ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

What Can Be Remembered

The church of Christ at first century Philippi was a memorable one for the apostle Paul. In Phlippians 1:3 he wrote to that splendid congregation of Christians, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Paul's memories of the church at Philippi p were good and sweet ones. His stay in Philippi had been painful (beatings and imprisonment; see Acts 16:22ff), but his memories of the church there were pleasant ones. The truth is every congregation of God's people is remembered for something, and each Christian is helping to make memories for someone every Lord's Day! What do we want our congregation to be remembered for? The following piece reminds us that just being remembered is not enough. We must strive tô be remembered for those things that please the Lord. I'd like to give credit to the one who penned this piece, but it was anonymous. It is entitled simply, What Can Be Remembered?

As the Lord's church in this area, what do we seek to be known for? What would we desire people to REMEMBER about the church here during the time we were members? Consider some facts from the New Testament about a congregation of God's people, located In the city of Thessalonica about 53 A. D..

Building and facilities Not Mentioned.
Preacher Not Mentioned.
Elders Not Mentioned.
Attendance Not Mentioned.
Number Baptized Not Mentioned.
Annual Budget Not Mentioned.
"Their work of faith and labor of love"1 Thessalonians 1:3.
"Their patience of hope" 1 Thessalonians 1 :3 .
"Followers of the Lord" 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
"Examples to all who believed" 1 Thessalonians 1:7.
"Sounded forth the word" 1 Thessalonians 1:8.
"You turned. ...to serve the living God" 1 Thessalonians 1:9.
Perhaps these thoughts can give us an insight to the things the Lord deems "important" about any local congregation.

Dan Gulley
church of Christ
Smithville, Tennessee