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By Jesse Jenkins

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By David Weaks

Benchley, April 15, 2013

• Arguments often given in defense of instrumental music:
  • Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
  • You members of the church of Christ expect everyone to agree with your opinions!
    • No one has a right to bind their opinions on others.  Matthew 15:7-9
    • I Peter 4:11 - We are to speak as the oracles of God.
  • You members of the church of Christ just pick and choose what you like just like everyone else!
    • Nadab and Abihu were punished for worshiping incorrectly.
  • You members of the church of Christ just don’t like instrumental music!
    • It’s not a matter of not liking it – many of us do like it and know how to play instruments.
  • I just find instrumental music to be uplifting.
    • It’s not about being uplifted – it’s about being edified.  Ephesians 4:11-16; II Peter 1:3; Romans 10:17; II Timothy 3:16-17
  • Instrumental music was allowed under the old law!
    • Yes, but we are under the new law now.  Colossians 2:14; Romans 15:4
    • The old law is an example to us, but it does not guide our worship in this age.
    • If we try to follow the old law, we have to follow the whole law.
  • Many of us have pianos in our homes, why can’t we have one here?
    • Why don’t we have pool tables or big screen TVs in the church building?  Not everything in the home belongs in the worship service.
    • I Corinthians 11:17-22
  • Psallo means to pluck or twang.
    • We are to make melody in our hearts.  Ephesians 5:19
• Matthew 28:18
• Authority is essential.  Matthew 21:23-27
• John 4:23-24
• The Word of God authorizes us to do things in one of several ways.
  • Command – Matthew 28:19
  • Examples – Acts 8:36-38
  • Necessary inference – Acts 8:38
• Examples of singing in the New Testament:  Romans 15:9; I Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13; Acts 16:25
• We are not allowed to insert what we wish into the Word of God.  II John 9-11; Revelation 2:18-19

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By Bill Allen

Benchley, February 24, 2013

• Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,18-23
• God had an eternal purpose for man. Ephesians 1:3-6
• How did God choose who would be adopted as sons?
  • He chose the characteristics that those He would call would have.
  • We can decide whether or not to be children of God.
  • Those characteristics: be holy and blameless in love – I Peter 2:9-10; Galatians 5:6
• How should we worship God?
  • Ephesians 5:15-17 – We must understand the will of God, which requires us to study the Bible.
  • When you do something for someone, keep it quiet.
  • Attendance at the assembly shows that you want to serve God.
  • Matthew 7:21

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By Jady Stevens

Benchley, February 17, 2013

• Classes – Titus 2:3-4; Ephesians 4:11
• Prayers – James 5:13; Acts 16:25
• Reading – I Timothy 4:13; I Thessalonians 5:27
• Sermons – Acts 20:7; 13:14
• Singing – James 5:13; Acts 16:25
• Collection – I Corinthians 16:1-2
• Visiting – Acts 2:46; 5:12-13
• Lord’s Supper – Luke 22:15-16; Mark 14:25; Matthew 26:29; I Corinthians 11:20; Acts 20:7
  • Why the Supper?
    • I Corinthians 11:23-26 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper
    • It serves as a memorial of Jesus’ death on the cross.
    • Matthew 26:26-29
    • Mark 14:22-25
    • Luke 22:19-20
  • Everything else we do goes back to Jesus’ sacrifice
    • I John 3:16 – We give because of Jesus’ sacrifice
    • Colossians 3:13
    • Romans 15:9-12

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, February 13, 2013

• With general authority, aids are allowed, but never additions:
  • Song books aid in singing, but do not add another kind of music.
  • Mechanical instruments add another kind of music and usurp His authority.
  • Printed outlines with scripture references aid in Bible classes.
  • Teaching anything other than the Bible in our classes adds another subject of study and usurps His authority.
  • For a church to provide the necessary things for the relief of its needy members aids in its work.
  • For a church to turn the relief of its needy members over to a human institution for relief adds another organization; thus usurps His authority.
• Bible authority comes to us in one of four forms:
  • Statement of fact
    • Mark 16:16 – baptism (command form: Acts 2:38; 10:48)
    • Matthew 19:4-5 – marriage
    • Matthew 26:29 – Lord’s Supper
    • Acts 20:7 – disciples gathered on the first day of the week to break bread and to hear preaching

