Come Share the Lord
Reflecting on and remembering the death of the Lord Jesus is perhaps the best and most humbling thing one can do with their time. There are many ways we can reflect upon His death; however, there is one way we are commanded to. Each week the faithful children of God meet and reflect on the sacrifice and purpose of Christ’s death. We call this The Lord’s Supper or The Communion. To outsiders, it might seem strange that we take part in what we do. To Christians, we should fully understand the act of worship. The Lord’s Supper is not just a time where we reflect on the death and sacrifice of Christ, but a time where we think about the opportunity of a new life that we have been given through His resurrection, because “The Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead.”!
In First Corinthians 11, we read of Paul reflecting on the Lord’s death. In the context, Paul has to remind the Corinthian church of why it is important to do so. “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (I Cor. 11:23-26 NKJV).
One of my favorite songs about the Lord’s Supper is Come Share the Lord. Not only is it a beautifully written song with each verse seamlessly leading into a chorus that evokes great emotion and expresses the great love that we have burning within our hearts “like living flame(s)”; it is a song that causes one to emotionally think of the death of our Savior and the holy communion with Christ that all Christians should continue to remember and praise God for.
“We gather…” as a family and “He joins us…”, and soon we’ll all be together where “…angels sing.”. He desires us all to be together when we “come take the bread…”. The next time you sing this song, don’t just sing it as an encouragement to those around you, reflect inwardly.
Will YOU come and share the Lord?
Preacher Training School…May 11th
Training comes in different forms to accomplish different results. But regardless of the method, there will never be success without proper training. A teacher goes through years of education (training) to become a 
professional educator. A skilled carpenter must be trained by a competent mentor. And in like manner, an effective preacher needs years of practice, study and training from a God-centered heart.
We search out the best coaches for our young athletes. We find the strongest examples to prepare us for the job. And schools hire some of the most revered ministers to train our preachers. But where are these schools? Sunday morning’s sermon might surprise you as we consider, Preacher Training Schools.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, May 11, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“He Has Made Me Glad” – 103
The psalmist penned, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise…”, and this morning we’ll sing these words. “I will enter His courts with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise…” Begin your morning singing this psalm together with the saints as we proclaim, ‘I will rejoice for He has made me glad!’
“Anywhere with Jesus” – 414
Are you concerned about the affairs of the day? Difficulty presses in on every side and the world seems more determined to abandon God’s word. But what about you? Will you stay the course? Are you confident in knowing ‘where you go?’ The Christian can say with confidence, ‘anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, and with confidence…I am not alone.” An important thought to remember and pass on to our children. Don’t leave home without Him.
“Tis Midnight and on Olive’s Brow” – 334
An old spiritual song and, in part, a solid psalm as we read some of the elements surrounding Christ’s final hours in the garden of Gethsemane. Yes there is poetry, but notice the scripture: ‘…the suffering Savior prays alone.’ Matthew 26:44, “e’en (even) that disciple whom He loves (John) heeds not his Master’s grief and tears.’ Mark 14:32-35 and ‘The Man of Sorrows weeps in blood…” Luke 22:44 & Hebrews 5:7 and finally, ‘…unheard by mortals are the strains (the words) that sweetly soothe the Savior’s woe.’ Luke 22:43. Don’t just sing it because you know it, read Biblical detail, remember His death, and tell someone of His love.
“More Precious than Silver” – 273
Solomon writes about wisdom in Proverbs chapter 3, verse 15 “She is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire compares with her.” Maybe this passage is the basis for this song. Also, consider that the psalmist wrote, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom.” We could conclude that knowing Christ, finding wisdom, is more precious than silver, more costly than gold and more beautiful than diamonds. What do you desire?
“Lord, We Come Before Thee Now” – 797
Open our eyes that we may see and open our ears that we may hear…a message many of us would be better off practicing. But what am I looking for? What should I be listening to? The simple, short answer: Jesus!
“Bring Them In” – 880, “Jesus Loves the Little Children” – 1015 & “I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord” – 609
This medley before our lesson features three songs that build upon each other. “Hark! ‘Tis (it is) the Shepherd’s voice I hear…bring the little ones to Jesus.” Why the urgency? Because…“Jesus loves the little children…” And then we’ll conclude this medley with another familiar spiritual song, “I’m not ashamed to own my Lord…” Preacher Training School’s have a unique responsibility; to train preachers to know how to…’defend His cause’ and ‘maintain the honors of His Word.’
“Swiftly We’re Turning” – no book
Some might not see this as an effective invitation song, but after you hear the lesson you might think otherwise. We have the gospel to share with precious souls that are dying. And the hours are changing to years. How will we use the moments God gives us? Will we pass on the message of salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ, or keep it to ourselves. “How are we using God’s golden moments?” If we ‘point the way to heaven’ we shall reap glory. If we don’t, if we fail to train our children…we shall reap tears.
“God Give Us Christian Homes” – 843
Our closing song this morning provides a clear view of who is working in the Preacher Training Schools. Our homes are the institution to train up preachers; and fathers and mothers have the responsibility to ‘bring them in.’ Homes (schools) where the Bible is taught. Homes (schools) where the fathers are true and strong. Homes (schools) where mothers honor God and teach the same to their children. And homes (schools) where the children know about the love of Christ. Who will take the responsibility to ‘train our preachers?’
