Pastor T. A. Smith Sr's Posts - Black Preaching Network2024-03-28T17:54:05ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSrhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/61475453?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://abcpreachers.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1dss4fvz0p764&xn_auth=noDOES IT MATTER TO GOD WHAT WE WEAR TO CHURCH?tag:abcpreachers.ning.com,2009-07-17:916966:BlogPost:8677972009-07-17T18:30:00.000ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSr
At the outset of this blog, let me say that those who know me closely often remark that I am such an "old man" in my demeanor and in my way of thinking and reasoning. Some say that I come across as being older than my age because I have such a great measure of wisdom. I'm not quite so sure of that, but I do know this: I am thankful for whatever I am. God, in His grace and mercy, has seen fit to use me as a vessel to preach His word. I only pray that at the end of the journey, I will prove to be…
At the outset of this blog, let me say that those who know me closely often remark that I am such an "old man" in my demeanor and in my way of thinking and reasoning. Some say that I come across as being older than my age because I have such a great measure of wisdom. I'm not quite so sure of that, but I do know this: I am thankful for whatever I am. God, in His grace and mercy, has seen fit to use me as a vessel to preach His word. I only pray that at the end of the journey, I will prove to be faithful to this most sacred and lofty task He has entrusted to me. To borrow from the Apostle Paul, I say, "I am what I am by the grace of God."<br />
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If I had to render a description of myself, I would say that I am conventional in my theological views, and balanced in my approach to worship. I have a sincere romance for the traditional style of worship, i.e. that style of worship I experienced as a child growing up in church, but I am by no means resistant to the contemporary style of worship and music, providing it is Scripturally sound. In fact, there are some traditional pieces of what we term "Gospel music" that I feel are inappropriate for worship because they are not Scripturally sound. But I have no qualms with praise teams, praise dancers, drama nor drill teams. My only expectation, in regards to all of these, is that they are executed in such a manner whereby people see Christ and exalt Him, and not focus solely on those of us who are mere vessels.<br />
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I have been in the preaching ministry now for more than half of my life; twenty-five years to be exact, with twenty-one of those years invested in pastoral ministry. And of course, I have witnessed some dramatic shifts and swift transitions in the preaching, worship, and music styles of the church. The way we "do church" has changed dramatically in the span of time that I've been in ministry. Some of the changes I think have been beneficial for the life of the church, and then there are other changes that I view as being detrimental to the health of the church. In fact, some changes even oppose the very Christian faith which the New Testament Church is to embrace, guard, and perpetuate through evangelism. But I want to use this blog to address one change in particular that I have noticed in the church, and that is the manner in which many said-to-be Christians dress now when they attend worship.<br />
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Right away, some readers will dismiss this blog, and consider it backwards and petty. Such persons subscribe to the common notion that "God doesn't care about what a person has on; it's not about your outward appearance, but about your heart. God wants you to come as you are." But if you are a person of reason, and if you accept the possibility that sometimes one can sincerely believe a matter to be true, but be misguided in their perception of what is true, I ask you to give me a fair and honest hearing.<br />
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Obviously, my proposition here is that when one attends the public worship, they should wear clothing that is appropriate for worship. More bluntly, we should dress UP when we come before the Lord rather than dress DOWN.<br />
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In support of this, I offer for your consideration several points of Scripture which plainly teach that God is concerned with our outward appearance as well as with the state of our heart.<br />
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The very first time in Scripture where we learn that God cares about what kind of clothes we wear in His presence occurs in the dawn of human existence. Genesis 3:21 says, "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and CLOTHED them." Adam and Eve were not naked. To cover their sense of shame and embarrassment after their act of sin, they made clothes for themselves---"they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings" (Gen. 3:7c). However, their self-fashioned clothes did not meet God's approval. So God Himself opened up a tailoring shop right there in Eden, and designed clothing for them that suited His standards and taste.<br />
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Clearly, what Adam and Eve wore mattered enough to God for Him to make them some clothes that were appropriate in His presence. Their clothing and fashion was not a trivial and insignificant matter in the sight of God. God here teaches us a vital lesson at the very outset of humanity. If we would find acceptance in His presence, we must meet come before Him in the manner that pleases Him. God is sovereign and holy, and when we rightly reverence Him, we do not come before Him anyway we please. God is not only interested in the state of our attitude, or heart (the inner man) but even the state of our appearance(the outer man).<br />
