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!
Ahab and Jezebel, a husband and wife who ruled over the kingdom of North Israel following the death of Ahab's father, Omri. Ahab's legacy was that he "did more to…
The punchline in some parables is brutal honesty about how the people were living versus how they should be living. Jesus told parables because He wanted people to understand the…
James gives us the formula that can be viewed from many different angels. Be swift to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to Anger.
In our text today, Paul begins by saying, “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain” (v. 1). Have you ever done something that…
After King Solomon allowed his heart to be turned away from the Lord, he was warned by the Lord not to go after other gods, but he did not listen.
Last week, we examined five character qualifications which God looks for in these men. Paul lists them for us in 1 Timoothy 3:8-9. Men of dignity — men who are…
Maturity refers to the development at the end of a process of growth. The anticipation is that as physical or psychological growth is experienced spiritual growth will also take place.…
When it comes to His church, God’s paramount concern is not with buildings or programs but with the moral and spiritual character of those who lead and care for His…
Years ago, the American poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, wrote "For all sad words of toungue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.'" Had Solomon listened to and…
The word diakonos is most often used in this sense to refer to servants of God, Christ, the gospel, or the church. Paul uses diakonos most frequently: Usually in reference…
