Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
February 23, 2020

Whom Do We Honor?
by Don B. Newcomer, Jr.
Suppose you had a major birthday coming up like a 40th or 50th. Your best friend says that he wants to throw a party “in your honor” to celebrate this milestone. He asks you what kind of celebration you would like to have.
You’re thrilled at his thoughtfulness, so you tell him the following: “I don’t like big crowds, so please keep it small, maybe 10-12 people. And I’d like it to be held in the evening at a certain restaurant.” He asks you about having a cake and you say, “I like white cake with chocolate frosting.”
The big day arrives, and your friend picks you up just before lunch. He takes you to a local fire hall and asks you to come inside because he needs to pick something up. You’re clueless, so you follow along.
When the door is opened, the crowd shouts, “Surprise!” You turn to your friend and ask, “What is this?” He says, “It’s the birthday party I told you I wanted to throw in your honor.” But you say, “Why are all these people here? It’s only lunch time! What about the things I told you I wanted?”
He counters with, “Well, twelve people seemed too small a number to celebrate your special day. So I invited about fifty people, including all my friends and family—and look—almost all of them are here! That restaurant you mentioned couldn’t hold this crowd, so I rented this fire hall near my house.” You spot the cake and notice it has yellow frosting. He sees you noticing and says, “I don’t like white cake, so I ordered a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. I hope you’re happy; I threw this party just for you.”
This story shows the folly of what many people do in worship. They profess to want to worship God and to do those things which are pleasing to Him, but in their churches they structure their service in a way which pleases them. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt. 15:8).
They add musical instruments because they don’t feel comfortable singing without some accompaniment. They hold their services on Saturday evening because they don’t want to have to get up early on the Lord’s Day. They hire preachers to “tickle the ears” (2 Tim. 4:3-4) of the members because they don’t want to be challenged about any sins in their lives. They have meals in the building because it’s much more convenient to eat there than to have to go out to eat somewhere else. And they do other things without scriptural authority, all the while claiming to worship God in the way He desires. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).
Let us always remember whom we worship and follow His instructions only. If our desire is to please God and His Son Jesus Christ, we will be careful to worship His way and not change our worship into something which we desire.
On Improving Worship
I know I can improve when it comes to my public worship of God (in the assembly). I can always be more attentive, more reverent, more thankful, and more joyful. I can improve my understanding of God, and therefore my worship of God. What I cannot improve is God's plan for worship, a plan which includes not only the specific activities, but the manner in which they should be done. If my worship is lacking, I just need to do a better job of following His plan. I'm pleading with everyone to join me in this same approach, and to stop introducing into worship things for which we have no CLEAR authority from Christ (Colossians 2:8-23; 3:17). It doesn't matter how much good you think these things will do—draw us closer together, produce more emotion, etc. God's way is right, and it is best—anything else is an insult to Him.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.