Archive for category Worship
The “3-Minute Rule”
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Ministry, Worship on March 2, 2010
Have you ever heard of the 3-Minute Rule? I believe every church could benefit greatly from practicing the rule after each worship service. Here’s how the 3-Minute Rule works. After the morning worship service ends, all the regular attenders spend the first 3 minutes talking with guests, newcomers, or simply people they do not know, before they begin talking with their friends. If possible, they introduce those they meet during the 3-Minute time to their friends with the hope of including them in the group. We should always keep in mind that . . . .
We are a culture craving relationship. In the midst of our crowded existence, many of us are living lonely lives. We live and work in a sea of humanity, but we end up missing out on the benefits of regular, meaningful relationships. (Andy Stanley)
I think we should practice a similar rule before the service as well. We could call it the 2-Person Rule. Strive to meet at least two new people before the service begins. Imagine how many people you would meet after a few weeks. Remember . . . .
People are not merely looking for a friendly church; they are looking to make friends at church.
What do you think? When’s the last time you met someone new at church and were genuinely interested in getting to know them? Make a genuine effort this Sunday to connect with others–it will be a blessing to them as well as to you.
Can Non-Christians Have Joy?
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship on December 9, 2009
In 1971, the group Three Dog Night released a song that was the #1 song on the charts for 6 weeks in a row. Here are some of the words to the song:
Jeremiah was a bull frog; was a good friend of mine. I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine. And he always had some mighty fine wine. Joy to the world; all the boys and girls, now. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea; joy to you and me.
It seems to me that this song contains a very misguided view of true joy and where it originates. In the New Testament, the word “joy” is the word χαρά [khar•ah]. Throughout the Bible, joy is almost always associated with salvation.
In Luke 2:10, the angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy….” What was that great joy? “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, NASB). David linked joy and salvation when he prayed, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Psalm 51:12, NASB).
I contend that only Christians can experience Biblical joy because only Christians have experienced salvation. Non-Christians can certainly experience happiness in life, but happiness can come and go. Joy is constant — it does not depend on circumstances. I like to say it this way:
Happiness depends on happenings; Joy depends on Jesus!
If we’re going to choose a song about joy, I think the Isaac Watts version of “Joy to the World” is much better than the Three Dog Night version. Here are the words:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
What do you think? Can non-Christians have joy in their lives?
Steve Fee: “Glory to God Forever”
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Worship on December 1, 2009
Theology of Worship
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Worship on August 30, 2009
Have you ever thought about the Theology of Worship? Much has been written on the subject recently. Allow me to share a few thoughts I’ve gleaned from my study over the last few years.
When you hear the word audience associated with worship, what comes to mind? Do you picture the preacher, the praise team, the choir, the organist, the pianist, and various soloists on stage at different points with the congregation looking on as the audience? To many this is what comes to mind, but it is not a biblical model.
God is the audience!
In biblical worship, the audience is God! The person seated on the back row of the balcony is “on stage” in God’s eyes just as much as the soloist and the preacher. God watches all of us as we worship Him. Those in the congregation must understand that those on stage are not there to please them; they are there to please God!
That’s why, through the years, I have taught that we should come to the services “prepared” to worship God. We can’t worship if we’re worn out or hung over from a late Saturday night. We can’t place God first on Sunday if we haven’t given Him a second-thought during the week. Worship is a seven-day-a-week proposition and it takes special preparation to be ready for Sunday worship. Many get nothing out of worship because they’ve put nothing into worship during the week.
We can’t place God first on Sunday if we haven’t
given Him a second-thought during the week.
Every week I look out and see a plethora of reactions to my preaching. I see some people on the edge of their seat, making mental notes and often taking written notes. Often sitting near them I see another person fighting back sleep. Now I realize that some people have medical issues that cause them to sleep any time they get still for a minute or two, but I suspect that some are just dulled to the message because of their lifestyle. My preaching would improve in their eyes if they would improve the way they live.
I challenge you to a little experiment. Spend one entire week preparing for worship on Sunday. Read your Bible and pray every day. Ask the Lord to help your pastor to hear His voice as He shows him what to say. Get to bed early on Saturday and get to church a little early on Sunday so you won’t feel so rushed. During the service, remember that God hears your expressions of praise and knows your heart. I am confident that worship will “come alive” for us like never before when we make it a true priority in our lives.
Shaun Groves @ Shelbyville First Baptist
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Worship on July 9, 2009
I’m looking forward to hearing Shaun Groves live in our 8:30 & 11:00 A.M. morning worship services on August 23rd. Come and join us for this FREE concert! Here’s a sample of what you will here:
I Will Rise
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Worship on July 7, 2009
Yesterday, one of the First Baptist Worship Bands, Exit Up, led us to sing Chris Tomlin’s awesome song called I Will Rise. Every time I hear this song it rocks my world.
I heard the song again on the way home from church this evening and I could hardly drive because of the urge to lift both hands to Heaven. Listen for yourself and let me know what you think.
Denying Jesus
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Sermons, Worship on December 22, 2008
This morning I read Luke 22 as a part of my daily devotion. In the chapter, the Apostle Peter bragged that he was ready to die with Jesus if need be. Jesus told Peter that he would deny even knowing him before the next morning.
This whole scene made me start thinking about ways we deny Jesus in our daily lives. Can you think of ways we deny Jesus?
Christmas to Calvary
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Evangelism, Sermons, Worship on December 20, 2008
WARNING! This video is graphic, but it will remind you why Jesus is worthy!
Thanks Linus – Lest We Forget
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Funny, Worship on December 17, 2008
The Barbarian Way
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship on December 10, 2008
This afternoon I listened again to Erwin McManus, senior pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles, preaching his sermon, The Barbarian Way. Wow, what a needed reminder that I should be living on the edge for Jesus. McManus also wrote a great book by the same title.
Read this quote from his book, The Barbarian Way:
Perhaps, the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us who declare Jesus as Lord have become domesticated–or, if you will, civilized. We have lost the simplicity of our early faith. Beyond that, we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untamed, and primal faith.
Jesus did not suffer and die so that we could build for ourselves havens, but so that we might expand the kingdom of His love….Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized.
God’s will for us is less about our comfort than it is about our contribution. God would never choose for us safety at the cost of significance. God created you so that your life would count, not so that you could count the days of your life.
What about you? Can you remember how passionate you were about Jesus during those early days? Do you remember how burdened you were for your family members and friends who were not followers of Christ?
May God help us to return to that simple, unhampered, all-out, barbarian approach to following Christ!
