Re: [Worship] Introduction

[Timlett@aol.com]

This is a response (not an argument) to scmerrit's posting:

In a message dated 04/03/1999 10:57:30 AM Central Standard Time, 
scmerritt@mindspring.com writes:<<  The nature of worship that is 
valid/okay/pleasing to God.  Are tongues and Spirit-Filled services okay?>>


Paul thinks that tongues are okay.  He gives guidelines for the use of the 
gift in public worship in I Corinthians 14.  And it is also Paul who penned 
these words:
"Be not drunk with wine, because there is excess/debauchery in that; but be 
filled with/controlled by the Holy Spirit."  (Ephesians 5:18)  Now, if 
Spirit-filled lives are not only acceptable but commanded, why should we 
assume that our times of corporate worship be anything other than 
"Spirit-filled."  And yes, they should be enthusiastic.
It is interesting to learn that when the early Christians were labeled by the 
society of their day, there was not a word to describe what society wanted to 
say about them.
They were different from the norm.  The word that eventually was used 
concerning them was the greek word "entheos" (sp?)  It means "God in you".  
It is where we derive our word enthusiasm.  Spirit-filled times of 
worship?........I think God is dissappointed with anything less.   
Tongues?.........Yes, they are done within the guidelines of I Corinthians 14 
they can serve to edify the body.



<< Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them, but they appeal to me emotionally and when
 I first encountered one, I thought everyone was nuts.>>

Ever notice that being "filled with the Spirit" is compared to "being drunk 
with wine"?
Remember that on the day of Pentecost the statement was made, "these men are 
not drunk as you suppose."  The "filling of the Spirit" will cause a person 
to act in a fashion that is abnormal to the world's definition of normal.  
Our emotions come to 
play a big part here.  Some look at others and accuslingly say, "oh, their 
just emotional" or "oh, that's just emotionalism."  First of all, there is a 
difference in emotions and emotionalism.  There is nothing wrong with 
emotions or letting our emotions display our love and passion for God.  God 
created the emotional part of our being.  Therefore He desires our emotions, 
along with our whole self, to be used to worship Him.  The question is not 
"emotions or no emotions."  The question is "what are we going to be 
emotional about."---Jesus or athletics---Jesus or material 
possessions----etc......  Now, emotionalism is a different story.  
Emotionalism exists when the appeal is solely to the emotional part of our 
existence.  This is detrimental to true worship and the two can't co-exist.


<< Now, this seems (big "S" on seems) to run counter to what Paul warns in 1 
Cor 14... about non-tongues speakers encountering a group of 
tongues-speakers. He _does_ seem to caution us against making to much out of 
tongues (and here he is speaking of the ecstatic prayer language type, I 
believe) but does not discount them.>>

Paul is giving correction to Christians who have been misusing and abusing 
the gift of tongues in public worship settings.  Notice the strict 
guidelines: 1)there must be an interpreter; 2) no more than three;  3) not 
simultaneously;  4)if no one with the gift of interpretation is present, then 
those with the gift of tongues must keep silent.
Paul is strict and precise.  The gift is valid today just as it was then.

 
<< That said... what's right?  The New Testament is ambiguous in several 
areas, which leads me to feel the Truth does not lie in one direction... as 
long as Christ is the center.>>

Agreed, Christ must be and is the center of everything.  Colossians 1:18 says 
"He (Christ) takes preeminence in all things."  But to say that the NT is 
"ambiguous"  and that the "truth" does not lie in one direction is dangerous 
at best.  Jesus said that He is the way the truth and the life.  Therefore, 
all truth does lie in one direction because all truth flows from One source.  
As for the assertion of ambiguous qualities to the New Testament......I would 
assert that the problem is not with the New Testament, but rather with our 
lack of wisdom in interpreting and "rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II 
Tim. 2:15)." 

<< I know that I must be MOVED in a church... if I feel nothing, not only is 
the experience boring, but in the long run doesn't challenge me to change, to 
grow. My point is the catholic church moves me, but differently, every bit as 
the pentecostal/charismatics do.  However....  I want to be on FIRE for 
Jesus... to answer God's call on me to serve Him.  I'm searching for a church 
home that is Spirit-Filled and has many ministry opp's but isn't concerned 
with the church of man (know what I mean?).>>  

Excellent point here!  Jesus was quite disturbed with the "church of man" as 
you describe it.  It was Jesus that said, "By your vain traditions, you make 
the Word of God of no effect." (Matthew 15:6)   I heard a preacher say 
recently, "God is saying ' I want My church back, you've had it long enough'" 
 Right On!

<>

I would strongly suggest Christ Church in Nashville or FBC Franklin (The 
People's Church).  I have heard the pastors of these churches and feel most 
confident giving a referral of these ministries.


Thanks,
Tim
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