Introduction One of the reasons we go to worship every Sunday is to edify ourselves and get “built up” so that we might be able to make it through the coming week. However, most people in the religious world view the word edify incorrectly. In this article we’ll look at what is it and what it isn’t.   Definitions of Edify The definition from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary— 2. To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness. The Greek word for “edifying” and “edification” is oikodome. Literally, it means “building a house.” This is also why we use the phrase, “built up” as mentioned above. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which ...

This week's guest post comes from the La Vista church of Christ and it deals with worship and the virus; is online worship acceptable?

    Introduction      A few years ago, I was returning home from dinner when I passed by a denominational church. The sign out front gave the service times and next to the evening service it said, “Come as You Are”. I thought to myself, “Does this include pajamas and a bathrobe? Or what about swimming trunks and a beach towel?” Some people take a laid-back attitude toward attire in the assembly. We know that there isn’t a dress code for worship but let’s look at some things in regards to proper attire.   Does it Really Matter?   I’ve heard people say in regard to certain clothes: “God doesn’t care what you wear. We’re there to worship him.”  “I want to feel comfortable when I’m sitting in church.”  “This is Arizona, it’s gets too hot for a coat and tie.”  I’m not suggesting to anyone that you should wear a coat and tie. However, it’s our mindset that should help us decide what to wear and not...

  Introduction A statement I once made holds the truth to Christians and the Church; All Christians assemble as the church of Christ, but not all churches of Christ are Christians. It seems confusing at first but once you dissect it, you’ll understand better. In our previous article, we discussed how the church of Christ is not a denomination; that it goes to the original source, the bible, for guidance. Here, we see where some churches of Christ lean away from scripture and chase after denominational trappings.   Why have you done this? In the book of Judges, the children of Israel began to go in their own direction of what God told them to do. Here’s the key passage: Judges 2:1-2, Then the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, 'I will never break My covenant with you. 'And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tea...

  Introduction What goes through your mind as you enter the church building? Are you looking forward to approaching the throne of God? Or Are you looking to be uplifted and entertained? Too many people today go to worship for the wrong reason and with the wrong mindset.   Now Performing… C ongregations today see themselves as the audience rather than the participants. If they aren’t preaching or leading the singing, they consider themselves the audience. They go with a need to be uplifted; made to feel good about themselves so that when they leave the service, they feel better than when they came in. On the surface, that’s not a bad thing. After a week long of trudging through life with job, family, and whatever the news is giving us, we look forward to heading to worship to be encouraged by the message and the general atmosphere. They say they want to be edified but it’s more of a physical desire than a spiritual one. If you look at the megachurches or even the ...

                                                       Introduction We've been looking at the subjects of worship and the church; what is the church, how does one become a member, etc. This week we will look at the acts of worship; the service itself. Since I have broken this down in previous articles I'll provide links for those articles and you can take your time in reading all of them. There are six total as I included "The Invitation" as part of the service. The Acts of Worship Here are the series of articles which include of the acts of worship... Let Us Sing Let Us Pray Let Us Partake (The Lord's Supper) We Give (The Collection) Let Us Study (Preaching the Gospel) The Lord's Invitation Conclusion I hope you've taken the time to read of all of these articles. You will note that this is all that is done in worship to God. If you congregation doe...

  Introduction More and more people are attending churches which appeal to them. They’ll find one with a contemporary service; praise band, choirs, raised arms, and feeling the emotions flow all around. Others simply want to be entertained with skits, comedians, and a short upbeat message that doesn’t focus on sin but rather the psychology of “I’m Okay, You’re Okay”. If this describes the worship service and church where you attend, you can very easily conclude that is not the church of God’s choice. The reason, is that it caters to the flesh rather than the soul. People want to get something out of worship service compared to putting something in it.   I’m Going Church Shopping! Believe it or not there is a website that allows people to go shopping for a church. It lists all of the churches in the local area; ones that want to be on the website, including all of the events, opportunities, and ideals that that church is all about. The advantage this provides for ...

Introduction In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” In the previous article, we learned that the church was not the building itself but the congregation that meets there. If Jesus came to build His church, and it’s a physical building, then why do we not see pictures of it? Why can’t we travel to it? It’s because the church is not a physical structure but a spiritual structure. It’s made up of the faithful individuals who call themselves Christians (Acts 11:26), and live their lives according to God’s word and will (Mt. 7:21). All too often people connect the building rather than the people. You hear stories on the news of someone destroying the church when it’s actually the building. Those who meet there can meet somewhere else and continue to exist. With this in mind, we’ll look at some of the myths and traditions that people hold...

Introduction In Psalms 122:1 it reads, I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." This should be a Christian’s attitude every first day of the week. Yet for some it seems like a burden; “Worship again? We just went last week. How often do we have to go? Every week?!” Stop Going to Church! Since I became a Christian, I stopped going to church. I still attend worship services but I don’t go to church. I don’t forsake the assembling of the saints (Heb. 10:25) but at the same time I don’t go to church.   Confused? For most people this statement sounds absurd. It sounds like I’m contradicting myself; saying one thing and then reversing it in the very next breath. So how can a believer in God, who follows the Bible, not go to Church? The answer is simple, we go to worship! The church is not the building but the people in the local congregation. The term for this is ecclesia ; pronounced (ĭ-klē′zhē-ə,) the definitio...

Introduction Some people who identify themselves as Christians talk about having a personal relationship with God. Some to the point of them referring to Him as “My God”. This is fine until someone gets too personal and changes things in scripture to suit themselves. In Genesis 1:26-27 it reads, Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God created us but the way some people talk, they act as if they are the ones who created God. Social Drinking “My God won’t mind if I have a glass of wine with dinner.” These people understand the scriptures that say drunkenness is a sin (Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21). Therefore, a drink here and there is fine. The author of ...

Acts of Worship, Pt. 6 Introduction In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." This plea is given by God to all individuals of the world; regardless of ethnicity, social status, or tax bracket. It is the call to sinners to repentance (Mk. 2:17) and an opportunity to become a Christian. The Sermon’s Conclusion As the sermon draws to a close, the preacher will extend what is called The Invitation; a chance for those who haven’t obeyed the gospel to come forward and respond, while those who are Christians are given a chance to repent of their sins; especially if it’s public knowledge. The plan of salvation is given for those who haven’t obeyed and are told what they must do to become a Christian. I’m sure you’v...