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“Bring Us Back At The Next Appointed Time”
by Dan Richardson
Many times I’ve heard brethren pray in the worship service for God’s help to “bring us back at the next appointed time.” Yet, as I’ve observed the “custom” of some to be absent (Hebrews 10:25), I am inclined to wonder if all understand what this prayer suggests. Consider these points:
1) Is Our Prayer Of Faith? James said, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (James 5:16). But He also said our prayers must be “in faith, nothing doubting” (James 1:6). To petition God for his help in our assembling suggests that we understand such a request to be the will of God and, therefore, good in our lives (I John 5:14). We dare not pray such unless we are fully assured that our presence in all the assemblies of the church is God’s will. But if we say the “amen” to such a prayer, while it is our intention to be absent at the next appointed time, is this not a prayer of doubt? James 1:6-8 says, “But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.”
2) Are Our Priorities In Order? Our need for God’s help implies a willingness to yield in obedience to Him. For example, one shouldn’t pray for his “daily bread” (Matthew 6:21) who is not willing to obey God’s command to work (Ephesians 4:28). We don’t pray for greater knowledge if we refuse to study. Neither do we ask God to bring us back at the next appointed worship service if we are not going to obey His command to assemble faithfully (Hebrews 10:25). Worship services must be of first priority, not optional where every trivial matter in life is allowed to take precedence and hinder our presence there. Jesus commands we “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). He teaches we must “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). We will be focused on spiritual things. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.” If we prioritized our church attendance like we do our job attendance, many congregations the world over would experience a noticeable increase at each service.
3) Do We Desire To Worship? God’s people in Malachi’s day were condemned because their worship had become a “weariness” (Malachi 1:13). What about us today? Do we attend worship services because we want to, or because we have to? There is a difference, and such distinguishes those who are spiritually minded from those who aren’t. David said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psalms 122:1). So will the Christian today, whose heart is right with God.
4) When Is The Next Appointed Time? From scripture we learn saints assembled every first day of the week to obey what God required on that day (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2). But we also learn from scripture of saints assembling at other times for mutual edification in prayer and Bible study (see Acts 2:46; 4:23-31). Likewise, many congregations today choose to integrate additional services for the edification of its members. Our need for personal edification (II Peter 3:18), our responsibility toward our brethren (Hebrews 10:24; Ephesians 5:21), and, most of all, our desire to worship God will cause us to be present at every service of the church. After all, if you can’t find joy in such activities now, what makes you think you’ll be happy doing it for an eternity in heaven?
Brother I. M. Half-Hearted
by Mike Pitman
Brother I. M. Half-Hearted is present for worship every Sunday (Sunday morning, that is). He doesn’t come to Bible class, and he arrives late for worship. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. After all, the only thing he has missed is a little bit of singing.
Brother Half-Hearted is glad that the elders have elected to serve the Lord’s Supper before preaching. This way, he can make his exit before the preacher gets up to speak (which of course means he will have to miss some more singing) and still participate in the “main event.”
Since the elders noticed that this brother was habitually leaving immediately following the Communion, they thought about moving the Lord’s Supper to the end of the service. Instead, they decided to reason with brother Half-Hearted.
They begin by showing him that while it is true that the Lord’s Supper is very important, every other part of worship is important as well. He objected by saying the Lord’s Supper is of such great magnitude “because Christ’s precious blood is being represented.” The elders pointed out that in our songs we sometimes sing about His precious blood and that we always sing based upon the authority of our Savior (Colossians 3:16-17). They explained that preaching centers around Christ and Him crucified (I Corinthians 2:2). And who would want to minimize the importance of prayer unto God with Christ as our intercessor? (Understanding that His intercessory work on our behalf is made possible by the shedding of His precious blood, Hebrews 9:23-26).
Before the elders left, they exhorted him to be more diligent in worship because he should WANT to be found in study, singing, and prayer with other Christians.
To the dismay of these elders, they found that the pattern continued. The brother they loved so much never became a faithful worshiper that could have brought so much glory to God and profit unto himself. Their conclusion was that the real problem was that BROTHER HALF-HEARTED WAS JUST HALF-HEARTED.