The Importance of the Song Service – Tuesday Tea for July 23, 2013

When it comes to the worship service it can be safely said that the most undervalued and overlooked aspect of worship is that of the song service.  The song service is all too often viewed as time to get to church late, time to go to the restroom, time to visit, and a myriad of other ideas.  While we all run late, have to step out for a moment, and other matters that arise we should not allow ourselves to slip into viewing the song service as more casual and optional than the preaching service.  We should be just as dedicated to the song service and its message as we are to the preaching.

Christ Sang in the Church

“Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Hebrews 2:12)

Here in Hebrews 2:12 the Apostle Paul was quoting from the 22nd Psalm.  This Psalm is widely understood to be referring to the Lord rather than to any man or woman, past or present.  Earlier in the 22nd Psalm we have a prophecy of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and then in verse 22 we have the words that Paul quotes in Hebrews 2:12.

So what is the significance of these verses?  Jesus was not referring here to his natural brethren the Jews, but rather was referring to the apostles, disciples, and believers and saying in the midst of them that He would sing praises unto his Father.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, made it clear that it was important to praise God through song in the church and in the midst of the congregation.

If Christ viewed this as a fundamental part of worshiping God, then we should approach the song service with the same focus and desire.

We have been Given a Great Gift

“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” (Romans 15:9)

Paul reminds us that as Gentiles the gifts of God, not eternal salvation, but the gifts of the knowledge of the workings of the Godhead were not given to the Gentiles originally.  We were not a part of the family of God here in time but in the last times we have been brought in.  For this reason, because of this great gift, we should sing praises unto God.

If for no other reason, we should be attentive and focused on the song service because it is our opportunity to sing praises unto a God that bestowed mercy upon is that is beyond all measure.  There is simply no way that we can place a value on the gifts God has given us.  Let us therefore sing with great rejoicing and praise.

During the week leading up to the next time you will be in the house of the Lord, I challenge you to specifically pray for the song service just like you would for the preaching.  See what an impact that will have on your Sunday morning.

May the Lord bless you this week,

Elder J.W. Cunningham

(Note: This Tuesday Tea post is one in a running series called Living the Church Life)

Why Should I attend Church? – Tuesday Tea for July 16, 2013

In a world where our lives are increasingly hectic and demanding, for many it often seems as though the only day to take a breath and catch up a little is Sunday.  Jobs demand our time and energy at least Monday through Friday and Saturday is filled with kid’s activities, chores, errands, and general obligations.  On Sunday we just want to take a moment to collect ourselves and get ready for the week ahead.  For many this results in a decision about whether or not to go to church on Sunday morning and often brings about the question, “Why should I attend church?”

For the Encouragement of One Another

 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The Apostle Paul writing in the book of Hebrews records these words for our edification.  Telling us first that we should provoke one another unto love and to good works.  In verse 25 though he clarifies how this happens with the explanation that the provoking takes place in the assembling of the saints.

There should be no doubt in our minds that the world we live in would be a better place if more “good works and love” were shown on a daily basis.  The key understanding here though is that when people fail to attend a local assembly they are not surrounded by those that will encourage them toward this life style and thus the good works are not done. Likewise, if those that need provoking are at the local assembly but we as encouragers have taken the Sunday off then the process fails just as miserably.  The ultimate lesson being that we should attend church to encourage and be encouraged.

A Measure of Accountability

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

This thought makes many modern Christians highly uncomfortable.  Modern believers don’t want to be presented with the idea that attending church should somehow influence how they behave outside of church.  The truth of the matter is though that one of the major failings of our society is that church going no longer equates with morality.

The very fact that churches seemingly want to shy away from admonishing their congregations is a major failing of modern religion.  If what your church teaches does not influence the way you live your life the church is ultimately ineffective.  We should attend church so that the life we live would be honorable unto God and would draw others closer to a similar lifestyle.  The lesson being that we should attend church in order to have accountability in how we live our lives.  If you are running away from the church because of how you are living it is likely you and not the church that needs to change.

