IN SEVERAL BUSINESS meetings, I have listened to varied suggestions on how the worship should be shortened – “use more trays,” “omit a song,” “cut the sermon…”
In all of this thinking, there seems to be the underlying premise that a shorter service is a better service – that efficiency means more efficacy.
Are we rushing through our worship so that we may hasten to feed the poor, to preach to our neighbors, or to lift up the heathen?
No.
We rush so that we may get a tasty, sumptuous meal or so that we can watch our favorite TV program or take a nap or read a secular newspaper, or play golf or go on an outing.
If none of these attracts us, we may rush because we are nervous and have the habit of doing everything in a hurry.
We sing, “Take Time To Be Holy,” but we don’t have time to meditate, to praise, or to listen to the word in a relaxed atmosphere.
There is pressure by more worldly members to “pay our respects” to God in the smallest capsule of time possible.
Movies and TV programs are getting longer, but periods of worship are being compressed.
Why?
Is it because we are so spiritual that we don’t need more time to be holy?
Or is it a lack of appetite for spiritual food?
Do we hunger and thirst after righteousness, or do we fret when the Lord’s Supper takes more time than a newscast?
Time is precious and we should “redeem the time.”
Our periods of worship should be planned so that our worship will be more effective.
Let us take time to be holy – time for more spiritual songs – time for sermons that are long enough to convince the sinner and edify the Christian.
Let us take time to promote activities of the church that will build us up in the most holy faith – time for meditation on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.
Time for silence – to be still and know that God is with us. M. Norvel Young
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are [a]idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.
28 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”
36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. 1 Chron. 16:23-36 NKJV
“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike
INCARNATE 