April 25, 1999

"90,000 Revelers Cruise The Isle"
So read the headlines of an article in Houston Chronicle recently. It was in reference to those who went to Galveston to celebrate "Beach Party Weekend 1999." Also watch for headlines about revelers at Mardi Gras and other party times of the year.

The word "revellings" occurs in Gal. 5:21 and 1 Pt. 4:3 in the King James Version. It is listed in a group of practices Christians can have no part of. In Galatians we learn that those who practice such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God." We need to know what this is!

"Revel" as a verb is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary, "1. To take great pleasure or delight: She reveled in her unaccustomed leisure. 2. To engage in uproarious festivities; make merry." As a noun, "n. 1. A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking." Based on these definitions, the word "revelling" may be misleading, for it is not simply merrymaking that is in view in the scripture texts. "Boisterous" may be a key, for "boisterous" means, "2. Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline." [italics mine, srf] Ibid. Maybe this is why the later versions translate with other words. The New American Standard Version translates, "carousings," and the New International Version, "orgies." "Carouse" means, "n. 1. Boisterous, drunken merrymaking."  [italics mine, srf] Ibid. "Orgy" is defined, "1. A revel involving unrestrained indulgence, especially sexual activity." [italics mine, srf] Ibid.
 
The definitions of the Greek word (kwmos, kOmos) may  be helpful. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says, "a revel, carousal, i.e.in the Grk. writ. prop. a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally, of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry." William Barclay in Flesh and Spirit points out that it was used of a celebration that results in debauchery and that the word is associated with drunkenness. It is the kind of celebration that turns into "a lustful excess in physical and sexual pleasure." Spiro Zodhaites in The Complete Word Study Dictionary says of kOmos, "...hence feastings and drunkenness with impurity and obscenity of the grossest kind. Therefore, it always presupposes a festive company and drunken revellers."

Cruising the beach is not wrong. Celebrating a special event or some free time is not in itself wrong. Having a good time is not wrong. If all that is meant by "revel" is "making merry" or "taking delight" in these ways, all is well. But, when these celebrations and the parties that go with them involve "drunken merrymaking" and "unrestrained indulgence, especially sexual activity," it is SIN. Is this what went on at the "all-night parties"? Is so, to participate in these parties is SIN. Is this what is meant when one boasts of being a "party animal"? If so, one is boasting of his SINFUL conduct.

The world does it. Always has. Will to the end of time. But, we are "not of the world" (John 17:14). If we engaged in such in the past, it is time to say "no more" and to "live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2). We must "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).  srf

News to Use
John Lowrance is still on oxygen, but doing better. He had a reaction to his pain medication and had to be taken off of it. John's brother, Cliff, who was found to have lung cancer had part of his lung removed. It is not thought the cancer spread . . . The biopsy revealed mild to mild-moderate damage to Jim Porterfield's liver. No cirrhosis was found and only minimal scar tissue. Discussions about treatment will take place over the next few weeks . . . Genia Rice has been told her mother, Ruby Jones,  has but a short time to live. The cancer is not operable. Chemotherapy is possible but not likely. She suffered a stroke while in the hospital in the Woodlands that may contributed to her rapid decline . . . Jerry Courtney was able to return home from the hospital. It seems the problems with his heart were not due to blockage but to problems with the electrical impulses that affect the heart . . . Our summer meeting with Ross Triplett is less than two months away . . . Ever have difficulty with pronouncing names and places in the Bible? Do you wish you could read the Bible to your class or your children more effectively? You can hear the Bible read by the professional and excellent reader, Alexander Scourby, by accessing the Audio Bible link at the church's web site: http://www.kingwoodcable.com/colblip/humblechurchofchrist/. Click on "Links" and then on "Audio Bible." Select the passage you would like to have read and shortly the reading will begin. You will have to download the RealPlayer if you do not have it, but it is free. If you find the web site useful,  drop Wally a note to let him know. It might be helpful to tell him what features you find most useful. You can use the "Feedback" option on the web site or his email address: col.blip@bigfoot.com.

Area Gospel Meetings
Apr. 25-30 - Parkview - Tom Roberts
May 2-7 - Murphy Road - W. R. Jones
For further info, see announcements in the foyer.

Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt

-- April --
Sun.,  25, am - Legg pm - Rice
Wed.,  28, pm - Michael Gove
-- May --
Sun., 02, am - Yocum pm -
Wed., 05, pm - 
Sun., 09, am - Bernard pm - Bernard
Wed., 12, pm -
Sun., 16, am -   pm -
Wed., 19, pm -
Sun., 23, am -   pm -
Wed., 26, pm - Rocky
Sun., 30, am -   pm -

SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday, April 28
Song Leader: Jim Crain

Sunday AM, May 2
Announcements:  Jeff Bogs
Song Leader: Dwight Osteen
First Prayer: Bill Faulkner
Lord's Table:
Bread: Jim Crain
Fruit of  the Vine: Mike Head
Contribution: John Knudsen
Assistant: Mark LaBurt
Closing Prayer: Mark Hargrove

Sunday PM, May 2
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Larry Legg
Lord's Table:
Bread: Robert Rice
Fruit of the Vine: Charles Tu
Contribution: Billy Lovell
Closing Prayer: Dwight Osteen

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.