Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Mount
Baker
Beacon

Volume 02, Number 12
03/19/2023

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

Web site:
Mt. Baker church

Editor......John Bass

In this issue:

• TOOLS FOR GROWTH
• THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE
• Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)

TOOLS FOR GROWTH
David Dann

Are you growing spiritually? Christians are expected to grow up in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote of this need in his letter to the church in Ephesus, saying, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:14-16).

The goal in response to the command should be to put forth the effort to make real spiritual progress in becoming more and more like Christ. When God gives man a command, He also provides the means necessary in order to fulfill that command. What tools has God provided to help each Christian grow?

1. The written word of God. Paul wrote of the spiritual armor of the Christian, saying, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). The word of God equips the child of God to combat the forces of wickedness. The apostle Peter writes, "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:1-2). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must strongly desire, and must make use of, the word of God. Christians will not grow without taking time to read, study, and make proper use of God's word. The Scriptures serve as a tool for spiritual growth.

2. The privilege of prayer to God. The ability to approach God in prayer with the expectation of being heard is a privilege reserved for the faithful. Affirming the words of the psalmist, Peter writes, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Pet. 3:12. Prayer allows the child of God to communicate his praise, thankfulness, fears, desires, and requests to his Creator. Since this is true, Paul instructs Christians to, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must continually make use of the privilege of prayer to God. Christians will not grow without setting aside time to personally approach the God of heaven. Prayer serves as a tool for spiritual growth.

3. The people of God. Paul wrote of the importance of the spiritual relationship shared between Christians, saying, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-13). Fellow Christians are provided by God in order to help the child of God to grow. To the members of the church in Thessalonica, Paul writes, "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thess. 5:11). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must offer one another the help and encouragement that enables each one to be built up and strengthened in the Lord. Christians will not grow while having little or no connection with other faithful children of God. The people of God serve as a tool for spiritual growth.

Conclusion: Peter concludes his second letter to Christians with the following instruction: "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Pet. 3:17-18). In His word, in the privilege of prayer, and in fellow faithful Christians, God has provided the means by which each child of God can grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Are you making use of these tools for growth?

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THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE
Brad Phillips

There have been many from the first century until now, who have doubted whether or not Christ will ever return. Knowing that, let’s look into the all inspired word of God, and let’s examine the very important question referring to the return of Christ. Beginning with...

Christ Said He Would Return.

Jesus, in giving words of comfort to His disciples said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John14:2-3). Here, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ confirms that He will come again.

The Apostles Were Told That Christ Would Return.

Luke, recorded concerning the ascension of Christ into heaven, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11). While the apostles were watching Christ ascend into heaven, they were reassured that He would also return in like manner.

The Apostle Paul Said Christ Would Return.
       
Paul, in his first epistle to the Thessalonian brethren wrote, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Here, the inspired apostle Paul affirms the fact that Christ will someday come again.

The Inspired Hebrews Writer Said Christ Would Return.
       
In writing about the great sacrifice of Christ, the inspired Hebrews writer penned, “...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Here, we have another example of an inspired writer acknowledging the fact that Christ will someday return.

The Apostle Peter Said Christ Would Return.

The apostle Peter declared, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...” ( 2 Peter 3:9-10). You see, Peter guided by the Holy Spirit also said, the Lord is coming, but when, no one knows!
       
My friend, although Christ has not yet returned, He is Not slack concerning His promise. Therefore, we all need to watch and be readily prepared (Matthew 24:42), for there is a great day coming, when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return.

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Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)
Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  03/17/2023

The Mount Baker Beacon is a weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA.
Send all questions, comments to the editor, John Bass at (360) 325-5149 or johnbass2468@gmail.com