Each time the church assembles it would behoove every disciple to be prepared to make God their central focus.
We assemble firstly for God’s glorification and secondly for our edification (not the other way around). We glorify God best when we worship mindfully and purposefully, not on autopilot. Here are some key things to stay mindful of while assembled with the Saints...
What Church Is
It is imperative that we comprehend the fact that the church isn't a secular based or driven organization. Rather, it’s a body of redeemed believers---called out by God, to serve God's purpose (Eph 3:10-11). It’s not a social club. Most Christians understand this, doctrinally speaking, yet, often look forward to the socializing and discussing of worldly affairs in the assembly with others, more so than they do about worshiping and adoring God! While we do often socialize with one another while assembled, the church is not a social club. It is the pillar and buttress of truth within the community (1 Tim 3:14-15).
Sometimes we forget why we are the church. Sometimes we treat church like all the other things we enjoy in our lives—we seek to receive pleasure, then move on. We predetermine our preferences, like personalized settings on our smartphones, then get what we want out of them. Some are like that with church—they come to church (to get what they want out of it) but don’t want to be the church.
What Worship Is
Worship isn’t about us, it’s about God! (Jn 4:22-24). Worship is the praising, and reverencing of God, both in public and private. It is a recognition of the worthiness of God, by which honor is given to His name. This is best attained when disciples are worshiping mindfully not mechanically, carelessly (Lev 10:1-3), or ignorantly (Acts 17:16-23). We must take caution that our worship is not vain (Mat 15:8-9). Our worship must be true and spiritual, in nature and practice (Jn 4:24). God is pleased when we seek and serve Him through faith (Heb 11:6, Rom 10:17), not mindless habit.
Preaching Isn't For Entertainment
Unfortunately, some preachers have simply become performers and entertainers. Any preacher or audience expecting an entertaining performance has strayed away from the Biblical purpose of preaching. As a minister of the gospel, a preacher's goal is not to impress people with his gifts or abilities. He is not called by God to dazzle people with his rhetoric—or to have people leave services each week impressed only with the style of his sermon delivery. Rather, a preacher's sermons must be designed to bring people into the presence of God. If people’s lives are truly changed, it will not be because of the impressiveness of some preacher, but because God moves through the sermon to effect real change in the lives of the listeners (Acts 16:11-15).
I have visited church assemblies where the preaching hour has become nothing more than an entertainment hour... The preacher puts on his best performance to arouse and excite the crowd. Good gospel preaching can definitely liven and stir an audience, but, gospel preaching itself is not a stage performance. Many gospel preachers have lost their way because they took such an approach.
One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was starting out as a young preacher was that a preacher should NEVER GET IN THE WAY of God's Word. Each preacher has his own unique personality which directly influences the way he presents the gospel. And, in his efforts to present God’s word, he should do so with conviction, passion, etc. in a way that seeks not to draw attention to himself. Rather, he is summoning up his energy to shift focus upon God. Paul described it in this way, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor 4:7, ESV). Not that we are worthless to God, but Paul is right! We are like vessels of clay holding a priceless treasure--the word of God! Consider these additional thoughts of Paul (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 2:17; 4:1-2; 1 Thes 2:4-6).
What preaching is for
Opening up the sacred Scriptures to us.
Drawing us into the unfolding story of God's amazing deeds in the world.
Reminding us that we are sinners.
To inform us of our proper place in this life.
To convict hearts and save lost souls
Let's all endeavor to be better, more mindful worshipers o the one true God and savior of all!
Key Things To Remember When The church Assembles
Each time the church assembles it would behoove every disciple to be prepared to make God their central focus.
We assemble firstly for God’s glorification and secondly for our edification (not the other way around). We glorify God best when we worship mindfully and purposefully, not on autopilot. Here are some key things to stay mindful of while assembled with the Saints...
What Church Is
It is imperative that we comprehend the fact that the church isn't a secular based or driven organization. Rather, it’s a body of redeemed believers---called out by God, to serve God's purpose (Eph 3:10-11). It’s not a social club. Most Christians understand this, doctrinally speaking, yet, often look forward to the socializing and discussing of worldly affairs in the assembly with others, more so than they do about worshiping and adoring God! While we do often socialize with one another while assembled, the church is not a social club. It is the pillar and buttress of truth within the community (1 Tim 3:14-15).
Sometimes we forget why we are the church. Sometimes we treat church like all the other things we enjoy in our lives—we seek to receive pleasure, then move on. We predetermine our preferences, like personalized settings on our smartphones, then get what we want out of them. Some are like that with church—they come to church (to get what they want out of it) but don’t want to be the church.
What Worship Is
Worship isn’t about us, it’s about God! (Jn 4:22-24). Worship is the praising, and reverencing of God, both in public and private. It is a recognition of the worthiness of God, by which honor is given to His name. This is best attained when disciples are worshiping mindfully not mechanically, carelessly (Lev 10:1-3), or ignorantly (Acts 17:16-23). We must take caution that our worship is not vain (Mat 15:8-9). Our worship must be true and spiritual, in nature and practice (Jn 4:24). God is pleased when we seek and serve Him through faith (Heb 11:6, Rom 10:17), not mindless habit.
Preaching Isn't For Entertainment
Unfortunately, some preachers have simply become performers and entertainers. Any preacher or audience expecting an entertaining performance has strayed away from the Biblical purpose of preaching. As a minister of the gospel, a preacher's goal is not to impress people with his gifts or abilities. He is not called by God to dazzle people with his rhetoric—or to have people leave services each week impressed only with the style of his sermon delivery. Rather, a preacher's sermons must be designed to bring people into the presence of God. If people’s lives are truly changed, it will not be because of the impressiveness of some preacher, but because God moves through the sermon to effect real change in the lives of the listeners (Acts 16:11-15).
I have visited church assemblies where the preaching hour has become nothing more than an entertainment hour... The preacher puts on his best performance to arouse and excite the crowd. Good gospel preaching can definitely liven and stir an audience, but, gospel preaching itself is not a stage performance. Many gospel preachers have lost their way because they took such an approach.
One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was starting out as a young preacher was that a preacher should NEVER GET IN THE WAY of God's Word. Each preacher has his own unique personality which directly influences the way he presents the gospel. And, in his efforts to present God’s word, he should do so with conviction, passion, etc. in a way that seeks not to draw attention to himself. Rather, he is summoning up his energy to shift focus upon God. Paul described it in this way, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor 4:7, ESV). Not that we are worthless to God, but Paul is right! We are like vessels of clay holding a priceless treasure--the word of God! Consider these additional thoughts of Paul (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 2:17; 4:1-2; 1 Thes 2:4-6).
What preaching is for
Let's all endeavor to be better, more mindful worshipers o the one true God and savior of all!
-Charles Knight
ministerknight@hotmail.com