VIEWPOINT

A nationally known religious leader made some interesting comments on the subject of worship:  “The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience, rather than seeking God.  They look for a feeling, and if it happens, they conclude that they have worshipped.  Wrong.  In fact, God often removes our feelings so we won’t depend on them.  Seeking a feeling, even the feeling of closeness to Christ, is not worship.

“If you have ever said, ‘I didn’t get anything out of worship today,’ you worshipped for the wrong reason.  Worship isn’t for you.  It’s for God.  Of course, most worship services also include elements of fellowship, edification, and evangelism, and there are benefits to worship, but we don’t worship to please ourselves.  Our motive is to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator.”

As Ron Bradshaw put it, “When we get this right we will naturally feel good when we gather to worship.  Just because there is a small crowd, or the song leader is “off key,” or the preacher is pretty boring that particular day, it is too hot or it is too cold, or that baby just won’t stop crying, it shouldn’t affect our worship to God.  If that were the case the early church would have just dried up and blown away after a few months of meeting in houses or anywhere they could.  Poor lighting, uncomfortable conditions, uneducated teachers, and other distractions didn’t stop them from worshipping the Lord ‘in spirit  and  in  truth.’    And  what was the result of seeking God first?  Acts 17:6 says that they turned the world ‘upside down’ with their commitment to God.”

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Here are some more one-sentence sermons from G. Wyatt Shaw:

·           Overuse rarely rusts one’s tools.

·           True love is a game where all the players win.

·           Even when on the right track, you’ll lose unless you move.

·           The business of life is living.

·           Wise men listen; unwise men keep talking.

·           Anyone can criticize but few will supply a remedy.

·           When you reach the top, there’s plenty of room, but nowhere for one to sit down.

·           A few kind words are a great tranquilizer.

·           Do what’s right with no expectation of applause.

·           Your soft, sweet words will never cause indigestion if you have to eat them.

·           People are guests of this planet; not the masters.

·           It’s work boots that leave your footprints on the sands of time.

·           No matter how great your ideas may be, they’ll never work unless you do.

·           You can’t plow a field by just turning it over in your mind.

·           The wise man majors in blessings and minors in his troubles.

·           There are times when an ounce of silence is worth a pound of apology.

·           A “walkie-talkie” gives himself no opportunity to learn from others.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!                RA

Super Saturday

Vacation Bible School

July 8,2006

Beginning at 9:30 AM