Worship Archives - Chapman Acres

What We Gain Every Time We Meet

8th January, 2017 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Sometimes we approach our service to God with questions like, “Do I have to?” This tends to take an approach that leads to the feeling of forced service or drudgery. Instead, what if we focused on the positive benefits that we gain when we meet together? To that end, I’d like to remind us of what we are doing when we come together as a church. Another reason for this reminder is that it is all too easy for us to get wrapped up in the entanglements of the world, even though they might be matters that are not in themselves sinful. Even so, they take time and energy, and sometimes God and His people get pushed to the back seat of busy lives. We’ve all struggled with this. We don’t usually do this purposefully, but gradually over time we allow more and more of the activities of the busy world take time and energy from us and we lose out on the ability to make the most of opportunities as we face evil days (Eph. 5:15-17).

“Opportunities” is the operative term. Meeting together is indeed a commitment of time and energy, but these are also great opportunities to learn, grow, and come away with a renewed sense of zeal and purpose. We find the time to do what we value and love, so let’s be reminded of the value

of coming together as a congregation dedicated to serving the Lord.

Every time we meet, we gain opportunities:

To Praise God in Unity with Others. We have been redeemed to the praise and glory of God (see Eph. 1:3-14). We want to be with other redeemed people so that we can praise and glorify Him together. After making the point that we need to redeem the time because the days are evil, Paul continued, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph. 5:18-20). By doing this together, we show unity and encourage each other.
To Receive Strong Biblical Teaching. The word of God will be read and taught, whether in classes or general assemblies. Even in our singings, we are teaching biblical concepts and principles. But make no mistake: we are committed here to present the strongest biblical messages we can. We are committed to Scripture as God’s word, and we will hold this standard out for all to hear and follow. As Paul told Timothy, so we will do: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2). You will, therefore, have opportunities to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18).
To Have Fellowship with other Christians. Do not underestimate the power and importance of having fellowship in person with brothers and sisters in Christ. We are here to share jointly in the spiritual blessings of Christ. When we meet, we will see examples of faith and love. We will see godly people showing us what it means to be faithful. We will see Christians loving one another. We want to develop that family bond, and we need each other present to do so. By this, we will have the opportunity to lift up and encourage others who might be weak or struggling (Heb. 12:12). We will stimulate one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:23-25). We need this time of fellowship together.
To Recommit ourselves to the Lord. Of course we can do this anytime, but when we come together we are especially reminded of how important it is to be dedicated and committed to the Lord every day. By meeting with the brethren every opportunity we have, we will be showing our commitment and will be reminded of the need to cast off the old man of sin to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). We ought to leave every meeting with a renewed commitment to serve our great God daily.

We realize that there are issues that can prevent us from attending (e.g., sickness), and some situations are difficult. Nevertheless, we need to see the value of what we gain when we are present, and what we miss when we are absent, whatever the reason. We need to develop a longing and love for the assemblies. Think, also, of the impact this love and commitment will have on our children and future generations. If you’ve not been in the habit of coming every time the doors are open for classes and assemblies, please reconsider and think of what you are missing and what you will gain, and how you will help so many others. Let’s cherish our times together.

By Doy Moyer

Simply Christians

22nd May, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

We read with interest the reports on every hand of the growing disenchantment with present religious forms which originated in the Middle Ages and have become meaningless. We hear of displeasure with denominational structures and their pronouncements which reflect only the preferences of influential elite, ignoring the convictions of the rank and file. Because of these aspects of modern religion, some have decided that Christianity is not even relevant to this day and age. We believe they have so decided because they are not sufficiently acquainted with the scriptures to be able to distinguish between the relevant gospel of Christ, and the things men have added to religion since, and which truly are not relevant to serving God.

If some of these things have troubled you, and you have felt an urge, or even a yearning, to return to the simple uncomplicated religion of Christ, and if you have felt the desire to strip away all non-essential elements of religion and simply abide by the truths of Christ, truths which alone can transform the soul and bind it to God, let us suggest that such a possibility actually exists.

