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

I Love That Song, But What Does It Mean?

I wish we would sing all my favorite worship songs...every week.

I don’t know how that sounds to you, but it occurred to me that my favorite songs might not be suitable for worship. Some of my favorites are written for performers, not for congregations of common folks. Some of my favorites should either be rewritten in modern English or retired because of the vocabulary that requires a dictionary and/or awkward wording that would challenge a literary scholar.

When the Apostle Paul wrote about singing in the assembly, he insisted that there must be understanding. The musical elements of a song are what make a poem a song. Musical elements can facilitate or distract, but the words are central to meaning. The words ought to convey a message, and that message ought to conform to the truth expressed in Scripture.

Song leaders ought to think about the content of each song selected. Does it communicate to the people attending? At times a brief word of explanation might be appropriate, but if a song requires an entire lesson defining archaic words and explaining complex poetry, it might be wise to omit that song from the weekly worship service?

Words spoken at the Lord’s Supper table and in prayer are supposed to communicate. Leaders ought to use a microphone if available, and if not, speak up! God may know our thoughts as we speak, but our thoughts are communicated among people who cannot understand them unless they are made known verbally and audibly in an understandable way.

I laugh, and sometimes roll my eyes, at newscasters reporting local sporting events. No longer can they say that a baseball player hit the ball, they use all kinds of slang expressions to describe a hit ball without using the word hit. He poked it, punched it, blasted it, blooped it, dinked it, tapped it, slammed it, or crushed it. If you are not a baseball fan, the message might be lost in all the jargon. Yet, that is the point, the message might be lost in all the jargon.

Sometimes, we fall into the same trap with excessive religious jargon. When we pray in the assembly we should use words that our audience understands, not potentially confusing jargon. Our words at the Lord’s Supper table should not need to be decoded.

I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

—1 Corinthians 14:15

Paul acknowledged communication and communion with God through his spirit, but he also recognized communication and communion with fellow Christians through the mind. While all of our worship is directed to God, He intends for everyone to understand. Our purpose in coming together is two-fold: worship to God and encouragement of fellow Christians.

Of all the activities in which we participate in our weekly worship service, only our participation in giving requires little or no communication. For everything else communication is critical. For that reason it is imperative that our communication be understandable, appropriate for that aspect of the worship, and meaningful. For that reason, religious jargon and obsolete phrases should be omitted. There may even be songs that should be retired.

Everyone who serves in a leading role in the assembly should give thought to his service of leading. Put God first, but remember the importance of communicating in such a way that the church, the people of God, are encouraged.

Mark Stinnett

March 10, 2024

Looking Back on a Day We Didn't Assemble *

I think I'll remember Sunday, March 22, 2020 for a long, long time.

It began like any other Sunday. I started early so I could get to the church building and have some 'alone' time as I prepared my thoughts for Sunday worship. But it was not like any other Sunday. For one thing, I wore blue jeans; but that was not what made it memorable.

I stepped out the back door of my house to walk to my car and the familiar sound of passing cars was missing. There were no tumbleweeds blowing through town, but I heard only the sounds of nature. Yet that is not what made it a memorable day.

All the traffic lights were green, and I passed only one moving car. Unusual, yet, those are not what made it a memorable day.

I entered the church building like any other day. I did not turn on all the lights as I normally do, nor did I unlock the doors. The government recommended that group gatherings dismiss due to the Coronavirus. No one would be coming to the building that Sunday.

However, we met remotely on our computers and phones. Although we did not meet in-person we gathered online for a period of worship and fellowship.

I saw something on that day that we didn't assemble.

Before I tell you what I saw, let me share an experience on Facebook when the following Scripture was discussed:

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

—Hebrews 10:24–25

Some folks insisted that the verse was a command for Christians to meet every Sunday. Their rigid stance made me sad; I think they missed the point.

Others opposed with statements like: "It's not a command" and "It doesn't even say Sunday" and "It doesn't say anything about worship." Their rigid opposition made me sad; they also missed the point.

The command viewpoint made it something that even a robot or a dog could obey. Yet, the opposing viewpoint lacked substance by merely pointing out what the verse didn’t say. Both approached the Scriptures as a legal document and figuratively rolled up the scroll of Scripture and whacked the other on the head. Shame. Shame on both!

We must not approach Scripture as law. We must ask why God said anything about "not forsaking our own assembling together."

I saw something on Sunday, March 22, 2020, that day that we didn't assemble.

