After sacred worship services, it is good to fellowship with the saints; or, if necessary, to sequester oneself off in a place where the sermon (and the worship service) might be more fully-comprehended, and contemplated.
Sunday is God’s gift to His people. Enjoy the church’s worship services (first and foremost); but do not necessarily stop there. Take advantage of the church’s educational ministries, viz. Sunday School classes, catechism classes, new members’ classes, etc.
Do not feel badly about resting on Sunday. It is a good day for an afternoon nap.
Read good books. Pray. Relish your Savior.
As you do these things, you will be preparing yourself for the week ahead. If you fail to keep the Sabbath Day, you are essentially killing yourself, and cutting your life short.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Rudiment #4: Proper attitude during Sunday church worship services
The spirit with which one comes to church; and the maintenance of (that spirit) throughout the service(s), are of great importance to God.
Seek, by grace, to put out of your minds all carnal, secular, and otherwise unnecessary or disturbing thoughts and notions. Recognize that the devil will work on you more during the church worship of God, than at any other time of your life.
Adopt an attitude of praise; and lift up genuine heartfelt adoration unto the Lord—especially while singing hymns and psalms. When confessing your sins, or your faith—do so with gusto—knowing that God hears what you say, and holds you to your words.
As you listen to the Word of God preached, do not sit in judgment on it (the word), nor on the preacher of it. Instead, recognize that God is speaking to His church, in a special covenantal way, during the sermon, (which is the height of the cognitive dimension of the worship service). Therefore, be humble and receptive. Those who hear Christ’s ministers, hear Him. Those who reject them, reject Him.
It is not an easy thing to worship God well, or aright. Take comfort from this fact: that the Lord is more concerned about the state and inclination of your heart, than He is about anything else. If you truly love Jesus, be encouraged: your church worship *will* indeed be pleasing in His sight.
Seek, by grace, to put out of your minds all carnal, secular, and otherwise unnecessary or disturbing thoughts and notions. Recognize that the devil will work on you more during the church worship of God, than at any other time of your life.
Adopt an attitude of praise; and lift up genuine heartfelt adoration unto the Lord—especially while singing hymns and psalms. When confessing your sins, or your faith—do so with gusto—knowing that God hears what you say, and holds you to your words.
As you listen to the Word of God preached, do not sit in judgment on it (the word), nor on the preacher of it. Instead, recognize that God is speaking to His church, in a special covenantal way, during the sermon, (which is the height of the cognitive dimension of the worship service). Therefore, be humble and receptive. Those who hear Christ’s ministers, hear Him. Those who reject them, reject Him.
It is not an easy thing to worship God well, or aright. Take comfort from this fact: that the Lord is more concerned about the state and inclination of your heart, than He is about anything else. If you truly love Jesus, be encouraged: your church worship *will* indeed be pleasing in His sight.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Rudiment #3: Content of the Worship Service
This point is particularly addressed to ministers and ruling elders in the church—but it is also good for all the faithful laity, too.
The divine worship service, held on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), by the church, called by the elders, and under the authority of the Word of God, ought to include the following elements, (though not all, necessarily, in every service):
A Call to Worship (from the Bible—usually from the Psalms).*
An Invocation, (where God’s special covenantal presence is implored).*
The singing of hymns and psalms.*
The reading of the Holy Scriptures, (both from the Old Testament, and the New).*
Some kind of Confessional statement, (either a Creed, or the Westminster Confession [for example]).
Corporate Covenant Prayer (where often there is confession of sin, and the giving and receiving of absolution, [viz. assurance of pardon—to the true saints]).*
An Offering, where the believers worship God through the giving of their tithes and offerings.
The Preaching of the Sermon.*
The Administration of the Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
The taking of Covenant (church membership), and Office (elder and deacon) Vows.