Let us begin with one essential fact. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His coming (Gen. 49:10), His mission (Is. 53; Zech. 6:13), and His new message (Jer. 31:31-33) were all foretold in the Old Testament, which Jehovah used to govern Israel until the Christ should come and establish the New for all mankind (Gal. 3:19)!

The New Testament is the word of Christ. It reveals the religion of Christ (Heb. 9:15-17). By studying it we become aware that among the followers of Christ no denominational organizations have existed whatsoever. All such began at a later time. We see people hearing the gospel and in faith obeying the conditions of God’s grace. That is, they turned to God and were baptized in order to be forgiven of their sins. Being thus saved, they were added to the Lord’s people, or church (Acts 2:36-47). As the gospel spread, we find them assembling together in congregations in various localities. Each congregation was under its own elders (Acts 14:23) and no one else on earth. These elders could not make laws or be masters. They were given the responsibility of tending and caring for the congregation as shepherds would a flock (Acts 20:17,28; 1Pet. 5:1-3)! The only headquarters those disciples knew was heaven, where their head Jesus Christ was and is (Eph. 1:22-23).

Their worship was something to participate in, not something to watch. On the first day of the week, for instance, they would eat the Lord’s Supper and hear preaching (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29). They would share their mutual responsibilities by sharing their prosperity, and we find contributions being collected on no other day than the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Incidentally, no hierarchy could tax them or tell them how much to give. They had no organizations clamoring for their support. They gave as they individually purposed in their own heart (2 Cor. 9:6-7). In their assemblies they all would sing (Eph. 5:19), and all pray with various ones leading (1 Cor. 14:15-16). In all this they were all necessarily involved, for each saved person was a priest (Rev. 1:5-6). No one could perform his service or worship for him.

They lived godly lives. They cared for their poor. They taught others. They sent out preachers where they could not go. With simplicity of faith and fervor there was no need of centralization. Without organized machinery the gospel was preached throughout civilization in a short time (Col. 1:23). These disciples of Christ were known as Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). They wore no sectarian names. Their religion was not sensual or materialistic. They sought not to impress men with pious ceremony. They sought to impress God with the only thing that has ever impressed him, contrite obedience (1 Sam. 15:22). Their appeal was not social or recreational. They offered the gospel to a troubled world for it was God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16), and any other appeal was beneath them. ”

If only such could be today,” many say. But it is! Free men and women over the earth have despaired of denominationalism, seeing in it no necessity or relevance and only a cause of division. They desire the simplicity of what Christ authored. They are related and connected only in Christ and not in some earthly organization.

A group of such people meets within minutes of where you live. We are just Christians. We worship and serve God in the same way as the early disciples. Christ is our only creed and the Scriptures our only guide. We are not members of any human denomination, but simply a congregation, or church, of Christ. We would like thus to share Christ with you and with the entire world.

You too can be just a Christian and serve God without belonging to any denomination, bound by no denominational laws or obligations. If such freedom appeals to you, please visit with us, or contact us.

By Dale Smelser

The Lord’s Supper

17th April, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Christians seeking to follow the New Testament pattern gather each first day of the week to eat the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). They also realize that this Supper is to be eaten in remembrance of Jesus’ death and with a full awareness of what they are doing (1 Corinthians 11:23- 29). Since those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner become weak, sick and even spiritually dead (1 Corinthians 11:30), the disciple who does the opposite and partakes in a worthy manner finds in the Lord’s Supper and its communion with the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16) an opportunity to be strengthened spiritually.

The following thoughts are intended to help each to examine himself and partake of this divinely given feast in a way that will please God and at the same time be beneficial to him. In the following meditations the greatest benefits will be obtained by those who can personalize each thought as Paul did in Galatians 2:20 when he wrote of Jesus “who loved me and gave himself for me.” Please read each mediation as having direct and personal reference to you.

