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!
Do you want a close-up look at God? Look at Jesus. See how Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe Him, what He said, how He acted, how He treated those…
We are God's special people because we are people who belong to the Lord, God considers us His special people, His children and pilgrims here who are longing for their…
Our story is about our helplessness before we were saved by God's grace and our salvation and life's purpose after we obeyed Him. Before Christ our condition was "bad news"…
Consider this for a moment Jesus is the one who is about to face the agony of the cross. It was He who had recently told His disciples, “Now My…
It is always exciting to see someone become a Christian. Even an observer who doesn’t understand all that is going on realizes that something meaningful is taking place. Sometimes, however,…
What was the difference between Judas and Peter? Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, while He was being tried before the Sanhedrin, in the courtyard…
History indicates the church in Ephesus died sometime in the second century A.D. It had been a church with such a rich history — some very prominent men spent significant…
Where are you in your life at this moment in time? Are you a Christian? Does “the word of Christ richly dwell within you?” (Colossians 3:16). Does God’s Spirit dwell within you? (Romans 8:9) Are you living a life that honors Him? Are you a part of the army of God? He calls each of us to a life that is abundant and eternal. Will you come to Him in obedient faith, turning from the sin in your life, confessing Christ as your Lord and Savior, and being buried with Him in baptism, so that your sins may be washed away today?
The cross was the epitome of humiliation and shame. From God's perspective, however, the shame of the cross was the greatest moment of His displayed glory. In Jesus' crucifixion, we…
Where are you at this moment in your spiritual life? a. Full speed ahead. b. Cruising at a comfortable pace. c. Dead in the water. d. Drifting with the current.…
Related
