This Week's Bulletin Note
Is Worship Meant to Entertain Us?
Jan 28, 2018
This week, our lesson covers man-made traditions that are taught as doctrine and the dangers that surround these traditions. Whenever a topic like this is taught, some will often look at our “traditions” in the church and put them to the test of scripture. I hope we do that regularly, actually! Something to consider, in light of our lesson this morning, is whether the “tradition” is something being taught as doctrinal, or something of expediency. The latter being something that we could always change, because it’s not something that scripture gives us direct commands about. For example, the number of songs, prayers, etc. we do each week. The “order of worship” is not something we have specific commands surrounding, so we have a tradition of doing it a certain way. Does it mean that if we deviate from that order, that we’re sinning? No, of course not.
There are, however, things that can be done in worship that can lead to our worship being “vain” or unacceptable to God. Certain things we do in our worship, we do to follow the example and commands provided in the Bible. Someone who may visit our congregation and are not used to the way we worship, may find it “boring” or “unfulfilling.” Why? Because in so many “churches” today, worship is made to be more “entertaining” than it is focused on glorifying God and the commands He’s given us in His inspired Word.
The purpose of our worship is multi-faceted. To name a few… It is a fellowship with both God and our brethren (Col 3:14-17). It is an act of obedience (Jn 15:10). It is an act of humility (James 4:10). It serves as an avenue to praise together with the body of Christ; to build up one another to love and good works (cf. He 10:24-25). It is to serve the purpose of proclaiming Christ’s death until He comes again (cf. 1Co 11:26). Nowhere in scripture do we see that our worship, or assembling together has the purpose of entertainment.
Yesterday, I woke up to an advertisement on my Facebook feed from a church in the area. This ad was promoting their “Super Bowl of Preaching” event on Super Bowl Sunday. The ad read, “We took the weekend when NOBODY went to church and turned it into our highest-attended weekend of the year (seriously, we don’t know how). It’s an irreverent, schticky, preaching competitions that turns church into a spectator sport. Perfect for all ages. Don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of time for the Big Game. What to expect: Tailgating, smack-talk, commercials, and music that’s off the decibel scale.” Wow…
This whole “experience” is designed to be nothing but entertainment. “Come to our church, you’ll have a blast!” Now, I’m not saying worship needs to be boring, or arduous. But it is intended to focus our minds on God and not man. The fact that the ad promotes the admission that their worship is “irreverent” should be eye-opening to anyone who reads it. The definition of that word is, “showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.” When used in the sense of our worship, it’s a lack of respect for God and the things he desires for us to take seriously.
When we gather together to worship, we shouldn’t be asking the question, “How does this make me feel?” It should be, “How does this make God feel?” Worship is self-less. Less of self and more of Him. If we’re so focused on our entertainment, then we lose sight of the reverence to God and the care and fellowship with our brethren. As Paul tells the Ephesians to “address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” It’s never been about me, and always about Christ and His body, the church.
THIS WEEK’S READING (Jan 29-Feb 4): Matthew 16-20
NEXT WEEK (Feb 5-11): Matthew 21-25
Be sure to keep an eye out for the daily Bible study videos on our Facebook page and engage with them. Meaning share them, comment on them and “like” them. This helps more and more people see them, and helps others gain access to the truths of scripture. Additionally, these videos are also available on our website. You can find it listed as “Daily Bible Study” under “Media” in the navigation menu. You can also subscribe to them as a podcast, delivered to your mobile device daily!
As always, I welcome your questions and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at minister@loveland.church. God loves you, and so do I!
Last Week's Bulletin Article:
Secret Christianity…
Jan 21, 2018
During our study this week, we read Matthew 6. In this section of the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus talks about doing “Christian” things, or righteous things in private. The things Jesus mentions are related to giving, praying and fasting (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). If you notice in the language Jesus uses, it’s not a matter of if you do those things, but when. It’s about the “how and the why” disciples should go about these disciplines.
There seems to be confusion some times surrounding the emphasis Jesus makes around doing these things in secret (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). In the previous chapter, Jesus encourages His disciples to not be hidden, but to shine bright, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (cf. Mt. 5:14-16). So if Christians are to influence others for good, then how can these righteous things be done in secret?
We need to consider the meaning of Jesus’ teaching in light of the full context of the sermon on the mount. When Jesus speaks of doing things “in secret” He doesn’t mean, “make sure no one knows that you’re a Christian.” In a culture that encourages people to just “fit in,” or “stick to the status quo,” we must realize that God made us to stand out! We are expected to be unique, because we are walking in a “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). As God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood (cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10) we’re expected to proclaim the excellencies of God, who called us out of darkness and into the light. We’re expected to SHINE that light into all the world! As God’s chosen people, our duty is, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19-20, to change the world by bringing others to Him!
So when Jesus talks of doing things in secret, he is talking about our motivation. The intent of our heart. What is the driving force behind what it is we’re doing? Are we doing it to be seen by others? Or do we sincerely desire to express love and devotion to God? Jesus is basically saying, “When you do these things – fast, pray, give, etc. – do it because you love me.”
When we give, we are to do so “in secret” because we don’t want others around us to see that we’re giving. We need to desire to look at God and say, “thank you for your blessings!” This is something that is personal between us and the Lord individually. When we give in this way, we show God how thankful we are for what He has done. This is why, when we pass the plate, people don’t stand up and announce, “TODAY I GIVE $1,000!”
Prayer is done “in secret” because we should only desire the attention of God. Jesus teaches in Luke 18:1-14 that there are effective approaches to prayer, and ineffective. Our prayers should be offered up in a manner of humble dependence on the One who sees and knows our needs; the One to whom our requests are made known, trusting that He is faithful to answer them according to His will.
And fasting is done “in secret” because we need to be reminded that we depend on God for our blessings. Not ourselves, or other people… But God alone.
Again, Jesus spoke of these things not as an if, but as an expectation of something we do as His disciples. Remember, we do these things because we love Him, not because we want to impress others. If the world isn’t impressed already with His grace, mercy and truth, then how much less will the be impressed by the righteous deeds you do, that are intended to be between you and God?
THIS WEEK (Jan 22-28): Matthew 11-15
NEXT WEEK (Jan 29-Feb 4): Matthew 16-20
Remember to keep an eye out for the live study videos on Facebook and engage with them. Meaning share them, comment on them and “like” them. This helps more and more people see this, and helps others gain access to the truths of scripture. When you share, please include a short comment on your post mentioning something you gained from the study. Additionally, these videos are also available on our website. You can find it listed as “Daily Bible Study” under “Media” in the navigation menu above. You can also subscribe to them as a podcast, delivered to your mobile device daily!
As always, I welcome your questions and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at minister@loveland.church. God loves you, and so do I!
- Derek -