Dead… But Alive!

It was a wonderful moment in corporate worship…As we basked in His love, we sang words about what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross. His atonement for our sins brought us into right relationship with the Father. The lyrics were a retelling of the best news ever encountered by humankind. People all around me were enraptured as we sang of the grace we had been so freely given.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

Before we get to specifics of actual sound levels, let's consider a more foundational perspective first. In many of His parables, Jesus talked about stewardship. He refers to us as stewards and that God has entrusted us with His possessions. If you understand the full ramifications of this, then one of the things over which we are to exercise stewardship is our physical bodies.

Inciting a Riot

I love reading the story of Moses. He was an amazing  man. Each time I read through his account I notice something else that I hadn’t  previously considered. This time it was immediately after the twelve spies had  returned from the Promised Land and gave their report. In the minds of the  people, the ten bad reports apparently overwhelmed the two good ones. The  people believed the ten naysayers causing rumblings of a mutiny to be heard  throughout the camp. God —once again—threatened to wipe out the Israelites and  start over by making a new nation from Moses.

Order of Service: New Old Thoughts

The majority of churches today have the same general order or format for their services. Some of the elements may change periodically, or from church to church, but, overall, the corporate gatherings are very similar. Everything in the services leads to the climax: the sermon. Certainly, there may be other segments of the service that occur after the sermon—an altar call, communion, benediction, announcements, etc.—but the high point is the sermon.

The Missing Element of Worship
It was a beautiful spring morning and people were trickling in just before the late service began at New Heights Christian Church. Josalyn, a relatively new Christian, caught sight of David as he walked through the back door of the church. They had dated three times, all within just the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately David had decided that Josalyn really wasn’t the person with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life, so he ended the relationship. Josalyn, on the other hand, had enjoyed their times together. She had begun to think that David would be a good catch. But now she was miffed. What a slug, she thought. I can’t believe he’s got the nerve to still come to church. She dramatically turned in her seat and faced the opposite direction.