CHURCH SERVICE AT TROAS

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7 NKJV).

When the apostle Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem after his third missionary journey, he stopped for a short time at Troas, a town located on the northwestern shore of modern-day Turkey. Scripture records a special church service at Troas involving the apostle Paul and his traveling companions. Our verse speaks of the day of the service, the details of the service, and the duration of the service.

Day of the service – “Now on the first day of the week.” This is the first time in Scripture we are told of believers in the Lord Jesus meeting together specifically on the first day of the week to worship. The practice of meeting on the Sabbath was a Jewish practice. But the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the grave on the first day of the week made it a special day and an excellent day to meet to worship. Coming together for worship is a wonderful way to start the new week.

Details of the service – “When the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them.” Two aspects of the service are mentioned in our verse: the observing of the Lord’s Supper and the preaching of God’s Word. The context of the verse will verify that the main part of the service was the preaching of the Word. While observing the Lord’s Supper is important, there must also be the preaching of God’s Word. It is sad to see how the Word of God is neglected in church services today.

Duration of the service – “Paul…continued his message until midnight.” Today most folks would have left before the preaching was over, but these folks did not leave. They were eager to hear the Word of God. It is not easy to get people to be in church that long. Unless the program is filled with fun, games, or films, folks will not stay. There is something spiritually lacking when folks will stay up all night to watch a ball game or election results, but fuss if the sermon is longer than twenty minutes.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God!”

John Calvin (1509 - 1564)

French Theologian, Pastor, Author and Reformer

Word Study

Fellow members of the body

In Eph. 3:6 we read, “To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (NASB).

“Fellow members of the body” is the Greek word sýssōmos (σύσσωμος = soos'-so-mos). It is made up of two Greek words: “sun” which means with, association, fellowship, and “sōmos” which means body. It describes a co-member or one who is a member of a group. Sýssōmos is only used once in the New Testament, here in Eph. 3:6. The apostle Paul used the term to emphasize the union of Gentiles and Jewish believers – that they belong to “the same body,” the Church. The word “body” is used metaphorically in reference to the universal Church, the body of Christ. There can be no schism, national identity, or any lines of separation in the Church, the body of Christ.

Did You Know…

According to the Book of Deuteronomy, God required that there be 2 or 3 witnesses before capital punishment could be carried out by the Israelites (Deut. 17:6).

Bible Quiz

What was Jeremiah’s initial protest against speaking God’s words?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

According to 1 Peter, how should wives win their husbands to the Lord? By their behavior (1 Peter 3:1-2).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

That Prophet - Prefigures the Coming of God’s Prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 6:14)

"The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear” (Deut. 18:15 NJKV).

In context, Moses said that God would bring the nation a great Prophet. This prophet would be one of their countrymen, and they should listen to him. The word “prophet” means one who speaks for another (cf. Exod. 7:1-2). The Biblical “prophet” was one who spoke forth a message for God (Deut. 18:18; cf. Jer. 1:4-7). Every prophet that arose after Moses would share in some aspect of the hope for this great Prophet. Both the Old Testament (Deut. 34:10) and the New Testament (Acts 3:22-23; 7:37) interpret this passage as a reference to the coming Messiah, who like Moses would receive and preach divine revelation and lead His people. Thus, this is a prophecy of the greatest of all prophets, the Lord Jesus Christ. This also became a title for the Messiah (cf. John 1:21, 25; 6:14; 7:40; Acts 3:22; 7:37). The ultimate Prophet like Moses is the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who spoke God’s words and who provides deliverance for His people.). His birth as the incarnate King was declared by the heavens in the appearance of a star over Bethlehem (Matt 2:1–10).

Did You Know – Christian History

Anthony the Great was born January 12, 251, in Koma, Egypt. He was a Christian monk from Egypt, and a prominent leader among the Desert Fathers. He is distinguished from other saints named Anthony by such titles as: Anthony of Egypt, Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, Anthony the Hermit, and Anthony of Thebes. For his importance among the Desert Fathers and to all later Christian monasticism, he is also known as the Father of All Monks. Although he was not the first monk, he was the most famous and put monasticism (simple, solitary, ascetic life) ‘on the map’ so to speak, by his astonishing self-discipline and leadership.

Athanasius of Alexandria wrote Antony’s biography. He tells that Antony’s mother and father died, leaving him with three hundred acres and a young sister to care for. He was about eighteen. Six months after the death of his parents, Antony was meditating as he walked to church. The Apostles left all and followed the Savior and the early Christians sold their possessions to distribute to the needy. What hope they had in heaven! As he entered church, he heard someone reading the Lord Jesus’ words to the rich man: “If you would be perfect, go sell all you have and give it to the poor; then come follow Me and you shall have treasure in heaven.” Antony took the Lord Jesus’ words to heart. He immediately sold his possessions. After making provision for his sister, he distributed the rest of the money to the poor.

One of the first things he did as a hermit was to visit other hermits and study their character. He was determined to imitate what was best in each. Through fasts, vigils, prayer and ascetic practices, he hoped to overcome spiritual laziness. He went so far as to have himself walled within a tomb, where he experienced horrific demonic attacks. A vision of heavenly light made him even more enthusiastic for the faith. He retreated into the desert for twenty years. Hundreds came to see him and seek his advice. Eventually, he emerged from total seclusion. His face showed lasting peace. By healing the sick, advising people in trouble, casting out demons, and preaching, he demonstrated the power of Christ to touch lives. Many men were attracted to monasticism through his example. Athanasius’s Life of Antony preserved his story and inspired a great number of monks who enlightened and evangelized Europe and the Near East. Even in his lifetime, his fame had spread through all Egypt and around the Mediterranean basin.

When Antony of Egypt realized he was dying, he took two monks with him into the desert and ordered them to bury him in a secret place. He was much revered and feared that his body might become an object of reverence. According to tradition, he died at the ripe age of 105 on January 17, 356.

A Little Humor

A man gets on an airplane and sees a nun praying fervently beside him. “Are you afraid of flying?” he asks. “Flying, no. Crashing, yes.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Jesus died for Myspace in heaven!”