The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
March 13, 2005
In
This Issue:
Worship
in Spirit and in Truth
by
Tim Johnson
"Thou
Mighty Man of Valor"
by
Sewell Hall
Worshiping
the Snake
by
Whit Sasser
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
Jesus spoke these words in John 4:23 while teaching the Samaritan woman at the well. He was trying to impress upon her the importance of offering proper and acceptable worship unto God. He stated that in verse 24 that "God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." As we come together to worship, we must realize the nature of God and the type of worship that is acceptable unto Him.
Worship in Spirit: David said in Psalms 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" We also should be glad to come before God to worship Him. This should not be a period of time that we dread, but a joyous time to which we eagerly look forward. Furthermore, our worship must be fervent in spirit (Rom. 12:12). While engaged in worship, our thoughts and minds should be centered around what we're doing, whether it's praising God and edifying each other in song, reading a passage from God's holy Word, praying together to our Father in Heaven, laying by in store as we have prospered through the week, observing the Lord's supper, or listening to a lesson being presented from the Bible. We do not want to be guilty of offering profane worship unto God as were those Israelites mentioned in Malachi 1 who complained of the weariness of worship and "brought that which was torn and lame and the sick."
Worship in Truth: Nadab and Abihu, in Leviticus 10, were severely punished for offering "strange fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them." We must make sure that the worship we offer unto the Lord is in accordance with His commandments. Our praise to God must be "the fruit of our lips" (Heb. 13:15). Our prayers should be offered to our Father through His Son, who ever lives to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25). Each one should lay by in store upon the first day of the week (II Cor. 16:1-1) and such offering should be done "as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity (II Cor. 9:7). We are to observe the Lord's supper upon the first day of the week according to the example left by the apostles, and the emblems used in this observance are to be those approved by our Lord when he gave the commandment (I Cor. 11:23-26).
Just as the priests under the old law were to consecrate themselves before offering sacrifices unto God, so we too are to take our worship before God as a serious matter. Let us always strive to "Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth."
-- Tim Johnson
"The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.. Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the Midianites." To what brave and stalwart soldier were these words spoken? To Gideon, a man who truly deserved them - eventually. But when they were first spoken to him, he was far from what the words implied.
If Gideon had ever wielded a sword, there is no record of it. When God called him, he was threshing wheat secretly for fear of the Midianites who regularly plundered his country. Being told by the Lord to throw down Baal's altar, he did so - but under cover of darkness "because he feared his father's house and the men of the city." Before he would even attempt to organize an army, he required not one, but two signs from the Lord involving a fleece and the dew of heaven. And before he was ready to go into battle, God had to grant him yet another omen, allowing him to over hear Midianite soldiers expressing their fear of Gideon. "Mighty man of valour," indeed! God must have been looking at what he would become, and not at what he was.
Simon's friends must have raised their eyebrows when Jesus called him Peter - a stone. How unlike a stone he was throughout the personal ministry! Yet following the resurrection and the encounter with Jesus by the sea, Simon was indeed Peter, exactly what Jesus challenged him to be.
Does not God still deal with us in this way? Sometimes he speaks of the unconverted as His people (Acts 18:10). Those newly converted are addressed as saints, though possessing only the faintest suggestion of that holiness that is implied in the word. They are "children of God," though only beginning to be "partakers of the divine nature." They sit together with Christ in heavenly places," although they are still struggling with the flesh and their old worldly habits.
Shall we not learn from this? Recently, I expressed doubt that a certain alcoholic could ever be changed. Another brother (formerly a heavy drinker himself) disagreed, expressing hope for him. Which of us will be more likely to reach him?
Our children are potentially devout faithful Christians. We must let them know this is what we expect. They must never be labeled "bad." Occasionally they make mistakes, perhaps grievous ones, but these must be dealt with as actions out of harmony with their true character. We are disappointed, but never disillusioned.
If Paul could write to the church in Corinth with all its problems, "I thank my God concerning you all," then surely we can speak positively to any modern congregation. More is accomplished by encouraging and exhorting than by constant browbeating and faultfinding. Regular commendation of what is good lends effectiveness to rebuke when that is necessary. Even to the weak, we may say, "Go in this thy might!"
.-- Sewell Hall
via Westview Weekly; Athens, Alabama
Remember the brass snake Moses erected on a pole, upon which a person could look when bitten by fiery poisonous serpents and be healed? You can read about it in Numbers 21:4-9. Ever wonder what happened to it? No need to wonder. We read in II Kings 18:4, that many centuries later the people of Israel were worshiping it before Hezekiah eventually tore it down.
Jesus says in John 3:14-15, that in a similar way He was to be lifted up for man's salvation, being hung upon a tree (cross), and that mankind will look to that for the healing of their soul's ills. But, just as it happened with the brazen serpent, so many have idolized the cross. Observe the many folks who have taken the cursed form of execution and turned it into an object of adoration. Notice how many make the sign of the cross upon themselves, kiss and wear it as jewelry around their necks, and place it in all sorts of places on Christian's meeting houses. Just as with the Israelites, so with many so-called Christians today; people are idolizing their religion. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (I John 5:21).
-- Whit Sasser