Volume  3    Issue   09  January 5th, 2003

A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ

Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417 (home/office)

Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
 

Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
 

Check out the web site:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

    When Paul was addressing the Corinthian brethren about the Lord’s Supper he made a statement that is often overlooked.  Paul said to the Corinthian brethren: I Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”  Thayer defines the word judge in this verse in this way: [diakrino – Strong’s # 1252] “to learn by discrimination, to try, decide.”  So, we learn that we are to look at ourselves and make decisions of ourselves.  It is the self-examination process we are to accomplish while partaking of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:28).  After we make a determination of our status spiritually we then must use that information towards our betterment.  The results of our self-exams will determine our needs.

    (II Corinthians 13:5) “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”  When we examine ourselves we find out if we are in the faith.  If we find we have become lacking in our faith and faithfulness we need to spend time regaining our faith through hearing and studying the word of God (Romans 10:17 and II Timothy 2:15).  We would need to repent [change our condition] of our unfaithfulness (Luke 13:3).  We will need to spend some time praying and confessing our faults to God (I John 1:9).
 

    If our self-examination finds that we are in the faith, we should spend some time focusing on how we can work more efficiently at carrying out the work of the Lord on this earth.  Our faith can be used to be an example to those round about us (Matthew 5:14-16).  Our steadfastness can be used in helping to carry the burdens of our weaker brethren (Galatians 6:1-2).  Our strength can be used on the front lines of the spiritual battle we are in (Ephesians 6:12).  Our knowledge could be used to battle the erring doctrine among the brotherhood, in our joint efforts to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3).  In any case our self-examinations ought to produce thoughts on how we can better ourselves and our work for God.

    When we look into the mirror in the morning and comb our hair (for those of us who have some), fix our imperfections, etc. we do physically what we ought to do spiritually.  The shame is that some spend more time in front of the mirror than they do in front of their Bibles.  The word of God will show us who and what we are (Hebrews 4:12), and it is that reason that I believe some do not spend much time looking at God’s word.  When we see that we are something God dislikes we either change or stop looking.  Ask yourself if you examine yourself with the light of the Gospel frequently enough.  If you don’t, ask yourself: “why not”?  If you do, then ask yourself what changes you can make to find a better reflection each and every time.  Let’s examine ourselves, and fix the imperfections as often as we can!  In so doing, we will find that our experience in the Judgment Day will be far greater than if we do not (II Corinthians 5:10 and John 12:48).

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Steve Burgoon as he recovers from his surgery, and Joan Croyle.