To Worship Or Not To Worship

Sad,  but  true,  the  church  is  going  through  some  trying times. In many places congregations of  the Lord’s church are completely carried away by liberalism. Often the members  do not  know of  the weakness  that some preachers  and elders  may  possess. Sometimes the congregation may be mindful of a certain thing, but has never given any thought of the dangers it will lead into, and it will not take very long for such to take place.

            A number of  years ago I heard a preacher make a statement in the presence of his elders, and they agreed with him.  He said, “We are going to have to make the Sunday night services more appealing if we expect people to come.” Now I wish to ask,  Just  what  are  we to do?  If the Sunday  night  worship  is  to   be made more appealing, why not the Sunday morning service as well? The way I see it, we must worship God just the way He has stated in His word!  That  means  nothing  more  and  nothing less. We need to do as did the early Christians. The crying need is to preach the truth and  not self. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (Jno.12:32). The early converts worshipped God, but as the word  would  direct; in  spirit  and  in  truth. (Jno.4:24).  Their worship   was  not   some  stage form of entertainment.  Their  worship was not a display of their talents in praying nor   their   singing.    Their    worship   was  not  worldly  or  carnal.  Their  worship  was  edifying. (1Cor.14:26).  Their  worship  was  instructive. (Col.3:16).  Their  worship  was  orderly (1Cor.14:40).  Their worship was to honor God. (Eph.3:21).  Their  worship  was to remember Jesus. (1 Cor.11:24).  Their worship  was to  instruct  one another.(1Cor.14:31). When we worship God there are certain things we are instructed to do. We are to preach the word. (1Tim4:1-4). We are to sing praises to God. (Eph.5:19). We are to pray to God. (1Thess.4:17).  We are  to give  of our  means  to  God. (2 Cor.9:7-9).   We  are to  partake  of  the Lord’s Supper. (Acts 20:7). Anything else would be sinful. Therefore, our singing cannot be made more appealing by bringing in the instruments of music. It will not be made more appealing by the clapping of our hands.

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Brethren, when we think God’s commandments are not enough to get people to worship Him, and think we must resort to other tactics, then we have left the word of truth and shall find ourselves in deep trouble with the Almighty God. What must be done is to get back to preaching the word of God in all of its simplicity and leave the things of the world and of the street where they belong. (Matt.15:8-9). AMEN!

. . . .Fred  House