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!
Living together as a family is not always easy is it? No doubt there are some of us, perhaps more than we care to admit, who entered into marriage with…
During difficult times we may find ourselves on autopilot. We understand what is going on. We are able to process information. We are able to make decisions. We are able…
How often do you think about Christ’s return? Not just a mental acknowledgment that it will take place. But a serious contemplation of all that it means in your life.…
Do you ever remember, as a younger person, having someone in your life that you wanted to emulate? That person exhibited certain characteristics or abilities which you hoped to develop…
There’s a line that’s been drawn thru the ages, on that line stands the old rugged cross; On that cross a battle is raging, for the gain of man’s soul…
In Christ, we have spiritual blessings that provide for us the means of overcoming temptation that leads to sin. In Christ, we learn how to overcome temptation.
Please bear with me as I introduce this morning’s lesson. While it may have a depressing beginning, I promise the ending is much more uplifting. Most, if not all of…
The nation of Judah was a spiritual train wreck. Though Manasseh had attempted to undo the spiritual damage he had brought to Judah following the death of his righteous father,…
Have you ever noticed how problems grow? When a problem first arises, we might not even be aware that there is a problem. As time passes the problem becomes more…
What is our attitude toward truth? We know what always telling the truth pleases God because God always tells the truth. His servants are admonished to come to Him in…
