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With Spirit and Mind

6/28/2017

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The assembly of Christians is not only for worship but explicitly for the edification of Christians. Edification means “building up” and includes teaching of revelation and knowledge for encouragement and consolation. In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul established that understandable words are essential to the edification of the church. Because of the necessity of words for edification, Paul excluded foreign languages (without interpretation) from the assembly. Paul established a principle that excluded anything in the assembly lacking understandable words. Paul taught that one must pray and sing with the spirit and the mind. Many today have added musical instruments to singing in the assembly, yet these instruments cannot communicate words. No one can preach, pray, or praise with an instrument. For this reason, most churches throughout history have excluded the instrument from the assembly. In fact, the apostle Paul described such instruments as “lifeless” and “soulless.” This message challenges the listener to accept the primary need of intelligible words in edification and worship in the assembly.

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 14:12-19 (read by Gerrit Dekker)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded June 18, 2017

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The Purpose of the Assembly

6/12/2017

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This message presents the purpose of the assembly especially the necessity of edification through intelligible words. The concept of “worship service” originates from man’s tradition and not the Bible. The New Testament described the gathering of Christians for the Lord’s Supper as “the assembly.” The church of Christ must restore the assembly. Paul wrote the church at Corinth to overcome the display of spiritual gifts for pretense. Instead, Christians are to strive to excel in the edification of the church. Should Christians expect to contribute to edification in the assembly? Yes. The Scriptures exhort followers of Christ to stir one another to love and good works. This is the beginning of a series to depict a biblical picture of the assembly.

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 14:1-12 (read by Ken Adams)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded June 11, 2017

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Between Life and Death

6/5/2017

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The Apostle Paul was confident in his salvation because devoted himself to obeying God’s will. Paul wants all Christians to focus on the Spirit because there is life in the Spirit; but many focus too much on the flesh. If we want to get into heaven, we must learn to overcome the desires of the flesh and focus on the things that do not perish. But then again, what does it mean to be focused on the flesh and how do we know if we are concentrating on the Spirit? What are the consequences of focusing too much on the flesh and the rewards of devoting ourselves to the Spirit? Lastly, can we be as confident in our salvation as Paul was in his; and if we can, how?

We will answer these questions and more by discussing three aspects of Paul’s ministry: (1) life in the Spirit, death in the flesh; (2) Traditions of the men are traditions of the flesh; and (3) focusing on the Spirit of God.

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Undre Griggs
Recorded June 4, 2017

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With Spirit and Mind

The Purpose of the Assembly

Between Life and Death

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