Is One Church Reasonable?

The month of September means the beginning of the college football season. We cheer our favorite teams, and anticipate winning seasons. Each college and university participating in intercollegiate football will have one varsity team. Only one group of players is authorized to wear the official uniform of the team and participate. In fact, penalties would be exacted if another group of players or even if a couple of players not listed on the official roster were to be dressed out for the game.
Is it narrow minded that each college or university has only one varsity team? After all, there are always young men on campus who played high school football players, and perhaps were star players. There are also young men enrolled as students who dreamed even in their youth of playing college football. Maybe there is an undiscovered football talent, who with some training could be a star player. If such a young man came to the dressing room on Saturday desiring to be given a uniform, he would be denied a uniform.
Simply put, each college and university has only one official varsity team. No one would seriously consider that close-minded or arrogant. It is accepted because of the rules of the governing athletic authorities.
The idea that the Lord has only one church is in the minds of many people very arrogant and narrow minded. As Jesus said in response to Peter’s confession that He was the Christ, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The apostle Paul emphasizes that the church is the body over which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22,23), and he also stresses, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). It is certainly significant that Acts 2:47 records, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This is the church referred to as being “According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).
As set forth in the New Testament, the church is a unique and distinctive body. To accept as authentic other religious groups which are styled as “churches” is to accept that which does not have the Lord’s authority. The one church is a part of God’s plan for saving mankind. As the apostle Paul exclaimed in praise to God, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:21).

A Good Chain Reaction

Driving in the rain can be dangerous. On Thursday morning of this past week there was a chain reaction kind of wreck in front of an area school involving approximately four vehicles. From my perspective, I probably missed being in the middle of it by just a couple of moments.

I wonder what caused this chain reaction wreck to occur? Was someone inattentive to his or her responsibility of safely driving? Had someone woke up “on the wrong side of the bed?” Or perhaps the cause was entirely due to the weather conditions of the moment.

The scene I saw on this rainy morning was a vivid reminder that our actions often impact the lives of others. The church is always benefited when there is always an increase of enthusiasm and dedication. Will you help to start this kind of “chain reaction”?

“Not lagging in spirit, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

"I Was Raised Church Of Christ"

Recently a woman related to me, “I was raised church of Christ.” But she quickly told me that she is now a member of a denominational group. I do not know if she ever obeyed the gospel, or the extent of her family’s involvement in the church.
During the past several days or so I have thought a great deal about this woman’s comment. Many of these thoughts relate to our young people. Here are some of these thoughts:
· Are we doing all we can to ground them in the truth of God’s Word? Do they understand the beauty and nature of pure New Testament Christianity as it relates to such issues as the exclusive nature of the Lord’s church, the New Testament pattern of acceptable worship, and the absolute nature of Truth?
· Are our young people learning that Christianity is more than a part of one’s life, but it is that which is to have a real impact in every area of their life?
· As adults, are we setting before them the right kind of example of New Testament Christianity? Do they vividly see Christian love and compassion in action? Are they daily observing from our lives the importance of real faith and trust in the Lord?
· Will any of our young people in years to come leave the Lord’s church for denominationalism, and make this comment I recently heard, “I was raised in the church of Christ?”
I remain convinced that the best natural resource we have in the Lord’s church today is our young people. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and attitudes can be inspiring. Their potential is probably greater than we often realize. Indeed, we owe them our very best efforts in teaching them the Lord’s will and way.

The Wonder Of Worship

Only mankind is given by God the privilege of worshipping Him. From the depths of our being we can express the longings of our hearts in praise and adoration to Him in whose image we have been created. Worship is an opportunity for us to magnify the Lord.
The priority we give to worship goes deeper than our attendance to worship services. It extends to the focus and concentration that characterizes our worship. A danger we must guard against is allowing ourselves to worship using a kind of “auto-pilot” approach. For example, when it’s time to sing, we sing. When someone begins to lead prayer, we may bow our heads and close our eyes. But our hearts may not be wholly involved.
Please notice the following the following texts from the Psalms that emphasize the wonder of worship:
“Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (29:2). Here we are reminded that the focus of worship is not about what I can gain. But rather worship is to involve giving glory to the Lord. Individually, our worship is an offering unto the Lord. Proper worship will be a reflection of the nature of God.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (95:6). Our worship is an acknowledgement of our need for the Lord. Therefore our worship needs to be an expression of our humility before the Lord.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (100:4). Worship provides us with an opportunity to express thanksgiving to the Lord from the depths of our being. Without the Lord, we would have and be nothing. Truly, we are thankful to the Lord for salvation, His Word, and the continual blessings we receive from Him.

“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (122:1). A keen sense of anticipation should characterize our worship. To be sure, we should never approach worship with a sense of drudgery. Worship is a precious privilege extended to us by our heavenly Father to express our love to the Lord, and to draw closer unto Him.

Use It Now, Before It Is Gone

It is just after 8:00 on a Thursday morning. I have been out of bed for almost two hours. I ponder how that this day is ticking away, moment by moment. If I am to continue to make progress on making today productive, I must maintain my concentration and dedication to the tasks before me.

Solomon warns, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). An easy temptation today is to think about tomorrow. After all, I can remember yesterday. And today was yesterday’s tomorrow. But properly considered, today is a gift from the Lord. How I use today will be a reflection of my appreciation to Him for the gift of today.

The following are some guidelines in making each day count.

Take Time To Let God Speak To You Through His Word.

May our attitude be as David’s toward God’s Word, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The word of instruction, encouragement, or reminder that you receive today from the Bible may be exactly what you will need as you face whatever is before you tomorrow or next week.

Take Time To Speak To God Through The Avenue Of Prayer.

What a wonderful privilege is granted to us as God's children to come to Him in prayer. For the faithful of God, we are promised that we can approach Him with assurance, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Neglecting prayer today will make it easier to neglect prayer tomorrow.

· Take Time To Show An Active Interest In The Lives Of Others

The apostle Paul taught Christians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). To be sure, this is not a justification for being nosey about another person’s life. But it does teach that we need to be alert to opportunities to assist other people, as we have opportunity (see also Galatians 6:10). The word of encouragement you speak to another person today has the possibility of making a profound difference in their life for many years to come. Indeed, we need to actively care for other people. Tomorrow it may be too late to show the care and concern that needs to be shown today.