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

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 23, Number 45
12/05/2021

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:

• No Condemnation in Christ Jesus
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Why I Must Repent
  • Teaching the Lost
• Noteworthy News: Unbelievers in Heaven?

No Condemnation in Christ Jesus
Joe R. Price

Romans 8:1

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Christ delivers sinners from the “body of death” produced by sin (Rom. 7:24-25). Those who are “in Christ Jesus” escape sin’s condemnation. Therefore, it is crucial to be “in Christ Jesus,” otherwise, we are still wretched, lost in sin, and under its sentence of eternal death (Rom. 7:24; 6:23). Scripture says baptism puts the sinner into Christ (where there is no condemnation). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). We become children of God through the gospel (“the faith,” Gal. 1:11, 23; 3:2, 23-25). The gospel commands water baptism for the remission of sins (no condemnation, Acts 2:38; 10:48).

Once we are saved “in Christ Jesus” we must walk (live) “according to the Spirit.” In Christ, Christians live by the guidance of the Spirit of God, not by the impulses of the flesh. The Spirit guides us through the truth He revealed to the apostles and inspired them to speak and write (John 16:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:10-13; 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Christians choose to walk according to the Spirit by following the word of God. Make that the way you live your life and escape sin’s sentence of eternal death.

Romans 8:2-4

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is “the law of God,” “the gospel of His Son” (Rom. 7:25; 1:9). Life is in Christ Jesus, and the gospel is the “law of faith” by which we are justified (Rom.3:26-27). The law that gives life is set in contrast with “the law of sin and death” – the rule that sin causes death (v. 1; Rom. 6:23).

The Law of Moses identified sin but could not save sinners (Rom. 3:20, 23; 7:10-12). The Son of God became flesh, lived without sin and condemned sin by His life and His death (Phil. 2:5-8; Rom. 5:6-11). In Christ, spiritual life is granted to all who “walk according to the Spirit” (who live in and by the gospel, Rom. 1:16-17; 5:1-2; 6:1-14).

We are not sinners because we are humans, we are sinners because we commit sin (Rom. 5:12). By the gospel we are saved from our sins and choose to serve righteousness instead of sin (Rom. 6:15-18).

Romans 8:5

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Paul laid out a series of contrasts in Romans 8:5-9 between what it means to be carnally minded and what it means to be spiritually minded. He began by drawing our attention to this central point: We live what we think. Whatever your mind is set upon produces how you live. If your goal is to “walk according to the Spirit,” then you must set your mind on “the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1, 5). The “flesh” is the source of evil appetites, and carnally minded people set their minds on these things.

The gospel calls us to set our minds on things above and not on things on the earth (Col. 3:2). The gospel renews our minds (Rom. 12:2). This occurs as we deliberately develop the mindset to seek and do the will of God which the Spirit has revealed in the Scriptures. Put your mind on the word and will of God, not on the wisdom and will of those who do not know God (1 Pet. 4:1-2). Putting your mind in the right place translates into making choices to do God’s will in life. You live what you think!

Romans 8:6-8

6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Spiritual death proceeds from the mind that is given to the thoughts, attitudes, motives, and inclinations of the flesh. By contrast, the mind that is spiritual produces life and peace. Paul has already identified the spiritual mind as that which is set on the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5). This mind walks according to the Spirit and bears the fruit of the Spirit (Rom. 8:1; Gal. 5:22-23). If your mind refuses to submit to the law of God, you are yet carnal and an enemy of God. Being “in the flesh” is equivalent to a mind that is set against the will of God and a life that does not obey the law of God. Conversely, the spiritually minded person is the one who obeys the law of God, willingly submitting to its rule and authority.

Are you spiritually minded? If so, you are obeying the word of God. Do not be deceived. If you are not obeying God’s word then you are not spiritually minded. You are still serving the flesh. It is past time to repent and submit yourself to the law of God (Matt. 7:21-23). -Sword Tips #1560-1563

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

Why I Must Repent
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Acts 26:15-20

1. The gospel is a call to repentance unto life, Acts 26:17-20 (11:18).
2. Satan blinds us to the seriousness of sin and urgency of repentance.
3. Why should I repent of my sins? What motivates repentance?