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The second point I want to lift for your consideration is in Exodus 28 where God gives specific details for the holy vestments (clothes) Aaron, the priest, was to wear when he went before God to minister in the sanctuary. Verse 2 says, "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for GLORY and for BEAUTY."<br />
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Our God, throughout Scripture, reveals Himself to be One who loves BEAUTY. Everything God made has beauty---not only in form but also in design and purpose. Not only does He love beauty, but He loves decency and order. Creation reflects this. Thus, the basis of Paul's admonition to the church in Corinth: "Let all things be done DECENTLY and IN ORDER" (1 Cor. 14:40).<br />
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Aaron's garments were distinguished. They were for "BEAUTY and GLORY." When he went before God to minister, God wanted him DRESSED UP, not DRESSED DOWN. In this, he showed deep reverence and respect for both the PLACE of GOD and the PERSON of GOD. If he did not go before God DRESSED UP in the garments of beauty and holiness, the consequence was death (Ex. 28:43). God was serious about the clothes they wore to church, if you will, that He would kill them for not wearing the proper garments.<br />
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God designated a dress code for the Old Testament priests. Today, all believers are priests before God. "But you are a chosen generation, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). As royal priests in the service of the King, we should desire to come before Him in the beauty of holiness. "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2). The phrase "in the beauty of holiness" means "in holy attire," "in the vestments of the sanctuary," or "in the beautiful robes of the priesthood." True holiness is of the soul, to be sure, but what is true on the inside should be reflected on the outside.<br />
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Back in the day, we didn't dare wear just anything to church! We were instructed to go before the Lord in dignity, in beauty, and glory. We wore the very best we had in our wardrobe. In fact. we had what were called "church clothes" and "church shoes." They were worn only on the Lord's Day, and maybe PICTURE DAY at school.<br />
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More than many fully recognize, what we wear says a lot about who we are. Our clothes are but a mere expression of our personality; who we really are. You can identify a thug by his clothes. You can identify a whore by her clothes. You can identify a biker by his clothes. When we come before God, others should be able to identify us as a people of faith by our clothes. When they see us, they should be able to tell that we are on our way to the house of God for worship. But even our daily dress should reflect our faith. A Christian shouldn't be caught wearing any and every thing. Some clothing ought not be worn by believers. Our clothing should always reflect modesty and decency.<br />
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God does care about what we wear to church, but also what we wear away from church. We are His people, and should not allow the world to mold us, even by its fashions (cf. Romans 12:2).<br />
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When God designated Aaron's priestly clothes, He didn't ask Aaron what he thought about, or what style and fashion he preferred. God ordered what was pleasing to Him. And we have to learn that when we come before the Lord, its not about US. We come so that God may be glorified. If glorifying Him means that we have to be inconvenienced and lay aside what suits our tastes and preferences, then so be it. He ought to be worth it since He inconvenienced Himself for us. He took off His clothes of divinity, to put on the clothes of humanity, and endured the discomfort of the cross for us. Surely, we shouldn't mind getting DRESSED UP for HIM!<br />
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The last point of Scripture I want you to consider in connection with this matter of clothing is a word in the New Testament. Mark 5:15 says, "Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and CLOTHED and in his right mind. And they were afraid." Others knew a change had occurred in the Gaderene demonic by both his behavior and his appearance. When the devil had him, he didn't care how he looked. He went through the community looking any kind of way. He went through the community stark naked with no shame. But when Jesus got a hold of him, he put on some clothes, and adhered to the law of public decency. His behavior became dignified. His change was not only an INSIDE issue, but it showed up on the OUTSIDE also.<br />
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Our young men walk the streets showing their butts and with their pants almost down to their knees because the devil got 'em. Our young ladies go around exhibiting their anatomical and fleshly treasures as they wear clothes too revealing because the devil got 'em. People come to church before the MOST HOLY GOD of heaven and earth, the SOVEREIGN LORD, the KING of KINGS wearing any and every thing, showing little or no regard and reverence for His holiness because the devil got 'em. But when the Lord gets you, you'll care about your appearance in church and out of church. He puts dignity and decency in your heart and habits. He puts you in your right mind. And when you have a right mind, you will care about what you wear before the Lord and before men.<br />
