WORSHIP: ACTS OR ATTITUDE?
Dennis Gulledge  Worship of the Father in Heaven is not limited to any particular city, building or “sacred” mountain (Jn. 4:21).  To worship is to venerate deity whether in a congregational setting or not (Mt. 4:10). 
  In our day it is a common practice for people to gather for devotionals at schools or youth rallies, and sing “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” while adding hand clapping to their activities.  What justification is offered?  “It isn't worship.  There is no intent to worship.  It's merely entertainment,” insist the defenders.  What is worship? 
  A Greek word commonly used for worship denotes “…an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see ch. 4:9; 18:26) or to the Creator (see ch. 4:10)” (Matt. 2:8, ftn., ASV).  Therefore, worship does not consist merely of attitude, but also consists of acts.  It follows that acts are as much involved in worship, and are as necessary to it, as the attitude that prompts them.  The idea that worship is an attitude disassociated from acts is wrong.
  The effort to divorce acts from attitude in worship was born of no higher a motive than the attempt to justify human innovations in worship.  Those who use the instrument of music in worship realize that there is no New Testament authority for it, and therefore insist that worship does not consist of acts, just intent.  Those who desire hand clapping in their devotions to God seek to justify it on the same misguided grounds. 
WHAT KILLED THE CHRIST?
Dennis Gulledge  With the release of a new movie the country is riveted to the last few hours of Jesus' suffering.  The Passion of the Christ, the new film by Mel Gibson is about the crucifixion of the Christ.  Some churches are hosting a special viewing of it.  Many are excited about the evangelistic potential they see in this film.  They see it as an open door to invite their friends and use this avenue to “share” their faith.  If only brethren were as urgent to invite others to gospel meetings to hear Christ proclaimed.
The word passion in the title is from a Latin word meaning, “suffering.”  The Greek word is rendered “passion” in reference to the suffering of Christ at Calvary (Acts 1:3).  Otherwise it is rendered “suffering” (Heb. 2:9).
  Mel. Gibson is to be admired for putting $30 million of his own money into the making of this movie, and for standing up against relentless opposition from his colleagues.  Jack Nicholson asked him, “How's Jesus treatin' ya?” He was told that this movie would cost him his career.  One has to wonder if Gibson were a Muslim and had made a movie about the death of Muhammad, if the same would have been said. 
  One of the big questions raised by this movie is “Who killed Jesus?”  The Jews?  The Romans?  Mel Gibson is accused of targeting the Jews and being anti-Semitic [hostile toward the Jews as a religious, racial or ethnic group], or, at least guilty of fueling anti-Semitism.  My thinking is that when people see this movie they will go away with a sense of awe toward the Christ who died for us rather than hatred toward the Jews who killed him. Isn't it ironic that the same people who insist that movies do not influence behavior [“It isn't real.  It's only acting”] are worried about this one.  It isn't really anti-Semitism that concerns them – it's the subject matter that they hate.
  The Jews were once a favored people.  They blessed “all the families of the earth” by bringing Christ into the world (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:16; 4:4-5).  Jesus, however, was not favored by the Jews (Jn. 1:11).   Yet, the gospel was preached first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (Rom. 1:16).  So, the real question is, “What killed the Christ?”  Why did Christ die?  The answer is that  “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3).  He died that we might have life (Jn. 10:10-11).  He died because of God's determined plan (Acts 2:23).  He died to fulfill the scriptures that thus it must be (Mt. 26:53-54).  He died in order that God might be just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus (Rom. 3:23-26).  He died to redeem Old Testament saints (Heb. 9:15).  He died to fulfill the Law of Moses (Col. 2:14-16).  He died to establish the New Covenant (Heb. 10:9-10).  He died to reconcile sinners to God (Rom. 5:10).  He died in order to prove God's love for fallen men (Rom. 5:8).  He died to draw us to God (Jn. 12:32).  He died to purchase the church (Acts 20:28).  He died for all men (Heb. 2:9).  He died for the remission of sins (Mt. 26:28). VOLUME 41    NUMBER 8             FEBRUARY 23, 2004 OUR SICK Charlie Dee Morris is in Room 1121 of St. Vincent. The family requests that visitors be limited to immediate family at this time.
Lynn Chambers is in Room 1111 of St. Vincent.
Robert Overbey had a heart attack and is in Coronary Care of the VA Hospital.
Sam Griffith went home on Saturday and is doing well.
Pauline Berry, mother of Brenda Henson, is in back at the Pines Nursing Home in Hot Springs.
Barbara Watson, mother of Becky Carr and Dawn Sullivan is in ICU in the Texarkana Hospital.
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NEW BABY Mark & Barbara Power have a new son, Noah Allen Power, born February 10, weight 8 lb. 8 oz. Grandparents are Don Allene Sorenson, great grandmother is Marolyn Beall.
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Together with their parents
Stacia Lynn Berman
and
Brian Scott Campbell
request the honor or your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the sixth of March
Two thousand and four
at two o'clock in the afternoon
Marlsgate Plantation
2695 Bearskin Lake Road
Scott, Arkansas
Reception immediately following
SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 29 Morning
The Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
Evening
A Peculiar People (Titus 2:13-14)
Scott Perry
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THANK YOU Thank you sincerely for your kind expression of sympathy. The beautiful green plant that was sent to the funeral of Pete Riley was deeply appreciated. Nell Warren.
We want to thank our brothers and sisters for your prayers for our daughter Debbie. She is still having problems after the surgery.  Please continue to pray for her and Nora's sister Jewell Bell in Osceola hospital. Butch & Nora Harris.
Thank you for your prayers. In the words of the doctors, “there is nothing we did to turn this around for good.” Thanks to Dennis, Scott and others for the visits and encouragement. Thank you for your love and support for Chuck and Jill. You are a great congregation. Special thanks to “your” doctor Dale Morris. I will begin treatments in 4-6 weeks. Please continue to pray for us. Sam & Clarice Griffith.
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SEARCH, February 29, The Music of the Church
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 28…Holding To The Traditions      Judsonia Church of Christ
March 3……………….All Comers Class OUR RECORD  FEBRUARY 22, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 242
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 179
P.M. WORSHIP 184
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY  150 CONTRIBUTION 8001
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
February 29, 2004 Barry Williams Ray Wehunt
Shawn Wallace Jim Wallace
Dave Tollett Wendell Thompson
Doyce Tarkington Michael Wilson Evening Gene Sullivan
  Ken Sullivan
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR March 3 Waymon Minor
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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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