Why do you come to church? Is it just to see your friends? Maybe you like to show off the new clothes you bought on Black Friday, or maybe you just like to let everyone know that you are still alive. While there is nothing wrong with just going to church, there is much more to church than meeting friends and catching up on the latest news. Church is a time for us to worship God. The problem is that many times we get so distracted by what's going on in church that we forget why we are there.
Over the past couple of weeks we have been discussing some spiritual disciplines in Sunday School. We have come to the conclusion that disciplines are not easy because they mean we must work for something. Worship is the same way. We cannot just walk into church and just expect to automatically enter into worship. Worship takes work. We must focus on who we are worshiping and why.
When we think of worship many of us think of singing certain songs or having some sort of special service. The truth is that we can worship God no matter what song we are singing or what kind of service we are in. We can even worship God when we aren't at church, but it takes discipline to set aside all the distractions in life to worship.
But how do we worship? First we must put aside everything else in our lives and think about God. Think of everything He has done for you. He saved you! He has given you the chance to learn about Him. He has given us the freedom to express our love for Him. When we do this we are blown away by the grace and mercy He has shown us. This is the best way to worship. When we realize that it's only through Him that we can exist then we can truly experience worship.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Spiritual Disciplines: Service
We all liked to be served. Whether it's having someone hold the door for you, serve your dinner, or fix your car being served makes us feel special and appreciated. Did you know that serving is something that Christians are commanded to do. Galatians 5:13 says "you, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Jesus Christ has given us freedom from sin but we should not use our freedom selfishly. Instead our focus should be on what we can do for others. We no longer have to worry about our needs, because God has promised to take care of them. Now we must use our freedom to help those around us. Jesus have is an example of ultimate service when He gave His life for us. Let us follow His example and give all we can for those around us. To many people we will be the only God they see. Let's make sure that we give the world the best example we can.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Spiritual Disciplines: Study
As Christians it is important for us to develop a disciplined life. The world surrounds us every day attempting to side track our devotion to God. Without spiritual discipline we will quickly find ourselves swept away into the ocean of sin.
One of the most important disciplines to master is studying God's Word. The Bible is our answer key to life. Through its pages we can find all we need to make it to heaven. All this information is useless though if we never take time to read and study it.
In school our teachers ensure that we have all the books we will need to pass their class. We know we will be tested so we study. Sometimes we procrastinate and study everything at the last minute. Or perhaps we forget and try to cram a weeks worth of study into the five minutes before class. In the end though our grades will show how well we studied.
As Christians we can go through life listening to our pastor and Sunday School teachers but if we never take the time to study for ourselves we will struggle when the test in life come. Too many times we think we know all the answers only to be humiliated when the world comes at us with all of its questions and disbelief.
We must make daily study of God's Word part of our lives. Paul writes that we should study so that we do not have to be ashamed of our work for Christ. It is important that we master this discipline as we strive to become more like Christ.
One of the most important disciplines to master is studying God's Word. The Bible is our answer key to life. Through its pages we can find all we need to make it to heaven. All this information is useless though if we never take time to read and study it.
In school our teachers ensure that we have all the books we will need to pass their class. We know we will be tested so we study. Sometimes we procrastinate and study everything at the last minute. Or perhaps we forget and try to cram a weeks worth of study into the five minutes before class. In the end though our grades will show how well we studied.
As Christians we can go through life listening to our pastor and Sunday School teachers but if we never take the time to study for ourselves we will struggle when the test in life come. Too many times we think we know all the answers only to be humiliated when the world comes at us with all of its questions and disbelief.
We must make daily study of God's Word part of our lives. Paul writes that we should study so that we do not have to be ashamed of our work for Christ. It is important that we master this discipline as we strive to become more like Christ.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
What does it mean to be a Christian?
Here is the work sheet from last nights Youth Meeting. Do you know what it really means to be a Christian? Let's not forget that the most important part of being a Christian is loving God with all our heart! Nothing will draw us away from Christ quicker than letting ourselves get in the way.
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