An Open Letter of Love to the Fair Lady of CP
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)
The CP Church of Christ has come a mighty long way. It is a known fact that no church is productive without good stewards. Stewards are simply servants of God. In serving God and the CP church of Christ, there must be the presence of three biblical characteristics or traits. If a man or woman will service God in spirit and in truth, they must be faithful, committed and dedicated to God. Now in being faithful, committed and dedicated to God, you must be submissive to the men of God according to the scriptures. (Col. 3:17; Rom 10:14; Titus 1:5; Heb. 13:7 & 17).
Faithfulness: the bible clearly states in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Where do we get this faith? In Rom.10:17 the bible says “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Where and when is the word preached and taught? It is clearly shown in versus 14-16 that the emphasis of our learning of the word is when the church is assembled together as a corporal body. This includes a.m. and p.m. worship, Sunday and midweek bible studies, gospel meetings, revivals, prayer service and special fellowships when set up by the minister and elders who are the enforcers of what has been set in order according to the scripture not man. (Titus 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:1-5) (Heb. 13:17).
Finally God says in his word that when the church comes together to assemble you ought not miss it!! (Heb. 10:19-25)
Commitment: The second college edition of the American Heritage Dictionary says that the word (commit) means, “to do, perform, or perpetrate.” The word (commitment) means “the act of committing; a giving in charge or entrusting.”
This is exactly why you are here today for to be entrusted to perform or execute a specific duty. In 2 Tim. 2:2 when Paul was ready to entrust the word and the work of God to his son in the gospel, he told Timothy to commit them to faithful men. When the Grecian widows were neglected in Acts 6:1-7, they committed that work to men who were full of faith. The women were found at the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body because of their commitment and faith (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1).
Dedication: Again the American Heritage Dictionary says the word (dedicate) means “to set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.” The word (dedication) means “the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated.” No ministry can or will be successful without sacrifice. Notice the word sacrifice is used in the imperfect present tense. It is a right now and ongoing state. Paul said in (Rom.12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Finally one must understand by no means can he/she ever attempt to do the will of God and not accept or obey the rule or word of God. God’s people must seek to be in harmony with God’s leaders. Those who seek to serve in God’s kingdom must first and foremost be submissive to the men of God, the Ministers, leaders and Elders when appointed (Rom 13:1-7). Insubordination has never been favorable with God. The reward is always Death (Rom 6:23) (Gen6: Noah/Ark) (Joshua 5:6 Israel died in wilderness) (Gen 19:1 Sodom Gomorrah destroyed).
Serving Beneath the Weight of the Cross
Matthew Myles, Sr, Minister