To Praise God

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

While there are many reasons to attend church, when it comes down to the simple truth, going to church is not about you.  It’s not for your benefit or the benefit of anyone else that attends.  Going to church is about praising the Lord and remembering the mighty things done on our behalf.

The only reason we should need for being in church is that we know that we have a Savior that died for the remission of our sins and he is worthy to be praised.

My wife has often said it and it is worthy to be repeated — Aren’t you glad the Lord didn’t decide to sleep in on the day he was to be crucified for you?

Let us be steadfast to be in the Lord’s house to honor and praise him.

May the Lord bless you this week,

Elder J.W. Cunningham

(Note: This Tuesday Tea is one in a series called Living the Church Life in which I try to highlight what it means to be a true believer on Jesus Christ and his teachings.)

Being Settled in Change – Tuesday Tea for May 28, 2013

While it is often quite popular for people to accuse each other of having a “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” mentality there is something to be said for being settled with change.  As believer’s in God and in his word we should not find ourselves slipping into a “this or nothing” mentality.  We must guard against becoming so comfortable that we are not willing to find out what something new would be like.

Praise God in Changing

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:30-34)

When the opportunity for change comes upon us, we should not let our decisions about whether or not to accept that change be focused on the natural things of this world.  Rather, let us focus on the things of God.  The Lord has promised us that when we are seeking after him that he will grant us those things we stand in need of.  If a change provides us with a better opportunity to serve the Lord and be more committed to him we should be joyous to accept that change and leave all that at the time feels comfortable and easy.  The Lord will provide us comfort in the middle of the storm if we are seeking after him.

Finding a Place to Sow Your Faith

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

When the opportunity for change comes around we should consider first and foremost if it is going to present us with the chance to sow our faith.  As Luke recorded, is this change going to grant us with a greater ability to lay our hand to the plow of God and if so then we should not look back with longing for what we have left behind.  We should not seek to spend just a little more time in what we are doing before we change.

Let us as believers not slip into a mentality of comfortableness.  We never know when our time in a present job, with a present employer, in a current city or state is going to come to an end because of the will of the Lord working in our lives.  Let us not fall into believing that where we are at is so good that the Lord could not possibly want us elsewhere.  If the Lord can make the sparrow sing he surely can take care of us as well.

When and if the time comes in your life, be settled in change.

May the Lord Bless you this week,

Elder J.W.

(Note: This Tuesday Tea is one in a series called Living the Church Life in which I try to highlight what it means to be a true believer on Jesus Christ and his teachings.)

What does it mean to give? – Tuesday Tea for May 21, 2013

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

If you were to bounce between churches in your local community for the next couple of months you would likely observe different styles of preaching, different styles of worship, different beliefs, different standards of dress, different formalities of worship, and on and on.  However, in visiting each of these churches one common thing would likely arise and that is a call for you to give to the church to support its operation and the ministry.  And in each of those cases a monetary donation is what is being asked for.  So is that what giving to the church and the ministry is all about?

Giving is about more than money.

When the Apostle Paul penned the above words I would dare say that he did not have monetary giving in mind.  If he did, he did not mean it in the sense that we understand it today.  What the Apostle was teaching is that we should purpose in our heart to give of what we have available.  For some that may be monetary donations of which the church and ministry cannot operate without.  However, for most that should not be where giving to the church stops.  Keep in mind giving a church a check is really just the beginning of true giving.

Giving to the church ought to include giving of your time, energy, effort and focus.  Most Primitive Baptist churches do not hire out for the daily maintenance of the church.  Being willing to volunteer to clean the church, mow the church lawn, and do other tasks for the regular maintenance of the church is a great blessing and giving at the same time.

