Another Sunday

[Ryan Dillard]

I went to church this morning and it was mighty good to be back in his house esp. with my dad on Fathers Day!

We had a youth led servie since my pastor is out of town that I got to help with and it went very well

Best of all someone was saved and we have had people getting baptised like every Sunday!

[carrielles]

How many are going to church today?

I usually go Sunday mornign to BS and then to service and return for Sunday eve service, and also love my Wed night BS. But tonight I missed eve because of fellowship. And Wed night is cancelled for the summer, I sure do miss it.

Carrie

[IslandRose]

I've been in services every night this week....missions conference. Our missionaries from Romania have been with us. Wonderful singing, Bible preaching and hearts stirred to do more to help send the Gospel to the "regions beyond." Today we also had Dinner on the grounds ( Rice and beans, curry chicken, barbeque chicken and ribs, slaw..... cakes and desserts....YUM!) joined by the pastor of our sister church and their visiting preacher, then an afternoon service. No evening service tonight, so we (hubby, our two college kids and myself) and the missionary family ( a couple with their 4 teens) all went for a sunset walk on the beach , and of course most of the kids ended up in the water, fully dressed...LOL!

All in all a great day, a great week. Wonderful fellowship and challenging preaching.

I love Church!

[Rober H]

I've been in services every night this week....missions conference. Our missionaries from Romania have been with us. Wonderful singing, Bible preaching and hearts stirred to do more to help send the Gospel to the "regions beyond." Today we also had Dinner on the grounds ( Rice and beans, curry chicken, barbeque chicken and ribs, slaw..... cakes and desserts....YUM!) joined by the pastor of our sister church and their visiting preacher, then an afternoon service. No evening service tonight, so we (hubby, our two college kids and myself) and the missionary family ( a couple with their 4 teens) all went for a sunset walk on the beach , and of course most of the kids ended up in the water, fully dressed...LOL!

All in all a great day, a great week. Wonderful fellowship and challenging preaching.

I love Church!

I could listen to a good preacher and enjoy fellowship every night too. The early church met daily.

Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

[RGR]

I went this morning but didn't make it tonight. We visited with family this afternoon and plus we would've had trouble making it anyway-it started storming this evening!

[Marnie]

Did Paul not mean what he said in Romans 14?

Yes, but since he was writing to a church, it is hardly likely he would be discouraging church attendance. That chapter has to do with not being a stumbling block to a weaker (or newer) Christian, not about whether a person should be in church on the Lord's day! One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (Rom 14:5) is not suggesting for one second the Lord's Day, it is referring to special pagan days, perhaps ever Jewish feast days, which new converts may still have thought important in their new walk. You need to take the whole counsel of the Word of G-d, not just one verse here and there, a favorite tactic for those to excuse their behavior.

But, whatever eases your conscience.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31).

[Rober H]

One thing I would like to clarify. There is no one day that people have to go to church. It is important to fellowship with other believers for encouragement and edification. Sunday is the day that most Christians go to church and I think it is important to have a day set aside for fellowship but there is no "law" that states that we have to go to a building on Sunday to worship.

Don't get me wrong I am not against church buildings. On the contrary I see the need for them quite clearly.

There have been times I have met with other believers in houses, apartments, parks and even in barns and I was greatly edified by attending these meetings.

I left a church because the leadership was trying to intimidate people to coming to both morning and evening services on Sunday and implying that if you didn't show up you were not as worthy as those who did. Many people who were very active in witnessing on the street left that church as a result. People that didn't show up on Wednesday nights were talked about.

Other factors were involved as well but that attitude reflected the over all problem.

There was one young couple that were checking out the church and were not yet born again. When the pastor began putting down the people who only came to one service on Sunday and that these people were simply "pew sitters" and insinuated that they were lazy and didn't do anything but come to be spoon fed the young couple left and never came back.

There were also many who had "home bible studies" that had been going on for years. The elders of this church tried to intimidate the congregation into only going to "leadership approved" bible studies held in the church building. This policy had nothing to with doctrine but was all about control.

This shift in attitude took the joy out it for me.

Church is not a physical building made with hands. The believers are the church.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

[Marnie]

2thePoint,

Testy, testy.

It's a free country, you are a free moral agent, therefore you can do as you please. But what I don't like is you, or the "I don't need to go church" or the "church is not a building" crowd influencing those among us who, perhaps, haven't reached the level of perfection that excuses them form the Pauline mandate of assembling together on the Lord's Day, or as Paul might have said, "the first day of the week."

All this arguing is so tiresome. Besides, this topic has been beat to death. Let's bury it. You stay home on Sunday, I'll go to church, we'll let the Lord decide who's being obedient to His Word.

[Rober H]

or the "church is not a building" crowd

Marnie, what is the church? Is it the church wood, brick and stone?

I agree we all have to answer to God for what we teach and believe.

Is Christ the head of a building or the head of the body of believers?

I am not trying to be a wise guy, honest.

In His service,

Robert

[Openly Curious]

Though I have my struggles I know that church is right and I thank the Lord for those among us who keep "Exhorting" encouraging us to go to church for we are so told to do so in the word. i been putting up a serious effort in this regards and miss the Sunday one so Wednesday is more better day for me but i hope to make it and it will be three times since i try to go to church again.

that i make it sucessfully through. For it is right thing to do and we need more "Exhorter's" not discouragers among us.

In my opinion the church building out in the community shows the world that we are God's people his family it is a sign to the world. Just like water baptism is a sign to the world your sins was a washed away and you do this publicly and you confess your sins publicly so why not go to church publicly.

Thanks Marnie for your "Exhortation"

OC