The term Work to Rule is familiar to most people living in England. It means to work according to predefined minimum requirements for a given job. Thus, the worker will work no weekends, no overtime, and no relief. He will make no effort to make up the time following a breakdown or delay. He may refuse to use equipment provided to increase efficiency. Realizing the paralyzing effect of such minimum effort, labor leaders use such action as an alternative to a strike.

Working to Rule is common in the church. Many establish what appears to them to be a reasonable set of minimum requirements for staying out of hell and then live accordingly. Usually it involves attending Sunday for "breaking of bread" (unless on holidays), giving a certain percentage of their income, perhaps "saying a little prayer" before retiring, and avoiding the grosser forms of immorality. They do not advertise or attend gospel meetings. They seldom attend Bible classes or Sunday evening services. "These are not required," they explain. If all the members of a given congregation were Work to Rule people the church would be no more effective than an industry by such action.

The Lord has never stated any minimum requirements. He speaks only in terms of total commitment, of seeking first the kingdom, of giving our bodies a living sacrifice.

The church in Ephesus, once a very zealous church fired by love for God, left their first love and settled down to Work to Rule. They maintained a minimum program of work and remained sound in teaching. But the Lord said, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the first works, or else I come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent" (Rev. 2:5).

We wonder how many churches may have had their candlesticks removed, and how many Christians have had their names blotted out of the book of life, not because they were on strike, but because they were working to some rule of their own devising.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

The time of our meeting is at hand! The meeting will begin on the 4th and continue thru the 9th. Services will be each evening at 7:00PM. Bro. Chris Reeves is to do the preaching at this time. We of course must realize that there are certain duties to be performed by each member of the church in order for this meeting to be a success.

ATTEND EVERY SERVICE - Each member of this church ought to attend every service UNLESS they have a REASON and not an excuse for missing. What will your neighbors see in you if you willfully forsake the assembly? Let your light shine by attending every service.

INVITE OTHERS The very purpose of this meeting is to save the souls of men and women. Each member at Eastside ought to invite someone to come and hear the gospel of Christ, Invite your parents, husbands, wives, children, yea, even your enemies to hear the gospel of Christ, This is something that each child of God ought to do in order to make the meeting as God would have it, However, there is another part we can play in this meeting that I fear we often overlook...

PRAY FOR THE MEETING. The beloved Paul left us this example in Rom 10:1-3, we should pray for:. ■  

THE PREACHER: Bro. Reeves is no stranger to the people in this area, He has been here before and we can expect him to preach the truth. He is a capable and able man in the pulpit. Yet, Bro. Reeves needs the prayers of the saints of God, We ought to pray that he will have the physical strength and wisdom to perform the task of declaring the Lord Jesus,  

PRAY FOR ONES OUT OF CHRIST: In Rom 10:1-3 Paul was praying for the Jews that were out of Christ, This was his HEART'S desire. Such ought to be the heart's desire of every child of God, We ought to be praying for the people out of Christ that something will said during this meeting that will melt their stubborn will and obey the gospel of Christ.

PRAY FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE FALLEN: Yes it is sad, but it is true that we have some that have fallen by the wayside. We ought to pray that they will return to their active place in the kingdom of God.

THANKSGIVING: We ought to pray and THANK GOD for the many blessings that we enjoy. Let us be thankful that Bro. Reeves is willing to come our way and preach the gospel and for the power that is in the gospel of Christ. Let us be grateful that we can bring our young ones to hear the right way of life. Let us be thankful for the elders that are so concerned over the souls of men, and for members that  

are working hard to lead men and women to Christ. The meeting is at hand! Let us pray as we have never prayed before. Let's make this one of the best meetings that we have ever had.