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

Lie Down and Sleep

Hungry, thirsty and wearied from a narrow and frightening escape, King David led family, close friends and his army from the comfort of their homes in Jerusalem across the Kidron brook east of the city to set up camp in a wilderness area somewhere north of the Dead Sea. Absalom, David’s son, was in pursuit of the throne of Israel. Absolom was in pursuit of David.

Absalom’s hatred was originally aimed at his half-brother Amnon who had fallen in love with Tamar, Absolom’s beautiful sister. Tamar refused Ammon knowing that his intentions were sinful. Amnon raped Tamar and then in a fit of anger sent her away. Tamar confided in her brother Absalom, but he encouraged her to be quiet about the matter. He had nothing to say to Amnon, good or bad.

Two years later Absalom saw an opportunity to resolve his hatred. He invited all his brothers together for a celebration during the shearing of the sheep. During the party, when everyone was merry with wine, Absalom gave the command and his men killed Amnon. Absalom ran to the land of Geshur where his grandfather (mother’s father) was king. There he stayed for three years.

Daily David mourned the death of Amnon, his firstborn son. Eventually, Joab, the commander of David’s army, humbly requested that David send for Absalom. However, upon Absalom’s arrival David refused to see him face-to-face.

Having no interaction with his father Absalom sat at the entrance of Jerusalem and greeted people as they came to the city. He assured everyone that he would render justice if only he had the authority to judge their complaint. He endeared himself to all of Israel, while, at the same time he was calculating a secret plan to overthrow King David.

Absolom had many reasons to be angry with his father. However, for this occasion his anger grew into hatred so that he wanted to kill David and assume the throne of Israel.

And yet, no evil plan is without fault and a messenger informed King David that “the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David understood and immediately evacuated his family, close friends, and his loyal army. While fleeing from Absalom he wrote the third Psalm which begins:

O Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,

“God will not deliver him.” 

--Psalm 3:1-2

David had victoriously faced the giant, Goliath; but now he had to face his son. How could he fight his own flesh and blood? With Absalom enthroned what would be the fate of Israel? What could David have done or said to bring about a better result? Before going into battle, he told his men to deal gently with Absalom. Could they follow his command? Would they?

David: 

   deposed king; 

   one son lost to death, one son lost in life; 

   leader of family and friends, 

   leader of an army, 

   leader of a nation; 

   chosen by God.

What an enormous burden weighed upon David’s shoulders. Yet as we look back at this event, David stands as a tremendous example of dependence on and confidence in God. From Psalm 3:

You are a shield around me, O Lord (v. 3)

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (v. 5)

From the Lord comes deliverance. (v. 8)

David knew that God was greater than his problems. Even with impossible circumstances he was able to prepare a place of rest and peacefully lie down and sleep knowing that God was his sustainer and deliverer.

How do you view God?

   Is He your sustainer and deliverer? 

   Is your God bigger than your problems? 

   Can you prepare a place and lie down and sleep?


Mark Stinnett

June 2, 2024

Overlooked

Have you ever been overlooked?

I really wanted to ask if you have ever known anyone who was overlooked, but it seemed almost contradictory. You see, how would you know that they were overlooked if you had overlooked them? (It’s a puzzle.)

We might say that they have fallen through the cracks, or that they are lost in the mix. They go unnoticed because...well, because no one notices.

Few know their name.

When you are overlooked you kind of see yourself fading into the background of life, more and more as time passes. You see yourself as small and insignificant. You are not necessarily depressed. You don’t necessarily feel sorry for yourself. You are not necessarily angry at the world. You are simply small, and you know it.

Over time, a self-perception of smallness can take its toll. A person finds himself actually withdrawing from people, unknowingly making it more difficult for others to develop or maintain a relationship. He might become detached from reality. Feeling smaller and smaller, discouragement, disappointment and even depression can set in.

The Apostle Paul used a word to describe a person who sees himself as small when compared to others: Fainthearted.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul instructed:

Encourage the fainthearted.

A person who is fainthearted needs to be included. He needs to see a smile and hear a welcome voice. She needs a hug of acceptance. She needs to know that you know her name; that she is appreciated.

When a Christian is continually overlooked by other Christians and becomes fainthearted, it can have a devastating effect. 

     "Do God’s people not care?"

     "Am I invisible to God as well?"

A person who is fainthearted can become weak in faith and struggle spiritually. The devil can more easily get a foothold when a person is fainthearted. Encouragement is needed.

Paul didn’t say feed the fainthearted or buy them supplies; rather, encourage. That means to put courage in the heart.

So, how do you put courage in the heart of a person who is fainthearted?

Perhaps helping with food and/or supplies will be a part of the encouragement. Perhaps a little face time is needed (and I’m not talking about social media). Individual needs will vary. So, respond to their needs.

However, when a person is fainthearted he needs to be reminded that his perseverance and endurance in the Lord are not in vain. God’s word assures the Christian of a glorious welcome into eternal life for those who remain faithful to Christ.

And by the way, Paul did not say, “If you have been overlooked, pout and complain.” It might be that YOU are the spark that will encourage the heart of someone else.

Look around today; who could use a little encouragement from you?

Mark Stinnett
December 23, 2018