Likewise, there are many other tasks that are not related to the maintenance of the building that need to be done each week that members can be a part of and give to the church and to the ministry.  Preparing meals for the sick, visiting the elderly, publishing content for the church, maintaining the church website, and on and on.  When Paul said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver he did not intend that your desire and ability to give monetarily brings the love of the Lord.  Rather he intended that a desire to be dedicated unto the cause is pleasing unto God.

Giving is not a comparison

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” (Mark 12:41-43)

This story demonstrates such an important point.  Giving in the church is not a competition and even more so it is not by comparison.  Each member is in a different state in their life and each has different demands on time, energy, and money.  The point of giving is not to “keep up with the Jones” but rather to find a way in which you can serve the Lord by giving unto the church.

Seek ye this day the Kingdom of God.  Seek to serve the Lord through whatever your passion might be.  Purpose in your heart to give unto the Lord and in doing so find his blessings and great joy!!

May the Lord bless you this week,

Elder J.W. Cunningham

 

Is your tithe enough for God? – Tuesday Tea for April 30, 2013

As I look around at churches today the practice of tithing seems to be becoming more and more popular.  Some churches are using the term to literally mean the 10% and others are just using the term to mean your giving to the church.  So today I want to take a few moments to consider the idea of tithing and whether or not it is according to scripture.

Should we be tithing?

The word tithing in some form or fashion is used 39 times in the bible with seven of those instances being in the New Testament.  However, each of those times it is referenced in the New Testament it is pointing back to the practices of the Old Testament.  The idea of tithing was founded upon the Levitical Priesthood and the fact that the tribe of Levi did not receive an inheritance. (Numbers 18:24)

Furthermore, tithing was typically done with objects and not money.  It was done in order that the priesthood could live from day to day though they did not have the same means in order to maintain their sustenance.  It was a unique concept established by God for his people in that day.

So should we be tithing today?  Not only should we not be tithing, I would even go so far as to say that you do not even have the ability to tithe today.  Unless you know where the Levitical Priesthood is and you can go give to them you have not the ability to tithe.

How should we give?

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Repeatedly we are taught in the New Testament that our giving should be according to our means, the blessings of God, and what we purpose in our heart.  The key point when it comes to giving in the New Testament age is not about the amount or a certain percentage, but rather the intent behind that amount.  In other words a $10 gift can be the greatest donation of the day because it was given with love and sacrifice or a $100 donation can be the worst because it was given with the intent of holding back in order to buy the things of this world.

Furthermore, the church should refrain from having too much knowledge or record about how much a person is giving.  Giving to the church, to God’s ministers, and to the needy is not something to be judged of man but rather is to be a decision made in prayer and judged only by God based on the intents of the heart.

What is the purpose in giving?

There are many purposes in giving.  The first being that the church has expenses that must be paid.  For most churches they must be able to pay utilities, insurance, and other costs that arise.  When churches host special meetings other costs and necessities are brought forth and giving to the church off-sets those expenses.  The second being to support the needy in the congregation.  The church should be in a position to help those that come upon things in life that effect their ability to function from day to day.  Finally, and possibly most importantly, one should give to support the ministry.

“For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1 Timothy 5:18)

The scriptures consistently teach that a minister is like an ox.  They have not the ability and thus should not have to reach far and wide to find their next meal, but should be able to feed from where they labor.   This is not to say that a minister should not have a secular job.  Churches should not be so burdened with the care of their pastor financially that it becomes a hindrance to serving the Lord.  However, a church does have an obligation to help support their pastor in a physical way was well.  With that being said the minister also has an obligation to support the church.

Thus, the purpose of giving should be that the gospel continues to go forth to God’s people here in time.

There is much that can be said about giving in the Lord’s service, but let us conclude with this thought.  Giving is no longer a matter of law but rather a matter of love.

May the Lord Bless you this week,

Elder J.W. Cunningham

(Note: This is one writing in a continued series called “Living the Church Life” – Credit goes to Elder J.D. Holder as research for these writings is from his book “Principles and Practice of the Church” published by the Primitive Baptist Publishing House in 1961.)