- Do you use musical instruments?
- What about baptism?
- What about communion?
- What about the scripture
"Judge
not lest ... ?
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Why does this happen to me...?
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Helps For The Growing Christian and the Un-churched ?
( Faith, About The Bible, A Look At Subtle Sin)
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Answered by Emory Jones, Deacon, MCC
Yes, here at MCC we make use of a piano, organ and occasionally recorded music.
This is not to say that we do not sing a cappella whenever the spirit moves us
and there are those of the congregation that frequently worship in a non
instrumental church when travelling.
While you will read in portions of the New
Testament where people sang or were told to sing there is no place in Gods Word
where God instructs his people not to use instruments.
A Good example of a “Thus say'eth the Lord” is
where God tells Noah to use Gopher Wood to build the Arc. Here it is very
clear what God wants and nothing else will do. However if God had just
said use wood then it can be presumed that Noah would have been safe choosing
what ever wood he wanted and still please God. The same goes with the New
Testament. God simply says sing. Not sing with instruments.
Not sing without instruments. Just "Sing".
In doing
so He leaves it up to us how we choose to sing to him. Now I am not a big fan
of Christian Rock, especially the hard stuff. But it is not about me. It is
about worship to the Lord. And if it works for the young people and they are
feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit through their particular style of Christian music then more power to them.
Lets remember that It isn’t about the
music you like, it isn’t about the music I like. These are personal
preferences. It is ALL about the Lord and our worship of HIM. As long as we
are truly singing praises to God the use or non-use of instruments is
inconsequential and we should not make the mistake of making this out to be
true doctrine or a test of fellowship.
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Baptism is a testimony of our
belief and a symbol of our relationship with Christ. There's nothing special
about the water. There's nothing magical about the act. There may be extenuating
circumstances that prevent us from being baptized (say getting hit by a Mack
truck on the way to the creek..). What is important is that Jesus asks us to do it as a
testimony of what we believe... a symbol of our relationship with Him... a
demonstration that we've left a former way of life, have repented of our
sin, that we no longer desire to arrange our lives for the world but to
re-arrange our lives for Jesus Christ and seek to live a new life as
children of God.
Baptism was Jesus Idea
At a special time, in a special place, Jesus made it clear that Christian
baptism was to be a part of the life of His Church. Jesus commanded His
followers to share the Gospel and nurture those who believe, "baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
Scripture shows that his followers were obedient to this.
Baptism is a Testimony
We believe this testimony and symbolism is for all who are sure of the faith in
Christ. It doesn't mean you know everything there is to know about Jesus or your
new life. It simply means you are publicly declaring that you have personally
received Jesus as Lord. In the Bible, baptism happened immediately or shortly
after salvation (Acts 16:30-33).
Baptism symbolizes death and life: yours!
When you receive Christ, you start over (2 Corinthians 5:17). You die to self
and are born again in Him (John 3:3). You are crucified with Christ (Galatians
2:20).
Being immersed in water represents a burial for your old life (Romans 6:3-4).
Coming up out of the water represents resurrection (Romans6:4). It reminds you
and tells others that you're starting a new life.
Baptism is a declaration
In the act of baptism you declare your faith in Christ and what
He has done for you. When
baptized, you are doing what Jesus did (Matthew 3:13-17) and obeying what He
commanded. You are following the example of millions of believers throughout
time who have been immersed as a symbol of their faith and love for the Lord
Jesus Christ. You are saying, without embarrassment, "I am with Him. I'll tell
the world."
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† 1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s
death until He comes.
† Luke 22: 19-20
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to
them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of
Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup
which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
Communion is the central moment of
Worship at MCC and is made available on a weekly basis at both the Sunday
Morning and Sunday Evening worship services.
Communion is a time for each individual
to personally reflect upon the magnitude of the sacrifice willingly offered up
by Christ through His broken body being raised up on the Cross, and the
salvation that was purchased through Christ’s shed blood.
It is also a time to rejoice in the
ETERNAL HOPE that we each have as a result of Christ’s resurrection from the
grave and
Our congregation meets on the first day of the week for the
breaking of bread (communion), prayer, teaching, giving and fellowship. All
Christian’s are invited to partake…
Based on Jesus' own actions, we can be sure He didn't mean we should ignore
and tolerate evil. Jesus wasn't passively tolerant toward people who were doing
evil things and promoting evil values. He often made judgments regarding their
actions and confronted them ( Matthew
21:13; 23:13-36 ; John
6:70-71; 8:39-47 ).