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All these incidents of Scripture serve to show clearly that it does matter to God what we wear to church, and what we wear in the public.<br />
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What is acceptable in the night club ain't acceptable in the house of the Lord.<br />
What is acceptable in the work place ain't good enough for the house of the Lord.<br />
What is acceptable at school ain't good enough for the house of the Lord.<br />
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When we come before the Lord in His sanctuary, we ought to DRESS UP because we're GOING UP!<br />
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GOD DESERVES OUR VERY BEST...even in our appearance and dress<br />
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.SERVING UNDER THE PASTORtag:abcpreachers.ning.com,2009-07-14:916966:BlogPost:8688392009-07-14T13:20:36.000ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSr
The Lord desires that His people (the church) be a place and fellowship that demonstrates unity and oneness just as heaven is a place of unity and oneness. There should be no division in the family of faith. Often we do not measure up to this standard. We tolerate too much division and friction in the church. Consequently, we prevent the free flow of Christ's Spirit within the church. A house divided against itself cannot stand.<br />
How do we obtain unity and oneness in the church? The key is…
The Lord desires that His people (the church) be a place and fellowship that demonstrates unity and oneness just as heaven is a place of unity and oneness. There should be no division in the family of faith. Often we do not measure up to this standard. We tolerate too much division and friction in the church. Consequently, we prevent the free flow of Christ's Spirit within the church. A house divided against itself cannot stand.<br />
How do we obtain unity and oneness in the church? The key is really rather simple. The pastor must be in subjection to the voice of the Lord, the church leaders must be in subjection to the voice of the pastor, and the membership must be in subjection to the voice of the leaders. While it may seem that there are three voices; in actuality there is only one voice being echoed on three tiers.<br />
Pastors have been strategically planted within the Body of Christ to be the voice of the Lord in the midst og His people. We must learn to humble ourselves and hear and obey the pastor's voice as it reflects the voice of God. Membership in a church is really a commitment to imitate the pastor God has placed over the house. You are to become his disciple. If you can't respect the pastor enough to imitate him, you have no place being a part of that ministry.<br />
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SCRIPTURES FOR STUDY: Jeremiah 3:15; Acts 2:42; 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; Exodus 4: 10-17; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 4:16; 11:1; John 10:4,14,16; 2 Timothy 2:2.<br />
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People who rebell and resist pastoral authority in the church are not pleasing God because He is not the author of confusion, nor does He sanction a rebellious spirit.<br />
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There is power in the house of God when we function and operate under ONE VOICE!COME BACK TO GODtag:abcpreachers.ning.com,2009-07-14:916966:BlogPost:8677922009-07-14T01:22:30.000ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSr
We run the risk of being alienated and distant from God without truly being conscious of our condition.<br />
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I fear that the pews of our churches are filled with people who attend church on a regular basis, but who are not in good fellowship with the God they profess to praise and worship. We must recognize that salvation is not weekly event we attend, but its a daily lifestyle we live. If we are not daily living for Jesus, and consciously experiencing His presence through prayer and meditation in…
We run the risk of being alienated and distant from God without truly being conscious of our condition.<br />
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I fear that the pews of our churches are filled with people who attend church on a regular basis, but who are not in good fellowship with the God they profess to praise and worship. We must recognize that salvation is not weekly event we attend, but its a daily lifestyle we live. If we are not daily living for Jesus, and consciously experiencing His presence through prayer and meditation in His Word, it is because we have left Him. And when we leave Him, we have no genuine concern or interest in that which concerns Him.<br />
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I used to think that the term "backslider" applied only to those who had joined the church, and at some point thereafter became inactive. But the truth is we can be at church every time the doors are opened, and yet be a backslider due to our neglect to cultivate a lifestyle which is Christ-centered and Christ-directed.<br />
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If we do not closely monitor ourselves, we can spiritually descend to the point where we settle for ritual above relationship; church membership above Christian discipleship, and spiritual entertainment rather than spiritual enlightenment. That is when church becomes just another activity, and worship becomes just another event.<br />
