Are We Having Fun Yet?

by Ken Thomas

It was recently reported that a prominent brother had expressed the need for excitement in worship, perhaps even though instrumental music. Interestingly, that segment of the restoration movement that uses the instrument has not grown, so obviously it is going to take more than that to draw a crowd. (Would an orchestra do better?)
"Worship" is a word that implies the homage of God - the attitude and activity which recognizes the "worth" of God. If God has designated what honors him, and we decide to do what pleases us, we make ourselves into gods. If we worship the creature more than the Creator, we join those that were given up by God ( Romans 1:25). If our only goal is to please men, we will not service Christ ( Galatians 1:10).

Spiritual "excitement" will come to our services when we develop the sense of being in the awesome presence the reverend Creator who sustains our existence. When we envision ourselves as in the throne-room of God, we will not look for the entertainment of carnal activities.
Sadly, the reasoning of some brethren resembles that of the preacher that tried to justify running up the aisles and jumping over pews in his church. He told me that the "Spirit quickened his body" ( Romans 8:11), and refused to see that the passage he cited referred to the resurrection. What the scripture meant did not seem to matter to him. How sad.

July 14, 1991

Related Articles:

Worship -Mar 07, 1999
Ephesianitis -Nov 16, 1997
Is God Relevant? -Dec 08, 1996
Worship Means Participation -Nov 27, 1994
Pop Religion -Apr 24, 1994

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Are We Having Fun Yet? by Ken Thomas It was recently reported that a prominent brother had expressed the need for excitement in worship, perhaps even though instrumental music. Interestingly, that segment of the restoration movement that uses the instrument has not grown, so obviously it is going to take more than that to draw a crowd. (Would an orchestra do better?) "Worship" is a word that implies the homage of God - the attitude and activity which recognizes the "worth" of God. If God has designated what honors him, and we decide to do what pleases us, we make ourselves into gods. If we worship the creature more than the Creator, we join those that were given up by God ( Romans 1:25). If our only goal is to please men, we will not service Christ ( Galatians 1:10). Spiritual "excitement" will come to our services when we develop the sense of being in the awesome presence the reverend Creator who sustains our existence. When we envision ourselves as in the throne-room of God, we will not look for the entertainment of carnal activities. Sadly, the reasoning of some brethren resembles that of the preacher that tried to justify running up the aisles and jumping over pews in his church. He told me that the "Spirit quickened his body" ( Romans 8:11), and refused to see that the passage he cited referred to the resurrection. What the scripture meant did not seem to matter to him. How sad. July 14, 1991 Related Articles: Worship -Mar 07, 1999 Ephesianitis -Nov 16, 1997 Is God Relevant? -Dec 08, 1996 Worship Means Participation -Nov 27, 1994 Pop Religion -Apr 24, 1994 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM