Articles
Fellowship
Fellowship
By Lily Sullivan, October 1, 2024
In gathered hearts, a flame ignites,
In prayerful whispers, faith unites.
Through trials shared and laughter’s grace,
We find our strength in love’s embrace.
In sacred bonds, we delve so deep,
With kindness sown, our souls to keep.
Together, we face the world’s vast sea,
In fellowship with Christ, we are truly free.
With scripture shared and hymns that rise,
We seek the truth beyond the skies.
In every story, every tear,
The ultimate joy of Christ draws near.
Behaving Oneself in God’s House
From the Series: Etiquette in the Church Services
By J. Wiley Adams
“…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God...” 1Timothy 3:15.
We emphasize the necessity of a proper behavior pattern in the church. I was born and reared in eastern Virginia at a time when social etiquette was a way of life. Those who did not regard it were social outcasts. Some things were “proper” and some things were “improper”. The men were chivalrous toward the women. The aged were revered. Courtesy was characteristic of those who wished to be regarded as ladies and gentlemen. Youth deferred to the elderly. Dignity and propriety were virtues not to be disregarded by anyone. To do so would be to stigmatize oneself in the eyes of the community.
Going to church services was always a special thing at our house. Whatever was our best, we put it on. Shoes were shined on Saturday evening out on the back porch all ready for Sunday. Trousers were pressed and shirts were starched. Dresses and blouses were ironed to perfection. We were going to worship God. It was special, so our attire was also special. It is a reproach on our generation, I believe, when some dress for worship as if they are going fishing, camping, or just “hanging around”. We have gone crazy over being casual about nearly everything. Brethren, worshipping God is not and cannot be casual. Let us show even by our apparel that worship is a special occasion. Casual clothes may have their proper place, but we associate them with the ordinary and not with that which is special. Our clothes suggest an activity, whether we want to believe that or not. It has an effect on our attitude and the attitudes of others near us, whether we want to believe that or not.
I remember as a lad attending two or three weddings. We really spruced up for that. It would have been an insult to the bride and groom and their families to have come to their wedding improperly attired. Today there are many who still recognize this propriety and always wear garments suited to the occasion. It always offends me to see people disregard such. Even so, I have seen some attend weddings so sloppily and casually attired as to stand out in the crowd. Did not our Lord make reference to one who came to a wedding without a wedding garment? (Matt. 22:13) In this he not only showed regard for proper custom but he taught a lesson about spiritual garments for those who are members of the bride of Christ, the church. The spiritual attire for the Christian is a robe of righteousness. He must not be found without it.
We have seen brethren show more respect for the dead than at the worship services. When there is a death, friends and relatives dress themselves in somber clothing or robes of mourning. This is out of respect for the dead and the sad occasion. Yet some who have known a month ahead that they would be serving at the Lord’s table get up before all dressed as if they were going on a hike in the woods right after services. They feel nothing special about the memorial of the death of Christ for our sins. They show it even by their manner of dress. Something is wrong somewhere. Most of them have “dress up” clothing. If they did not have such, then whatever is our best ought to be worn. It is a reflection on our times when there is more respect shown in manner of dress for a wedding, funeral, or social function than for the worship of Almighty God.
Not a few preachers have joined the world according to their appearance in the pulpit and in the classroom. There was a time when preachers regarded their standing before an audience to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ as an occasion to be characterized by great dignity. It was reflected in their appearance, speech, and manner. I remember brother Franklin T. Puckett as he would stand in the pulpit or before a class of his “preacher boys” at Florida College. He was articulate in both his manner and his dress. He was the picture of dignity and propriety. It was a proper example. Alas, it is not that way with some today who preach, both young and old. Brethren, if you are going to preach, lay aside the street talk, the street manners, and above all the street attire. If the preaching of God’s Word does not demand this, then I must have been reading from the wrong book. Brethren, let us give some consideration to the improvement of our spiritual etiquette. (From Searching the Scriptures, May 1980, pp 105-6)
A Moments Wisdom
--“Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a potential curse.” (Sophocles)
--Children are like boats; they go in the right direction when paddled from the rear.
--“When the existence of the family and thereby the human reality of fatherhood and motherhood is defamed as an alleged hindrance to freedom; when honesty, obedience, fidelity, patience, kindness, and trust are portrayed as inventions of the ruling classes, and our children are taught hatred, mistrust, and disobedience (since these are the true virtues of the man who liberates himself from God) -- then the Creator Himself and His creation are at stake, for the intention is the complete replacement of His creation by another world that man will create for himself.” (J.C. Ratzinger)
--“Any preacher who is too big to preach in a little church is too little to preach in a big church.” (Vance Havner)
--Make your marriage your own. Don’t look at other marriages and wish you had something else. Work to shape your marriage so that it is satisfying for both of you.
--The church is not a cruise ship where a few serve everyone else who is relaxing; the church is a battleship where it is “all hands on deck,” and everyone serves the mission.
--When a father attends church services, there is a 93% chance that everyone else in the house will, too.
--If you ain’t willin’ to work for it, then don’t be complainin’ cause you ain’t got it.
--Yes, God is in control, but He doesn’t expect you to lean on a shovel and pray for a hole.
Upcoming Sermons
12/8/24 AM - What is Worship?; PM - Growing Out of High Maintenance
12/15/24 AM - Confession is Good for the Soul; PM - The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
12/22/24 AM - “All Things are Ready; Come to the Feast!”; PM - Bridging the Generation Gap in churches of Christ
12/29/24 AM - Guest Speaker: Isaac Hall; PM - Doug Sanders - Where Did They Come From?
