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!
Many people today feel that they are morally upright people and that God is somehow pleased with them. Their line of reasoning may go something like this: "Everyone knows that…
Do you remember singing the words of this song as a young person growing up in the Lord’s family? Some folks may ask me, some folks may say, “Who is…
Last week we looked at God's call of this timid soul and Gideon's tests to determine whether or not it was actually God who had called him. Or God truly…
If we are to walk in Christ, our whole lives must be lived in an awareness of His presence. Paul paints two pictures for us of how this is evident…
God always does things the right way! Many times it may not be the way we would do it, but then again His ways are not our ways, and His…
Have you ever noticed the different terms we use to describe houses, especially ones we might like to build? a. Ranch style b. American Craftsman c. Cape cod d. A-frame…
The book of Judges is filled with sin, violence and the judgement of God. It is a book of action which probably appeals more to the men than it does…
In 1911, William Pierson Merrill penned the words which form the title of our lesson this morning. Permit me to share the words of the first stanza with you: Rise…
No doubt most, if not all, of us can name at least one individual who came to Christ in the prime of their life, but later fell away. For many…
Where are you today? Are you still living in what should be your past? An enemy of God? Hostile in your mind? Engaged in evil deeds? Our future lies before…
