The reason I write about this is for those of you who would feel this isn't right (skipping sermon time to honor people). Let me tell you why I think it is very right:
- The sermon isn't the centerpiece of Sunday morning. Jesus is.
- It tests leaders like myself to learn to yield when we really don't prefer to in the beginning. This is very good for us to experience.
- The breaking of norm-form is good to cause worshippers to maintain a freshness in spirit rather than a dullness of routine.
- The process signals with firm attention how important various groups in our church family are.
- Such a move is good for those who feel this isn't according to the Bible. It requires them to find a church service in the Bible which reveals the pattern they/we think God enacted.
Now, "sit down and be still" is never an act I relish. I would rather keep moving. But days like what we anticipate tomorrow are clearly one of the reasons Memorial is alive. God moves in many facets. There will be those who prefer the sermon. It will be good for them to miss it. Others will be wishing we honored babies weekly to keep from hearing me.
4 comments:
"It tests leaders like myself to learn to yield when we really don't prefer to in the beginning. This is very good for us to experience."
What a great line! It's so important for us to realize it's not about us...Thanks
JC
I'm not sure about this. You say it's about Jesus and Jesus centers on the Father. This is centering on us by calling attention to us!The Holy Spirit would lead us to keeping God the center!
Anon -
Hebrews 10:24-25 say this about the purpose of our assemblies:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I would suggest that taking time to encourage our new parents to raise their children in the Lord, as well as asking God's blessings on them, is an excellent way to live out those verses.
Mr. Rush...Brent Newton here. It's been a long time. As I was reading your blog about our worship, I had a couple of thoughts that hit my mind. I think you know me well, I am a grace and redemption man 100%. I do agree that people get into ruts of routines and we loose sight of our Lord. Some assemblies are just...well dead. But in respect to what you say, looking back on worship from the Old to the New Testament, one thing is set: it is all about the Lord! You are right, it is not about preaching, but Jesus. It's about the fellowshiping the Lord in His Supper. The danger comes in when man starts bringing in his ideas of what the Lord wants. We can encourage our families (I do that here) but to have an assembly of the saints focus on babies/young people (just the things you brought up), that tends to cater to us and make us feel good rather than promote the Lordship of Jesus. It can easily turn into attention to us and that is what caused so many of God's people problems all the way through. We, in our weaknesses and fleshliness, feel good when things are about us, but that is exactly what the Lord is trying to move us away from. The Spirit of God is to take us away from "us" and take us into the reality of God and His world. Like His word says and what we have to be careful in is there can be things that have the looks of wisdom but is self made religion, self abasement (false humility) and severe treatment of the body but are of no value against our flesh (Col. 2:23) Just some thoughts of mine brother! Longevity seems to be part of both of our lives!!! Preach it my brother.
Post a Comment