Meditate on the Following…

Jesus left the glories of heaven. What kind of love was required to move One to leave a place of perfection and come to this world,

especially when He knew the suffering He would face? “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

See Him as He was “exceedingly sorrowful” at Gethsemane. Appreciate the agony as He prayed that the cup might pass from Him, but insisted that He would carry through with the Father’s will so that sinners might be saved. (Matthew 26:36-44)

Imagine the pain and disappointment as Judas betrays Him; the other disciples forsake Him and flee; and Peter denies three times that he even knows Him. (Matthew 26:47-56, 69-75)

Go with Jesus as He is mocked, blindfolded (Mark 14:65), spat on, and slapped. (Matthew 26:67, 68)

Try to feel some of the pain He experienced when the brutal scourging cut the flesh of His back. Think about the humiliation of the scarlet robe, crown of thorns, and reed scepter. And don’t forget why He did it. (Matthew 27:26-31)

See Him carrying His cross to Calvary (John 18:17) and remember that bearing your cross for Him (Luke 9:23) is a reasonable request from One who literally bore His cross for you.

At Calvary the Lord was subjected to shame and humiliation as His clothes were stripped from Him and divided among the soldiers. Insults continued to be hurled at Him. And of course He suffered that horrible, incredibly painful death on the cross (Matthew 27:35-51). “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

All these thoughts are deserving of consideration during the Lord’s Supper, but there is more. While this memorial is intended to be a time of serious reflection, it is not intended to be a depressing experience. Consider a few more meditations celebrating the victory Jesus has gained for all who accept His grace.

Travel with Mary Magdalene and the other women to the tomb on Sunday morning and see their joy when they learn that He has risen. Watch Thomas’ doubts disappear as he proclaims, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28)

Walk with the apostles out to the Mount of Olives and see the risen Savior ascend into heaven (Acts 1:4-12) to be highly exalted and given the “name which is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

Rejoice in the fact that while in heaven He serves as a sympathizing mediator, knowing the struggles you face. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Allow the Lord’s Supper to remind you that He is coming again to deliver His people and allow them to live with Him forever. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Also see 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 1:3-9; et al.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Think on these things.

By John Gibson

Welcome

3rd April, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Thank you for picking up and taking the time to read this bulletin! If you are visiting with us from the community or a nearby congregation, we want you to know we are grateful for your presence with us. Your presence is an encouragement to us, and it is our most earnest desire that our worship has been beneficial to you and favorable in the sight of God, our Savior. If it’s your first time being with us or you are unsure of why we do the things we do, allow us to explain.

The church of Christ at Chapman Acres is an independent, non-denominational group of Christians whose goal is to serve God, the Creator and Savior. Free from the authority of man-made creeds or charters, our only standard is the Bible. Our only model is the church that Jesus established, of which we read in the New Testament. While we pray for and encourage other churches who seek to follow the New Testament pattern, the church at Chapman Acres maintains no organizational ties with other congregations either in our local area or abroad.

Our God-given duty as a group is to spread the Gospel locally and abroad, to encourage the members of the church, and to help Christians who are in spiritual or physical need. We do not provide recreation or entertainment. God has given His church much more important work with eternal consequences. Our job is to help everyone we know be saved.

We read in the New Testament that Christians regularly met together to worship and study. They sang songs in order to praise God and encourage one another. They prayed together. They contributed financially to the work of the church. Teaching and Bible reading were essential parts of their activities. In addition, we read that they regularly met on the first day of the week to observe the Lord’s Supper and remember the sacrifice that makes it all possible. These simple, spiritual activities are what you will find at Chapman Acres.

We would love for you to visit with us. You will find a friendly greeting, reverent worship, group Bible study, and teaching from the Bible. Feel free to contact us if you wish to study with any of the men or women of the church at a place of your choice. Our prayer is that you dedicate yourself to the Lord and seek His will. We will help in any way we can.