-WHY I MUST REPENT-

1. Because I understand my sin and what it causes, Luke 13:1-5; 1 John 1:8; 3:4; Ps. 51:4; Isa. 59:1-2.
2. Because God has commanded me to repent, Acts 17:30; Heb. 11:6; James 4:6-10.
3. Because I want to be in the kingdom of God, Matt. 4:17; Acts 2:36-38, 41; 3:19; Matt. 25:34, 41.
4. Because of God’s great goodness toward me, Rom. 2:4; 5:8; 2:4; Exod. 34:6; Isa. 30:18; 2 Pet. 3:9.
5. To be cleared of my sin before God and others, 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
6. Because I am facing a Judgment Day, Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:2-3.

Conclusion
1. We must not be like Esau, Heb. 12:15-17. Defilement of profane living causes bitterness and prevents repentance.
2. We will not be saved unless we repent, Acts 2:38; 8:22.

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

Teaching the Lost
Joe R. Price

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:1-11

1. Jesus taught his disciples the cost of discipleship, Luke 9:57-62. Then, He chose 35 pairs to go before him on his way to Jerusalem (Luke 10:1-20).
2. Their work teaches and exhorts us to do the work of teaching the lost.

1. Christ selected and sent the seventy to teach the gospel (Luke 10:1-20).

a. Mission (10:1, 9).
b. Authority (10:1, 9, 16, 17-18).
c. Urgency (10:3-4, 5-8).
d. Rejoice when accepted and accept rejection (10:6-8, 10-11, 17).

2. Principles from their work that teach us about our work of spreading the gospel.

a. Be teachers of gospel, 10:2, 9; Heb. 5:12.
b. Priority and sacrifice, 10:4; Luke 9:59-62.
c. Laborer worthy of his hire, 10:7.
d. Those who reject gospel are judged, 10:10-16 (John 12:48).
e. Reward is in heaven, 10:17-20.

3. Our duty to teach the gospel, Matt. 28:20 (18-19); Mark 16:15.

a. We are to be teachers, Heb. 5:12.
b. Are we looking for prospects?

4. Will we answer Christ’s call? Luke 10:2; Acts 16:9-10 (John 1:40-45; Acts 16:13; 11:19; 13:2-4)

Conclusion
Isaiah 6:8: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me!”

NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Unbelievers in Heaven?
Joe R. Price

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center showed that many people believe in a faithless heaven. That’s right. According to them, you don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven, God’s abiding place. Pew reported that “respondents who expressed belief in heaven were asked about who they think will be allowed to go there. Four-in-ten U.S. adults (39%) say they think people who do not believe in God can enter heaven, compared with about one-third (32%) who say only believers can gain access. (Again, 27% of adults do not believe in heaven at all.) Catholics are far more likely than Protestants to say that people who do not believe in God can go to heaven (68% vs. 34%). Evangelical Protestants are especially restrictive in their view, with just 21% saying that people who do not believe in God can get to heaven” (“Few Americans Blame God or Say Faith Has Been Shaken Amid Pandemic, Other Tragedies,” pewforum.org).

Of course, we know people’s opinions do not establish the truth on any subject, religious or otherwise. We do not establish and define truth. God’s word is truth, not the word of fallible humans (John 17:17). The “truth of the gospel” informs us of “the hope that is laid up in heaven,” not the desires and speculations of faithless men and women (Col. 1:5).

Our Father is in heaven (Matt. 6:9). Christ Jesus is enthroned there at His right hand (Acts 2:33-35; 7:56; Heb. 1:3). The “hope of glory” is granted to those who, through the gospel, have “Christ in you” (Col. 1:27). Thus, we preach Christ and warn every person that heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people; the faithful ones of God in Christ (Col. 1:28; John 14:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:3-9). No, the unbelieving will not go to heaven (Rev. 21:8).

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