And the proclamation of the Benediction.*
These practices are all found in the Word of God; and the desire to limit the church’s worship to the Bible’s instruction (a practice referred to as the “Regulative Principle”), is healthy and good. This aids in deterring “entertainment,” and man-centered activities.
PS: Those points denoted with an asterisk ("*"), *should* be found in every Lord's Day worship service.
The divine worship service, held on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), by the church, called by the elders, and under the authority of the Word of God, ought to include the following elements, (though not all, necessarily, in every service):
A Call to Worship (from the Bible—usually from the Psalms).*
An Invocation, (where God’s special covenantal presence is implored).*
The singing of hymns and psalms.*
The reading of the Holy Scriptures, (both from the Old Testament, and the New).*
Some kind of Confessional statement, (either a Creed, or the Westminster Confession [for example]).
Corporate Covenant Prayer (where often there is confession of sin, and the giving and receiving of absolution, [viz. assurance of pardon—to the true saints]).*
An Offering, where the believers worship God through the giving of their tithes and offerings.
The Preaching of the Sermon.*
The Administration of the Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
The taking of Covenant (church membership), and Office (elder and deacon) Vows.
And the proclamation of the Benediction.*
These practices are all found in the Word of God; and the desire to limit the church’s worship to the Bible’s instruction (a practice referred to as the “Regulative Principle”), is healthy and good. This aids in deterring “entertainment,” and man-centered activities.
PS: Those points denoted with an asterisk ("*"), *should* be found in every Lord's Day worship service.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Rudiment #2: Getting to church (and getting settled-in)
The next step for a happy life in Jesus, is to get to the church’s worship services in plenty of time. If your church has Sunday School before the AM service, this is usually not a problem, (assuming you go). If not, you need to allow yourself and your family (if relevant) ample time to get to the church building, and to get seated, etc.
Once firmly ensconced in your chair (or pew), it is helpful if, after announcements, some preparatory music is played. This is so as to help the saints get their minds adjusted, from the thoughts and concerns of the world, to the worship of God, on the Lord’s Day, as His holy church.
After all, you have waited all week for this experience. Be sure to be good stewards of it.
Once firmly ensconced in your chair (or pew), it is helpful if, after announcements, some preparatory music is played. This is so as to help the saints get their minds adjusted, from the thoughts and concerns of the world, to the worship of God, on the Lord’s Day, as His holy church.
After all, you have waited all week for this experience. Be sure to be good stewards of it.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Rudiment #1: Saturday preparation for worship
In many ways, Saturday is your key day, in order to secure a vital, changing, growing, and exciting Christian (or church) life.
Saturday is the New Covenant church’s “Preparation Day,” (as it were).
On this day, you ought to get your “ducks in a row” regarding Sunday. This may mean preparing yourself, your family, and your finances, etc., in such a way that frees you up, for a Lord’s Day (Sunday), of the best worship and rest.
One very important factor is the need to get a good night’s sleep. Do not stay up late into Saturday night (or Sunday morning). A well-rested body makes for a better rested soul on the Lord’s Day.
Bottom line: make Saturday your day to especially gear-up for Sunday.
Saturday is the New Covenant church’s “Preparation Day,” (as it were).
On this day, you ought to get your “ducks in a row” regarding Sunday. This may mean preparing yourself, your family, and your finances, etc., in such a way that frees you up, for a Lord’s Day (Sunday), of the best worship and rest.
One very important factor is the need to get a good night’s sleep. Do not stay up late into Saturday night (or Sunday morning). A well-rested body makes for a better rested soul on the Lord’s Day.
Bottom line: make Saturday your day to especially gear-up for Sunday.
Rudiments of church life
Having disposed of the principal challengers to the primacy of the believer’s commitment to Christ and His church—we will begin a neat, sweet, and positive mini-series, running for however long, on the rudiments of church life, (and how it is to be carried-out).
These installments will address both the clergy, and the laity.
Stay tuned! . . .
These installments will address both the clergy, and the laity.
Stay tuned! . . .
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