[This description of the saints which meet at Chapman Acres can be found, along with much more information, at www.chapmanacres.org.]

In addition to finding more information about the church that worships and works together here in Huntsville through our website, you can also “like” our page on Facebook (Chapman Acres church of Christ), and stay connected with us through that medium.

Not only will you be able to keep up with the news at Chapman Acres, but it will also give you an opportunity to think on spiritual things throughout the day, as we often try to place thought-provoking and spiritually-engaging posts.

Again, thank you for visiting us and taking the time to read this. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help you draw nearer to God.

The Christians at Chapman Acres

In addition to welcoming our guests from the community and other congregations we also want to extend a warm welcome to our brother and special guest, Greg Chandler.

We have been looking forward to this week for some time and have been praying for the success of the Gospel through this effort. We thank you for coming our way and anticipate your lessons from the word of God. God bless, brother!

“So [we] sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Acts 10:33

Welcoming Newcomers

14th February, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

The man was a newcomer in town. On his first morning he went into the local restaurant for breakfast. Around a large round table was a group of locals eating breakfast, drinking coffee, and sharing stories and laughs. He could tell he didn’t belong in that circle, so he quietly found a booth where he would eat alone. If one in that circle had gone over to him, introduced himself, and invited him to join the group, he might have accepted or politely declined, but he would have been impressed with the friendliness of the town into which he had moved and might have been inclined to return to the restaurant to speak again to the man who had befriended him.

On the Lord’s Day, he went to worship with the church. As he walked in he noticed several groups standing together, enjoying conversation. He could tell they were close friends who had known each other a long time. He was hesitant to join any of the groups, so he quietly went to seek out a place where he could worship. When he came to the first pew, however, it was filled with notebooks and Bibles, so he knew that seat was not for him. He went on to the next, but there was a line of footstools, and so it went until he found a place in the middle of a pew that seemed not to be “reserved.” There were a few polite “hellos,” but his reception was hardly better than it had been at the local restaurant. He “just didn’t seem to belong.”

Does the Bible not speak of some who “just didn’t belong”? “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4). The poor man would know “he didn’t belong in that group.” But one does not have to be poor to feel that a group is not warmly receiving him.

Efforts to Correct the Problem

Some churches appoint “greeters” who stand at the door to welcome visitors. This no doubt is helpful. The visitor can recognize, however, that the “greeter,” no matter how warm and friendly he may be, is fulfilling a role given to him. Consequently his good work cannot substitute for spontaneous warmth, friendliness, and concern on the part of the congregation as a whole.

Others deliberately “dress down” so that a visitor who comes in casual clothes will not feel uncomfortable. We appreciate the thought and are very respectful of brethren who are doing this, but we wonder about the effectiveness of this practice. After all, there are people who have been taught from childhood that when they go to worship, they should wear their “Sunday best,” and when they find the whole group dressed in jeans, they might wonder about their disregard for the occasion. We would also ask:

If a man in a suit showed genuine warmth to a visitor in jeans, would his warmth not communicate that he doesn’t judge others by the clothes they wear?

The Answer: Genuine Concern for Others

An incident that occurred several years ago provides the best answer. A young lady, a member of a denomination, had married a Christian. Having promised to attend services with him, she found a seat and immediately said, “I wonder whose seat we have.” “You don’t have anyone’s seat,” the lady seated in front of her said, “You are welcome here and you can sit anywhere you like.” “My heart just melted,” the young lady told me later. Is it surprising that a few months later she was baptized? Her husband now serves as a deacon.

Concern for others! Counting others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4)! Leaving our little group of friends to welcome a visitor! Even going up to a visitor whom we see in the parking area, introducing ourselves, welcoming him, and introducing him to others! Giving up our “end of the pew” seat so the visitor doesn’t have to crawl over us. This is the answer.