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If you have fallen from the heights of your former devotion to the Lord, and descended to sinful plains of mediocrity, I want to suggest some steps that you can take to find your way back to God.<br />
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In 2 Chronicles 30:8 we read these words: "Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you."<br />
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In this challenging Old Testament word, we discover three steps one can take to get back to God, and to rekindle their love for God.<br />
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First, SUBMIT TO THE LORD. The text says, "Yield yourselves to the Lord."<br />
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We move away from God whenver we fail to yield ourselves to Him. We are not saved from eternal damnation to do whatsover we please. We are saved from sin to serve the Savior. We cannot truly serve the Savior until we submit to the Savior. We must become obsessed with fulfilling His will over own will.<br />
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It is inconsistent to call Him "Lord" but not yield to Him. We truly honor Him as Lord when we do what He says to do; go where He says to go; say what He says to say, and abstain from what He says to abstain from.<br />
If we call Him "Lord" but refuse to obey what He says, that's false honor. False honor does not impress the Lord because He knows those who truly trust Him.<br />
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If you would come back to God, you must first stop your rebelling against God, and just yield to Him. Give Him the right of way in your life. Cease from debating and arguing with God, trying to impose your will and way upon Him, and resign just todo whatever He says. This means that you have to put away your pride, and humble yourself. True humility shows up in your obedience.<br />
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Second, GO TO CHURCH. The text says, "And enter His sanctaury, which He has sanctified forever."<br />
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The devil has many religious people deceived on this point. They feel that can have a relationship with the Lord without having a relationship with a local church. But that is not the truth at all. I beleive St Augustine put it best: "He who would have God for his Father, must have the Church for his mother." I would like to put it this way: If you would have Christ for your Savior, you must have the Church for your strength and support.<br />
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The church is the "Bride of Christ." How can you love Jesus, the Head of the church, and not be in love with the church, the Body of Christ? Those who claim to love Jesus without loving His church have a love that is suspect and very questionable. That's that funny kind of love.<br />
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Going to church regularly helps to keep us on track spiritually. It helps to keep us in good spiritual shape. And of course, that is if the church we attend is doing what it is designed to do: Preaching and teaching the true Word of God, winning the lost, and developing disciples.<br />
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I might caution you here, that all places advertising to be a church are not churches of Jesus Christ. Some places are just Sunday morning clubs. A true church is distinguished by the content of the message preached. The message of the church is the message grounded in Christ, and in the cross.<br />
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To get back to God, you must get back to church! Scriptures validates this truth repeatedly.<br />
Jonah had to get back to church (Jonah 2:4). Asaph had to get back to church (Psalm 73:17). The people to whom the message of the text was addressed had to get back to church. And you, my brother and sister, if you would find your way back to God, must get back to church. And I do not mean just being AT church; you've got to get IN the church.<br />
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When you are in the church, it will be evidenced by your involvement and participation in the life and work of the church. That leads to the third step.<br />
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Thirdly, SERVE THE LORD. The text says, "And serve the Lord your God."<br />
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Love is best evidenced by its service. Love is not a feeling. Love is not a poem. Love is not "rap." Love is not talk. It's action. Its service.<br />
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God "so loved" us that He served us by giving His Son. The Son, Jesus Christ, so loved us that He gave His life. If you so love God, what are you giving Him?<br />
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When you love God genuinely, you will be moved to serve Him.<br />
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Give Him your LIFE.<br />
Give Him your BODY.<br />
Give Him your MIND.<br />
Give Him your TIME.<br />
Give Him your TALENT.<br />
Give Him your TITHE.<br />
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Serve Him with all that you are, and with all that you have. Give Him your ALL.<br />
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You can't be God giving. The more you give to Him, the more He'll give to you. If you serve Him, He'll take real good care of you. If you take care of His business, He'll take care of your business!<br />
