Greet One Another

There may be certain parts of Scripture that we think only applied to first-century Christians and we just skip over them.  But, perhaps we should take a closer look.  Consider for a moment the numerous times that Christians were directed to “Greet one another.”  That still applies today.

First, think about the word, “Greet.”  The Greek word literally means, “to draw to oneself.”  It is defined as, “to engage in hospitable recognition of another through word or gesture, welcome, express good wishes, treat with affection.”  This generally involved embracing or kissing, and the term is used repeatedly in the epistles as an imperative verb, indicating a command of God that is not optional.  Do you greet?

Second, think about the object of the action, “Greet one another.”  The reflexive, reciprocal pronoun “one another” involves all brethren doing this to all other brethren (Rom. 16:16; 2 Cor. 13:12).  Just as we are to love one another, encourage one another and serve one another (mutual responsibilities of every Christian for every other Christian), we are to greet one another.  Paul says, “Greet all the brethren” (1 Thess. 5:26), and John says, “Greet the friends by name” (3 John 14).  Do you greet your brethren regularly?

Third, think about the method, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  The Lord was not demanding a kiss in all generations and all cultures, but He was taking a common practice of that day and regulating it among the Christians.  First-century greetings often included the kiss of friendship, not a passionate kiss.  In modern culture, it usually is a handshake or a friendly hug—some kind of gesture that (remember the literal definition) would draw another to oneself in a welcoming, friendly way.

Fourth, think about the regulation of the greeting, “Greet one another with a HOLY kiss.”  The emphasis in the text is on the word “holy.”  The Lord took the common greeting of the day and ensured that it was done out of Christian affection.  It is to be “holy,” meaning “set apart, sincere, unhypocritical.”  You need to mean it when you greet your brethren and you need to keep it Christ-like.  Peter said, “Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1 Pet. 5:14).  Agape love is to color every action of a Christian.

Fifth, consider that our holy greetings are to be extended beyond our brethren.  Jesus said, “If you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?” (Matt. 5:47).  When you are at a church service, spend time greeting your brethren warmly, but make it a priority to seek out guests and give them a genuine, friendly Christian welcome.  Our guests should feel like they are wanted in our family. 

David Sproule

Palm Beach Lakes church of Christ, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

January Sunday Speakers

January 5^th – Woody Biggs

January 12^th – Woody Biggs

January 19^th – Jeremy Powell

January 26^th – Jason Daugherty

January Dates to Note

January 13^th – January 17^th - Sherry Vacation

January 19^th – Elders Meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the library

January 20^th – Deacons Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship building.

January 20^{th -} Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Offices Closed

January 27^th- 2025 Budget Meeting 6:00 p.m. for Elders & Deacons in the main auditorium.

BIBLE CLASS TIME CHANGES

**The Wednesday night Bible Class time has been changed to 6:00 p.m. and the Sunday night Bible Class time has been changed to 5:00 p.m.**

Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch

Sunday, November 24th after A.M. Service in the Fellowship Building

There are signup sheets in the foyer if you would like to help prepare or serve food for the annual Thanksgiving Fellowship meal. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Robbins.

Daylight Saving Time

The Empty Pew

Preachers have a distinctive view of the congregation as he stands before them and delivers the message from God’s word. As he teaches the lesson, he subconsciously assesses the audience, and immediately knows if the attendance for that day is good or is lacking. As human nature would have it, members have the habit of sitting in the same place for each service they attend. If the congregation is small, the preacher has probably memorized each member’s or family’s designated pew. So, when those pews are empty, especially for several services, it is a matter of concern for the following reasons:

• Is someone sick? Do they need prayer, comfort, or ministered to? “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:15a)
• Are they suffering from loss or tragedy? Do they need God’s comfort that can be given through us? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
• Are they at odds with a fellow member? Jesus taught us conflict resolution, even if it needs mediation. (Matthew 18:15-20)
• Is the new convert struggling with their commitment to God? Mature Christians should encourage them. (Romans 15:1)
• Have they been offended by truthful presentation of the scriptures which convict the world of sin? (John 16:8)
• Have they willfully missed worship while pursuing pleasure? This is idolatry, is sinful and requires repentance. (Hebrews 10:24-27)
• Have they become distracted by life? Work and family obligations can lead us on the gradual road to unfaithfulness. (Colossians 3:1-2)

These are just a few of the things that can concern the preacher (or elder) as they observe the empty pew.

Jay Launius – 2024
Maud Church of Christ
Maud, Texas

Potter Children's Home

Thank you to the family here at Woodsfield we were able to send a total of $4,203.00 for the Day of Prayer & Giving for the Children.

Clothes Closet

The Clothes Closet ministry will not be accepting any clothing donations until further notice. They are also asking if someone is interested in helping Jean Antill in the closet, please contact Sue Dearth at 740-472-0237.                             

Who Will You Serve?

In 1979, Bob Dylan broke into a new era in his recording history and released a song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.”  The gist of the song is a biblical concept—all of us are in servitude to someone in life, no matter how great or powerful we are.  The repeated phrase throughout the song, “it may be the Devil or it may be the Lord” was the reminder of the only two masters one can serve.  At first, the song was criticized.  John Lennon came out with a song of his own ridiculing Dylan’s, entitled “Serve Yourself.”  Eventually, however, the song caught on and became a hit; now it remains one of his best-known songs.

In many ways, the song was personal for Bob Dylan.  During this same period, Dylan surrendered his own life in service to Jesus.  The song is a window into the mind and heart of Dylan, a newly converted Christian, who was wrestling with his own fame, notoriety and eternity.  It took a lot for Dylan, who already possessed a successful musical career of over a decade, to change directions and write this song.  He would go on to release 3 albums of gospel music in the late 70s/early 80s.

We’ll explore more on this topic of service, but for the sake of this bulletin article I’d like to pose one question:

Would you have had the guts to write this song?

It’s easy to be a dedicated Christian in a pew or in the company of fellow believers, but it’s another thing entirely to take that message out to the street and proclaim it to an audience that is anything but.  Lennon’s response and mockery of the song is a perfect example of the reaction many in the world have to the message of the gospel.  I hope that I would be so bold.  I hope you would be too.

                                                                                                                        Scott McFarland