By the way, our newcomer learned of another faithful church in town and went to worship with them the next Sunday. He was welcomed warmly and he soon asked to be received in the group. And the first church wonders why the church across town is growing while they seem to be stagnant?

Article by Bill Hall

Rock Music Packs the Pews

24th January, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Attendance sagging? Experiencing the “graying out” of the local flock? The Rev. Paige Blair can take care of your woes by rejuvenating the worship service where you attend! Her worship format will have the parishioners dancing by the altar! She has done “wonders” for some Episcopal congregations in the United States and the same revival could benefit your church!

Recent news stories have detailed a new strategy being used to re-invigorate stagnating congregations of the Episcopal denomination in this nation. Paige Blair, an Episcopal parish priest, has created a worship format which weaves songs by the rock band U2 into the liturgy. The objective of this strategy is to attract young people and social activists to congregations dwindling in size and aging in their demographics. U2 was probably selected as the rock band of choice for a couple of reasons. First, the lyrics of many U2 songs make references to the Bible and religion. Second, U2’s lead singer Bono is an advocate of efforts to alleviate global poverty and thus the band appeals to social activists.

If judged by increased attendance to eucharist services, these rock-n-roll worship services are a resounding success. Worshippers bothered by the volume of the music are offered ear plugs. Plasma-screen televisions, streamers in the “sanctuaries” and fluorescent glow sticks wielded by worshippers complete the ambiance of the worship service.

Not everyone is totally thrilled with these changes. Some of U2’s song lyrics apparently express doubt and anger about the fact that God allows human suffering. Some worshippers are puzzled by the use of U2, an Irish rock bank described as “traditional rock’n’rollers – they swear, drink and sing about sex.”

The Episcopalians are only doing on a small scale what mega-churches are doing on a larger scale. Find out what “un-churched” people want and give it to them in religious packaging. The Episcopalians are clearly amateurs in this arena. Think of the possibilities! Churches on the “go” could integrate some connection to current entertainment interests into “worship” services. We’ve missed “March Madness,” the recent college basketball tournament, but the NBA finals would work just as well. Surely we could find some basketball player with an emotionally-evoking religious experience to highlight each week in the sermon. The congregation could post game results in the bulletin and playoff stats on a large bulletin board in the auditorium. Worshippers could even develop closer relationships to one another as they speculate about which team will be eliminated this week. Just think about what could be done with NASCAR (instead of the twelve apostles, the young people could memorize the top twelve drivers on the circuit this week)! Don’t forget the “Football in the Fall” evangelism campaign! I wonder if we could get Hank Williams, Jr. to do a rendition of “Are you ready for worship?” that could be played before each worship service? Did I mention “American Idol”?

The marketing strategy of “give them what they want” employed by some churches is a far cry from the reverent, God-centered worship offered by early Christians. There is a complete paradigm shift from offering praise according to divine instructions to the entertainment and gratification of worldly “worshippers.” For many churches, it’s not about honoring God, but “packing the pews.” In the rush to fill church buildings, people forget to listen to what God has to say about acceptable worship (Colossians 3:17; John 4:24).

The church of the New Testament was not concerned with “marketing strategies.” The early Christians “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). The apostle Paul identified the gospel of Christ as the “power of God to salvation” and wrote of his determination to appeal to the Corinthians on that basis only (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Apparently he did not understand the effectiveness of presenting biblical truths in the lyrics of rock and roll, but instead instructed early Christians to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). The “give them what they want” strategy will fill church buildings with bodies, but won’t produce spiritually-minded disciples of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

By Allen Dvorak

Helping Visitors Feel Welcome

10th January, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Our public assemblies consist mostly of Christians. This is to be expected as those that have made the decision to be followers of Christ will make a priority to gather with other Christians to glorify God and encourage each other. We are blessed, however, to most often not only assemble with other Christians but to usually have visitors join in to our services to worship God.

