September 18, 2013

Not Getting Anything Out of the Assembly

Worship

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1).

David expressed the attitude that we must have when it comes to assembling to worship the Lord – gladness. The assembly of the saints ought to be something to which we look forward.

Unfortunately, many do not look forward to this time. But rather than acknowledging their own poor attitude and making efforts to change their mindset, they often attempt to shift the blame to others. They will say, “I’m not getting anything out of the assembly!” In their minds, this provides justification for them to complain, become sporadic in their attendance, or quit assembling altogether.

In this article, we will focus on the attitude of one who claims to be getting nothing out of the assembly of the church. It is a dangerous attitude and we must guard ourselves against it.
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July 31, 2010

Christians Are To Be Radical, Liberal, and Institutional

Young man thinking

Should we be able to describe faithful Christians as radical, liberal, or institutional? If you have followed the writing and teaching that I have done, you will probably expect me to answer this question in the negative. After all, we are to be conservative and non-institutional, right?

When we use labels such as these, we generally use them in regard to certain erroneous positions, issues, and movements. Yet when we change the context, we can make the case from the Bible that, in certain ways, Christians are to be radical, liberal, and institutional. So let us consider some other ways we can use these terms.
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July 1, 2008

Money Matters

Money in Pocket

Money is a matter of priority to many people in our society. As the economy is a concern in many places around the country, there is a tendency to worry about financial matters. As Christians, we must take heed to what God has instructed with regard to money. The Bible actually has quite a bit to say about the subject. We will consider some of God’s instruction that relates to our finances in this article.
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October 5, 2006

“Now Concerning the Collection” – Part 10: Conclusion

Collection Plate

As we conclude our study on giving, there are three basic points we need to remember:
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October 5, 2006

“Now Concerning the Collection” – Part 9: Examples that Relate to Giving

Collection Plate

Finally, after discussing the instructions given about the act of giving, the attitude we are to have in giving, and factors that should motivate us to give, we will look at some examples to make some final points and to reinforce the points we have already made.
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October 5, 2006

“Now Concerning the Collection” – Part 8: Motivation for Giving

Collection Plate

As Christians, we are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). After discussing various things relating to the collection – the act itself, the nature of giving, our attitude – we should think about some things that will motivate us to improve our giving. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in order to motivate them to carry out their “previously promised bountiful gift” (2 Corinthians 9:5). In doing this, he appealed to three things to encourage them. These points are good for us to consider as well as we seek to improve our giving.
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October 5, 2006

“Now Concerning the Collection” – Part 7: Our Attitude in Giving

Collection Plate

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul gave the brethren instructions about the collection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). These instructions included what was to be done (taking up the collection) and when it was to be done (on the first day of the week). He wrote back to them in a follow-up letter and included teaching about the attitude they should have in giving.
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