What Kind of Worshipper Are YOU?

There are several different kinds of worshippers within the body of Christ, or maybe better stated - among those who claim to be members of the church of Christ. - Please seriously consider some of the following examples -

The Spasmodic Worshipper - attends worship services whenever he takes a notion - (and that is not too often). Don't look for him to show up at any of the Bible classes, gospel meetings, or any other assembly, except for Sunday morning worship. He comes just enough to keep the brethren off his back. Apparently, he is not too concerned about what God thinks about him, nor is he too concerned about his influence on others. What does the spasmodic worshipper reveal about his love for God and his interest in the work of the church? (Matt 6:33; Heb 10:24,25; Psa 106:2)

The Irreverent Worshipper - whispers, passes notes, and occasionally takes a nap during worship services. Manicures during worship are not unheard of, nor is looking at pictures, playing with the baby in front of them, or day dreaming about the big buck that got away. (Heb 10:28 . . .  let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: ²⁹For our God is a consuming fire.). What does the irreverent worshipper reveal about his respect for The Almighty God? (Ecc 12:13).

The Bored Worshipper - watches the clock on the wall, or his watch constantly during worship services. He habitually thinks to himself, - The song leader sings too many verses of the songs, The man leading the prayer ALWAYS prays too long, And there has never been a sermon short enough.

   What does the bored worshipper reveal about his affections for God, and His grace? (Amos 8:4-8; Psa 122:1; 63:1-3)

The Tardy Worshipper - is habitually late. NO, they're not habitually late for work - why they know they'd get fired. Their children aren't habitually late for school - they don't want their children to get a tardy slip and detention. (Maybe we need to start giving tardy slips and detention?). They are only habitually late to events that are not extremely important to them, (did I say that?). Consider what the Psalmist said - "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." (Psa 84:2.), Do you think a person with such an attitude would be habitually late for worship? What does the tardy worshipper reveal about his hunger for spiritual things? (Matt 5:6; Psa 42:1,2)

The Worldly Worshipper - may have been seen at the dance hall the night before, or conducting a shady business deal during the previous week. Such a person ought to know that his worship is not accepted by God, (Psa 66:18). But, then again a person doesn't necessarily have to commit some obvious sin to be classified as "worldly." Some worldly thing, that may not be wrong in and of its self, has captured his heart. This person simply hasn't obeyed Paul's instructions as found in Col 3:1,2 and Romans 12:1,2. The love of the world is in this person's heart - not serving God. The person who lives for the "here and now" is a worldly person. What does such a worshipper really reveal about his priorities? (Matt 6:33; Jas 4:4; Matt 15:8).

The Observant Worshipper - If it were God's instructions being stringently observed that'd be great, but - this is not the case with the kind of worshipper under our consideration here. This individual is constantly looking around at what others are wearing, doing, and thinking. Yes, you caught that right - "thinking!" If you don't believe it, just ask him or her. There is certainly a sense in which we ought to be observant - we ought to observe who's absent so that we can check up on them, who's in need so that we can help them, and who has fallen away that we may strive to restore them. But, the worshipper under consideration becomes distracted from his worship by that which is being observed. (Jn 21:20-22; 1 Cor 4:5). What does the worshipper who constantly observes others reveal about his focus upon his worship?

The True Worshipper - will be consistent in his attendance - including Bible classes, (because he wants to study and learn all he can about God). The true worshipper will have his attention focused upon his worship. - He will be punctual when it comes to his attendance, after all it is something that he really wants to do. He will also be consistent in his life - in other words he will not live for the devil during the week and show up on Sunday to play the hypocrite. He will be deeply concerned about both the "what" and "how" of his worship. -

"Are the acts of my worship according to God's word - do I have scriptural authority?"

"Am I approaching God in sincerity - Is my heart truly in my worship?"

Such an attitude reveals his reverence, and devotion in the presence of his Creator. (Jn 4:24; 1 Sam 16:7; Psa 5:7; 99:5)

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psa 29:2)

There is ONLY one kind of worshipper that is pleasing and acceptable to God. What kind of worshipper are you?

~By Don McClain

Home and Family:

 Are We Secularizing Our Children

Several years ago, a Christian who was the president of a large state university stated his belief that students do not lose their faith because of evolution in the science department or humanism in the philosophy, psychology, or sociology departments.  Rather, he felt that they become so absorbed with secular studies and secular activities that they do not take time for spiritual things.  They neglect attendance at services, neglect Bible study and make their friends among worldly people.  They die spiritually, not from poison but from spiritual malnutrition. Today, this is happening to children long before they get to college.  And some of the finest, best intentioned and most sacrificial and loving parents are contributing to it.

