Category: Worship
Subject: Worship
Sermon: The Throne Room of God
Lesson 1 of 8 in a series on Awesome Texts.
Revelation 4 and 5 reveals a vision of John, where he describes the throne room of God. The text reveals a most important point. God is the center of the universe, and all of creation exists to offer up praise to Him, and the Lamb of God.
Are You Serious About Serving God?
(This article originally appeared as a paid ad in (April 2012) in the newspapers published by Suburban Newspapers, Inc. The papers cover five small communities in the Forth Worth area).
In Ecclesiastes 12:13, a very wise man wrote “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” Such a simple truth, but one that is unfortunately seldom heeded.
Why do you go to church? It seems like for a lot of people, worship is entertainment; and a church’s purpose is to facilitate self-actualization. And that seems to be a bit backwards.
Worship should be (and if it is true worship, it is) an offering to God. The purpose of worship is to please God, not to please ourselves. In order for it to please Him, our worship must be in accord with His will. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
The purpose of the church is to do the Lord’s work in the world. It is a religious institution, dedicated to spiritual work. Members share the gospel with the lost, build one another up through worship and fellowship, and engage in benevolent activities. While entertainment and socializing seem to be the central priority of the church experience in our day and time, that is not what God intended for His people. Paul said that the church of the living God is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
Our view is not a typical way of looking at worship and service to God. Are you serious about your service to Him? Come visit the West Side church of Christ!
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True Worship
John 4:16-24
Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well was astounding in both circumstance and content.
The Jews hated the Samaritans, and the feeling was mutual. The conflict had its origin in the divided kingdom, and the animosity only grew through the centuries until the time of our Lord. It is important to note that the Samaritans were the remnants of the northern Jews who had been taken into Assyrian captivity, and had intermarried with other races upon their return to Samaria. The mingling of races, combined with the Samaritans acceptance of pagan gods led to a mongrel race and religion.
Sermon: Worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth
Josh Cox preached this lesson, explaining Jesus’ words in John 4:24, where He said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Gospel Meeting (Mo Hafley) November 6-11, 2010
This post contains short summaries and links to both audio and Powerpoint presentations of all the sermons Mo Hafley preached for the West Side congregation in the Fall 2010 meeting, November 6-11.
Lesson 1: Looking Unto Jesus
In this sermon, Mo Hafley of Paden City, WV uses the text of Hebrews 12:1-7, to establish the nature of the Christian’s race on earth, and the motivation behind it as we look to Jesus, our Savior.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 2: How We Worship
This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion on proper worship to God, with an emphasis on focus and proper spirituality when we sing, pray, commune around the Lord’s table, give of our means, and listen to the preaching of the Word of God.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 3: A Few Days with Paul
This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, as recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-13. Paul and the first century disciples showed great courage in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 4: Parents and Children
This sermon by Mo Hafley is a wonderful treatment of God’s word on the topic of Parenting. In it, Mo shows what God expects of Christian parents, and even has some words of admonition for children.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 5: Preaching Properly
In this sermon, Mo Hafley discusses the proper tone we are to take in preaching. Emphasis is placed upon militance in preaching, as too often in our day and time people heap up for themselves teachers having itching ears. Soft preaching is not God’s way.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 6: Holy Living in an Unholy World
This sermon by Mo Hafley documents the moral evil that is present in our world, and especially our nation. Biblical advice is given to Christians, explaining how we are to navigate in such troublesome waters.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Lesson 7: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego
This lesson is an expository treatment of Daniel 3, showing the courage of these great servants of God. Regardless of consequence, Christians must emulate them.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Lesson 8: Evidences
This lesson by Mo Hafley is a concise detailing of various internal and external evidences, given to prove God’s existence, and the validity of the Bible as God’s revelation.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Lesson 9: Homesick for Heaven
This lesson was an appropriate ending to our gospel meeting with Mo Hafley. He used homesickness (an emotion we have all felt) to explain the type of desire and expectation we as Christians should have regarding our heavenly home.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Texting in Worship
Brethren, I recently came across a good article written by Rick Holt, an elder for the Mt. Baker church of Christ in Bellingham, Washington. In it, he discusses present day problems with inattentiveness and disruption in worship. I have intended to address this myself, and would like for you to consider the following quote from the article.
