"Worthy Are
Thou"
Tillit S. Teddlie was a member of the Lord's church and a prolific song
writer. Among the songs he wrote is, "Worthy Art Thou." Here is the story behind
it as taken from an article by W. D. Jeffcoat in The Christian Chronicle, June,
1977.
"In 1929 while living in Belton, he composed on of his most loved compositions. One
Lord's day morning as he sat on the front steps at his home studying his sermon, a sublime
thought came to him. With no composition paper handy, he wrote the song 'Worthy Art Thou'
with a pencil on the front fly leaf of B. W. Johnson's People's New Testament Notes,
Volume One. In relating that incident to the author he said, 'Each stanza is a
complement to the others. It pictures the throne and him who sat upon it, with the
twenty-four elders bowing in worshipful adoration before the throne saying, "Thou are
worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power . . . and riches and wisdom and
strength." No human language can adequately describe the majesty and delight of that
glorified scene in heaven. It staggers our limited imagination, but it will be worth
everything to enjoy the glorified life with Christ our King!' It will be observed that the
theme comes from Revelation 4:11 and 5:12.
"Brother Teddlie was present for a chapel service at Freed-Hardeman College in
January of 1961. He stated that one unforgettable moment was when he was asked to lead an
overflow audience in singing 'Worthy Art Thou.' At the time he was thrilled and
exhilarated by the great power and feeling with which they sang."
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Why Saints Assemble
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:25) is a
clear statement of God's will in the matter; and some babes in Christ may "go to
church" compelled by fear of God's wrath. This is a legitimate motive, albeit one
that is less needed by the more mature Christian. The collective action of saints, with
its attendant assemblings, is far more than a self-justifying end. It grows out of the
basic character of saints, and their God-appointed
purposes.
Early Christians were "together" "with one accord" (Acts 2:44-46). A
closeness and singleness of purpose such as theirs brought them together physically, just
as it will bring true Christians together today. They gravitated toward one another for
prayer as fishermen gather to discuss lures; they had a common interest and object of
worship.
They loved the truth, and their "delight" was in the law of the Lord (Matt. 5:6,
Ps. 1:2). When people are hungry, they do not have to be urged to go where there is food;
nor do they eat "because of a sense of duty."
Faithful Christians had great respect and veneration for Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:23) -
hence, welcomed opportunity to participate in the memorial supper. Their hearts were
warmed and faith renewed as they worshipped "in remembrance of" Christ.
Each one's concern for his own spiritual welfare, as well as that of fellow Christians,
was reflected in the assembling. In Heb. 10:23-25 note how "let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering" is related to their gathering together.
And because "every man according to his ability, determined" the making [...
continued on page two] of a common treasury brought them together (Acts 11:29; 1 Cor.
16:1-3). A pooled fund is the means of exchange by which a plurality of saints act as one
to do God's will. Some early churches were so anxious to do God's work they begged Paul to
take their offering (2 Cor. 8:4). The next verse explains this eagerness: they had given
themselves to the Lord.
Saints today assemble for these same reasons. I do not refer to those who occasionally
"attend" worship; I mean those who worship with regularity, the faithful few or
many.
The indifferent and the hypocrites make excuse; perhaps even try to make some
"logical" argument, as, "I can worship God, being alone." Of course
what one could do, being alone, is hardly the question. The hypocrite is seldom alone
(i.e., there are other saints within reach) and if one were alone there is little reason
to believe he would worship God. Such people usually compound their wrong by lying - to
others, to themselves, and to God.
If you are a "oncer" (once-a-week) or worse, allow yourself a moment of truly
honest self-inspection. Can you believe that one who loves his brethren because they are
brethren, who delights in Bible study, has deep respect for the Lord's Supper, and is
truly concerned for God's work and his own soul, would "do as you do"?
-Robert F. Turner
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News of Interest
Bonnie Gears, Dovie Tuttle's sister, passed away
last week . . . In an effort to encourage application of the studies on the family,
informal discussion groups are scheduled April 4 (men) and and April
11 (women) following the evening assemblies. The aim is to limit these to 30-40
minutes, and, if deemed worthwhile, schedule the first two Sundays of the next two months
for additional discussions . . . New Reports: Carlos Capelli; Leon
Cathey . . . Next Sunday we will have our monthly singing practice after evening
assembly.
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Area Gospel Meetings
Mar. 14-19 - Dickinson - Warren Berkley
Mar. 26-28 - Cy-Fair - David Smitherman
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SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday, March 17
Song Leader: Jim Crain
Sunday AM, March 21
Announcements: Rocky Rodriguez
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Jim Porterfield
Lord's Table:
Bread: Dwight Osteen
Fruit of the Vine: Craig Ottersbach
Contribution: Kris Emerson
Assistant: Jonathan Bernard
Closing Prayer: Wallace Ottersbach
Sunday PM, March 21
Song Leader: Dwight Osteen
First Prayer: Bill Faulkner
Lord's Table:
Bread: Tod Aldridge
Fruit of the Vine: Doug Bernard
Contribution: Mike Akins
Closing Prayer: Fred Ferguson
If you are a song leader, but know you will be unavailable, please notify Jim
Crain. If you are scheduled to serve in any other capacity but cannot serve as
scheduled, please notify Gregg Hutson.