Worship and Others

Did you read last week’s blog posting entitled “Worship and YOU”? It emphasized that worship is not a consumer activity. It is not about making us happy and fulfilling our expectations as consumers. It is about giving honor and praise to God. That is true whether one’s worship is offered in a weekly assembly with other Christians or as an expression of worship when alone.

And yet, when we intentionally come together to worship God, our worship also fills another expectation: encouragement of fellow believers.

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul as he gives instruction regarding the assembly of Christians. Although he was specifically addressing issues regarding spiritual gifts, the application is broad.

I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church [assembly] I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

-- 1 Corinthians 14:19

Based on Paul’s instruction it seems that the Christians in Corinth were so excited about speaking in tongues (foreign languages) that they had placed too great an emphasis on that spiritual gift. After all, if there was no interpreter (translator), then the foreign language meant nothing to anyone. The simple point is that our worship gathering ought to be understandable and encouraging to everyone attending.

Eight times in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul makes an argument for understanding. Six times he specifically emphasizes the need for edification in the assembly. He was so adamant about understanding and edification that he instructed those who spoke in tongues to be silent if there was no one to interpret (translate). He instructed those who prophesied (delivering a message from God) to take turns to avoid confusion.

So, while worship consists of praise and honor TO God, all that is done as worship should be understandable and edifying to those participating.

Earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul gave instruction concerning the Lord’s Supper, another problem area for the Corinthian Christians. He said…

As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 

-- 1 Corinthians 11:26

Even though the Lord’s Supper is focused on the life and sacrifice of Jesus, we should be aware that we are each making an open proclamation when we participate. We are announcing the Lord’s death to our fellow saints. It is not because they are unaware. Rather, it is a declaration of unity in our shared conviction regarding Jesus. But not only that, we do so “until He comes.” It is a simple celebratory memorial that announces the death of Jesus while each participant is convinced of His return. So to share in the Lord’s Supper is to collectively celebrate our salvation AND our hope.

This blog posting is for EVERY Christian who assembles to worship, but it is especially for those who lead. The prayers led ought to encourage. The songs chosen should encourage, and the way they are led ought to encourage. The comments at the Lord’s table ought to encourage us as they remind us of Jesus. The preaching and teaching ought to encourage. All glory and honor goes to God and to Jesus. And yet, in His divine wisdom, God desires for His worshippers to be encouraged when they assemble to worship.

Each of us has a part in our worship assemblies. Each week ought to be a kind of homecoming, until we go to our heavenly home.

Mark Stinnett

August 23, 2026

Worship and YOU

Is worship about YOU??

“Of course not!” (our obvious and correct answer)

The answer given above would end this writing if it were not for the fact that many churches have made ‘worship’ a consumer activity. 

Do you?

We know how to answer the question. And yet, when we come together to worship, we want things to be a certain way, right?

Let’s think about that.

People who ride roller coasters will tell you that their first time riding a particular ride is the most thrilling, perhaps even, the first few rides. And yet, the way amusement parks are run suggests that after a while, even the most thrilling ride loses its thrill and a new ride must be built to bring in thrill seekers. The reason is simple: People do not show up to honor the ride or the creator of the ride or the park. They are not there to give but to take. They ride to be thrilled and entertained.

When worship becomes something that, in your mind, you consume, you cease to be a worshipper. When a period of worship must meet your standard of what is satisfying, you are a consumer, not a worshipper.

Do you remember King David dancing before the Lord when the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem? Some people today like to point to that occasion to justify the inclusion of exciting elements in a worship assembly.

Do you remember how the journey began when David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem? After those carrying the ark had gone six paces, David stopped them and he sacrificed two animals to God. That took time. It does not carry a sense of excitement like the dancing but somber reflection and intentional worship. (2 Samuel 6:13 comes before verse 14.)

We should not give more focus to one occasion or the other. Both were expressions of worship on David’s part. Neither, by itself, ‘defines’ worship.

“I think worship would be more meaningful…

• “...If we sang fewer ‘old’ songs and more ‘new’ songs.”
• “...If the preacher made us laugh more.”
• “...If the communion service had more variety.”
• “...If people would ‘raise holy hands’ like the Bible says.”
• “...If people would ‘humbly bow’ like they did in the Bible.”

"I think worship would be more meaningful...if it was...what I like." And yet, if worship was focused on what YOU like, it would more accurately be worship “to you” or, at least, “for you”!! But it is not!

When Jesus said that a true worshipper must worship God in spirit and truth, he was not referring to external actions. Jesus warned his listeners about doing things to be seen by others. So, be careful about the way you evaluate the worship assembly; it is not about you and what you like.

The Bible is very clear that worship is a heart response to God that presents praise, honor, and gratitude. For the heart to truly worship, there must be understanding and intent. The mind and heart must be engaged. After all, how can a song or prayer be worship if we cannot understand? What is the ’communion service’ when one’s mind drifts elsewhere? What is ‘bowing’ or ‘raising holy hands,’ if one’s motive is merely to copy others?

Worship is not about consuming. It is not intended to give you an emotional high or intellectual buzz. Worship is not about taking, but giving.

When we assemble, don’t come to consume; rather, offer worship to God.

