People think that church worship is boring, dull, and irrelevant to modern religious experience, the question maybe is it the worship service or the worshiper?
“Celebrate the Feast of unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed.” Exodus 23:14. NIV.
TODAY'S PROBLEMATIC CELEBRATION
We live in an entertainment culture where we go to “get;” to be amused or edified. We want our church to offer a sermon (hopefully one that is not too troubling to our conscience) with a few laughs and memorable stories. We want the child care to be clean and happy and the fellowship hour to be well-stocked with fresh cookies. It is tragic that today’s Christianity has turned away from the example of our Lord who “came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:28).
THE ANCIENT COMMAND
Do not come before God “empty-handed.” This requires personal consecration, a setting aside of self-interest and needs in order to prepare to serve. Prepare for worship on The Lord’s Day by spending time the day before in God’s word, prayer, meditation, and personal worship. Daily personal devotions make us ready to bring an offering of service on Sunday. Daily personal worship makes us ready to say “Amen” to the benediction, the offertory, or the sermon. When you spend time during the week reading the Bible, in prayer and worship then Sunday worship meeting becomes a celebration of our personal worship experienced throughout the week, because we are bringing something we took the time to prepare.
GIVING BLESSES
When you come to community worship you will be able to sing from your heart to the Lord since He has been close to your heart all week long. You will be able to pray silently and say amen to the prayers offered by others. When you bring an offering of a full heart to the community worship service and give it to God you will take away a heart full of blessing far exceeding what you brought.
“Celebrate the Feast of unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed.” Exodus 23:14. NIV.
TODAY'S PROBLEMATIC CELEBRATION
We live in an entertainment culture where we go to “get;” to be amused or edified. We want our church to offer a sermon (hopefully one that is not too troubling to our conscience) with a few laughs and memorable stories. We want the child care to be clean and happy and the fellowship hour to be well-stocked with fresh cookies. It is tragic that today’s Christianity has turned away from the example of our Lord who “came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:28).
THE ANCIENT COMMAND
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| Do Not Come Before Me Empty Handed, Exodus 23:4 |
GIVING BLESSES
When you come to community worship you will be able to sing from your heart to the Lord since He has been close to your heart all week long. You will be able to pray silently and say amen to the prayers offered by others. When you bring an offering of a full heart to the community worship service and give it to God you will take away a heart full of blessing far exceeding what you brought.
(c) Adron 2/18/10
