Mark Twain in chapter five of his book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, wrote of Tom at a church service: The service began with a list of announcements which he thought would go on “to the crack of doom.” He talked about the prayer which was generous in its detail and he resented it whenever anything new was added in. The preacher’s sermon “droned along [so] monotonously… and was so prosy that many a head began to nod.
This reminds us of what happens when we come together to worship. The announcements are a little long, the songs aren’t to our liking, the preacher is a little boring. Some of us even do things to keep ourselves awake. We are at a different time. Forty years ago people didn’t ask, why do I have to go to church (worship)? Things have changed, culturally and intellectually so that we look at life a little differently. Sunday morning is now seen as a time to relax. If we don’t like the way things are where we presently worship, we will look for a place where things are the way we want them to be. Most people when they think about worship do not think about it as essential or the most critical thing they will do during the week.
We come together every Lord’s Day to be in the presence of God. Even though it may not look like much, and even when we don’t leave with a feeling of excitement, what happens during worship is of great importance because this is where we approach Mount Zion and we offer our praise to the One who is worthy of all praise. May we never as Christians take this opportunity in a light manner!
There is a famous epitaph which has found its way onto many monuments and memorials throughout the English-speaking world. It was written by an English classical scholar name John Maxwell…
Details are important, but sometimes we miss them, simply because we weren’t paying attention. Have you ever had a teacher give you an exam and tell you to read it…
As we read these words of Solomon, it is very tempting to come away with a discouraged, pessimistic attitude. Please notice that Solomon is speaking to us about life “under…
What does it mean to say that someone is everlasting? If you were to look that word up in Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, here are some of the adjectives that are…
We as a nation will celebrate a federal holiday known as Labor Day. Labor Day, also known as a “workingmen’s holiday” was signed in to law by President Grover Cleveland…
Do you believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be? Do you believe that true life is found only in Him? Your eternal destiny depends upon your response to…
All of us have something in common with everyone else. As a matter of fact, it is something we have in common with every single human being who has reached…
There are two truths concerning Satan which we must never forget: a. He is real. b. He seeks to destroy our Lord’s church. There is a third truth that I…
This morning I want you to go back with me almost three thousand years to the city of Jerusalem. Solomon, the son of David, is king and the temple which…
To the untrained eye, “In Fellowship with El Salvador” speaks of remembering one another, being concerned for one another, and praying for one another because we go once a year…
