The article discusses developing respect for authority to cure crises in the church. It argues respect for authority helps cure crises of ignorance, inactivity, and instability. Respect for God's authority as revealed in scripture can cure ignorance, as seen in examples of Josiah and David. Respecting Jesus as the authority figure can cure inactivity, as he was constantly working. Developing respect for proper authority through adherence to God's word can help the church overcome times of difficulty.

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Vol. 47 September 20, 2022 Number 37
Crisis in the Church
Respect for Authority, Part 1
Barry Kennedy
Crisis is defined as “a situation or period in which things are very uncertain,
difficult, or painful, especially a time when action must be taken to avoid complete
disaster or breakdown” (Encarta Dictionary). Christians are not immune to the
difficulties and uncertainties of life because we live in this world. God has made a
way of escape to His people, helping us to endure those difficulties and uncertainties
(1 Corinthians 10:13). The foundational element to finding a cure for the crisis we
face is to develop a healthy respect for authority. Developing this respect for authority
in the church will help to cure a crisis of ignorance, inactivity, and instability.
Respect for authority helps to cure the crisis of ignorance. It has been said that
two of the largest problems among the Lord’s people are ignorance and apathy (i.e., I
don’t know, and I don’t care). God is the supreme authority in all things because God
is the source of all things (Genesis 1:1). The inspired Word of God is how man is
directed in this life (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus told the Sadducees,
“Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of
God?” (Mark 12:24). Too often some make the claim that “ignorance is bliss.” To
make such a claim is nothing more than a feeble avoidance of a responsibility or
commitment. When we cure the problem of ignorance, as it pertains to the Word of
God, we will be much more likely to cover the problem of apathy as well. Only a heart
of stone can study the Word of God and not come away with a deep love for the Lord
and a desire to follow Him (Romans 10:17; John 15:13; 14:15; 1 John 4:19).
Notice some biblical examples of ignorance that God did not consider bliss.
Josiah began to rule over Judah in a crisis of gross spiritual ignorance (2 Kings 22).
God’s people had “lost” (literally rejected 2 Kings 21:1-9) the Word of the Law.
Josiah had respect for the authority of God and those who shared this respect as well
(2 Kings 22:2). Josiah’s respect for God’s authority was demonstrated when he heard
the lost Word of the law (2 Kings 22:11). When Josiah’s ignorance was resolved, he
turned to the Lord and made restitution (2 Kings 22:18-20).
King David also suffered a crisis of ignorance. David failed to consider how
God wanted the ark of the covenant transported (2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13-15).
David was perplexed when Uzzah was struck down (2 Samuel 6:8; 1 Chronicles
13:12). Many very religious, well meaning, people today are just like David. They
assume they know what God’s will is, yet they fail to consult the guidebook (2
Thessalonians 3:16-17). Jeremiah noted the folly of such self-centered direction
(Jeremiah 10:23). Adherence to the authority of God, as revealed in His word, was the
cure to David’s problem (1 Chronicles 15:2, 15).
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ELDERS
Mike Childers ............. 397-6453
Dennis Hallmark......... 255-5557
Mark Hitt .................... 322-0917
Bobby Lindley ............ 260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan ................ 419-5552
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder ....... 706-1888
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office.......................... 842-6116
Fax .............................. 842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship........................9:00 a.m.
Bible class..................10:15 a.m.
Worship......................11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes......7:00 p.m.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

