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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 23, Number 44
11/28/2021

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:

• The Multitude of Words
• A Word About the Season
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Become Such As I Am
  • Portraits of Death
• Noteworthy News: Asteroids, Climate, and Earth’s End

The Multitude of Words
Joe R. Price

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise (Proverbs 10:19, NKJV).

Unrestrained words lead to foolishness, sin, and sorrow. The wisdom of restraining our tongues is reiterated by James, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). Consider some of the sins that arise when one is captured by “the multitude of words.”

(1) The sin of pride in one’s eloquence. Although we are confident the apostle Paul had command of rhetoric and eloquence, he made it a point not to parade such abilities when preaching the gospel (1 Cor. 2:1-5). Likewise, while eloquent, Apollos drew attention to the Scriptures and not himself (Acts 18:24-25). His humility prepared him to learn the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). Pride enters in when we try to impress others with many words.

(2) The sin of misguided prayers. Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matt. 6:7). God’s attention is not gained by many words but by a contrite heart (Luke 18:13-14). God is not impressed by the multitude of words. After all, He made man’s mouth (Exod. 4:11).

(3) The sin of foolishness. Wisdom advances righteousness and avoids evil by knowing when to speak and when to be silent (Eccl. 3:7). Fools spread slanderous insinuations, rushing headlong to their destruction, but “wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding” (Prov. 10:18, 14, 13).

-Sword Tips #2287

A Word About the Season
Joe R. Price

Every year at this time the subject of whether we celebrate Christmas comes up. The answer depends on whether one is asking about the religious celebration of the birth of Christ or about the seasonal holiday of goodwill.

There is no Bible support for a religious observance of the birth of Jesus. Yes, the Bible records the event of His birth, and we thank God that our Savior came to earth. But the fact that the Bible records the historical account of His birth does not authorize us to have a religious holiday to observe it (the traditions of men, notwithstanding). There is no evidence of a “Feast of the Nativity” until the 4th century A. D. “Christmas” means the “mass of Christ” and refers to a special mass that was (is) conducted to honor Christ’s birth. Clearly, it is a Catholic expression originating with the Catholic Church. The religious celebration of Christ’s birth is an invention and addition of men. It has not been ordained by God in His inspired word, the Bible. Therefore, we will not be held captive to the traditions men have added to the gospel of Christ (Col. 2:21-23; Gal. 1:6-9).

Just as acts that are viewed as religious by some can also be practiced non-religiously (cf. circumcision, Acts 16:1-3; washing hands, Mark 7:1-4; eating meats sacrificed to idols, 1 Cor. 10:27), it is possible to celebrate this holiday season non-religiously. As a festive, joyous expression of goodwill, the seasonal traditions of Christmas can be kept by all. Yet, we must be careful not to give our endorsement to the religious additions of men that go beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11).

Some may call us “scrooge” or say we do not believe in the birth of Jesus. These things are not true. We honor the birth of Christ, but we will do so God’s way, not man’s way. We must be careful not to think that God must accept whatever we say He should accept from us; remember Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2). If one can give Bible authority for the religious observance of the birth of Jesus then we will retract what we teach on the subject and start offering religious observance of Christ’s birth. If that cannot be done, then join hands with us in not adding to God’s word (1 Cor. 4:6).

Reprint edited
The Spirit’s Sword, Vol. 14, No. 42
(December 4, 2011)

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

Become Such As I Am
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Acts 26:24-32

1. Paul an example for us, 1 Cor. 11:1.

2. He was now imprisoned, waiting to go before Caesar (Acts 25:11).

3. Paul wanted them to be as he was (except bonds), Acts 26:28-29.

4. What was it about Paul that commended his condition to others? Are you as Paul was?

I. PAUL WAS FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN.

A. A Full House before Agrippa and Company (Acts 25:23); John 8:34, 36.
B. Paul Was Free from Sin Although Imprisoned by Man, 1 Tim. 1:12-16.

II. PAUL WAS FREE FROM THE ERRORS OF THE PAST.

A. Paul’s Past was Full of Sinful Errors, Acts 26:9-11, 14; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-4.
B. How Are You Dealing With Your Past Sins and Errors? Phil. 3:13-14

III. PAUL WAS FREE FROM CEREMONIALISM, Gal. 4:8-12.

A. Religious Ceremonies Were Never an End in Themselves, Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; (Isa. 1:10-20); Ps. 51:16-17.