Please pardon a personal reference.  My parents were very concerned about keeping control of their children.  My father complained 50 years ago that the schools were trying to take over the rearing of children and he was determined not to let that happen to his family.  Anything the school planned that conflicted with church activities was considered an encroachment by the school.  We did not participate in organized sports, either in school or in summer programs.  We did not play in the band or join the scouts.  As a rule, when school was out we came home.

You may think my parents extreme. Perhaps they were. But one thing was certain: We had time for whatever Christians were doing anywhere in the areas where we lived.  We not only attended every regular service and every service of gospel meetings in our home congregation, but we attended most services of any meeting anywhere in driving distance even when meetings lasted the greater part of two weeks.  Preachers who came preaching in the area learned to expect the Hall family near the front of the building night after night. I never remember going out of town for a ball game, but I remember many trips out of town to gospel meetings and lectureships. Those gospel preachers became our heroes and the members of those congregations became the friends whose respect and confidence we most desired.

This is not to say that all parents should adopt the policies of my parents. I did not adhere to all of them in raising my children. But surely some limits need to be imposed on the run-away secularism now so common. Children are the busiest people in town.  Schools have lengthened the school day and long bus rides often require children to leave home very early in the morning and return late in the afternoon.  Then they have homework to get. Much extra time in school is spent in humanistic activities. Children are constantly exposed to vulgarity and profanity not only from fellow-students, but even from teachers. They desperately need counteracting spiritual influences.

Many conscientious parents, however, want still more secular opportunities for their children than the standard curriculum provides. They encourage participation in extra-curricular sports organized by the school and in others that are privately organized, occupying afternoons and Saturdays and even portions of Sundays as well as the summer months.  Students not inclined to sports are encouraged to join the band with long hours of after-school practice, summer band camps, compulsory Friday night football in the fall and concerts in the spring.  In addition, there are often private music lessons. Scouts also provide wholesome experiences, and parents want their children to be involved.  In fact, they feel that their children are deprived if they miss any of these opportunities, and so to provide them parents pack their own schedules full, taxiing the children here and there and sacrificially spending their energy and money.

What is wrong with these things? Generally nothing. The problem is that they are dominating children's lives.  No wonder it has become impossible to plan a gospel meeting at a time when it does not conflict with some kind of secular activity! No wonder it is exceptional when students attend every night of such a meeting! No wonder very few parents and even fewer young people are to be seen at special services beyond their own congregation!

A negative attitude seems to be developing toward anything the church plans beyond the usual Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night assemblies or toward any extension of evening activities beyond one hour. The church is considered insensitive when anything is planned that encroaches on children's busy secular activities.

When do we expect our children to change from this heavily weighted emphasis on this world to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?"  If they become accustomed to a secular schedule in elementary school, high school will only increase the pressure.  College allows still less time for the Lord unless there is a purposeful determination to keep the lid on secular demands.  If such priorities have not been learned under the guidance of parents, it is unlikely they will be developed when students are on their own in college. By the time those school years of immersion in secularism are over, there is usually very little spiritual life left in them.

And it all begins when they are young! 

~By Sewell Hall

THEY’RE NOT FRIENDLY . . .

They seemed very unfriendly to me.  In fact, it would not be a stretch to call them downright rude.  There was no greeting when I came through the door.  No one offered me help or assistance.  They acted as if they did not care if I was there or not.  It was clear that they did not value my presence.

It crossed my mind that I might never go to that place again.  After all, why should I be treated in this fashion?  "I'll show them," I thought to myself. 

But then it occurred to me that these folks have what I really need. It would be hard, if not impossible, to find it any other place.  I would really only be hurting myself if I decided to never return.

Oh, yes, there are some other places that offer some of the same things.  But this place has it ALL!  One can come here and find every essential thing. 

In the end I finally decided that I would continue to frequent this place because of what they have to offer.  And, even though there are some things that I would like to see changed, it is still the best place to find what I really need.  Maybe, just maybe, I can help them do better in the areas of friendliness and courtesy.  Perhaps by saying and doing the right things myself I will be able to improve the overall situation.  But the bottom line is this: what I get here is much more valuable to me than the minor annoyances that I must endure.  I'll keep coming back again and again.

Where is this place?  Oh, I forgot to tell you, didn't I?  I was talking about the big discount store here in town.  You know, that new 'super center' of a thing.   What?  You thought I was talking about  the church?  Well . . . 

~ by Greg Gwin

Sentence Sermons

 "Always do right. This will surprise some people and astonish the rest."  Mark Twain

 "God will forgive those who start late in life to serve Him, but not those who quit early."

"Life is tragic for the person who has plenty to live on, but nothing to live for."