Some thoughts on the Word of God

What do you think is the most important element in deciding whether to stay in your church? I think the most important thing is the handling of the Word of God. How much does the church honour the Word of God above all else? We may have the holy spirit emphasis or some emphasis on some methods such as "Purpose Driven" or "Alpha Course"; methods that dictates the so-called move of God. Or we may suddenly experience a influx of people in church and everyone in the church says "WOAH, we're experiencing revival!"

STOP RIGHT THERE!

Who's ways are we following? Eh, if our way isn't a biblical model, based on biblical principles, how on earth do we know right from wrong? Did you know why I question such things like Alpha or Purpose Driven? Coz we become too dependent upon them and we stop studying the bible for ourselves. Their wattered down defination and exegesis is so weak that it doesn't satisfy the soul at all.

Yesterday, I went into church office and one of our youth pastor mentioned that they are going to a church to do a "survey" on that church to see what caused them to grow in numbers. First of all I know the church changed it's name recently and they weren't really sound as far as I know. I was a bit shocked that we are doing this "church-visitation" thing, but what for? I asked Liang later, "Isn't the bible sufficient for us?" This led me to ask myself how does my own church handle the Word of God? Do we honour the word of God with our thoughts, words and action?

Wait, I am not advocating legalistic principles, I am talking about biblical principles that are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Remember 2 Tim 3: 16-17? So that we will be adequent and prepared for good works. People will know us by our good works and bring glory to the Lord! Legalism is not glorifying to God. So let me set that straight. I don't mean following the bible as in all the Levitical Law and such, but rather the sound application and interpretation of the Word.

Where does ur understanding of God and Christian living lies? Friends, we've been blinded too long by the thoughts of man because of different kind of filters. But the Word of God is for all to study and understand. One of the ways to learn it is thru Inductive Bible Study Method. I have provided the link before, I do hope u take time to read it and explore the wonder of it...

Aiya, that site is down at the moment! JOker!

I just want to tell u this, do not underestimate ur abiblity to understand scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16 shows the sufficiency of Scripture for our lives. Trust the Lord at his Word, not mine, not men's, not any methods!

That is why I look fwd to preaching these days coz it really nourishes the soul each week. I also have a new found hobby of listening to sermon online or on CD lately. Praise and Worship is good, but it's nothing if everything we sing is solely about how great we feel about being saved ect. By the way, I think we stopped singing songs that proclaim one of the attributes of God. Most of what we sing is cool, u know. It help us response to God, but it's really overkill sometimes. More like a soap-emo-trip.

As a worship leader, I am so use to our way of choosing songs. I bear part of the blame for feeding the emotional response of the worshipers sometimes. I care about how they would respond, I'd even predict how they'd response with certain songs. Oh, I forgot that worship is singing unto GOD and he is the only audience when we worship! Instead of singing about us, I think we stopped singing of God's worth. We might sing tonnes of songs about how the Lord touch us, but I wonder if everyone is touched the same way? If not, aren't we lying? So singing about God is the best. The bible and creation shows a lot of the visible and invisible attributes of God, the hymns of old express God's attributes in ways that we do not see today. So don't u think we should consider writing songs like the way they use to? Just a thought. My Bud, Daniel, wrote an interesting observation bout Worship:

After and still reading the book "Desiring God", to me now, Worship is a means
and one of the most intimate manner which i can both share my friendship, awe of
the one true God and finally glorifying Him. Therefore in this definition, it is
no longer a question on the type of music, but the type of lyrics, the position
of my heart and finally it is the renewal of the fellowship with the One true
God of whom we derive our meaning of our existence here. That's worship, and to
translate that to a lifestyle that we consistently must live out consistently
with the Word, and it is not about should we worship God on this mountain or on
that mountain or in Jerusalem. God is seeking true worshipper, one who will
worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Amen!

Now what does that has to do with the Word of God? Did u know that the reading or the preaching of the Word of God in a traditional church service is the climax of the service? That was what preaching was viewed as, not worship time! I want to prepare the people to receive the word, not reject it. We must leave a service saying, " What an awesome preaching!" Instead of "What an awesome worship!". Singing songs or proclaiming doesn't save us if the songs we sing doesn't reflect a biblical understanding of God. Neither does short sermons that are weak in substance and worse of all, doctrinally wrong edifying. A wrong understanding of God will mean we're worshipping other gods and not the God of the bible.

I know some of u are babe in the faith, but I pray that u will move on to maturity (Hebrews 6: 1). If u are a leader, remember CX taught us about Hebrews 5: 11-14? Let's move on to be accustomed to the Word of God. In it are the wisdom of God and all his promises. They will make u stand in awe and wonder as u submit to it and let it be your guiding light. The Holy Ghost will help u if u only find a place to begin.

Oh, God! There is so much to learn and there is so much to speak of. Pls give me the words and let your Spirit empower me as I teach and preach your word to out youths. I hide behind u and let ur shadow shelter me from doubts and fear. Be my help and be strength! In the name of us Son, Jesus my saviour I pray. Amen