Jesus taught in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets who consistently
confronted evil -- even at the risk of their lives1 ( 2
Samuel 12:1-12 ; 1
Kings 18:18 ). Like the prophets, Jesus illustrated that love is sometimes
expressed through confrontation. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we must
at times be as willing to compassionately confront evil and self-destructiveness
in their character as we are in our own. A father who gives his children
anything they want spoils them. Likewise, our heavenly Father would ruin us if
He set no limits for us and indulged our every whim. Love for our neighbor
involves the same principle. There are occasions when God requires us to
confront serious error and sin.
When we confront sin in the right spirit, we are acting in love, not judging
in the sense of Jesus' words in this verse. When motivated by love, we won't be
self-righteous and feel that we are better in the eyes of God. A loving heart is
humble, knowing that before a holy God all people are equal ( Romans
3:9,23 ; Galatians
3:22 ; 1
John 1:8 ).
Judging, as Jesus condemned it in these verses, is unforgiving condemnation
-- a hypercritical, self-righteous, vindictive spirit that continually seeks to
uncover the faults of others while overlooking one's own sins.2
Jesus' warning against this kind of judging emphasizes that any measure we
use to judge other people will be used against us. He said, "For with the same
measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" ( Luke
6:38 ). Jesus teachings elsewhere ( Matthew
6:14-15; 18:23-35 ) made it clear that self-righteous, unforgiving people
will not be forgiven by God. Their rigid, unforgiving hearts demonstrate that
they aren't the children of God ( 1
John 3:14-15 ). Their refusal to forgive others demonstrates that they have
never experienced the purifying power of the Holy Spirit in their own life.
Personal experience illustrates the truth of Jesus' words. When we judge
other people self-righteously and vindictively, they will respond to us in the
same way. In contrast, if we are patient and compassionate, the people in our
lives tend to overlook our minor failures and flaws.
More subtle, but no less damaging, is the internal effect of an unforgiving,
judgmental spirit. Since we naturally project our own attitude upon others,
judgmental people usually assume that other people are as vindictive and
judgmental as they. This puts them under the crushing pressure of living up to
their own harsh, unforgiving expectations.
Jesus' words in this verse don't require us to be passive in the face of
evil. They require us to confront it in the spirit of compassion, humility, and
love.
1. In fact, Jesus specifically identified Himself with the Old Testament
prophets and told His enemies that they hated Him for the same reason that their
fathers hated and killed the prophets ( Matthew
23:29-37 ).
2. Jesus made this clear a few verses later when He said, "And why do you
look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your
own eye" Or how can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me remove the speck
that is in your eye," when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own
eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye ( Luke
6:41-42 ).
This is one of the most
difficult questions to answer. Invariably one gets a canned response such
as "Gods will is a mystery" or some such thing. This is by no means the
best answer but the only one I personally have.
Cindy is a 17 year old Christian. She is driving home from her part-time job at
the restaurant when she sees a car cross the center line and head straight for
her. She swerves but the car collides with hers. She is killed. The driver of
the other car was drunk but survives.
Little 2 year old Carrie is stung by a hornet. Her mother recognizes the
allergic reaction but on the way to the hospital Carrie dies. Her parents had
no idea she was acutely allergic to bee stings.
Life is not fair. Babies die. Good people suffer. Christians hurt terribly.
And people who suffer often respond, “Hey! I don’t deserve this! It isn’t fair.
Why me?”
People have asked that question almost since God created people. I am sure that
most every one knows the story of Job? Now if there was ever a person who could
ask that question he was the one.
The question springs from the idea that good people, Christians in particular
are entitled to lives that are free from struggle, sorrow and suffering. But
that is a myth.
God never promised that life would be easy and only bad things would happen to
bad people and only good things would happen to good people. He doesn’t
guarantee a life of comfort and ease for people who love and serve Him.
Admittedly people have assumed
that for ages. But a careful reading of Gods word shows this isn’t true. Even
Jesus disciples asked him the question about why people suffer. In the 9th
chapter of John verses 1-3 they point to a man blind since birth and ask,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus
answered “neither”.
That is the case with much
suffering in the world. Some people suffer because of their sin such as a man
who robs a store and has to spend time in prison. Some people suffer from the
sins of others such as the victims of the sniper we have heard about in the
news. But much of the suffering is in the category of “neither”.
Most all of us have learned
about gravity and motion in school? When God created the world he also created
natural laws such as the laws of gravity and motion. We are the beneficiaries
of those laws. But occasionally we are also their victims. Sometimes the law
of gravity pulls a plane full of people to the earth. Sometimes the laws of
motion produce tragic results when cars collide. God does not suspend those
natural laws for good people.
