A Moment With Your Minister
When I began preaching back in the 60's, as we tried to encourage members of the church to be faithful to the Lord in all things, it wasn't too unusual to hear this question meekly asked by those whose love for the Lord had become a bit lukewarm: "Do I have to attend all of the services?" Today it is quite rare to hear that question. Times have changed and now when we seek to encourage members of the church "to faithfully serve the Lord," we encounter a totally different attitude. Now, we often encounter a belligerent, defiant attitude, as seen in this challenge which they hurl at us: "You just show me a verse which says I have to be present for every service! I come for 'communion' on Sunday morning, and in my mind that's the most important part of worship, because the Lord himself instituted it. And please, don't trot out Hebrews 10:24-25! I don't think it has application in what we're talking about!"
Obviously, there isn't a verse of Scripture which states, "Thou shalt attend Bible Classes and every church service!" Even if such a verse existed, I sincerely doubt that it would be accepted by one whose attitude of heart is as rebellious and defiant as the person depicted above. Now, having mentioned this and realizing that attitudes prevalent in the world round about us are too often found in the hearts of those who claim to possess the spirit of Christ, we need to do some serious soul searching.
Dear fellow member here at Bethel: Are you striving to be faithful to the Lord in all things? What about your giving? What about your efforts to offer unto God the fruit of your lips in singing? What about your responsibility to feast on His word, so that you may grow in grace and knowledge? What about your attendance at the various services of the church wherein one is provided with opportunities in each of these areas? What about the example you set before your neighbors on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening? Do they see the church of our Lord as a vital part of your life?
Your reaction to these questions will greatly affect the future of the church here! I hope your reaction is like that of the man who said: "I can't believe that a true Christian would ever want to miss a service of the church!" Amen!
Carl
P.S. I want to commend those of our number who have been participating in the Tuesday evening “Door Knocking Campaign.” The goal of setting up Six Home Bible Studies in the community is a good one and with God’s help we can reach this goal. Be of good cheer! God will bless our efforts to spread the borders of His kingdom.
BIBLE TRUTHS:
1. The Old and New Testaments are equally inspired, but not equally binding. (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Heb. 9:15-17).
2. What made a Christian in the 1st Century will make a Christian now. (Luke 8:11; Acts 11:26).
3. What made a church of Christ in the 1st Century will make a church of Christ now. (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; Rom. 16:16).
4. To a penitent believer, baptism is for the remission of sin. (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
5. Baptism is a burial! The New Testament does not authorize sprinkling, or affusion, in lieu of immersion. (Rom. 6:3-4).
6. Christians should observe the Lord’s Supper each week. (Acts 20:7).
7. The name God’s people should wear is “Christian.” (1 Pet. 4:16; Acts 11:26).
When I began preaching back in the 60's, as we tried to encourage members of the church to be faithful to the Lord in all things, it wasn't too unusual to hear this question meekly asked by those whose love for the Lord had become a bit lukewarm: "Do I have to attend all of the services?" Today it is quite rare to hear that question. Times have changed and now when we seek to encourage members of the church "to faithfully serve the Lord," we encounter a totally different attitude. Now, we often encounter a belligerent, defiant attitude, as seen in this challenge which they hurl at us: "You just show me a verse which says I have to be present for every service! I come for 'communion' on Sunday morning, and in my mind that's the most important part of worship, because the Lord himself instituted it. And please, don't trot out Hebrews 10:24-25! I don't think it has application in what we're talking about!"
Obviously, there isn't a verse of Scripture which states, "Thou shalt attend Bible Classes and every church service!" Even if such a verse existed, I sincerely doubt that it would be accepted by one whose attitude of heart is as rebellious and defiant as the person depicted above. Now, having mentioned this and realizing that attitudes prevalent in the world round about us are too often found in the hearts of those who claim to possess the spirit of Christ, we need to do some serious soul searching.
Dear fellow member here at Bethel: Are you striving to be faithful to the Lord in all things? What about your giving? What about your efforts to offer unto God the fruit of your lips in singing? What about your responsibility to feast on His word, so that you may grow in grace and knowledge? What about your attendance at the various services of the church wherein one is provided with opportunities in each of these areas? What about the example you set before your neighbors on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening? Do they see the church of our Lord as a vital part of your life?
Your reaction to these questions will greatly affect the future of the church here! I hope your reaction is like that of the man who said: "I can't believe that a true Christian would ever want to miss a service of the church!" Amen!
Carl
P.S. I want to commend those of our number who have been participating in the Tuesday evening “Door Knocking Campaign.” The goal of setting up Six Home Bible Studies in the community is a good one and with God’s help we can reach this goal. Be of good cheer! God will bless our efforts to spread the borders of His kingdom.
BIBLE TRUTHS:
1. The Old and New Testaments are equally inspired, but not equally binding. (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Heb. 9:15-17).
2. What made a Christian in the 1st Century will make a Christian now. (Luke 8:11; Acts 11:26).
3. What made a church of Christ in the 1st Century will make a church of Christ now. (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; Rom. 16:16).
4. To a penitent believer, baptism is for the remission of sin. (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
5. Baptism is a burial! The New Testament does not authorize sprinkling, or affusion, in lieu of immersion. (Rom. 6:3-4).
6. Christians should observe the Lord’s Supper each week. (Acts 20:7).
7. The name God’s people should wear is “Christian.” (1 Pet. 4:16; Acts 11:26).
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