Quote from Forum Archives on June 24, 2003, 3:35 pm

Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>

Forthright Magazine
www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross

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Weather Alert: Beware of high winds. They can be
hazardous to your faith.
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GUEST ARTICLE

Spiritual Shipwreck
by Ron Harper

Shipwrecks are destructive things. Paul was being
taken by ship to Rome. While at sea a strong
northeast wind created a violent storm that
destroyed the vessel. Thankfully, Paul and all on
board were saved from death.

One of the most famous shipwrecks in American
history is the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
This cargo ship had carried iron ore and coal on
Lake Superior for seventeen years. Of course,
sailing on Lake Superior is risky business. The
skeletons of at least 350 ships are strewn across
her bottom. On November 9, 1975, The Edmund
Fitzgerald encountered a fierce northeast wind.
Storms are so common in November that they are
called "the gales of November." Before she could
reach her destination, the Edmund Fitzgerald was
sunk. All 29 crewmen as well as the cargo were
lost. Nature is a destructive force.

It is possible for you to be hit with "spiritual
shipwreck." The Bible gives this warning.

"Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some
have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to
their faith" (1 Timothy 1:19).

If we continually violate our conscience, we will
shipwreck our faith. A man sought help with a
spiritual problem. He had continually violated his
conscience with a sinful lifestyle. In the course
of our conversation he said, "I just don't have
much faith anymore."

Why did he not have much faith? It's obvious. He
had shipwrecked his faith. He had destroyed it
with a sinful lifestyle.

What the gales of November do to ships on Lake
Superior is symbolic of what violating your
conscience will do to your faith. Think about it.

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What to Expect
compiled by Oran Burt

[Editor's note: The following, which serves as an
introduction to a first-time visitor, comes from the
page, "Our Services," of the Somers Avenue
congregation in North Little Rock, Ark
(http://somersavenue.org). This good church has
supported our efforts in Brazil for several years.]

When you enter what we refer to as the auditorium,
there are no reserved seats, so feel free to sit
anywhere you choose.

In a bookrack near you, there will be a hymnbook
for your use. When the song leader announces a
number, you can turn to that number in the
hymnbook to find the words and music. One of the
unique things about churches of Christ is that the
singing is a cappella. That is, we sing without
the accompaniment of musical instruments. This is
a conviction with us, not just a preference. We
are seeking worship according to the New Testament
pattern (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). We think you will
find the singing very meaningful, with everyone
invited to participate.

There will be several prayers offered throughout
the worship. There may be prayers offered for
specific needs or requests.

During the Sunday morning worship, the Lord's
Supper will be included. We observe this memorial
every Sunday. Again, the reason for this is our
desire to follow New Testament teaching. The
church of the New Testament celebrated this
observance on the first day of the week (Acts
20:7).

During this memorial, plates will be passed
throughout the auditorium containing pieces of
unleavened bread. The bread symbolizes the body of
Jesus Christ which he gave on the cross (1
Corinthians 11:23-25). Each Christian will break
off a piece of bread and eat it.

Next, trays of small cups filled with the "fruit
of the vine" (grape juice) will be passed. This
symbolizes the blood of Jesus shed on the cross (1
Corinthians 11:23-25). Jesus commands Christians
to do this "in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians
11:24).

Following the Lord's Supper, plates will be passed
to collect the weekly financial offering. This too
is according to New Testament teaching (1
Corinthians 16 :1-2). As our guest, you are not
expected to make a contribution. You are welcome
to, if you choose, but feel perfectly comfortable
just passing the collection plate to the next
person.

As you would expect, there will be a sermon
delivered by the preacher. This sermon will likely
be about 30 minutes long. We think you will find
it refreshingly Bible-centered.

You will notice that the preacher does not have a
title. He won't be referred to as Pastor or
Reverend. If anything, he will be referred to as
brother or simply referred to by his first name.
The reason for this is our belief in the
priesthood of all believers. All Christians are on
equal footing with God (Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter
2:5, 9).

At the close of the sermon the preacher will
extend the invitation. This is simply an opportune
time to invite those who want to make a commitment
to the Lord or request prayers for help and
support to respond. He will encourage those who
wish to respond to come to the front of the
auditorium while the congregation sings the
invitation hymn. Do not feel ill-at-ease during
this invitation. You will not be singled out in
any way.

Some of the responses at this time may be for
prayers for specific needs, to place membership
and be identified with this congregation, to
confess sin, or to become a New Testament
Christian through the act of baptism. The baptism
will be by immersion (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4)
and will be for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

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