Visitors, (we are using this description for someone who does not form a part of the body of Christ) are not a novelty of the 21^st century. In New Testament times local churches also had visitors join their assemblies. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:23, 24 gives a hypothetical example of those who are uninformed or unbelievers (visitors) joining the Corinthian’s public assembly. James 2:2 also speaks of two men coming into the assembly of a local church: “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes…”.

In past lessons and articles we have discussed techniques and methods of inviting visitors to know Jesus and to worship with His redeemed body. But what do we do when they come to our assemblies? How do we treat them? Below are some suggestions on helping visitors feel welcome in our assemblies.

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

If you would be nervous walking into a room full of people you did not know and did not know what to expect nor what the sermon would be addressing, then you ought to be able to identify with the butterflies that visitors may be feeling when they walk into our assembly. Attempt to see the vantage point of visitors and then do all you can to dispel any notions of fear by…

Smile, Be Friendly

A smile is universal, needs no translation, and communicates friendliness. There is no need to be an overly enthusiastic Chick-fil-a employee, but greeting someone with a warm, sincere smile can put visitors at ease and make them feel more welcome.

Show No Partiality

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4)

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself, ’you do well” (James 2:8).

De-clutter

Having kindly greeted our guests, visitors will usually then proceed to pick a pew (typically toward the back of the auditorium), and it is at this moment that they have a crucial decision to make: whose “assigned seat” do I occupy and in the process, irk.

Of course, we do not have “assigned seats” but most of us have a pew where we prefer to sit and keep our belongings. Nothing is wrong with this as most of us are creatures of habit and enjoy sitting where we have always taken our seat and knowing that out things will be there the next time we come together. That being said, most of us (author included) could probably do a better job of de-cluttering our personal pew with the intention of not discouraging visitors to sit where they please.

Thank Them

After the service is complete (or after the Bible study and before the worship service) express your appreciation to our guest for making time in his schedule to seek the things above. While it is hard to intimately get to know somebody in a quick exchange, we would be surprised how much we can learn about a person if we are willing to invest our time in listening and talking with folks

This list is not intended to limit the ways we can make visitors feel welcomed, but if we are not doing these things, then it may be a good place to start.

Isaac Muñoz

He Missed One Service

6th September, 2015 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Paul Harvey once reported on his noon news of a 73 year old man who was pinned beneath his farm tractor for four days and nights in driving rain and a terrible storm. Concerned friends went to see about him just in time. It seems that he is going to live after his ordeal, but he will lose a leg below the knee.

Several newspapers picked up on this little story and centered upon the amazing fact that a 73 year old man could live after being pinned beneath a tractor for four days. Yes, all of that is amazing, but a more amazing fact is what caused his friends to go to see about him. One friend gave as the reason for this visit that, “He missed prayer meeting Wednesday night.” That’s all? He just missed one service and his friends went to check on him?

One preacher remarked, “I believe there are two possible suppositions we can make about this incident.” Consider the following:

On the one hand we could suppose that this man was so faithful and regular in his church attendance that everyone knew that if he was not there, something had to be seriously wrong. A question: What if you had been the one pinned under the tractor? Would your absence have been noticed? Or, are you so irregular in attendance that everyone would assume you decided to sleep in, or go to the lake? How many services have you missed in the last three months? Could you honestly classify yourself as a faithful, regular worshipper?

On the other hand, we could assume that the people in this man’s congregation have such a concern for the souls of men that when anyone, no matter how regular or irregular they are in attendance, missed a service they went to see about them.

I don’t know which of the preacher’s assumptions might be the more plausible, but I would like to see more men and more congregations like what he describes.

Christians need to remember Hebrews 10:22-25. No Christian can draw near unto God, hold fast the confession of his hope, or consider his brethren to provoke them unto love and good works who forsakes the assembling of the brethren together.

I have observed some church members that pick and choose which services to attend according to their mood or according to what TV program is scheduled. These folks are here-again-gone-again and hit-and-miss at the services.