I saw Hebrews 10:25 in a deeper way because I was given a different perspective. For the first time ever we were kept from meeting together and it had nothing to do with inclement weather, building renovations, etc. Our circumstances profoundly emphasized that meeting together is important for the life of the church.

Forty-two network connections provided the means to gather in an online video conference meeting. People joined early and stayed late. One couple amused us by volunteering to be official greeters as other folks joined. This didn't happen because we were commanded. It happened because we wanted to assemble together. No, actually, we HAD TO ASSEMBLE because that is who we are.

That phrase, "not forsaking our own assembling together," is God telling us that coming together in the name of Jesus is rich and powerful. Our assemblies have meaning because of the intent of our hearts toward God and toward each other.

Our congregation did assemble on Sunday, March 22, 2020. We prayed together; we sang together; we shared in the Lord's Supper together, we opened our Bibles together, and we just sat around and chatted with each other. It was very different from meeting in-person, but it was real and it was meaningful.

We were together when we could not be together...and we are richer for having had that experience.

I am thankful for that day.
Every Sunday I am thankful for you and I am thankful that we can be together.

Don't turn your back on meeting together with other Christians. Come and be a part of something rich and meaningful. 

God thinks our gatherings are important.

Do you?

Mark Stinnett

December 3, 2023

*Revised from a blog first published on March 24, 2020.

Sing

Talk

Speak

Discuss

Whisper

Preach

Cry

Repeat

Lecture

Converse

Evangelize

Gossip

Address

Scream

Argue

Chat

Say

Tell

Yell

Visit

Greet

Testify

Declare

Murmur

Proclaim

Rebuke

Vocalize

Complain

Articulate

Sympathize

Verbalize

Correct

Groan

State

Recite

Indicate

Describe

Encourage

There are different kinds of verbal communication and different ways to express thoughts. It is important to God to get His word out. So, preaching, teaching, and evangelizing are vital. Yet there is another means of communication that is also important to God. With it you can teach, encourage, inspire and praise. When a message is combined with music, a unique result is produced: song. God wants His people to communicate with song. So, don’t be bashful; just sing!

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. 

—Ephesians 5:18-19

Mark Stinnett

February 12, 2021

What is an Acceptable Offering of Worship?

God was quite specific when He told ancient Israel how He should be worshiped. He said:

You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 
—Exodus 20:23

God did not accept any kind of man-made representation of Himself. He is not from this world, so there is nothing around here that properly represents Him...not even a silver cross worn ‘round the neck. Today, the only acceptable physical symbol to be found in the worship assembly are the bread and the cup which represent the body and blood of Jesus.

God also told Israel:

You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.
—Exodus 20:24-25

The word ‘profane’ means, to make common or vulgar. God is holy and insists that His created beings treat Him as holy. So, an altar made of rocks that God had created was acceptable. Yet, an altar made of ‘cut’ stones was unacceptable. Cut stones bore the markings of man’s tools and God did not accept an altar that bore the imprint of man.

And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.' 
—Exodus 20:26

This instruction is related to the previous. Not only did God restrict the people from putting their own handiwork on an altar, He insured that the worshiper would not be distracted through accidental indecency. In short, God did not want anything pertaining specifically to man to crowd in and distract the pure devotion and worship that belonged to Him.

The Israelites had received very specific instructions regarding the construction of the original tabernacle. Special craftsmen were set apart by God to perform the actual work on the tabernacle and its furnishings. They were filled with the Holy Spirit in order to do the work exactly as God desired. Their work was not their own. It was acceptable to God because the Holy Spirit performed through these men. (Exodus 31:1-11)

When people see the artistry and craftsmanship of the things produced by man, they admire the artist; the craftsman. In great contrast, any man who laid eyes on the craftsmanship of the tabernacle and its furnishings must have seen an ‘other-worldly’ level of craftsmanship. It must have inspired a sense of awe toward God.

I believe there is a simple principle at work:
When we come together as the body of Christ to worship God, He does not want worship that bears the imprint of man, but worship that bears the imprint of God.

It is God’s desire that we worship with our minds and our hearts. He desires worship that emerges from man's inner being with genuine intent.

If our songs are so cleverly written that we are distracted from God, man has become the attraction. When our teaching is ‘coffee shop’ and preaching dissolves into clever oratory, storytelling and humor man is the attraction. If we bring in objects of remembrance other than the bread and the cup, will we not profane the worship?

We must simply worship in spirit and in truth.

Mark Stinnett

February 9, 2020

Do You Practice Ritual or Reality?