IV. PAUL WAS FREE FROM PUTTING CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH.

A. This had Not Always Been So, Phil. 3:4-7.
B. Some Only Half-Heartedly Refrain from the World, Rom. 12:1-2; Exod. 16:3; Luke 9:62.

V. PAUL WAS FREE FROM INDECISION.

A. Paul Remained Steadfast, Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 4:7; 1 Cor. 15:58.

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

Portraits of Death
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:1-9

1. Many portraits of death are painted by false doctrines, misconceptions, and fanciful speculations.
2. God, the Giver of life, also teaches us about death, its nature, certainty, and what to expect beyond the grave.

I. THE ACTION OF DEATH.

A. Universal, 1 Kings 2:1-2; Heb. 9:27; Eccl. 7:2.
B. Separation of Spirit from Body, John 19:30.
1. Breath his last, Gen. 25:8; Acts 5:5, 10.
2. A change, Job 14:14.
3. Putting off my tent, 2 Pet. 1:14 (2 Cor. 5:1, 4).
4. Departing, Phil. 1:23. (“to loosen,” break up).
C. Returning to Dust, Gen. 3:19 (2:7); Job 7:21.
D. Called Sleep, Job 14:12; John 11:11 (14); Acts 7:60; Acts 13:36; 1 Cor. 15:6, 18, 51.

II. REACTIONS WHEN FACING DEATH.

A. King of Terrors, Job 18:14 (Ps. 55:4-5).
B. Going Down into Silence, Ps. 115:17.
C. Fading Away, Job 14:1-2 (“cut down,” KJV).
D. Requiring the Soul, Luke 12:20-21.

III. EXPECTATIONS AFTER DEATH.

A. The Way of No Return, Job 16:22.
B. Go to Your Fathers, Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 25:8; 1 Cor. 15:19-20 (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

IV. PREPARE FOR DEATH, 2 Kings 20:1.

A. Because We Only Live Once, 2 Sam. 14:14.
B. Because We Will Exist Beyond Death.
C. Because We Will Be Raised, John 5:28-29.
D. Because Our Lives Will be Judged, 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6-11.
E. Because Heaven and Hell are Eternal, Matt. 25:46 (Rev. 21:8).

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Asteroids, Climate, and Earth’s End
Joe R. Price

On Tuesday, November 23, NASA was “set to launch a spacecraft to test whether it can deflect an asteroid away from a potentially catastrophic collision with Earth” (news.sky.com). This planetary defense test (Double Asteroid Redirection Test, DART) cost roughly $330m. It will hurl the DART spacecraft (size of a small car) at an asteroid 160 meters in size more than 6 million miles away. Impressive. But “Scientists say that no known asteroids larger than 140 meters in size have a significant chance of hitting the Earth within the next century” (Ibid). Hum.

Others warn us of the impending doom of global climate change within the next 25 years. Are we approaching the end of civilization as we know it? Some answer with a resounding “yes” and are busy enacting policies to combat the impending doom.

Of course we ought to take care of the earth; it’s the only one God gave us. Since creation, humans have been stewards of the earth (Ps. 8:4-9; Gen. 2:15; 3:17-19). Admittedly, we haven’t always done a good job of it. But the Chicken Little approach to problems is not a solution (“the sky is falling, the sky is falling!”). That only leads to worse outcomes (as the fable goes). So, keep your head, don’t panic, and have courage.

Scripture enlightens us about how the earth will and will not end. It will not end be due to flooding or some other climate cataclysm (Gen. 8:21-22). The rainbow assures us of this (Gen. 9:8-17). Neither will the earth end with an asteroid collision. Instead, the Bible says the earth is “reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Pet. 3:7). On that day, the material universe “will be burned up” by God’s order (2 Pet. 3:10).

You can join the materialists (who deny God created and sustains the earth) and scurry around like Chicken Little. Or, you can believe God’s word, be a good steward of the world He gave us for our sustenance and care, and live by faith looking for “the day of God” (2 Pet. 3:11-13).

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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