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, February 6, 2013

• Authority comes to man in one of two ways (continued):
  • Generic
    • In generic authority, some choices are left to man.
    • But the choices must be related to that which is generically authorized.
      • Church to assemble for Bible study/worship (I Corinthians 14:23 ff; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:24-25). Thus, to provide a place for Bible study/worship is authorized.
      • For a church to provide a place for entertainment is to usurp His authority.
      • Church to teach the Word (Acts 20:28,32); thus, Bible classes, radio, tracts are authorized.
      • For a church to teach social gospel is to usurp His authority.
      • Church to relieve its needy members (Acts 4:34-36; 6:1-6).
      • For a church to relieve non-saints is to usurp His authority.

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, January 30, 2013

• “Authority” is power to command and to require obedience, with the right of punishment for disobedience.
• There are three kinds of authority:
  • Inherent, as is characteristic of Deity.
  • Delegated, as given to apostles, (II Corinthians 10:8; 13:10). This delegated authority is “to assign or entrust power or function to another.” -Webster; thus authorization to act in assigned matters, not the right to assign matters.
  • Usurped, as seen in conventions in some churches and even in some elderships.
• Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18; John 14:26)
  • Man has none, be it elders, saint, or any organization.
  • Man has authorization to do certain things, but not authority in the strictest sense.
  • Every teaching and every practice must pass the sentinel of His authority.
  • To practice anything in His service without it passing the sentinel of His authority is to usurp His authority.
• Authority comes to man in one of two ways:
  • Specific
    • In specific authority, there are no choices left man.
    • To make a choice other than that which is specified is to usurp His authority.
      • He specified sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
      • To add a mechanical instrument is to usurp His authority.
      • He specified preach the gospel (Romans 1:16).
      • To preach any other message is to usurp His authority.
      • He specified the first day of the week for the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:29; Acts 20:7).
      • To take the Supper any other day is to usurp His authority.

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By Keith Shackleford

Benchley, October 18, 2012

• The precept of I Corinthians 11:22
  • Despise
    • A matter of examination
      • After regarding the goodness of God do you dismiss it? Romans 2:4
      • Such are those who reject the stone. I Peter 2:4,7-8
      • Such are those who turn from God. Hebrews 6:4-6
    • Look down on with contempt
  • Correcting attitudes towards the church via the example of the Lord’s Supper
    • Assemble for the better, I Corinthians 11:17
      • Suggests purposes of assembly: worship, mutual edification
      • They disregarded the sacrifice of the Lord. I Corinthians 11:24-27
      • They hold in low esteem their own spiritual well-being. I Corinthians 11:28-30
    • Assemble in unity, I Corinthians 11:18
      • But they were dismissive of one another, I Corinthians 11:21-22,33-34
      • By this they showed their lack of regard for the church.
  • They showed disdain for the church by changing the holy into the common.
  • They showed disregard for brethren by flaunting “riches” over “poverty”.
• Some ways the church is despised
  • By altering God’s local arrangement
    • Saints, bishops, deacons, Philippians 1:1
    • Elders in every church, Acts 14:23
      • Despised by unqualified elders and deacons, elders over many churches
    • Autonomy of the church among you – with its own elders, deacons, saints (I Peter 5:3)
      • Despised by: sisterhood of churches under central oversight.
  • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: evangelism
    • To sound out the word. I Thessalonians 1:7-8
    • To train up and send out preachers. Acts 13:2-3; I Timothy 4:14; Colossians 4:11-12
    • Despised by: creating and supporting some other organization to do this work – i.e. missionary organizations, institutional organizations, publication organizations, etc.
    • Or also by sponsoring another church to do the work God assigned
  • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: edification
    • Spiritual growth and encouragement through instruction and understanding
    • Despised by: some other means of building up the saints unto some other purpose – i.e. choirs, concerts, gyms, food, movies, etc.
  • By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: benevolence
    • Caring for needy saints, Romans 15:25-27
    • Assuring church is not charged with those for whom it is not responsible, I Timothy 5:16
    • Despised by: church funds assisting non-saints, sponsoring organizations, or other churches to do it
  • By corrupting the worship
    • Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
    • Prayer – I Corinthians 14:15-17
    • Preaching – Acts 20:20
    • Lord’s Supper – I Corinthians 11; Acts 20:7
    • Giving – I Corinthians 16:2
  • By non-attendance
    • Out to be glad to be present, Psalms 122:1
    • Should be so regular that an absence is noticed by all.
  • By failure to prepare for service
    • God is to be worshipped in spirit/truth. John 4:24
    • Preacher must prepare: sermons not accidental, must study, think, pray, meditate. Ezra 7:10; I Timothy 4:12-16
    • Congregation must prepare: worship not accidental, must prepare hearts for it. II Chronicles 20:33; I Corinthians 11:7,27
    • Assembly should bear reverence. Psalm 89:7
  • By lax convication
    • Pulpit not for compromisers, Acts 4:19-20; Titus 2:15
    • Pew is not for religious fence-stradler, I Kings 18:21; Ephesians 4:14
    • Known what and why you believe, I Peter 3:15
  • By worldly living
    • It disregards our high calling, Ephesians 4:1
    • Don’t preach one way and live another, Romans 2:21-24
    • Live offenselessly unto the church, I Corinthians 10:31-32
    • Be effective for mutual benefit, Matthew 5:13-16; I Timothy 4:16