My, my, how times have changed, or have they? These days, the schools still deal with the same problems, but a new set of hindrances have been introduced including the use of cell phones, text/pix messaging, playing games, etc. These problems occur not only at schools, colleges, and secular jobs, but during the worship of God on the first day of the week, and specifically, at the Mt. Baker church of Christ. Brethren, I have seen people writing notes then laughing to the point of bending over so as not to be seen (which didn’t work, by the way), games being played, manicures being done, no participation in the singing, the week’s working schedule being written out, and giggling during the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Did I just say that…pretty blunt, wasn’t I? Is this what God purposed before the foundations of the world…worship in this manner? Where is your heart? Why have you come to services? This is not play-time! You are in the presence of God, gathered with the saints (Heb. 13:22-29).
Sermon: Singing
A general sermon on the subject of Singing. Establishes authority for the act of worship, as well as showing how various innovations regarding musical worship over the centuries are unscriptural. The sermon shows why we sing, the benefits, and gives some practical suggestions to song leaders and the congregation.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here
Sermon Audio: Click Here
Sermon: Eternal Principles of God – Worship
Guest Speaker: Keith Greer. There is an eternal principle that remains true in every age. Succinctly stated, God speaks, Man believes, Man obeys, God saves.
While the particulars of God’s message may change, the principle remains. This is certainly true with regard to God ordained worship.
(Note: This is a two part sermon. This evening sermon covers the last 7 slides of the presentation).
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
AOTS: Why Go To Worship?
AOTS Number 58
We should ask ourselves, “Why do we go to church services.” Are we interested in being entertained, or listen to a “favorite” preacher? Or are we being faithful to God?
To listen to this Podcast, click here .
To subscribe to the AOTS feed, click here .
AOTS: Don’t Stay Away from Church…
AOTS Number 47
People have many different reasons (excuses) for not coming to church, but none have any real validity. We should rejoice that we can be in God’s presence!
To listen to this Podcast, click here .
To subscribe to the AOTS feed, click here .
Fall Down and Worship God!
The throne room scene in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is one of the most stirring passages of scripture in the entire Bible. At the climax of this wonderful vision we see the entire creation bowing down to worship God Almighty.
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever'” (Revelation 5:13-14).
Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, gathered around the throne, declared the worthiness of the Lamb of God to receive worship from all.
The Rejected Savior
Two thousand years ago the Son of God was delivered up to be crucified on a cross. Not long after, some in Jerusalem expressed amazement at Peter and John as they healed a lame man at the gate of the temple. Peter took the opportunity to address the gathering, and said:
“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses” (Acts 3:12-15).
Peter later acknowledged the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice, saying, “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled” (vs. 18). He then called on those present to “repent therefore, and be converted” (vs. 19).
In The News: North Richland Hills church of Christ to Begin Using Instruments in Worship
On Saturday, February 10, 2007, the Richland Hills church of Christ will begin holding a weekly Saturday evening worship service that will include the use of musical instruments in worship, and an observance of the Lord’s Supper. Jon Jones, (the former “pulpit minister” and one of the elders), said that the elders “fully and completely” endorsed the decision. At an adult Bible study, he said, “There is unity in our eldership, and we are so thankful for that.”
However, two of the 17 elders serving resigned when the decision was made. Though there seems to be some “politicking” going on, and the two remain members of the congregation, Roger Dean, one of the remaining 15 elders acknowledged that the decision had prompted the two elders to resign.
Sermon: The Lord’s Supper (an Overview)
The lesson covers the topic of the Lord’s Supper by discussing it’s meaning, as well as what constitutes a proper observance of the supper. A good general lesson about the Lord’s Supper.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Songleading Suggestions
This past Wednesday evening we had our monthly singing, and I believe everyone was uplifted by the time we spent together in song. It is always a favorite night of the month for me personally, as I truly love to sing spiritual songs!
The men of the congregation are to be commended for their ability and efforts in leading the singing. We are truly blessed with talented and able men, who have the ability to lead the congregation in singing. In addition to the 9 men who led on Wednesday, I can think of at least 5 others who did not lead that night, but have done a fine job in the past.
There is, of course, room for improvement. All of us can get better in our song leading, and it should be our desire to improve. With that thought in mind, I want to make note of some things I observed at Wednesday night’s singing, and ask that the song leaders take note of them in good humor.
