The First Day of the Week 
Joe Slater
	Jesus arose upon the first day of the week (Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1, 7, 21). Seven weeks later, on the first day of another week, the church began on Pentecost Day (Acts 2, compare Leviticus 23:16). The church continued to meet upon the first day of each week to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). While together on that day, they set aside some of their income into a common treasury to support the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
	John refers to “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). Though he does not specify that this was the first day of the week, I know of no other day that would be more appropriately described as “belonging to” or “related to” the Lord. Technically, of course, every day belongs to the Lord; but John obviously had a particular day in mind.
	The seventh day was observed as a Sabbath under the Law of Moses, but the Sabbath has never been binding upon Christians (Colossians 2:16). The first day of the week is not a Sabbath; it is, however, a day that relates to the Lord in a way that no other day does. We ought to honor the Lord by spending that day serving Him. It is not the Lord’s hour, or even the Lord’s two or three hours; it is the Lord’s day! Am I suggesting that we “have church” all day? No, but would it be such an awful thing if we did? Scripture gives the impression that the early Christians were together far more than we are!
	Some religious groups (including a handful of churches of Christ) have what I call a “Saturday night special.” No, it’s not a hand gun! It’s a religious service that their people can attend so they will have Sunday free to do whatever else they please. While we criticize that (and rightly so), how many of us have the attitude that attending the assembly Sunday morning fulfills our duty (“gets it over with) so we can have the remainder of the day to go and do as we please? Or perhaps we use the first part of the day for recreational pursuits because we know we can show up at church Sunday night.
	Sunday isn’t a Sabbath. It isn’t just another day either. It’s the Lord’s Day. Let’s treat it as such.
	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
What is so good about the
Good News?
(Luke 2:8-14)
It drives away fear (v. 10 “fear not”)
It brings great joy (v. 10; John 16:24)
It is universal (v. 10 “to all people”)
It is personal (v. 11 “unto you”)
It is soul-centered (v. 11 “a Savior”)
It glorifies God (v. 14)
It brings peace and good will (v. 14)
	--Mark Posey (Decatur, AL)

Quest for Truth
	P. T. Forsyth wrote in Lectures on the Church and Sacraments "Most people make so little personal use of the Bible that they do not know if an interesting preacher is preaching the Gospel of not."
	Jesus warns us of the wolves who come in sheep's clothing. Have you spotted any lately? Are they extinct? Are they hibernating? Or, perhaps their disguise has improved over the years. When preachers fail to tell you the whole truth about God's requirements is he not a wolf in sheep's clothing? If he justifies sinful behavior is he not a wolf ravaging the flock?
	Have many said, as Paul, "Am I your enemy for telling you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16). If a preacher never makes me uncomfortable I don't think he is doing his job! I’ve heard it said that his job is "to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."  When a brother approached the preacher after a hard sermon he said, "Brother you sure stepped on my toes today." The preacher responded, "I was aiming at your heart."
	Paul warned that days would come when people would find preachers who would "tickle their ears" and not preach sound doctrine. Well, if there ever was a time when that was present, it certainly is today. There needs to be more who are willing to "declare the whole counsel of God" as Paul did in Ephesus (Acts 20:27).
	Granted, we don't want a preacher who will smile while he preaches on hell, but like Paul "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears. . . . You know I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you. . . (Acts 20:19, 20).
	But all the preaching in the world won't help one who won't listen. A closed Bible is not an amulet against sin.  
	Accept nothing less than the whole counsel of God!
	--Rob Redden (Arroyo Grande, CA)