Worship

The Elements of Worship

Paul prayed that the God of peace will keep them from profane things, make them pure and consecrated to God and completely blameless at the coming of Christ (vv 23-24). He also requested that the Christians pray for him (v. 25). After the worship services are over, the Chri …

It is not Where You Worship But How

Jesus told the woman to go and to return to him with her husband (v. 16). As Jesus was a man, it would have been inappropriate for him to give the woman anything of value without her husband …

IllustrationWilliam Temple defines Worship

Barclay quotes William Temple, the renowned archbishop of Canterbury, as defining worship as quickening the conscience by the holiness of God, feeding the mind with the truth of God, purging the imagination by the beauty of God, opening the heart to the love of God, and devoting …

IllustrationPeople Fall Asleep in The Worship Service

Jim Dunn was serving as the pastor of the First Baptist Church, and his wife, Gladys, was very friendly and welcoming to people. One particular Sunday when the sermon seemed to go on forever, many in the congregation fell asleep. After the service, to be sociable, she walked up t …

IllustrationHavner – Why people don’t go to Church

In various surveys, when people are asked why they don’t go to church, they often reply that church is just too boring. Vance Havner used to say, “Church often starts at 11 o’clock sharp and ends at 12 o’clock dull. (Source Unknown). …

IllustrationTony Evans – Limiting Worship

Tony Evans says, “If you limit worship to where you are, the minute you leave that place of worship you will leave your attitude of worship behind like a crumpled-up church bulletin.” (Tony Evans). …

IllustrationEntire Band Falls to Their Knees

Neil Marten, a member of the British Parliament, was once giving a group of his constituents a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. During the course of the visit, the group happened to meet Lord Hailsham, then lord chancellor, wearing all the regalia of his office. Hailsham …

IllustrationBehold I come quickly

A young man who was preaching his first sermon announced his text in Revelation 22 and read, “Behold I come quickly.” At that point his mind went blank and he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Then he remembered being told that if this happens to you, just repeat …

IllustrationThe Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.

“History knows them as the forty martyrs of Sebaste. They were soldiers in the imperial army, One day the Emperor Licinius sent down an edict commanding all soldiers to offer a sacrifice to his pagan god. Forty of the soldiers were followers of Christ, and they refused. &quo …

IllustrationHavner – Start at 11 Sharp, End 12 Dull

Our Lord approved neither idol worship or idle worship but ideal worship in Spirit and truth. Too many church services start at eleven o’clock sharp and end at twelve o’clock dull. Too many church members sit smugly in church on Sunday, some closing their eyes and others eyeing t …