Volume  III    Issue   XLIV   September 7th, 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

    A young couple walks into the meeting house half way through the service, tired, immodest, mentally unprepared to worship, fumbling around causing one distraction after another, chatting back and forth to one another, and failing to participate in the singing of hymns to the Lord.  A brother in Christ approaches them following the services asking them why they came unprepared to worship God in sprit and in truth (John 4:23-24).  They answer “at least we are here.”  Which of the aforementioned characteristics were a good sign of the lack of spiritual concern this fictional couple displayed?  Any one of those previously mentioned characteristics are a clear sign of a spiritual problem.  This fictional couple attended, but they did not worship.

    The idea that fulfilling Hebrews chapter ten and verse twenty-five is just about showing up physically, at the appropriate time, is ignorant.  Imagine someone trying that at the place of which they work secularly.  Any employer would be upset at an employee who showed up, did not work, and used the excuse “but, I was here.”  Is the importance of worshiping God less important than what one does in the work place?

    Each action taken in collective worship involves thought, attention, etc.  We will use one example of an act of worship done to illustrate how we must attend not just physically, but intellectually as well.  Our one example, of the five that could be stated, is going to be the Lord’s Supper.  One cannot partake of the Lord’s Supper properly without focusing upon the Lord and themselves.  We are to remember the Lord during the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:24-25).  We are to examine ourselves during the time in which we partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:28).  Neither of these two actions (not that these two actions alone would constitute the proper partaking of the Lord’s Supper) can be met if our minds are elsewhere.  Neither of these two things can be properly done if our heart is not set upon worshiping the Lord.  Just being there is not enough.  Our mindset of worship needs not only carry through for the times we assemble, but also outside of the assembly.

    Christians often times feel as though they have met the requirements of worship by being there on the first day of the week and other times of the collective assembly.  They have collectively sung praises to God, prayed, partaken of the Lord’s Supper, contributed, and have partaken in the preaching of the Gospel. The scriptures are clear that the Lord’s Supper and the contribution are to be done upon the first day of the week collectively (Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-3).  However, prayer, singing, and studying are actions that are not only authorized, but instructed to be done not only collectively, but privately as well even outside of corporate worship.  As we study the scriptures we find that God desires us to pray to Him, sing to Him, and study His word more than just two, three, or even four times a week when we are collectively assembled.

    Praying is to be done everywhere (I Timothy 2:8).  Prayer is an action that must never cease: (I Thessalonians 5:17-18) “Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Prayer is privilege for Christians (John 9:31 and I Peter 3:12), why do so many Christians neglect this great privilege God has granted?

    Singing is one way in which a Christian expresses his or her cheerfulness (James 5:13).  When Paul and Silas were imprisoned they not only prayed to God, but they sung psalms as well (Acts 16:25).  Singing is a great way to worship the Lord God who is the creator and sustainer of live both physically and spiritually.  We should sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with us (Psalms 13:6).  (Psalms 30:4) “Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

    Studying the word of God is the way in which we learn of Christ and redemption through Him (John 5:39).  Certainly, the scriptures have shown that God is pleased with daily study of His word (Acts 17:10-11).  Many people want to know God and all about Him.  Well, His word is the place to look (I Corinthians 2:9-13 and Ephesians 3:1ff.).

    Just being at the weekly services of a local congregation is not enough.  Not only must you worship properly among the saints, but you need to carry the mindset of worship with you always.  God deserves all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).  Worship is rendering due reverence to God.  Do you give God His due?

    When we come together to worship we need to show up mentally as well as physically.  God desires and deserves our greatest efforts in pleasing Him.  It often times helps people to know that their superiors are watching them.  In the work place that often causes an employee to be very alert.  God is watching and seeing everything (Psalms 69:5; 139:1-6, and Hebrews 4:13).  Is the Lord pleased with what He sees you doing in worship to Him?

Get your head in the book!!!!

II Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

1. Leave your tip partially inside a tract when you go out to dinner.
2. Doctors, Dentists, Hairstylists, etc. have souls; invite them to our services and leave them a tract.
3. Your co-workers may have a church they attend, they may have a belief system they follow, but you have the truth – please share it.
4. Just as you share information about good sales at the local stores and good restaurants, share the good news about the Lord.
5. Invite your family members, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to worship with you.
6. Did you like a recent sermon?  Want to share it with someone? Get a tape and share it!

Notice what Jesus said: (Luke 19:10) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
 

Quick Notes

Those Serving Today:
Announcements – Brian Yeager
A.M. Song Leader – Mike Lockwood
Lord’s Table – Jay Wagner
Assisting – Bill and Terry
First Prayer – Steve Burgoon
Closing Prayer – George Papp

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Tony Sassano (going through chemotherapy), Joan Croyle, Serge & Nancy are in Virginia, Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who is suffering from cancer), and Julie Rado (a friend of the Graham’s who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Filling In - Mike will be teaching next Sunday morning, Bill will be preaching, and Terry will be taking care of Wednesday night as Brian will be preaching a meeting Sunday – Friday at Tomlinson Run.