by Stan Mitchell

"Seated in the window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story, and was picked up dead" (Acts 20:9).

You have heard the joke. A man falls asleep during the sermon. The preacher spies him, and addresses his neighbor. "Can you reach over and wake brother so and so up?"

The punch line follows: "Preacher, you put him to sleep. You wake him up!"

I'm sorry. I never liked that joke. And I don't think it's because I lack a sense of humor. I think Jesus used humor to get his points across, and as long as it's appropriate, I think a preacher can do it effectively today, too.

Can you imagine a man attempting eye surgery with a beam in his own eye? Can you imagine a punctilious housewife straining a gnat out of her soup -- and swallowing a camel?

What I don't like about the joke is that it blames the wrong person. It's like saying that an assaulted woman was guilty because she was running at night or the victim of a robbery was guilty because he left his car window open. Perhaps he was unwise, but the thief was the one who was guilty!

And I don't really mind (much!) if someone is having a hard time staying awake on a given Sunday morning. You know what I mean -- when he dozes for a moment, then wakes up guiltily, and does his best to stay the course. Get more sleep next Saturday night, but trust me, I understand.

But what I don't understand is the person who outright "crashes" in worship, making no pretence that he despises proceedings. It's not just a rebuke to the preacher, it shows a lack of respect for God himself!

If you are a child of God, ask yourself, is this the way you should act in God's very presence? What if the Lord were to come and speak to us directly, would we pay attention? If the preacher uses God's word, is there a difference?

Parents, I ask it in all kindness, observe your child in worship. If he or she is not demonstrating proper respect for the Lord, it's your responsibility to teach them, by word and example how to do it properly. Your leadership might also be needed with regard to bedtime on Saturday nights. If need be, cancel other activities in order to do the most important thing you will do all week –- worship God!

I say this in love. If we do not show proper respect for God, worse things than falling out a window may happen to us!

by Barry Newton

Rule #12 in the Newton household: Homework must be completed every day before you can play. My boys may not always enjoy this rule, but the self-discipline and education gained through doing homework is good for them. Accordingly, if I tell them to trot into their study area to do their homework, at times they are entitled to say, "dad, I do not have to study now, I have completed my obligation."

Now imagine the disaster which would follow if a husband told his wife, "honey, I do not have to spend time talking with you right now, I have already completed my duty." Or if we back this scenario up to the courtship, would any girl want to date a guy who acted like his time with her involved fulfilling the obligation of an assignment? Totally absurd!

While healthy relationships are characterized by each individual working hard to put love into action, for them it is a labor of love. They want to sacrifice time, energy, and money for their beloved. For a guy who is in love, there is no need to enforce a list of rules about how he must spend his time and money with the girl he is courting. He wants to be with her because his heart motivates him.

So when God looks into your heart as you think about joining together with the saints to praise him and study his word, what attitude does he see? Do you approach attending services as rule-based homework or a love-based relationship?

Sadly, people who say: "Well, the Bible does not say that I have to attend every time" or "Where's the rule that I have to go to Bible Class" have simply missed the point. Such questions betray their hearts even to the rest of us nearsighted humans. These are thoughts that bubble up from a heart that is more in love with other activities or pleasures than joining together with other saints to praise God and learn of his will.

Probably part of the reason why you will not find within God's message to us a list of rules about attending worship services is the same reason why wives do not post a list of rules for their husbands about how their spouses must show love to them. Wives desire their husband's hearts, not just ritualistic duty. Worship is all about God, not us. Worship is our response to what God has already done for us.

God has given us every reason to be filled with love and gratitude toward him. The natural response to grasping the depth and extent of God's love-based service toward us involves worshipping in spirit and in truth.

Need to grow in your attitude toward church attendance? Don't focus on what you could be doing. Don't think about the foibles of those with whom you will be worshipping. Meditate on the gravity and extensiveness of your sin and God's grace to you through Jesus' sacrifice. You may be amazed what happens.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians Chapter Four

Think on Paul's three questions in First Corinthians 4:7,

"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV).

1. First question: "For who makes you differ from another?" Answer: God. Every person is unique from the moment of conception because God has created us individually.

2. Second question: "And what do you have that you did not receive?" Answer: Nothing. Every good gift and every perfect act of giving is from the Father of lights.

3. Third question: "Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?" If I have received everything from God, then I should glorify God and not myself. Why should I glory as if I had not received it, but got it all on my own?

Therefore, whatever we do, let us do it to the glory of God.