April 12, 2009 |
Volume XXVIII - Number 15 |
I Never Intended to Quit!
Gus Nichols
A man who had not attended one service of the church in four years told me he had never thought of "quitting" the church. I reminded him that he had:
Withdrawn his presence from the worship services. He had failed to sing, pray with fellow Christians, to partake of the Lord's memorial supper and the fellowship of the saints.
Refused to give his moral support to the activities of the congregation.
Withdrawn his financial support, for he had not given one dime to help carry on the Lord's work.
Then I asked, "What else would you have to do in order to 'quit' the church? In case you ever decide that you no longer desire to be a member, what other steps will be necessary to 'quit' the church?"
As the true status dawned upon him, his expression reflected his sober thoughts. He replied, "Why, Brother Nichols, I have quit already, haven't I? Well, I surely didn't mean to! And I don't know when I did it...but I've quit the Lord and His church! I'll tell you right now... I'm coming back." He did, too. At the next service, he was restored and three years later, he was still faithful.
Dear reader, how about you? Have you quit the Lord and His church without resolving to do so? Perhaps no one deliberately decides to quit, but many carelessly drift into backsliding.
If you quit attending services, quit boosting the program of activities planned by the elders and quit giving as God has prospered you to enable the congregation to meet its budget, you need to be restored.
"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
Gospel Meeting Men's Breakfast The Pantry
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TODAY'S SERMONS
AM:"What Will Your Answer Be?" PM: "End of Life Decisions" PRAYER LIST
Lawrence Bauer, Micky Bell, – Shut Ins – – In The Nursing Homes – |
Molander. Rose drives from near Wahnetta to be at each of our services. She also comes regularly to help with the Thursday morning food bank and has often provided transportation for others. The apostle Paul wrote, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV). Sister Rose's good works are evident.