches approve denominations today (christianforums.com). Is that what the Bible teaches? One must do more than make the assertion. Where is the Scriptural proof that these churches were denominations? Where does the Bible ever speak of these churches as denominations?

We kindly ask for the passage that so defines these churches. In the New Testament, we read of the entire body of the saved regardless of time and place, i.e., the universal church, “general assembly and church of the firstborn” (Matt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23). We also read of local churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2). But we never find a denominational usage of the word church to identify a group of people larger than a local church yet smaller than the universal church. To do so does not speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11).

If the seven churches of Asia were denominations, we must conclude that Christ had at least seven bodies in the first century. And, since there are now thousands of denominations, we must conclude Christ has thousands of bodies. However, the Bible says there is one head over the church (Christ) and that He has one body, not seven or thousands (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4).

To view the seven churches of Asia as denominations, one must conclude Christ blesses division among His people. Can one honestly envision Christ walking among (having fellowship with) churches that teach opposing doctrines and practice contradictions between themselves while claiming Christ’s approval (Rev. 1:13, 20)? Division is at the heart of denominationalism. It is defined by separation and perpetuated by differences. However, Jesus prayed for unity among believers (John 17:20-21). His apostles pleaded for unity among Christians (1 Cor. 1:10). Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13). His gospel advocates unity, not division (Eph. 4:3-6). Yet, Christ turns around and endorses denominational division in Revelation 2-3? No, by no means.

Christ is not double-minded. He does not condemn division and then condone denominational division. The churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 were local churches, not denominations. Denominationalism is from man, not Christ (Gal. 1:8-10).

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

Is My Heart Right With God?
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:7-13

1. Every sin starts in the heart, Acts 8:20-21; Mark 7:20-23 (Jer. 17:9).
2. Jesus repeatedly taught hearts must be right with God, Matt. 6:21; 12:35; Luke 8:15.
3. What is a right heart in God’s sight? Is my heart right with God?

I. WHEN IS MY HEART RIGHT IN GOD’S SIGHT?

A. When My Heart Completely Loves God and My Neighbors, Mark 12:30-31.
B. When My Heart is Like the Heart of Jesus, Matt. 21:5; 12:18-21; Mark 3:5; Col. 3:12-16 (10).
C. Is My Heart Right With Jesus? Acts 8:22f

II. IS MY HEART RIGHT WITH:

A. My Neighbors? Acts 17:26; 1 Pet. 2:17; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 3:18
B. My Family? 1 Peter 3:1-7; Eph. 6:1-4
C. My Brethren? Phil. 2:1-4; Eph. 4:31-32; Gal. 5:13-15; Matt. 18:6-7.

III. HOW CAN WE DO THIS?

A. With God’s Help, Acts 8:24; Eph. 6:10.
B. With Each Other’s Help, Rom. 12:10-16.
1. With a heart of forgiveness, as God forgives us, Eph. 4:32.
2. By walking in love, Eph. 5:1-2.

Conclusion
1. If all we can see are heart faults in others, then our heart is not right with God, Matt. 7:3-5.
2. “Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts” (Ps. 125:4).

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

How to Avoid Partiality
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 24:23-26

1. Spiritual and moral matters demand impartiality because God is impartial, Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6.
2. Example: Elihu, Job 32:6-7, 10, 17.
3. God’s counsel: Being impartial is wise, Prov. 24:23-25; 28:21; James 3:17.

I. THE DANGERS OF SHOWING PARTIALITY.

A. We Sin Against the Innocent, James 2:1-13.
B. When We Show Favoritism We Are in Danger of Condemning the Innocent and Approving the Guilty, 1 Tim. 5:19-22.

II. HOW CAN WE AVOID PARTIALITY IN OUR JUDGMENTS AND ACTIONS?

A. Do Not Let Fleshly Considerations Influence Your Decisions, John 7:24.
1. Physical beauty v. inner beauty, Prov. 31:30; 1 Pet. 3:2-4; 1 Tim. 2:9.
2. Parents must not show favoritism toward children, Gen. 25:27-28; 27:2ff, 41.
3. Leaders of men and God’s leaders, Prov. 29:2; 1 Sam. 8:19-20; 9:2; 10:23-24; 13:14; 16:7-10 (Christ, Isa. 53:2; yet Luke 2:52).
B. Do Not Let Emotions to Cloud Objectivity, Exod. 23:3, 6; Lev. 19:15, 18 (misplaced sympathy or lingering grudge).
C. Reject Personal Gain, Deut. 10:17-19; 16:19-20 (bribe), 2 Chron. 19:6-7; Acts 24:26-27.
D. Maintain the Clear Distinction God’s Word Makes of Evil and Good, Prov. 18:5; 17:15; Isa. 5:20 (John 12:48).

Conclusion
1. Our Father is impartial. We cannot be partial and remain holy, 1 Pet. 1:15-17.
2. God offers salvation impartially, Acts 10:34-35

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

The Death Penalty and Justice
Joe R. Price

Mississippi executed its first death row inmate since 2012 Wednesday night when convicted murderer and sex abuser David Neal Cox was put to death (upi.com). On Thursday, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones to life without parole just hours before his execution was to occur (wsj.com). We have no reason to doubt justice was served in both cases.

Paul, the apostle, said to the Roman governor Festus, “For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11). He accepted the justice of the death penalty when accurately applied against the guilty. He also acknowledged and used his right under the law to appeal an injustice against him.

Christians have no Bible reason to object to the death penalty righteously applied. We understand the Lord authorizes governing powers to use execution to administer justice and deter evil (Rom. 13:3-4). Execution as a criminal’s punishment is not murder, and Christians respect the distinction between the two (Exod. 20:13; 21:12-17, 23; Deut. 19:15-21; Luke 23:40-41; Heb. 2:2). No doubt, wicked people pervert justice and punish the innocent. However, that does not indict the system but those who abuse it.

Justice also demands that the sentence be revised accordingly when a judgment is later deemed incorrect (due to new evidence or some miscarriage of justice in the case). Even so, we do not excuse sin, but we revise our judgments when new information exonerates a sinner (like when a sinner repents). We forgive as God forgives us (Luke 15:17-24; Col. 3:13).

Justice remains a hallmark of Christians (Phil. 4:8).

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