Mark Stinnett

August 16, 2026

How Important Are Your Intentions?

Whenever a person speaks, there is meaning in what is spoken. The speaker has an intended message he is trying to convey. It is frustrating when the listener misunderstands, misinterprets, ignores, or intentionally twists your intended meaning. Your frustration answers the title question: How important are intentions?

In the Bible there are several instances in which intentions are of great significance.

God’s word: 

God’s message to mankind has meaning that originated in His mind. He expects mankind to understand and respond based on the meaning He intended, not ‘what it means to me.’ 

Consider 2 Peter 1:20-21…

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Sacrifice: 

In the Old Testament people would bring an animal to a priest to slay it and offered it as a sacrifice. However, there were different purposes of the sacrifices. A sin offering was for the forgiveness of one’s sin. A peace offering was for maintaining fellowship with God. An offering of thanks was a sacrifice of simple gratitude. The person’s intent in offering the sacrifice was the first element in determining its purpose and benefit.

Carried a step further, consider the hunter who kills an animal for food or the person who takes from his livestock to host a feast for friends. Would the slaying of either of those animals forgive sins, secure fellowship with God, or be considered thanksgiving to God. Intent determines the purpose of the death of the animal and the expected benefit.

Baptism: 

As kids we loved to go to the creek near my grandmother’s house. While playing, someone would always be dunked. Technically speaking, that was a baptism. (The literal meaning of baptism is immersion, presumably in water). However, because the creek dunking was done with only playful intent, it had no religious significance. However, when a person is baptized into Christ according to Scripture intending to receive the promises that God has declared, then baptism is full of meaning. It has a spiritual effect because of what God has declared and promised.

Furthermore, what if your intent at your baptism was not the same as God’s intent? What if you were baptized so you could have your name placed on the membership role at a local church group or to show your parents that you were a responsible kid? Those are not God’s intent in baptism. Baptism has value only if your intent matches God’s intent!

Worship: 

When you sing a hymn do you intend to worship? Or is it merely words dribbling off your lips like dog slobbers? The Apostle Paul, in stressing the importance of accurate communication in our assembly, wrote, “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15) His simple point was that if there was no understanding of the mind, then the singing was of no value. (That’s why it is of no value to sing songs in a foreign language unless the meaning is understood.)

When the bread and cup are taken during the Lord’s Supper, how can it be worship if your mind is wandering aimlessly or thinking about lunch or distracted by the toddler sitting in front of you? What is your intent?

Intent is not important; it is critical! 

If you lack intent when you are following God’s instruction in Scripture, or if your intent is different from God’s intent, then you will cheat yourself out of God’s intended blessings.

Mark Stinnett

August 9, 2026

Bond-Servant: Jesus

We like to talk about all that God has done for us. We like to talk about our salvation and all that Christ has done for us. We love to explore the parables of Jesus. (For many, the parables are like mini-mysteries where the different characters and events provide clues to a hidden message.) Many of the parables feature characters with a master-slave relationship.

We are happy to discuss all the way that Jesus served. We love the verse that tells us that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

We are happy to see the humble lives of the apostles after the death of Jesus, men who gave their lives to the cause of Christ, men who referred to themselves as bond-servants of Christ.

In fact, most of us who wear the name of Christ are quite happy to serve. We are mostly happy to be a servant, but we are hesitant to go to the extent of service to be a bond-servant.

In a sense, you are a servant to your boss. We might be uncomfortable with that terminology, but it is accurate. There is a fair exchange of work for pay (presumably), but you follow the orders of your boss. He is your master at work and you are the servant. However, you stop at the end of your shift or work day. You have your private life...YOUR life.

The bond-servant gave up his will and made the master’s will his own. It is more than, “Your wish is my command.” It is, “Your desire is my own desire.” If someone were to ask the bond-servant, “What do you want in life?” or “What are your personal goals?” The answer would come without hesitation, “My desire is to do my master’s will. My life is completely devoted to my master.”

Do you understand that the issues of our day are related to the human will? All the identity confusion is people asserting their will on others to the point that they wish to govern the language and how you use it by forcing their perception of reality on others. Feminism is about the human will. The fighting among our political parties is a struggle of the human will. Crime is most often the assertion of the human will to obtain something, whether justice or possessions. Anger is the human will boldly expressing its dissatisfaction with the current circumstances. And the list goes on….

The human will is a part of the human spirit. When the soul allows the human will to assert itself and control the person, then that person becomes the center of their universe: “MY will be done!” The only possible result is conflict with others who also live by the same, “MY will be done!”

Jesus felt the struggle of the human will the night before He was crucified. He asked God to “remove this cup from Me.” In other words, His human will wished to avoid the crucifixion. Yet, He immediately followed, “yet not My will, but Yours be done.” He walked the path to the cross: Bond-servant.

“MY will be done” embraces...

     Eve, 

          Cain, 

               Sodom & Gomorrah, 

                    Korah, Dathan & Abiram, 

                         Nadab & Abihu, 

                              Deliliah, 

                                   Goliath, 

                                        Jezebel, 

                                             Judas, and so on.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. 

--Philippians 2:5-8

You say you want to be like Jesus. 

It’s all about the will….

Mark Stinnett

August 2, 2026