Weak brethren seem to think, “Well, so what if I’m just at services every now and then? If that’s the worst sin I ever commit, I’ll make it to heaven.” But are you sure of that? The Bible says that all sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). We can lose our souls over just one unrepented sin (Acts 8:13-24).

How many times does a person have to miss to be wrong? The first time is a sin as much as the fourth time or the fortieth time—if it is willful absence.

Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou are neither cold not hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Are you cold? Just exactly how faithful are you? Would you be missed if you missed just one service? Do you check on your missing brethren?

“…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Author Unknown

What Does it Take?

12th April, 2015 · Chapman · Leave a comment

John Gibson

In recent years, Christians concerned about the danger of becoming sluggish (Hebrews 6:11-12), losing their first love (Revelation 2:4-5), or falling into lukewarmness (Revelation 3:15-16) have suggested some radical changes to the collective worship of the local church. Books such as Spilt Grape Juice by Mike Root and Radical Restoration by F. LaGard Smith, along with concepts borrowed from various evangelicals and community church leaders, have had a great impact in a number of places.

In his influential book, Smith manufactured quotes such as “Not Ritual, but spiritual” and “Not Rules, but righteousness” and attributed them to Jesus (Radical Restoration, p. 22). Some have lampooned their fellow-saints with somewhat humorous statements such as, “Though we sing about ‘standing on the promises,’ we’re really just ‘sitting on the premis-es.’” When you add to this the legitimate concerns about complacency among Christians, in many locales a climate necessary to introduce significant change has been established.

What kind of changes are we speaking of? Instead of sitting in rows that face the front, we are urged to turn and face one another in a circle as we sing. It may be suggested that “the mausoleum-like meetinghouse” is holding us back, so we should seek a park in which, in the presence of God’s glorious creation, we may be revived. To make the Lord’s Supper more relevant and meaningful we may be urged to dim the lights or in-crease the portion sizes of the bread and fruit of the vine. Some have suggested that we would be helped in our observance of the Lord’s Sup-per by turning to our neighbors and sharing with them our testimony about what the death of Jesus has meant in our lives.

While we should be genuinely concerned about sluggishness and com-placency, are these really the answer? The truth is that Smith was absolutely correct when he warned that we must not be “quick-fix artists who deal only with the symptoms of our malaise, not the root causes” (Radical Restoration, p. 39). I believe he was also right to say that we must “plunge ourselves with abandon into truly being his people” (Radi-cal Restoration, p. 108)! However, what Smith has ended up doing and what is being proposed by an increasing number of brethren is exactly what Smith warned against doing. When problems of sluggishness and complacency do actually exist, these are problems of the heart, but the answers being proposed are simply quick-fix, external “solutions” to in-ternal issues.

Read Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16 carefully and take note of what is said about the externals such as seating, direction we look, etc. Instead of these things which are not mentioned at all, what did the Holy Spirit emphasize? Acceptable worship results from allowing the word to dwell richly in one and making a melody in the thankful heart. While there is nothing inherently wrong with being in a circle, how does that fix the problem if the word of Christ is not dwelling richly in a person? Does looking at other people really instill the necessary grace or thankfulness (ESV and NASB) toward God in our hearts?

While God can be worshiped in a park (John 4:21-24), if the only times we can fully appreciate the greatness and goodness of God are when we are outside enjoying His creation, have we not lost focus? In reality, have we not become focused on self and the things we enjoy rather than on the Almighty who is to be served?

If we read the accounts of Jesus establishing the Lord’s Supper in Mat-thew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and 1 Corinthians 11, what do we learn about the size of the portions to be consumed? Obviously, the answer is nothing, since not a single word is said about it. The amounts of bread and grape juice to be consumed are incidental or we would have been given some instruction in this matter. So, instead of external incidentals, the focus is on our mindset—“in remembrance….let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). If we reach the point that it takes dimmed lights and soft music in the background for us to remember the crucifixion of our Lord, it is time to seriously examine ourselves.

