Volume  3    Issue   02    November 17th, 2002

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

This article is the final article on our series of collective worship.  We will be dealing with the preaching of the Gospel of Christ in this article.  The necessity for preaching during the time the saints assemble is just as clear to find authority for as is the partaking of the Lord’s Supper.  It is in Acts 20:7 that we find both actions taking place: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”  Our article does not need to deal with the authority of this action, but it does need to deal with the responsibilities of both the man preaching and the folks receiving the Gospel message of Christ.  We will begin first with the responsibility of the man preaching.

As I have inferred in my statement in paragraph number one above, it is a man who is to preach to mixed audiences (I Corinthians 14:34-35 and I Timothy 2:11ff.).  The man preaching is not supposed to get up and preach the words of men (Matthew 15:7-9, Galatians 1:6-12, and Colossians 2:4-8).  The word of God is what is to be preached from the pulpits in our assemblies (II Timothy 4:2 and I Peter 4:11).  It is the truth and only the truth that will set man free from sin (John 8:32).  Those who have the privilege of preaching must not shy away from preaching the whole counsel of God, or they will essentially have blood on their hands (Ezekiel 3:18 and Acts 20:26-27).  The word is for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17).  The word of God is to be preached with boldness (Ephesians 6:19-20).  Many ask for their  preachers to add a little sugar to their meal, but the word of God is to be preached without additives (Revelation 22:18-19)!  Thinking of how some like the word to be delivered brings about our next point that applies to the recipients of the Gospel.

James said it well when he pointed out that we should not be only hearers of the word, but also doers (James 1:21-25).  The word of God is not something preached to fill a time slot.  The purpose is to cut, expose, and cause changes to the hearts of men (Hebrews 4:12 and Acts 2:37).  The hearer of the word of God is responsible for its application.  When one hears the Gospel they choose to accept or reject that which God has declared in His inspired word.  The hearer also has the responsibility of verifying that truth is taught (Acts 17:10-11 and II Timothy 2:15), and if truth has not been taught the hearer must confront the preacher (Acts 18:24-28).  If the one doing the teaching refuses to recognize their error the hearers then have the responsibility of marking a man who would then be a false teacher (Romans 16:17-18).  Some folks think that sermons are a time to cut nails, to focus on bills, to catch up on sleep, etc.  However, God does not feel that way as is clear by His instructions.  The hearer has responsibilities just as He who declares the word of God.

The preaching of the word of God is surely important as this is the method that God has used to save the lost and keep the saved faithful (I Corinthians 1:21 and Romans 10:14-15).  It is necessary for brethren to recognize the important role preaching has in our collective worship.  It is equally important for Gospel preachers to recognize the importance of study and preparation to preach, as preachers are given the privilege of declaring God’s word.  Surely, we can recognize that the preaching we partake in on the first day of the week is not something to take and place at the bottom of the list of importance.  Nor is it something that brethren should do thoughtlessly.  Let all of us focus on what we do collectively as our worship to God as every avenue of worship needs to be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)!
 

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Steve Burgoon (is in BMH), Desiree’ Crist, Stacy Regatti, and Joan Croyle.

Men’s Business Meeting:
All male members of the church need to meet in the basement immediately following morning services.

Ladies Class:
The ladies will be meeting to study next Sunday, November 24th, at Kim Lockwood’s house beginning at 2:00.  Those who may be new to the class need to see Kim about how to acquire the book the class is using and what lesson the ladies are on.