MIXED MESSAGES? It occurred to me that if I was someone that we often refer to as unchurched, that is to say, someone who is unfamiliar with the Christian faith and worship, I would most certainly be confused by what I may hear and see in some of our commonplace worship services, in contrast to what the Holy Bible actually says. As Christians, the basis of our faith MUST be that the Word of God is entirely true, plus or minus nothing. If we cannot accept that one simple statement, then there is absolutely NO basis to our faith and we can all stop pretending. As a matter of fact, if there IS a part of Gods Word that you believe is irrelevant, you ARE pretending. There are a few rabbit trails that we could pursue here, but some other time, perhaps. The point Im trying to make is that we hear the Choir sing that it should have been me on the cross and then we hear the preacher as he preaches the truth of Gods Word, telling us that JESUS is the only way! Im glad it WASNT me or you on the cross! We could ALL hang on a cross for ETERNITY and not one persons soul would stand a chance of entering Heaven. Our righteousness will never do! As a beautiful old hymn states, nought of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus. But thats not all! Then we have a congregational song entitled I Wont Have To Worry Anymore. Really? Do we have to wait for Heaven to release us from the burdens of this life? What does the Bible say? It says in Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. In Luke 12:25-31: And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. The fact is, theres plenty more scripture on the subject than this. So now that we belong to Jesus, we have the priviledge of entering into the VERY PRESENCE of God (casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you), where we may petition Him with our cares! We can LEAVE them there, too, because we can trust in Him and the promises He has made! We see in Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. So When I stand at the pulpit to preach, why do I see so many sour looks and drowsy eyes? Why do we have to tell folks to stand as we sing? Why do we sit on our testimonies of what God has done in our own lives? Where are the AMENs and the PRAISE THE LORDs? Where is YOUR rejoicing, church? Where is the joy of your Salvation? What of that Blessed Hope? What of the fact that someday we will be in the VERY PRESENCE of our Redeemer, in His Fathers House of many mansions? What of the fact that because God loves us, we were given Jesus as a way of escape from the ETERNAL wrath of God and the Holy Spirit who, as Teacher, Comforter and Guide, will lead us home? WAKE UP CHURCH and PRAISE THE LORD for the great things He has done! Can you blame the world for saying no to Worshiping the One True God because of what they have seen and heard of the church? Wouldnt YOU be confused, hearing folks talk out of both sides of their mouths and acting in a manner that is contrary to what they have said they believe? Wouldnt you wonder why people want to come to a place and sit, soak and sour as my dear Father-in-law, Rev. Jimmy Brown, would say? Is our worship based on form and fashion because it was good enough for Grandma and Grandpa, or is our worship based on our faith in the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we not vessels full of the praises of a Holy, Loving, Merciful and Gracious God who is more than worthy of our abandoning all sense of pride, as David did, in all-out praise to and worship of Him, in Spirit AND in Truth? I think its high time we ask ourselves this question! The Word of God ought ALWAYS to be the faithful Worshipers guidebook! As for Tradition? Well, read a few passages in the Gospels and see there what Jesus told the Pharisees about that.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:29:29 +0000
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