One of my favorite Rootisms is "Everyone believes it's more blessed to give than it is to receive until they walk into the assembly." What a sad indictment of Satan's power it is that we define ourselves by our style of worship rather than our love for one another! Our unity isn't based on relationships but on agreed preferences! So many congregations are full of miserable people who grudgingly stay together, but feel cheated because they're not getting the "Old Time Religion" they prefer or the new "happy - clappy rhythm driven praise songs" everyone else gets to have. Talk about missing REAL NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY! The assembly is no longer an opportunity to give encouragement, to edify others, and to help equip others, but a passive spectator sport that pushes the "feel good buttons" and allows us to get our "Do Church" item checked off the list. Do I sound negative? No doubt, but it's really more about being sad and disappointed. I really hate for Satan to continue winning and for Jesus to continue being ignored as the reason for the meeting. Congregations will continue to fight the worship wars as long as they continue to "Do Church" rather than elevate Jesus, and He is elevated through love and giving. Like I tell my folks regularly, if what you're doing this morning isn't giving, then what you're doing isn't worship. Let me add to that for any leaders who may read this: If what you're doing isn't helping people develop a deeper relationship with Jesus then you're playing church and not using it for the tool God intended it to be used for.
Why this blog? In our staff meeting yesterday we read 1 Corinthians 10 and I was touched (again) by what Paul said about our freedom in Christ. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." (vs.23-24) Wow - talk about a perfect purpose statement for the assembly... Yes, this is talking about restricting what we do for the sake of brethren who don't understand their freedom, but even more important, it's about staying focused on being like Jesus. That's why he warned about mixing Christ and paganism. Keep your focus! Keep consistent! Fall in love with Jesus and "be Him" to others who are trying to do the same or maybe don't even know Him yet. Paul wrapped it all up with the call to glorify God in everything and follow his example as he followed the example of Christ. Ouch? Did you realize that Christians get together to help each other seek Jesus - and see Jesus?
1 comment:
Brother, I have been blessed by your book "Spilt Grape Juice." On the topic of corporate worship, there is a new, wonderful book out: "Worship Matters" by Bob Kauflin. Blessings on you and your assembly.
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