The Truth in Print Vol.
29, Issue 9, Oct. 2023
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
The Great Assembly God
has Given to the Churches
The
great assembly God gives His people under the New Covenant isnt to be sold
short of its work and force!
Of
course, Im speaking highly of the assembly given the local churches of Christ.
Truths
that apply to all members:
Must
worship God in spirit and in truth (Jo 4:24).
In
the assemblies all things are done for edification (I Cor 14:26).
1Co
14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you
has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.
Let all things be done for edification.
In
I Corinthians 14:34-36 the place of women is they cannot usurp authority over
or teach over men (Cf. I Tim 2:11-12) --- churches arent free to make up their
own rules. Liberal so-called church of Christ are far into apostasy now in
allowing women to do that very thing; even to serve as elders which is an
impossibility since elders are to be the husbands of one wife (I Tim 3:2).
In
many situations when the truth is taught on a subject, while error is believed
and taught privately, you find out quickly who is going to do the right thing (Cf.
I Cor 11:19).
There
is to be no compromise with some who are not willing to hear or accept certain
truths.
1Co
14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the
Lord.
1Co
14:38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. ί
No Compromise!
We
dont hide truths from visitors for the simple reason that it is the truth that
convicts and edifies (I Cor 14:24-26). Sound doctrine isnt toned down because
visitors in time past have walked out of classes and assemblies.
All
things must be done decently and in order (I Cor 14:40).
decently [G2156] Thayer def.: 1) in a seemly
manner, decently > from [G2158]: 1a) shapely, graceful, comely, bearing oneself
becomingly in speech or behavior > from [G2095] Thayer: 2) acting well.
CONTENDING
FOR THE FAITH INVOLVES PROPER CONDUCT IN WORSHIP.
Lessons must be scriptural. Those who do not like the
faith arent going to contend for it (Jude 3). When they arent pleased with
what they hear, or know, then all kinds of misconduct emerge during the
assemblies.
YOU
CAN SEE CONDUCT IN THE ASSEMBLY AND NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHAT LIES BEHIND IT.
But
when a grown man who is a member sits hunched over twirling a song book by its
string in worship thats clear evidence of discontent and being unruly. God sees
it!
If
something needs to be corrected what is often the first thing on brethrens
minds? Of course, numbers and how many might get mad, stay mad, and leave.
A
CHURCH CAN HAVE MEMBERS WANTING TO ACT UP DURING THE WORSHIP.
Parents are to be commended for stating it is good
for their kids to hear about conduct, both good and bad, in the assemblies. And
how are they expected to conduct themselves in classes? Conduct can change when
coming into the assembly. Did they slump down in class? Or were they required
to sit up and pay attention?
In the class the Lord is there. Come into the
assembly and the Lord is present. Both are worship! Worship is fellowship (I
Cor 1:9,10:16,10:20).
Why would conduct change from class to the assembly?
The countenance cant be hidden. What truths are not being accepted?
This is the responsibility of all the brethren:
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who
are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Some
members choose to ignore teens visiting, and passing notes back and forth.
At
one church some boys were sitting on the hoods of cars parked beside the church
during class period Sunday morning, rather than being in class. That was explained
with they had a class at one time, but it was a Jonah Class they didnt want
to be taught.
Allowing an unruly pattern of conduct for young
adults will lead to seeing them rush to the cars after dismissal the first
thing is to get out the cell phone suddenly their eyes and ears are wide open
they are now attached to where their heart is.
Young
women have been known for using cry-rooms as social hang outs Mommy Friends replaces
worship.
The
meeting in the cry-room is like in the bathroom where brethren are visiting and
talking about secular things during the sermon.
Bathroom
mindsets and breaks can erringly be ho-hum, just killing time checking my
phone looking at Facebook thinking about what Ill be doing after services
are over even texting someone.
Brethren
have come back from the bathroom to see someone in the back of the auditorium looking
at Facebook.
When
a visitor gets out his computer, crosses his legs, and props himself back, and
appears to be reading about on his own choosing he might just be killing time
to avoid listening to applicable teaching. When the appearance of the phone and
the fingers at times seems to indicate texting one might really be texting
during the assembly.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening 7:00 pm
To learn more call,
visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com