When a newcomer enthusiastically talks of every failing of their last two or three churches while going on to say how wonderful the teaching/fellowship/doctrine of their present church is, you have two choices.
Tell them straight away that in all likelihood it won’t be long before they’ll find their current church as bad as all the others; or just wait and they’ll do it soon enough anyway.
Some folk are devoted to the Gospel, others are devoted to arguing and having their own way.
The second group can look like the first, but by their fruit you can know them.
When Morning Gilds The Skies and Yours Is The Kingdom are the songs of preparation before we commence worship with O Worship The King All Glorious Above.
Our prayer of confession will express sorrow for those times we have used our passion in the life of the kingdom simply to get our own way, and thank God for our Saviour Jesus who did not seek His own way, but that of the Father.
Before The Throne Of God Above, The Apostle’s Creed and Now To The King Of Heaven will be our confession of faith and testimony of assurance.
Jeremiah 34:1-22 recounts the condemnation upon King Zedekiah and the people of Israel for freeing and re-enslaving brother Israelites.
God Is Our Strength And Refuge will be the response.
Again reading Titus 3:1-11, this week the focus falls on verses 8-11.
Having commended devotion to the Gospel as the means by which commitment to ministry, fellowship and care will be sustained Paul also provides caution about the danger of being devoted to secondary issues. Such a devotion will display itself in divisiveness and those who engage in it must not be indulged.
Only that which pertains to the Gospel is to be our focus.
After our pastoral prayers, we’ll give our tithes and offerings and conclude worship singing Consider Christ.
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