Some time ago I caught a few moments of a televised 9/11 observance. A number of high level politicians attended to support the event. Some of the politicians were hypocritical. I say that because their publicized political stances and past records revealed their hatred of America. Their 9/11 ‘observance’ seemed to be little more than an obligatory outward ritual to pacify citizens who really did love their country. 

Before our nation’s flag they stood tall with somber, dignified faces giving patriotic speeches, exuberantly waving flags. Yet they had shown contempt for the constitution and the ideals of our forefathers, so, in reality, contempt for the flag. 

That reminded me of something I had read a while back about ancient Rome and her leaders. Rome once had a rich religious past but, by the time of Christ, only a hollow shell of religion remained. Historians tell us that the leaders of Rome believed that religion was good for society though they had no religious convictions themselves. They knew that the ‘gods’ were no gods at all. They only pretended to believe because the people still believed. Over time, some leaders realized that if Rome controlled religion, they could control the people. So, their involvement in religion was mere hypocritical showmanship. They believed in nothing but themselves, yet they went through the motions of religious ritual because it was ‘PC’ (politically correct). 

I felt smug in my reflections on the hypocritical leaders of ancient Rome and the political leaders of modern America. Then it struck me! What did I do last Sunday? 

How did God view my worship to Him? 

Is it possible that I had gone to a place of worship and merely sat through a religious ritual without really worshiping with my mind and heart? If my religion is little more than hollow ritual, am I not like those who participated in the solemn observance of a special day for America, yet who really hate America? If I simply go to a place of worship, sit among other worshipers, yet only go through the motions of worship, am I not like the hypocritical leaders of ancient Rome? 

Some of the rulers of ancient Rome thought that as long as they catered to the whims of the people they could do as they pleased. Were they really religious? 

Some of the rulers of America seem to think that as long as they look patriotic on Patriot Day (9/11) then they can do as they please. Are they really patriotic? 

Some who claim to be Christian act as if a Sunday communion service and motions of worship ritual will be satisfactory and allow them to do as they please the rest of the week. In reality, they are already doing as they please all week, even in their church ritual. However, God never wanted people to merely ‘go to church.’ His desire is for a heart that is deeply devoted to Him all day, every day. 

How can I know that God accepts my Sunday worship and my Monday-Saturday life? 

He has already revealed His expectations in His word. The only question is whether I wish to do as I please (and call it worship), or do as He pleases. 

Religious ritual is easy; you sit. True worship, on the other hand, is difficult; there are so many distractions. Yet, no distraction is more destructive than the deception of self-approval. Are your mind and heart engaged? Are you devoted every day??? 

“The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 
—John 4:23–24 (NASB95)

I am rethinking my worship. What about you?

Mark Stinnett

A Deeper Sense of Honor

At this time of year we are encouraged to remember those who have played a part in securing our freedom as Americans. It is a fitting reminder for many of us who are more likely to focus on holiday fun.

We will probably enjoy fun, food, and friendship, but that is not what Independence Day is about. It is a day of celebration of our nation’s independence. It is good to reflect on our independence and the sacrifices made by our forefathers. It is good to remember battles fought and won that have insured continued freedom. It is honorable to salute our flag, the symbol of our nation and a symbol of the freedom we enjoy.

Our forefathers saw injustices in their land and determined to make a change for the better. For some it was political injustice; for others religious oppression. They decided to break free from enslavement of various kinds. To do this they also left their past behind.

It would seem that most did not come to America with a divided mind. In other words, they did not think they would simply return home if things did not go well. They came to the new land breaking ties with family, friends, and homeland. They boarded ships knowing that it was a one-way ticket. They sacrificed. They paid. We should honor. We should salute.

I believe there is somewhat of a parallel to our freedom in Christ, and yet, also a stark difference. The forefathers of our great nation yearned for freedom. They set out to break free and they accomplished their goal. Yet, in contrast to our American forefathers, there was no man to lead in a spiritual revolt against sin. There was no man to rally the courage of others to oppose Satan. No one set out to a new land, a land of freedom.

The scriptures remind us that we were dead in our sins. We were powerless to do anything about our pitiful condition, even powerless to realize our profound weakness. We did nothing.

Unlike our forefathers, it was God who was moved by our sad condition. It was God who decided to act.  It was God who sacrificed. It was God in the flesh who became the sacrifice. He paid.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

          —John 3:16 (NASB)

Yet for that tremendous sacrifice we do not stand straight, chest out and then with pride snap a crisp salute.

Rather, in humility we honor...with heads bowed...on bended knee...then falling face down before God’s throne...

We worship.

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshipped.

           —Revelation 5:12-14 (NASB)