But what about the idea that while we are eating the Lord’s Supper, in-stead of quietly reflecting on the death of Jesus, we need to share with others what that death has meant to us? First, if we read the instructions found in Scripture we find nothing even remotely suggesting the prac-tice. Second, would not my church neighbor be better off considering the inspired testimony of New Testament writers than hearing about my sub-jective experiences? Third, do we not see the potential for confusion when people all over the building (or park) are talking at the same time, even if they are trying to keep their voices down? Wasn’t this addressed in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33? Fourth, by what Scriptural authority would women speak during the Lord’s Supper? (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

Anyone who sees anything in this article as a defense of complacency or lukewarmness will have completely missed the point, for there is no ex-cuse for that. But nowhere in Scripture do we find even a hint that one involved in heartfelt singing with others; quietly reflecting on the Lord’s death; studying God’s word by listening to a teacher; listening so as to be able to say amen to a prayer; et al is being a passive spectator who is merely sitting on the premises. It may not be exciting and exhilarating to some, but it’s what the Bible calls worship.

Certainly there are times when complacency sets in and spiritual renewal is necessary, but the need in such times is for greater internal reflection and not more external manipulation. In such times we need to thoughtful-ly consider what God has done for us and then obey from the heart. The instructions to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessaloni-ans 5:16-18) are to be obeyed and can be obeyed no matter the seating arrangements or the size of the container for the fruit of the vine. When with the rational mind we more deeply appreciate what it means to be in Christ and living with the hope of heaven, then all the externals that some seem so determined to change, even at the cost of dividing breth-ren, will seem insignificant.

If we have become lukewarm, we don’t need to go to the park, instead we need to “be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

Welcome!

5th April, 2015 · Chapman · Leave a comment

The Christians at Chapman Acres

Thanks you for picking up and taking the time to read this bulletin! If you are visiting with us from the community or a nearby congregation, we want you to know we are grateful for your presence with us. Your presence is an encouragement to us, and it is our most earnest desire that our worship has been beneficial to you and favorable in the sight of God, our Savior.

If it’s your first time being with us or you are unsure of why we do the things we do, allow us to explain.

The Christians who make up the church are not perfect, but our goal is to live for the One who died for us. We are forgiven sinners who have believed in Jesus Christ, have committed our lives to Him, and have obeyed His command to be immersed in baptism. To us, being a Christian is not about living our way and expecting God to approve of whatever we do. Jesus Christ is Lord and King. However, neither is being a Christian a matter of cold, robotic obedience to laws. Being a Christian is about cultivating a relationship with the Father. Whatever He asks, we lovingly seek to give Him.
Our God-given duty as a group is to spread the Gospel locally and abroad, to encourage the members of the church, and to help Christians who are in spiritual or physical need. We do not provide any recreation or entertainment. God has given His church much more important work with eternal consequences. Our job is to help everyone we know be saved.

Each and every time you visit with us you will find a friendly greeting, reverent worship, group Bible study, and teaching strictly from the Bible. Feel free to contact us if you wish to study with any of the men or women of the church at a place of your choice. Our prayer is that you dedicate yourself to the Lord and seek the relationship that He wants with you. We will help in any way we can.
[This description of the saints which meet at Chapman Acres can be found, along with much more information, at www.chapmanacres.org.]

Along with the information you can find on our easy to navigate website, you can also find great resources. Sermons, Bible classes, and articles are all available for your consideration. Our website has more than 200 sermons on a huge variety of Bible passages and topics. Our Bible classes are regularly posted to the website. We trust that as you listen to the audio recordings on our website, you will find teaching strictly from the Bible. If you have any questions about the material, please feel free to ask.

Again, thank you for visiting us and taking the time to read this. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help you draw nearer to God.