What If The Preacher Stayed Home?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesHave we every thought about what would happen if the preacher stayed home from the assembly of the saints?
The story is told of a pioneer preacher who was once conducting a Gospel Meeting at a certain congregation. Because he knew the membership, and seeing the very poor attendance on the first night of the meeting, he stayed home the second night.
The next day, when the brethren asked him where he was, he replied, “Well, if some of the members can stay home, so can I.”
After this news was circulated in the community, the attendance was very good for the rest of the Gospel Meeting.
Brethren, we are all members of the spiritual body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; cf. Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:22-23). Each one of us is needed to promote the proper growth and development of that spiritual body (Ephesians 4:16).
Like our physical body, if the spiritual body of Christ is to function properly, all members have to do their part in order to maintain the body’s spiritual health. Even the most seemingly insignificant member, is still very important to the proper function of the whole body (1 Corinthians 12:22).
Brethren, do we truly “care” for the souls of fellow members in the spiritual body of Christ, the church? (1 Corinthians 12:26-27). Do we truly “care” for the spiritual growth and development of the body of Christ?
If we do, we will encourage every member in the spiritual body of Christ, to be present at every assembly possible (Acts 11:22-26), for we do not want to incur God’s judgment upon us (Hebrews 10:23-27).