Life isn’t fair. Accidents,
diseases, tragedy, death – all these things happen to Christians too. One of
the most frequent promises Jesus made to His Disciples is In the 16th
chapter of John, verse 33 where He says, “In this world you will have trouble.”
Now it goes on to say that Christians also have an assurance, He says, “ But
take heart! I have overcome the world”
Christians are not exempt from
suffering but they are however equipped for it by the presence of the One who
said “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” And that is indeed a
wonderful comfort.
What is this "membership" thing about ... ?
By Gary D.
Robinson, minister and freelance writer
in Conneautville, Pennsylvania.
This section courtesy of Standard Publications
Perhaps some balk
at membership because the idea seems to suggest nothing more than a name on a
roll—an invitation to uselessness. This is opposite of the church membership
described in the New Testament. Scripture teaches that a member is a
functioning part. A quick glance at your thumb will illustrate the usefulness of
a member—in this case, a member of your own body. Would you care to do
without your thumb? Even the little toe, which we hardly notice, serves the
useful function of helping us stand upright. “I refuse to join any
organization,” said Groucho Marx, “that would accept me as a member.” Whether
Groucho was being humble or proud, I don’t know. Nevertheless, some people
seem to think they have nothing to offer the church. The New Testament teaches
that all baptized believers have been given at least one gift, a charisma,
by which they may grace the church (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12,
1 Peter 4:10). Therefore, to refuse to become a member of a
local body is to
withhold a gift that must be shared.
Some resist
membership in a local body of believers, claiming membership in Christ’s
universal body. While it is true that there is a universal body, the church made
up of “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9, NKJV),
it is also true that this body operates through separate, local bodies. If we
understand that a member is a functioning part, where will we operate as members
if not in a local congregation? The policy in the congregation I serve
allows all who attend to help in some way. But not everyone is allowed to help
in every way. For example, non-members may staff the nursery, deliver cookies to
first-time visitors, or help chaperone youth events. They may work behind the
scenes. But non-members aren’t allowed to become elders or deacons, nor are they
allowed to teach or to be on the praise team. Why? Isn’t such a distinction
unfair? Not if we believe the people up front should be examples of biblical
understanding and maturity. Leadership demands commitment and stability. These
virtues are in short supply, yet no church can thrive without them. If one would
command the troops, he should be willing to fly the flag. Isn’t this the
message the church should send to a society plagued by a lack of commitment?
Service and
Commitment
In The Disciplines of a Godly Man (Crossway, 2001), R. Kent Hughes
compares Americans’ conditional loyalty to the church with hitchhiking: “The
hitchhiker’s thumb says, ‘You buy the car, pay for repairs and upkeep and
insurance, fill the car with gas—and I’ll ride with you. But if you have
an accident, you are on your own! And I’ll probably sue.’” So it is with the
credo of some church attenders: “You go to the meetings and serve on the boards
and committees, you grapple with the issues and do the work of the church and
pay the bills—and I’ll come along for the ride. But if things do not suit me,
I’ll criticize and complain and probably bail out—my thumb is always out for a
better ride.” Hughes’ indictment stings, but he’s put his finger on a real
problem with American church involvement. Pollster George Barna chimes in with,
“The average adult thinks that belonging to a church is good for other people,
but represents unnecessary bondage and baggage for himself.” Can you see a
pattern? The problem isn’t so much church membership as it is self.
Commitment
and Fellowship
Frequently I see the phrase “Lone Ranger Christians.” What most of us forget,
however, is that even the Lone Ranger wasn’t completely alone. He had Tonto! The
Masked Man knew that silver bullets weren’t enough to see him through his
battles. He needed a brother in the struggle. In his “faithful Indian
companion,” he found that brother. Herein lies perhaps the most compelling
reason for church membership: We can’t go it alone. “For I say,”
wrote Paul, “through the grace of God given to me, to everyone who is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think
soberly” (Romans 12:3, NKJV). Paul goes on to talk about using our
abilities in the church, but we can boil his message down to four little words:
We need each
other.
When we evaluate
ourselves soberly, considering all our strengths and weaknesses, how can any of
us come away thinking we are sufficient in ourselves?
I saw this
principle touchingly demonstrated at our church’s last new members reception.
One of our new members came walking in with a cane. Although still a young
man, John suffers from a degenerative disease. As I chatted with him in the
potluck line, he told me why he’d joined our fellowship: “I got tired of trying
to do it by myself.” He
walks with a cane,
I
thought, but that’s not the support
he’s talking about.
He knows he needs the church.
Why membership?
Because of Jesus, who loved the church and gave himself for her. Because
there’s work to be done in and through the church. Because “no man is an island,
entire unto itself.”
[This is the answer to the question.]
Helps for the growing christian and un-churched
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