Lucedale Church of Christ

03/15/2026

08/08/2025

Addressing Modern Questions: "Why Don't We Use Instrumental Music?"

Many sincere Christians today ask why Churches of Christ don't use instrumental music in worship. This question often comes from a genuine desire to understand, and it deserves a thoughtful, biblical response.

The New Testament consistently speaks of SINGING in worship (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:15). When Paul instructed Christians to "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," he emphasized the heart as the instrument.

Historical evidence shows that the early church worshiped with voices only for several centuries. The introduction of mechanical instruments came much later and was actually controversial when first introduced.

But here's the heart of the matter: our worship should be "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). We can certainly appreciate instrumental music in other settings—many of us enjoy it greatly! But in our corporate worship, we choose to follow the New Testament pattern of congregational singing that unites our voices and hearts in praise.

This isn't about being against music—it's about honoring the worship that God has revealed in His Word.

08/06/2025

Walking the Walk - Love in Action

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35 (NKJV)

Jesus didn't say the world would recognize His followers by their perfect doctrine or flawless church attendance. He said they'd know us by our love. This kind of love isn't just warm feelings—it's love that rolls up its sleeves and serves.

When Paul described love in 1 Corinthians 13, he used action words: love is patient, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't boast. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Walking the walk means loving the unlovable coworker, forgiving the family member who hurt us, and serving without expecting recognition. It means choosing kindness when we're tired, patience when we're frustrated, and generosity when it's inconvenient.

Your love for fellow Christians—and for those who aren't yet believers—is one of the most powerful testimonies you can offer. Let your life be a love letter that points others to Jesus.

08/04/2025

The Role of Baptism in Salvation

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." - Mark 16:16 (NKJV)

Many denominations teach that faith alone saves, but Scripture consistently presents baptism as an essential part of God's plan for salvation. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He didn't separate belief from baptism—He joined them together.

In Acts 2:38, Peter commanded, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." The word "for" (Greek: eis) means "in order to obtain" or "unto"—the same way we take medicine FOR a headache to get relief from it.

Baptism is not a work that earns salvation—it's the point at which God's grace removes our sins. When we're buried with Christ in baptism, God raises us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). It's the moment when we "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27) and are "added to the church" (Acts 2:47).

This teaching isn't about adding requirements to grace—it's about understanding what Scripture actually says about how and when God's grace saves us. The gospel includes Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and we respond to that gospel by dying to sin, being buried in baptism, and rising to new life.

Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism—these are not our works but our response to God's amazing grace.

08/01/2025

Walking the Walk - Beginning the Journey

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

Walking the walk of faith isn't just a Sunday morning commitment—it's a daily transformation. When Paul wrote about being a "new creation," he wasn't speaking about a one-time event but an ongoing process of spiritual growth.

True Christianity shows itself in how we treat our families when no one is watching, how we handle our workplace challenges, and how we respond when life gets difficult. The walk of faith is measured not by our words alone, but by the love we show, the integrity we maintain, and the hope we carry into every circumstance.

This month, we'll explore what it truly means to walk as Jesus walked. Are you ready to let your life be a living testimony of His transforming power?

07/28/2025

From The Front Page-

Navigating Life and Pressing Forward:

Last week we discussed how easy it is to drift from God's path when life's distractions pull us in different directions. Today, let's focus on the daily disciplines that keep us moving forward in our spiritual journey. Just as we wouldn't attempt a cross-country trip without regularly checking our GPS, we need consistent interaction with God's Word to stay on course.

The early church understood the importance of daily spiritual navigation. In Acts 2:42, we read that the first Christians "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." This wasn't a once-a-week commitment—it was a daily lifestyle. The Bereans were commended because they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). They didn't rely on Sunday's sermon to sustain them through the week; they made daily Bible study a priority.

Jesus himself modeled this principle of daily spiritual discipline. Despite His busy ministry schedule, He regularly withdrew to pray and commune with the Father (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed daily spiritual refueling, how much more do we? Each morning brings new challenges, new temptations, and new opportunities to serve God. We need fresh strength from His Word to face whatever lies ahead. As the Lord provided manna daily for the Israelites in the wilderness, He provides fresh spiritual nourishment for us each day through His Word.

Paul understood that the Christian life is like running a race that requires endurance and focus. He wrote, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). The word "press" implies determined effort despite obstacles. Paul didn't casually stroll toward his spiritual destination; he pressed forward with intentional purpose.
Even when facing imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks, he refused to give up or turn back.

This pressing forward isn't about perfection—it's about persistence. We won't navigate every day perfectly, but we can commit to getting back on course when we stumble. Jesus told His disciples, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Our consistency in following God's road map becomes a beacon of hope for others who are struggling to find their way.

As we commit to daily Bible reading, prayer, and faithful living, we become living testimonies of God's transforming power. The path may not always be easy, but with God's Word as our guide and His Spirit as our companion, we can confidently press forward, knowing that He "who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Let us encourage one another to stay the course and shine as lights in this world.

07/25/2025

Love sees need and moves to meet it. The Good Samaritan didn't just feel sorry for the wounded man—he "went to him and bandaged his wounds" (Luke 10:34 NKJV). Compassion without action is just emotion. Today, let your love have hands and feet. Look for someone who needs what you can offer.

07/23/2025

Hope isn't wishful thinking—it's confident expectation based on God's promises. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV). God's thoughts toward you are good. Your story isn't over, and the best chapters may be yet to come.