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Many are going through life suffering a spiritual
crisis; yet their blatant ignorance of God’s word
causes them to fail to see their lack of submission to
the authority of God. Ignorance shows that there is a
crisis in the world and in the church when it comes to
having respect for authority.
Respect for authority helps to cure the crisis of
inactivity. How many leaders in the Lord’s church
have found themselves struggling with inactivity in
the membership? The adage is still being said that
“ninety percent of the work is carried out by ten
percent of the membership.” No matter if the above
statement is true or not, how much better would
“church work” be if we could get all hands-on deck?
Jesus said of Himself, “I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when
no man can work” (John 9:4). Therefore, if we see
Jesus as the authority, and He is (Matthew 28:18), and
we understand that He left us an “example” that we
should follow in His steps, and He did (1 Peter 2:21),
should we not take on that same disposition?
To Be Continued…
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Church Directory Update
We are updating our church directory! If you have
started attending East Main since the last directory,
need an updated picture, have had an address change,
phone number change, new births or weddings, please
text or email this new information to Jean Mounce at
662-491-0362 or njm563@bellsouth.net. If you do not
have access to either of these and would like a new
picture, please see Jean Mounce for that also. Thanks.
Thank You Note
East Main Church family,
Thank you all so much for the calls, texts, flowers,
food and most of all your prayers as we welcomed
Ellis into our family. We sincerely appreciate you all
sharing in our joy and always loving our family.
Please continue to pray for us as we strive to be the
best Christian parents of our precious blessing!
With love,
Beth, Ian, and Ellis Reed
Monthly Breakfast
Our monthly family
breakfast will be held this
Sunday, Sept. 25 from 8:15-
8:45 am in the multipurpose
room for anyone in the
congregation who would like to come and enjoy a
light breakfast and a period of fellowship with our
church family before we worship God.
New Movers’ Baskets
This month’s new movers’ baskets
are in the foyer. Please grab one to
deliver and report back on. These
contacts are located more closely to
East Main’s building. What a great way to introduce
newcomers in our community to the East Main
Church of Christ.
Our Gospel Meeting
Our fall Gospel Meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2-5
with Allen Webster speaking. Make plans to attend
every service!
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Don’t forget Tuesday Mornings with the
Master every Tuesday in the multipurpose
room from 10-11 am. Anyone who can come
and help is welcomed.
Baptism
Asher Bass was rebaptized this past Saturday
afternoon. He had some doubts about if he fully
understood when he was baptized first at age 9 and
wanted to make sure he was pleasing to God. We
congratulate Asher on this most important decision in
his life. He is the son of Wesley & Raliegh Bass.
Ladies’ Day
The Amory congregation will host a Ladies’ Day
this Saturday, Sept. 24 with Cindy Colley speaking
from 9:30 am-noon. Lunch will follow.

3. Daily Bible Reading
September 21................................................Zephaniah
September 22.....................................................Haggai
September 23.......................................... Zechariah 1-2
September 24.......................................... Zechariah 3-4
September 25.......................................... Zechariah 5-6
September 26.......................................... Zechariah 7-8
September 27........................................ Zechariah 9-11
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Levi Ray (Sept. 22), Maggie
Simineau (Sept. 22), Derik Rushing (Sept. 23),
Betty Beard (Sept. 26), Billie McNutt (Sept.
26), Tanya Pannell (Sept. 26). Anniversaries: Katy
Beth & Blake Anderson (Sept. 25).
Our Sick
Debbie Duke had an appointment at MD Anderson
Monday. Robert Parker is home with chronic
bronchitis. Michael Wilson’s mother, Rivers Wills, is
in NMMC waiting to go The Meadows in Fulton for
therapy. Russell Deaton’s great-niece, Jacy Raburn,
continues at St.Jude. Mark Hitt&Lori Sheffield’s aunt,
Mary Ann Hitt, continues chemo. Gee Santos’ wife,
Catheryne, has stage 3 uterine cancer.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Bettye Davis, Betty Long, Evelyn
Thompson, Steve Kelly, Barbara Bishop, Bob Smith,
Doug Wallace, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons, Stella
Pittman, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Sheba
Tuggers, Michelle Maclean, Ricky Britt, Nathan Hale,
Dawn Brown, Freida Gardner, Willie Bob Gates, Larry
Kennedy
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Brian
Carver who passed in his sleep Sept. 18 after a long
battle with cancer. Arrangements were incomplete at this
time. Please keep Dede, Matthew, Rebecca, Daniel &
Joshua in your prayers.
Also, our condolences to Dundee Donald in the loss
of her cousin, Ken Williams, on Sept. 18 in AR.
EMYG News
Yesterday was a busy, but good day. Thank you to
those who brought food for the junior youth
luncheon, to the Davis’s for hosting the Sr youth
monthly devotional at their house, and we’ve also
had a couple of baptisms as a result from T.G.I.F.
and other influences. God is doing amazing things
with our youth!! Alex

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 a.m.
Announcements..........................................Mark Hitt
Bible Reading.....................................Ricky Lindsey
Opening Prayer .................................... Paul Blansett
Lord’s Supper
Jake Kennedy
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer........................................ Chad Willis
Ushers .............................Jalon Mansel & Greg Lyle
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..........................................Joe Smith
Closing Prayer....................................Daniel Morton
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Opening Prayer .................................Shawn Mounce
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jeff Mansel (871-0357) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-14-22 .................................................... 146
Sunday 1st
Worship, 9-18-22 ...................................... 165
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 171
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 130
Contribution (budget $9,334) ................................ $7,791
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
College Student of the Week
Ben DuBois
1616 State Park Rd.
Mooreville, MS 38857
Ben is currently attending ICC in Fulton
and is living at home.
Please be sure to send him a card of
encouragement this week.!