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 are probably more lost souls in the United States that are in need of missions
A report was given to Jesus. For whatever reason Pilate had his soldiers kill several Galileans who were apparently in the midst of offering sacrifices. The Jews had a history…
Heaven Is A Prepared Place. It is the kingdom into which the blessed of God are invited to enter at the last day. It has been prepared “from the foundation…
When speaking about prison ministry, it is usually accepted in a positive manner. Occasionally, there are a few that tend to speak negatively about those who are behind bars. The…
The resurrection of the body is a uniquely Christian doctrine. Throughout Scripture we encounter some who were resuscitated after having died but would eventually die again. Our focus should be…
SO WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? It is something exciting and valuable. Finding it is finding a treasure which produces tremendous joy. It does not impoverish, but enriches the…
In Genesis 18, Moses records a visit made to Abraham by three men. As more of the details are revealed, it becomes evident that two of the men are angels…
Every single one of us alive today will one day die. (Cf. Hebrews 9:27) Where do you want to go when you die? We each only have two choices: heaven…
The concept of holiness is discussed throughout Scripture, from the holiness of God to that of His people. But what is holiness? How are we to define it?
This man has been called a rascal. Others have called him a scoundrel. Still others have called him "a liar and a thief." Jesus called him both "unrighteous" and "shrewd"…
