ZEAL AND KNOWLEDGE
Dennis Gulledge  Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). There is certainly no shortage of zealous, religious people in the world today. Many are zealous in what they honestly believe is Christianity, which in reality is man's religion, planted and founded in the doctrines of men. When the Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses canvass our neighborhoods they impress us with their zeal. However, with these, true knowledge is lost in the fervor of action.
  Zeal without knowledge hurts the church of Christ today. In the name of zeal some are pushing for numbers over righteousness, recognition over reconciliation, sensation over salvation and programs over spiritual progress. Modern zealots want us “on the move,” with little thought of the direction in which we might be moving.
  Knowledge without zeal also fails. There are many who know God's truth, but lack the zeal to accomplish his commands. One might know the truth and debate it at the “drop of a hat,” but if pure religion is lacking in his life, what good is it? Often, when all is said and done, more is said than done. May God help us to put both zeal and knowledge on the scales of daily living and find them evenly balanced.
WORSHIP: EMOTION OR SERVICE?
Dennis Gulledge  A great deal has been written lately about worship, and for good reason.  The Fifth Annual South Florida Lectureship (2000) was on Worship That Pleases God.  Jimmy Jividen's popular book, More Than A Feeling: Worship That Pleases God came out in 1999.  In 2003 Owen Olbricht released his latest book, Worship: Life's Greatest Moments.   These brethren are responding to what seems to be the main objective of the liberal left among brethren – changing the worship.  Every element of New Testament worship is under the critical searchlight of change agents.  The January 2004 issue of the Gospel Advocate briefly reviewed ten of the most dangerous books among us.  Most of these heretical works deal with some aspect of the worship.
  There have long been those who insist that worship is nothing more than an emotion, and that our common designation of a “worship service” is wrong.  If it is true (and it is not) that worship is just an emotion then nothing could invalidate the worship by being introduced into the assembly.  That is, the introduction of instrumental music into the assembly cannot corrupt the worship if that worship is merely an emotion.  The same would be true of hand clapping, singing during the Lord's Supper, testifying, witnessing, shouting, laughing, dancing, and so on.
  Who can prove by the Bible that worship is just an emotion?  There is nothing in the New Testament that says that worship is an emotion.  Is there such a thing as an emotion “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24), a “vain” emotion (Matt. 15:9), an ignorant emotion (Acts 17:23), or a will-emotion (Col. 2:23)?  When Jesus conversed with the woman at Jacob's well, she said, “Our father worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (Jn. 4:20).  Neither she nor the Lord indicated that Jerusalem was the place where men ought to have an emotion.  Jesus did not say, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true emotionalists shall emotion the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to emotion him” (Vs. 23).  In Acts 8:27 an Ethiopian “had come to Jerusalem for to worship.”  It would be absurd to think that he traveled that far to have an emotion.  He could have been emotional at home.  It was in Jerusalem that certain things were done in worshipping God that could not be done anywhere else.  It was there that faithful Jews participated in "the service of the house of the Lord” (2 Chron. 29:27-30, 35).  It was a “worship service” that took place in Jerusalem, and in which the Ethiopian went to participate.
This is not to suggest that worship is an emotionless exercise.  If we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37), our emotions will be excited at every opportunity of worship.  This emotional reaction, however, is not itself our worship to God.  Emotion is fine in its proper place, but true worshipers must worship God in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24).  When we worship as God ordained it is a worship service. VOLUME 41    NUMBER 6               FEBRUARY 9, 2004 OUR SICK Continue to remember Richard Lowe in your prayers.
Pauline Berry, mother of Brenda Henson, is in the hospital with pneumonia.
Magan Clements is scheduled for a tonsillectomy tomorrow (Tuesday).
Leon & Nell Warren are home with bronchitis.
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THANK YOU Thanks for the cards, calls and food after my recent surgery. We are blessed to have such a wonderful Christian family. The John Griffin family.
The family of Lois James wants to thank you for the wonderful meal the ladies prepared. It was very much appreciated. Thanks for all you did. J. T. James, Joyce Roller, Christine Halligan.
Thank you for all the calls, and the huge stack of lovely cards I received during the illness and death of my mother. Your constant prayers on our behalf have meant more than words can express. I have missed you; it's good to be home. Eva Joe Williams & family.
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LADIES TRIP A reminder to the ladies of the trip to the Buckstaff Bathhouse on February 21st. Please let Judy Morris know by February 15th  if you plan to go.
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Members, please check your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on the bulletin board for a new pocket size directory.
SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 15 Morning
True Worship (John 4:23-24) Evening
Unbaptized, But Bearing Fruit?
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BRIDAL SHOWER All ladies are invited to a bridal shower in honor of Stacey Berman, bride-elect of Brian Campbell, on Sunday, February 15th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
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MEN'S POTLUCK The Men's Potluck (men cooking for the ladies) will be following the morning service on Sunday, February 15th. Men, please contact Dale Morris if you want to help.
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SEARCH
THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH
What is worship? Who or what and how did the first Christians, under the leadership of Holy Spirit inspired men worship? Are all worship styles acceptable with God? CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 15………………Bridal Shower
February 17…………...All Comers Class
February 21…Ladies Trip to Hot Springs
February 24…………...All Comers Class
February 28…Holding To The Traditions      Judsonia Church of Christ OUR RECORD  FEBRUARY 8, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 224
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 175
P.M. WORSHIP 170
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY  101 CONTRIBUTION 8569
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
February 15, 2004 Nicolas Lowe Jim Mauldin
Brad Horton Roger Horton
Jeff Linker Waymon Minor
Dennis Gulledge David Gulledge Evening Tim King
  Greg King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR February 18 Dale Morris
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening  Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday  Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN February  Bill Boyd
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