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, July 29, 2012

• I Peter 4:11; II Peter 1:3; II Timothy 3:16-17; John 17:17; 8:24; Colossians 3:17- All emphasize the necessity of having authority for all we do in the service of God.
  • This is true for the congregation and for the individual Christian.
• Bible authority comes to use in one of four ways:
  • Statement of fact (Mark 16:16)
  • Command (I Corinthians 11:24-25)
  • Example (Acts 20:7)
  • Necessary inference (Genesis 12:10; 13:1)
• Bible authority comes to us in one of two forms:
  • General:
    • Build ark
    • Sing, as relates to parts, i.e., bass, tenor, etc.
    • Pray
  • Specific
    • Gopher wood
    • Sing, as relates to kind of music: vocal
    • Unto God
• General authority allows for choice of specifics
  • Local church to support preacher (I Corinthians 9:14)
    • Has choice as to what preacher it supports.
  • Local church to assemble to worship (I Corinthians 11:20)
    • Has choice as to where.
• Specific authority allows no choice.
  • Gopher wood
  • Preach the gospel (Mark 16:15)
  • Sing
  • Get funds for church work (I Corinthians 16:1-2)
• Aids are allowed, but no additions are allowed.
  • Container for bread and fruit fo the vine, but no other elements
  • Song books, pitch pipe, PowerPoint, but no other kind of music
  • Radio, TV preaching, but no other collective
• Authorized work for a local church
  • Assemble for worship (Colossiand 3:16; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25)
  • Support the preaching of the gospel
    • To edify the saved (Acts 20:28,32)
    • To save the lost (Philippians 4:15-16)
  • Relieve the needy saints who are unavoidably destitute
    • Not to relieve them if they bring destitution on by choice (II Thessalonians 3:10; Acts 4:32-34; I Corinthians 16:1-3)
  • Discipline under certain circumstances (I Corinthians 5:1-5)
• The individual Christian must respect Bible authority. He must do with zeal what is authorized and refuse to do what is not.

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By Ed Whitt

Benchley, June 13, 2012

• Examples of worship in the New Testament
• Romans 12:1
• How should we make ourselves a reasonable sacrifice to God?
  • John 4:23; Philippians 3:12-16
  • John 17:17 – We want to worship in both spirit and truth.
  • Our worship should be planned. We need to plan how we will offer ourselves to God. We must discipline ourselves and follow the good examples God has given us. II Thessalonians 3:7; Matthew 16:24; Titus 2:11
  • Exodus 8:27 – Sacrifices were commanded by God. Sacrifices today are also commanded (Romans 12:1).
• Leviticus 1:3 – Sacrifices had to be pure. We are to keep ourselves pure today and make our offering pure as well. I Timothy 5:22; James 4:8; Leviticus 21:21; Philippians 2:14-16
• Sacrifices are made at a cost. II Samuel 24:24; Mark 16:24; Titus 2:11
• II Timothy 3:10
• Ways to offer ourselves to God:
  • Encouraging others
  • Time management
  • Money (Ephesians 4:28)
  • Planning, preparation, and setting goals (Luke 14:28)
  • Self-discipline (Titus 2:11-12)