In our entertainment-oriented culture, many churches find themselves trying to 'out do' themselves with more and more elaborate additions to worship. What began as special music by a choir becomes a full orchestra with professional soloists. A dramatic reading necessitates a full Broadway stage production. And as long as those who come to worship enjoy what is offered, anything goes. The expectation is that sermons will be shorter, wittier, and more uplifting. Anything in worship that cannot be 'jazzed up' must be abandoned as boring — and there is nothing worse than being boring, we are led to believe.

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Attendance at worship services and Bible study times has always been a problem. Faithful brethren have constantly agonized over those who didn't attend. It has been that way in every generation, including among the very first Christians. The Hebrew writer was compelled to pen these famous words:

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Notice the reasons why you should attend every…

I am amazed at the number of people in the church who complain that there is nothing for them to do. By this they generally mean that the elders have not given them a specific assignment. Does this excuse them from not being active in the greatest cause on earth? No!

Every member must realize that the Lord has already assigned them specific duties like helping to restore brothers who have been caught in any trespass (Gal. 6:l) and bearing one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2).

Each one of us is under the commission we call great (Mk. 16:15,…

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While working out I was pressing more weight than I should have. In my mind I am still in my twenties. I started my third set … 5… 6 … halfway through the last rep my arms decided enough was enough. I was abruptly reminded that the half-century is in my rear-view mirror by several years. Seeing no other option, I shifted a little to the right, dropped the weight and fell off the bench. Now if this had occurred at home, that would have been the end of the story. However, I was blessed to enjoy this…

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Acts 11 records disciples bringing the gospel to Syrian Antioch. “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord” (verse 21, NASB).

“A large number who believed turned to the Lord.” Does this imply that some who believed did not turn to the Lord? How sad to think it could be so. Yet the New Testament elsewhere describes people who believed in Jesus, but for one reason or another were unwilling to be his disciples. Some who believed were afraid to confess…

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