Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Celebration of Worship

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) Isn’t it a great thing to be able to come together with others of God’s family?! I think it is and the Psalmist realized this blessing, too. He was glad at the mention of it. This should be the Christian’s attitude, shouldn't it? After all, worship is a celebration of our relationship with God.

Consider the early church. They came together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) even under adverse conditions. Remember– this wasn’t a “day off” for them. For most it was another workday. BUT, the day was special because they would come together to worship God and remember Christ’s sacrifice and promise to return through the Lord’s Supper. Yes, indeed, it was a refreshing way to start a new week. And it still is.

Shouldn’t we be equally as eager to begin our week with such an attitude? Yet, there are many who seem to need to seek refreshment for their lives in other ways. Many have made this first day of the week every kind of day but the Lord’s day. We use it for anything and everything and then say, “Well, the Lord will understand.” The truth is, He does understand! He understands our motives and attitudes. He knows our hearts.

Let us not neglect our spiritual lives. Let us, as parents and grandparents, show our children that “church” is not just another extracurricular activity but the most important appointment we have each week.

We each would do well to reevaluate our spiritual lives and priorities to see what we put first. God has invited us to a feast to be in His family. When it comes time for the church to meet together, do we look forward to this as the celebration it is? Let us each say with the Psalmist, “I am glad when they say unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”! Let us have the attitude expressed in Psalm 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Sunday, March 23, 2008

“In Spirit and In Truth”

Jesus says in John 4:24 to worship God “in spirit and in truth.” In spirit would seem to mean that we are to worship with our total self, especially the inner man, with love and sincerity. In truth evidently would be according as God, in His word, directs. His word is truth - John 17:17.

Many times, however, people worship, not in spirit but because of pressure or a feeling of obligation. And instead of worship in truth, it is done out of tradition. Jesus said in Matthew 15:9 that our worship is in vain if we are worshipping after the traditions of men. Also, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that if what we do is not from love, it is worthless.

There are other considerations, though. For example, a person may be very sincere in what he does and he may love God a great deal and yet not worship in truth. That is, he may be following the traditions and commands of men instead of God. In this case, his worship is in vain. God has always given the specific ways and means of worshipping Him and man has no right to change it. Therefore, we must find scriptural basis for all we do in order to know it is “in truth.”

Some may worship in truth - engage in those acts of worship as described by the Bible - and yet not worship in spirit. This is just as dangerous. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Worship is an obligation, but unless our worship is “in spirit” it does no good.

We must concentrate on what we do. I encourage you to not let your worship be out of a feeling of obligation or because of tradition. Search your soul that you may worship in spirit and search the scriptures that you may worship in truth. “…for the Father seeks such to worship Him.” - John 4:23

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Positively Speaking

It’s great to be around a group of people who are positive, isn’t it? And that is just what the church is. With so many negative things happening around us every day, it is refreshing to be able to gather with those who have a positive outlook on life. And if anyone should have a positive outlook on life, Christians should. That’s what attracted people to the church in the first century and it is what will attract people to the church today. Let me share some positive things about the church here that should cause each of us to have a positive outlook.

One positive thing about the church here is the friendliness people find when they visit. Visitors are impressed when people are willing to greet them warmly and let them know we are happy they chose to be with us in worship. That is what makes people want to come back again. And the key factor in that is YOU making a positive impression.

Another positive thing I want to mention is your generous nature. The recent “Sack the Preacher” campaign to help replenish our pantry brought in over sixty bags of groceries. Our contribution frequently exceeds our budget. And I frequently have seen your generosity shown in so many ways not only in a monetary sense but in giving your time and energy to get things done that need doing.

Keep up the good work. Strive to be even better. Be positive about being a Christian, a member of the Body of Christ, His church. Let others know that being on your way to heaven is the greatest thing you can have. And you know what? Others will want to join you on that journey You can help show them the way.

I leave you with Paul’s words to the Christians at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3 when he says, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father…

It’s a real pleasure for me to say ...

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Welcome To The Body

How many times have you known of someone who was baptized and then a short time later just seemed to drift away? The same thing can happen with new members who move in, place membership, and then just sort of slip through the cracks.

What can you do? Incorporate them! That word means, "to make a part of a body."

The purpose for this ministry, "Welcome to the Body", is to help churches incorporate new Christians and other new members into God's Family in such a way that they will build a feeling of belonging and establish relationships within the congregation. It also helps New Christians (and others) establish a habit of daily Bible study.

The concept of this ministry is to help new members become acquainted with at least six families in the church within their first three months of membership by being in homes and sharing in a Bible study. This number can even be doubled depending on the involvement of the hosting families.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells us to teach, baptize, and teach. In many instances we neglect the last part of this command. Too frequently we do not follow up on new members. This ministry is a means by which the new member can be assisted in maturing and helped to develop a regular habit of Bible study. It will also help them become acquainted with other members of the church family. Here’s how it works.

New converts and other new members are invited to share in fellowship and study in the homes of members for six weeks. Along with Bible study, at each session some aspect of the congregation is discussed such as elders and deacons, ministries, activities, youth ministry, missions, etc.

The benefits of this is that the new member will have been encouraged to mature in his/her Christian life and will also give them the opportunity to become acquainted with six or seven couples (or more) in the church and broaden their base of friendship. Another benefit is that this provides a ministry to involve members of the church who might not teach “evangelistic” Bible studies but are willing to be involved in a “maturing” study. And it is a self-perpetuating ministry in that once new Christians or new members have gone through this series of lessons they can then become involved as those who host and present the lessons.

God's word teaches us that we have a responsibility to one another. We must do more than just baptize people. We must help them become a part of the Body. Of course this whole ministry is contingent on whether or not we are fulfilling the Great Commission in the first place.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Sunday, March 2, 2008

“To Whom Shall We Go?”

At one point in Jesus’ ministry, several of His disciples turned away from Him. Jesus asked His twelve apostles if they, too, would go away. The answer Peter gave is one with much meaning for us today. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Many people today are searching for a way to turn. Perhaps you are one of those people. Answers to our problems are not easy to find - at least, answers that work. It seems there are many who are ready and willing to give advice but as the French moralist and philosopher, LaRochefoucald said, “We give advice, but we do not inspire conduct.” Through His Son, Jesus, God not only gives advice but also inspires conduct.

In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus is not just a dictator giving out commands. He is a leader who knows how we feel. Hebrews 4:15 tells us Jesus was “in all points tempted as we are, yet was without sin.” He knows our problems because He has suffered life. However, He overcame problems - thus He can offer answers and advice that will work.

Jesus has the “words of eternal life.” Although all our daily problems don’t instantly disappear when we turn to Jesus, the answers and ability to solve those problems do begin to appear. Christianity is not a mystical, magical potion to be taken in but rather a life to be lived every day. It means studying and applying that word God has given us.

Peter asked, “To whom shall we go…” The answer is: To Jesus and God’s Word. We need to help each other do just that. A part of our caring is in sharing the “words of eternal life.” Jesus has. Live a life that will show people you know where to find the answers.

Where are you going to find the help you need in your life? The world offers little in the way of comfort for the pains of life. Jesus offers an answer to those pains. He said, “Come unto me, all you who labor, and I will give you rest.” He meant just that. As the words of the song encourage us,
“Living below in this old sinful world,
Hardly a comfort can afford;
Striving alone to face temptations sore,
Where could I go but to the Lord?”

Where, indeed?

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Who Is Tony Lalli - Brief Bio By His Sons