Worship…in Song
I love to sing songs of praise to God. There are some songs that I consider to be my favorites, and I’m sure you have your favorites as well. Going back, I can’t remember a time when singing hymns weren’t a part of my life. “The Old Rugged Cross“, “We Praise Thee, O God“, “He is My Everything” have been songs I remember singing from an early age. When Vicki and I were married (22 years ago), we had “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” as our recessional. For years we would sing “I Come to the Garden Alone” to our children as they were going to sleep (a practice my grandmother did for me), because there is no better way to close your day then to put into your heart and mind ‘…the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding…’ (Philippians 4:7).
Hymns and spiritual songs are intended to give praise to God. We should sing in hopes of teaching valuable lessons and stirring the hearts of those who hear. Singing involves at least three basic elements of our bodies; our hearts, our minds and our voices (lips). Would that we use all three to bring glory to Him and edification to His people.
Let’s take a look at the blessings we find in singing songs of praise. Since the Lord seeks those who will worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), it is important that we ask ourselves one basic question; “What is God’s will for us as we worship Him in song?”
To learn the truth about Christian worship in song, we must go to the New Testament. (A study of the Old Testament will show you what God expect under the old law). Ephesians 5:17-21 states, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (moral looseness); but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in fear of God.” In Romans 15:5-9, Paul speaks of the Gentiles glorifying God, and emphasizes how a congregation, together, should be glorifying God. Notice Paul’s words from this passage in Romans; “…so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Thy name.”
In short, the following are New Testament passages that reference singing praises to God:
Matthew 26:30…Jesus and His disciples after the Lord’s supper
Acts 16:25…Paul and Silas at midnight, in jail with their feet in stocks
Romans 15…Noted above
I Corinthians 14:15 & 26…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also…” “What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”
Ephesians 5:18, 19…Noted above
Colossians 3:16…an emphasis on singing songs that teach and admonish
Hebrews 2:12 & 13:15…quoting Psalm 22 (‘…in the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise.‘) and ‘…let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.‘
James 5:13…a clear call to sing, ‘…Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.”
Each example listed from the New Testament describes worship for the Christian as one that emphasizes verbal communication: singing, speaking, teaching, admonishing, making melody with your hearts, confessing, giving thanks, proclaiming, and the fruit of lips. Is it just me or do you see a clear call for your heart, mind and voice (fruit of lips) to be the instruments of choice from God. When we worship, know for certain, your body should be giving God all the praise and all your worship.
Here I am to Worship…Really?
Before we announce that we are coming to worship, perhaps we should first ask ourselves, “What is worship?” By definition, worship is a mental or spiritual act, a sense of awe and reverence in the presence of the divine. It is NOT an experience we have in the presence of God, but the act of offering God our best when we are IN His presence.
If we were to look closely at the Greek word for worship, we would find the word proskuneo. It’s direct meaning is very clear as to what worship is…”throwing oneself on the ground to show respect and awe.” On Sunday morning, when you meet with the saints and, ‘come to worship’, does it include respect, reverence and awe? I’m afraid too often we cheapen our understanding of that simple word ‘awe’ and fail to realize it’s a descriptive term that tells us about our creator. Rather than holding that term solely for His description, we tell our friends that the movie we saw on Saturday night was ‘awesome’. How can I compare the Maker of Heaven and earth to a 90 minute, Hollywood production. Sing “Our God is an Awesome God” and find another description for that movie.
As you consider your personal worship time on Sunday morning or Sunday night…what is your mind thinking about? How have you prepared yourself for this time in the presence of God. I have heard many say that they ‘worship’ all the time. The idea has been adopted to say we should consider our whole lives a worship to God. Without a doubt, we need to humble ourselves every day and bow before Him with respect and awe. But we need to understand that worship is an intentional action. We must prepare ourselves for worship or we run the risk of just ‘going through the motions’. Are we to ALWAYS have Christ in our lives? Absolutely! Paul admonishes us to ‘pray without ceasing’ (I Thessalonians 5:17), but does that mean we are praying all the time? Of course there are times when we pray and times when our minds are not focused in prayer; but we must always have a prayerful heart. In the same way, as we live our life in reverence to God, we also work within this worldly realm. In the world, but not of the world. Our lives reflect submission to 24/7 though we may not be ‘bowing in worship’.
Let me encourage you to consider this idea of worship by pointing out FOUR basic tenants of our worship. Number One; worship is internal, it comes from the heart. Can I worship externally? Yes, but you cannot properly worship God externally without first worshiping Him internally. Number Two; worship is intentional. We can’t come to God and worship Him accidentally. Remember God’s warning in Matthew 15, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” What are you thinking about when you come to worship? Number Three; worship is vertical. Certainly, during our worship, we encourage the church family around us. But our giving of praise to God can not be mistaken as self-satisfying. “I Need Thee Every Hour” is a song that can only be sung to Him! Number Four; (as noted earlier) worship is momentary. Our lives are spent in momentary acts, and sense our worship is intentional, we must choose to spend time in worship.
Next time you ‘come to worship’, remember we are to worship in spirit and in truth. Come before Him and worship in reverence and in awe.