Category: Worship
Subject: Worship
A church for people who don’t like church?
A few weeks ago I came across a website for a “Cowboy church” in the metroplex which trumpeted that they were “A church for people who don’t like church!” It is an interesting phrase. An internet search shows it to also be a popular one, being adopted by different groups who want to reach out to the lost by inappropriately accommodating their discomfort with the practice of religion.
Note this quote from VERVE, a non-denominational church in Las Vegas, NV:
“But the reality is that there are a lot of people who are looking for God and seeking a spiritual dimension to life, but just don’t want to go to church to find it.
And who can blame them? Most churches seem judgmental and holier than thou. They make you wear your Sunday best, play music from the 1800s, and are too into politics. And they seem to care more about people’s money than people.”
Continue reading “A church for people who don’t like church?”
Sermon: Drawing Near to Christ Through Song
Sermon by Josh Cox
As a part of our worship to God, we sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. As with all worship, we must sing in “spirit and in truth” (cf. John 4:24).
Sermon: How Would Your Life Differ?
How would your life differ, if you:
* Could no longer read your Bible?
* Could no longer sing in worship?
* Could no longer pray?
* Could no longer assemble for worship?
* Could no longer tell others about Christ?
Hopefully, our lives would be much different. If not, changes are in order!
Sermon: The Levites Left
2 Chronicles 11:14 reveals that the Levites left the northern Kingdom of Israel, under the rule of Jeroboam. The lesson explains why, and makes practical applications for us today.
The Patternists: “We Know What We Worship”
As our Lord spoke with the Samaritan woman in John 4, she made the statement, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship” (19-20).
Her statement is similar to those we hear today. People often compare different “styles” and “acts” of worship, and do so in a non-judgmental way. “We do this, and you do that”, as if the actual acts that are performed are equally acceptable to God.
However, consider that Jesus was critical of the worship of the Samaritans, judging it to be unacceptable. He stated that the worship of the Jews, in contrast, was acceptable. He said, “we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (22). A question: How did they know what they worshiped? How did they know that they were to worship in Jerusalem? Because God told them!
The Samaritans presumed to know God’s will, though He had not told them to worship Him on the mountain. Such presumption is foolish. We can’t know how to worship God unless He tells us how He wants to be worshiped! Jesus clearly condemned worship that had man as its authority rather than God, telling the Pharisees, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips,but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'” (Matthew 15:7-9).
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Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Worship
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This third in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Christian worship, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: The Worship of the Samaritans
The worship of the Samaritans did not please God. This was because it was motivated by an imperfect fear of Jehovah, was characterized by form over substance, and constituted a compromise of God’s will for man. The applications to us are evident.
Sermon: Words of Wisdom
The book of Ecclesiastes contains several miscellaneous words of wisdom in its pages that have beneficial applications to the Christian’s life.
8 Questions about Music
I just watched a lengthy video featuring a number of Calvinists who were taking issue with what music in worship has become in American churches. They were concerned with too great an emphasis upon the musical style (with the most important thing being how it “makes me feel”); a willingness to put up with a church teaching error, as long as “the music is good”; and an unfortunate imbalance as music is overemphasized as a part of Christian worship.
The video was interesting, as I think it addressed problems we see in the Lord’s church as well. I personally have encountered Christians who prefer songs based upon musical style rather than the sentiment expressed; who are more interested in whether a congregation has “good singing” than whether it stands for truth; and who would travel 250 miles for an “annual” singing, but can’t be bothered to attend a neighboring congregation’s gospel meeting!
In the conclusion of the video, the narrator asked 8 questions that I think make valid points about what music should be:
The Purpose of Our Assemblies
Would it be considered controversial to state that the purpose of our worship assemblies is not to evangelize? Perhaps it would be less so if I explained what I mean by the statement.
First, I am not saying that evangelism can’t take place in the assembly. In fact, first principle preaching in the worship assembly is one way that the children of Christians reach the point of being convicted, and thus converted. Also, it is conceivable that the conversion of an occasional visitor may be the salutary consequence of such lessons. More probably, first principle lessons will serve to “stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” (cf. 2 Peter 3:1), equipping the saints to share with others what they have learned, and had reinforced by the preacher’s words.
Sermon: Are Those in the Church the Only Ones Saved?
The lesson discusses the true identity of the church, the sin of denominationalism, and answers scripturally the question asked in two ways…
1) Are those in the church the only ones saved?
or, more commonly
2) Do you think that only those who are members of the church of Christ going to heaven?
Audio (Part 1)
Audio (Part 2)
Sermon: Misconceptions of the New Testament Position
Spring Meeting 2014: Kyle Campbell
The lesson deals with common misconceptions people have about the Lord’s church due to the denominational error that is present in our day.
Sermon: Stop Waiting in Line!
There is no waiting in line:
- To be heard by God in prayer.
- To receive spiritual blessings.
- To praise and worship God.
- To read and learn more about God.
The Patternists: Applications of Authority – Scriptural Worship
When it comes to worshiping God, peculiar views abound. Some believe that EVERYTHING we do is worship. Others believe that man is free to worship God in any way that suits him. The Samaritan woman in John 4 thought the worship of her “fathers” on “the mountain” was acceptable to God. Jesus told her it wasn’t. “You worship what you do not know…” (22). Later he told her, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (24). Jesus’ words prefaced a change in worship from that offered by the Jews. No longer are we to offer up animal sacrifices, burn incense, or use mechanical instruments of music. Christian worship is simple, reverential and wonderfully edifying.
When Christians come together on the Lord’s day, with God’s approval we do the following:
- Sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)
- Pray (1 Cor. 14:15)
- Partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-34; Acts 20:7)
- Give a portion of our means back to God (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
- Listen to the teaching of the word of God (Acts 20:7)
By following God’s pattern in worship, we submit to His will. We acknowledge that we are not free to “use our talents” in whatever way we desire. We realize that we are not free to innovate, and depart from the instructions He has given to us. We are not free to worship as the Jews.
Others pursue innovations that appeal to the flesh, or seek to alter in some way the pattern of worship revealed in scripture. Faithful Christians content themselves with worship “in spirit and truth.”
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Sermon: Admonitions for the Priests of God
Speaker: Jonathan Hinds
The lesson uses the text of Malachi to admonish us as the priests of God (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It is possible to despise the name of God, to weary him by our apathetic response of faith. We must take care to worship him with reverence and zeal.
Powerpoint Slides (will be uploaded soon)
