The scripture, through Paul’s inspired pen, gives this firm proclamation, “I solemnly charge you in the 
presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.” (II Timothy 4: 1, 2) Preach the word! We’ve known this command and for years many of us have listened to the preacher ‘preach the word.’ But from the audience’s point of view, as ‘spectators,’ what goes into ‘preaching?’
This coming Sunday morning Christians across our nation (the globe actually) will attend worship services to hear the gospel preached. They will walk into the auditorium, find their seat, and worship together. But what will happen after the preaching? How will each member sitting in the crowd react to the message? Some, undoubtedly will listen intently, then walk out unaffected by the message. Others, content with their presence, will sit quietly, and not listen to the message at all. And still others will hear the message and be moved to respond. But what about those who listen to the message, are moved to respond, but never do. Their hearts have been pricked, like those in Acts 2, but the step forward never comes. They have done everything necessary before and during the preaching but the final step. What comes after the preaching is left in the pew. Join us Sunday morning as we consider preaching…before, during and after!
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, January 25, 2015
You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Our God, He Is Alive” – 23
Remember when this was found on page 728B? Few may still have this song book, but most of us will never forget this ‘church of Christ Anthem.’ The men lead the chorus as we proclaim, “There is a God, He is alive, in Him we live and we survive…”
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315
Taking this old spiritual song/hymn from Isaac Watts, we sing the poetry of Christ’s death. When I survey the cross, I see His head, His hands and His feet. One of the ‘lost’ verses we’ll be singing on Sunday includes these words; “His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o’er His body on the tree. Then am I dead to all the globe, and all the globe is dead to me.” This morning we’ll sing verse 1-3 before the bread, verse 4 before the fruit of the vine and verse 5 before the contribution. Notice the message with each verse and you’ll see how well they fit together.
“Christ Above Me” – no book
During the passing of the collection plate we’ll sing this new, contemporary song about the all encompassing role Christ plays in our life. “Christ above me, Christ beside me, Christ within me, ever guiding. Christ behind me (not subordinate but rather supportive), Christ before, Christ my love, my life, my Lord.”
“Sing to Me of Heaven” – 716
Our song before the lesson is one that dates back 100 years. But the timeless message of this spiritual song calls us to encourage one another
with songs of heaven. Notice each verse is a reminder of how and when we sing of heaven. How, “…tenderly and low, till the shadows over me rise and swiftly go…” And when, “…as I walk alone, dreaming of the comrades (a fellow soldier of Christ who has gone on to his reward) that so long have gone.” These songs of heaven are ‘songs of peace’ that will release us from the toils (a net to trap something) that bind us. Let’s sing of heaven!
“Almost Persuaded” – no book
Our invitation song is one we don’t sing often, but some find it’s basis in Acts 26 when Paul asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do.” Reading verse 28 in the King James Version we find our theme for this morning’s lesson, “Almost persuaded, now to believe. Almost persuaded, Christ to receive…” . Robert’s ‘preaching’ this morning will include a before, during and after. What are you doing before he preaches, while (during) he’s preaching and after he preaches? When the invitation is offered, will you almost be persuaded?
“Let Me Live Close to Thee” – 831
This is one of my favorite proclamations of how I want to live my life! Perhaps it’s the second verse that strikes me so clearly as we consider it’s correlation to Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…” Notice the words from verse 2; “Not the crown nor renown that the world might see, I would work, never shirk, blessed Lord, for Thee. But to know where I go that my soul is free, let me live close to Thee each day.”
