[Biblemat] A) BEHAVIOR IN WORSHIP: EXEMPLIFYING PRIORITIES

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Wednesday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my recent files:

BEHAVIOR IN WORSHIP: EXEMPLIFYING PRIORITIES

     True worship, extended in the proper manner and spirit,
will edify us and intensify the hope of heaven.  But when our
worship is not taken seriously, our actions are impotent and
our spirituality weakened.

     Worshipping God is a serious matter which should not be
taken lightly.  When Christians assemble for worship, Jesus
is with them in a special way (Matt. 18:20).  Therefore, what-
ever is don at worship services is done openly before Him;
and whatever hinders His people from worshipping Him affects Him (remember 
the teaching of Matt. 25:31-46, i.e., 
what is done to His brothers is done to Him).

     Historically, as a people, we have had behavior problems
at services.  There is noise before services and distractions
during services (in and out of rest-rooms, note-passing, talk-
ing, etc.). 

THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM: -- What is at the heart of
these problems?  Is it a lack of love?  For some it is, especial-
ly young people.  Some youngsters are only at services be-
cause their parents make them come.  But for most this is not
a reason.  Is it a lack of desire?  I do not think so.  Most of
those who are present desire to please God or they would not
be there.  The cause of these problems is a lack of appreciat-
ion for the sanctity of worship.  (A lack of reverence and res-
pect, JWS).

     Too many people possess an attitude that is just too casu-
al for proper worship.  Some approach the worship services
of the church with the same attitude they have in engaging in
secular activities such as attending school, going to work or
even going to the doctor.  (This reminds me of what was said
by Justice Samuel Alito of the Supreme Court of our land.  He
said last night that there was an early morning case where a
lawyer was presenting an oral argument before the court and
he was there in shorts and tee-shirt and tennis shoes.  Undou-
btedly this was not the common way that lawyers stood be-
fore the most august court of our land to argue their cases.
He went on to say that the lawyer had flown into Washington,
D.C. the night before and the airline on which he traveled had
lost his luggage.  It was too early in the morning for him to go
out and buy a suit of clothes for himself.  But this indicates
what the Supreme Court Justices expect of those who litigate
cases before them.  They expect them to be dressed in suit
and tie and proper shoes.  So when lawyers in the land know
and respect the highest court in the land, they show it by the
way they dress.  This should be the attitude of every Christ-
ian that presents himself before the August God of all the
universe, to present his case in a respectful manner, and pre-
sent himself before Him in proper dress for the occasion JWS)  If problems 
with worship are going to be solved and
people are ever going to worship properly, the attitudes with
which they view worship must improve.

WHAT MISBEHAVIOR AT WORSHIP SERVICES REVEALS: --
Misbehavior at services reveals a lack of respect for the speaker.  The 
preacher or Bible class teacher deserves res-
pect because of the Word he is teaching (see Heb. 12:25,26).
When people act improperly during preaching or in a Bible
class, talking when the preacher or teacher is talking, interru-
pting in class, laughing and cutting up, etc., they have a dis-
regard for both the message and the messenger.  Too many,
both young and old, view the speaker with the same attitude
with which they view a secular teacher (even secular teachers
should be respected, JWS).

     Misbehavior at services among the young shows a lack of
respect for parents.  Young people, your parents have often
suffered to give you life, to care for you when you could not
care for yourself, to clothe you, feed you, and stand by you.
How do you think it makes them feel to learn you caused a
disturbance during Bible classes or preaching services?  Con-
sider Prov. 15:5: "A fool despises his father's instruction, But
he who receives correction is prudent."

     Misbehavior at services shows a lack of maturity.  All young people are 
anxious to grow up and become adults.
But when they, and those who are older, misbehave they are
acting like children.

     Misbehavior at services demonstrates a lack of respect
for God.  It is one thing not to respect the preacher or teach-
er but it is another thing altogether to show disrespect to the 
Almighty God of heaven.  Ask yourself, are the things you do
when misbehaving at services (talking, gigling, writing notes,
playing with trading cards, interrupting, making rude remarks,
etc.) worth losing your soul over?  God takes it that seriously
We should have His same attitude.

SOME SUGGESTED REMEDIES: -- Parents, begin training
your children early.  Do not just teach your children to be
quiet.  Teach them to reverence and respect God.  Sit near
the front where there are fewer distractions to be seen.  Sit
as a family.  Do not let your children routinely go to the rest-
room.  Do not let your children play.  While toddlers may need
something for entertainment, children of five or six years old
and up can sit quietly and listen and participate in what is going on.  You 
will be amazed how soon they might glean from the lesson.  Understand, it is 
not enough just to bring
your children to services.  They must be doing what is proper
while they are there if they are to benefit from them and devel-
op an interest in spiritual things.

     Set a good example before your children.  Show interest
and attention.  Do not sleep or engage in activities which are
secular.  Show the proper respect for the speaker or Bible
class teacher.  Speak highly of worship periods in fron of 
your children.  Pray for God's help.

     Realize where you are and who is there.  When you are
assembled with His people, you are in the temple of the living
God (1 Cor. 3:16).  Both the Father and the Son are present,
so act accordingly.

     Follow the advice of 2 Cor. 10:5 to bring "every thought
into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

CONCLUSION: -- Worship is a blessed privilege that should be guarded with 
love, zeal and a realization of its worth and
value.  No one in his right mind should ever be guilty of mis-
behaving or acting inappropriately during the worship servi-
ces or Bible classes.  All should act responsibly and properly
before God.  ------- Adapted from an article by Gene Taylor
via. Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 29, July 22, 2007.

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