Job 8:13-15 we read the words of Bildad. “So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, Whose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider’s web. He leans on his house, but it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure.” Bildad made some mistakes when he addressed Job in regard to the reasons Job was suffering. He was wrong in assuming Job was being punished for sin and accusing Job of godless living. However, Bildad also spoke words of truth in his discourse on this occasion when he says the godless man is as frail and weak as a spider’s web. It is true that these words did not apply to Job, but it is tri that a godless man has no solid ground of confidence or hope on which to rely in time of need. And whatever may be the confidence or trust of the godless man it is easily and quickly cut off, broken, and torn asunder because it is as frail as a spider’s web. With the sweep of one calamity everything he trusts in is wiped out. He builds as it were a mansion without a foundation and it crumbles easily.

Notice several contrasts between a spider web and false, vain religion and false hope.

(i)Spider webs are quickly made. Watch a spider weave and spin her web. She works at a quick pace and is soon finished with her web. Likewise, false religion and false hope are quickly made. There is no root in God’s Word, but rather they spring up quickly. Look at how many religious groups have started in this city in recent years. Yet, a lot of what they teach is foreign to the Word of God. Many groups are based on “feelings” and “experiences”, but not truth of God’s revealed Word.

(ii)Spider webs are skillfully made. A spider designs and works by a plan to make her web. Notice how skillful a web is woven. The spider plans to entrap insects in its web so they find a place that they know a skillfully made web will do its job. The same is true of false religion and false hope, they are skillfully made. They are ingeniously woven to entrap man. Look at creeds and man-made worship, they are skillfully laid out. They are attractive, however they are frail! Anything that does not have God as a foundation is foolish (Read Matt. 7:24-28).

(iii)Spider webs are beautiful. Now spiders to most of us are no much to look at, (ask my wife her view of spiders) but the webs they weave are amazing to look at. The design of the webs are intricately woven and indeed are splendid creations. They are beautiful in the morning sun with glistens of dew dripping from their threads. However, this beauty is deceptive. The purpose is to trap unsuspecting insects into the gummy substance. Likewise, false religion and false hope can appear beautiful, but indeed its beauty is deceptive. Religious groups can have elaborate buildings, beautiful music, wonderful preaching, and motivating classes. However, if it is not done by the pattern of God it is a vain beauty. Many have been led astray by the beauty of man-made religion. There is nothing wrong with a nice building, beautiful singing, wonderful preaching, and motivating classes, IF the Biblical pattern is being followed, However, often man seeks to improve upon what God has stated in His word by adding what tickles his fancy and not what God has declared. I realize many who start these religious groups are sincere, but the real beauty of religion is when we follow the pattern of God to please Him. We need to ask ourselves here at this congregation are we motivated to worship in a way that glorifies God and is acceptable to God, or shall worship in a way we find beautiful even if we cannot find authority for it in Scripture.

(iv)Spider webs are spun from within. The spider carries the material to weave her web inside her. A number if

spinnerets make a gummy substance. The spider pulls at these and gets her ropes. Same is true from man-made religion. It comes from within man and not from God. The foundation is man’s wisdom. It’s self-made therefore it is excessively frail (Gal.1:11-12).

(v)Spider webs are excessively frail and easily destroyed. A spider web cannot hold much weight. They are delicate and cannot take much resistance. One mighty wind, one sweep of the broom and it’s gone. The spider web can be wiped away in an instant. Likewise, false religion and false hope are excessively frail. Isa.59:5-6 “They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. Their webs will not become garments, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And the act of violence is in their hands.” Webs have limited service and are of no value because they are unsubstantial. False hopes and false religion are delicate and frail because they are held together by error. Such will be destroyed. Anything that is not built upon the foundation of God’s Word will ultimately be swept away. We are to build on the sure foundation of Christ that will never be destroyed.

More and more, there are indications that some brethren are losing sight of the simplicity of the Lord's Supper. Some are adding activities, seeking to enhance or embellish it. Some are attempting to make a meal out of it — which I find quite amazing in light of Paul's strong teaching against this in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. A good friend recently told of seeing a video of a congregation partaking the Lord's Supper while an electronically produced large cross was "floating" around the auditorium. One brother has stated that some "are inclined to make a pageant out of observing it rather than appreciate its simplicity."

We are now hearing of some churches lengthening the time taken for the Lord's Supper. Some are setting it apart as a separate service, while having the other acts of worship during another later service, etc. I don't know or understand all the reasons for these practices. I do know that based upon what we read in scripture concerning the Supper, there is no indication of how much time it took. It is quite evident that it must have been simple, based upon what has been revealed to us in God's Word.

As we follow the New Testament example regarding the Lord's Supper, we find that it was observed each first day of the week in the assembly (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34). It is a memorial of the Lord's death — not of His life or of His resurrection (1 Cor. 11:26). The Supper was instituted by Jesus Himself (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:17-34), and is to be done "in remembrance" of Him (1 Cor. 11:24-25). When we follow His example, again, we emphasize that it is very simple; but yet, with such great depth and profoundness to its meaning! It being a memorial of His death-the unleavened bread represents His body that was sacrificed in His death and the fruit of the vine represents His blood that was shed in His death for the remission of our sins. When Jesus instituted the Supper, before telling His disciples to eat the bread and drink the cup, He gave thanks for the bread and He gave thanks for the cup. The verb "blessed" (eulogeo) as used in Matthew 26:26 & Mark 14:22 means "the giving of thanks" (the Bible I use, NKJV, has a footnote at the bottom of the page — M-Text reads gave thanks for). The word "thanks" (eucharisteo) as used in Luke 22:19-20 & 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 means He "gave thanks." Thus, the two Greek words are used interchangeably meaning the same thing — He gave thanks. For a parallel example, when Jesus fed the 5,000 He "blessed" the loaves, then when He fed the 4,000 He "gave thanks" for the loaves and fish (Matt. 14:19; 15:36). He did  

the same thing on both occasions — He gave thanks — just as we are commanded to give thanks before eating our food (1 Tim. 4:4-5). Thus, all who lead the prayers at the Lord's table, likewise, must remember to give thanks for the two items — the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine.

In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul tells us that observing the Supper is a "communion" of the blood and body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-34, Paul gives further instructions concerning the Lord's Supper. We are warned not to partake in an "unworthy manner, not discerning the Lord's body;" we are to "examine" ourselves; we are to "wait" for or cordially receive one another; and we must not turn the Supper into a meal — we "have houses to eat and drink in." The consequences of not partaking properly are severe — guilty of the body and blood of the Lord; weak and sick among you, and many sleep; judged and chastened by the Lord; and "you come together for judgment."

May we ever be mindful of the importance, significance, and the simplicity of the Lord's Supper. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you would be willing to given an invitation on the first Sunday night of the month (Singing night) there will be a sign-up sheet on the back bulletin board. We would like to have a list prepared like the Wednesday evening invitations. This will enable Mike to go to preach at other places on those evenings. We appreciate all the men who participate and are willing to take an active part in the services.

Starting January 3rd there will be a class for married couples and young people who are dating age. The class will be designed to discuss the home and family, resolving conflicts in marriage, how to build a better marriage, etc.