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COME BACK TO GOD! Don't delay. Don't wait. Don't tarry. Just get up, and come on back. He's waiting at the door with outstretched arms to take you back as His own.<br />
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COME BACK TO GOD!GOING WHERE GOD SENDS YOUtag:abcpreachers.ning.com,2009-07-06:916966:BlogPost:8559592009-07-06T17:30:00.000ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSr
In the prophetic book of Jonah, we read these words:<br />
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"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." (Jonah 1:1-3)<br />
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It is said that first…
In the prophetic book of Jonah, we read these words:<br />
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"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." (Jonah 1:1-3)<br />
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It is said that first impressions are lasting impressions. The first impression we receive of the prophet Jonah is in no wise pleasant. As soon as we meet him in the pages of the sacred text, we are repulsed by his repugnant response to God's revelation. God reveals to Jonah his sacred assignment: " Go to Ninevah." Jonah, however, is reluctant to comply with what God requires of him, and resolves to make arrangements to travel in another direction.<br />
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His actions tempt us to question the authenticity of his call. How could one claim to be a prophet of God, and yet blatantly disregrad the word of God? How could one claim to be a messenger of the Lord, but refuse to communicate the message of the Lord to those for whom it is designed? How can one who claims to be a prophet of God be trusted to faithfully communicate the word of God to others when he has no regard for that very same word himself?<br />
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Certainly, Jonah's response to God's revelation creates some issues of distrust about his authenticity as a prophet of God. It's almost hard to fathom that a real prophet of God would have a problem with complying with God's orders and directives. I think that if Jonah were a contemporary pastor, and it were public knowledge that he had issues with obeying what God told him to do, the God-fearing saints in his congregation would either put him out of the church or move their membership to another church. Who wants to listen to a preacher speak the words of God when it is clear that that preacher himself has no respect for the word that God speaks to him? How can a preacher be trusted to hear God for others when he has problems hearing God for himself?<br />
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God issued a divine order to Jonah: "Arise, go to Nineveh." Now, to be fair to Jonah; his issue was not so much with God and His word. He didn't have a problem with all of God's word. To be sure, He loved the Torah. He found prophetic pleasure and spiritual satisfaction in reading what God said in the Law. Jonah's problem was with the word God spoke to him! He took issue with the place and the people to whom God wanted Him to go and preach.<br />
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This is instructive. It says to us that we will not always like the assignment in ministry that God gives us. We may not personally like the people we have to minister to, and we may not like the place we have to minister in.<br />
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God does not necessarily consider our personal preferences when He gives us our assignment. Yet, we must be willing to yield to His leading, and go where He sends us. All too often, however, we respond to the word of the Lord to us, as Jonah responded to the word of the Lord to him: we fail to comply with it because it does not please us; it does not suit our personal preferences.<br />
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I recall reading a line in the book "The God Chasers" where the author said that he only accepts engagements to minister at churches where God is present. I take issue with such thinking. In the first place, the Bible teaches that God is everywhere. In the second place, the places where the presence of God may not be strongly felt because of the presence of sin, or a lack of spiritual fervor and zeal among the people are the places where ministry is most needed. And if we really have the presence of God in our lives, we ought to take Him there and introduce them to HIM! They may not do church as we prefer. Thay may not give love offerings as we prefer. They may not put you up in acceptable accomodations as we prefer. They may not shout and dance as we prefer. Thay may not even say "Amen" as we prefer. But if God sends us there, its best for us to go there and do what He orders. We can save ourselves from some misery, if we go. We can save ourselves from some storms, if we go. We can save ourselves from some humiliation and heartache, if we go.<br />
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In fact, I must remind you that the Lord has issued to us---not just preachers, but all His saints--- a word of "Go" also. "Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).<br />
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Will you get up and go where He has sent you? It may be a hard place, but go. It may be a sinful and wicked place, but go. It may be a crooked place, but go. It may be a backward place, but go. It may be an economically impoverished place, but go. It may be a rebellious place, but go. It may be an unpopular place, but go. It may be a small place, but go. Get up and go where God sends you.<br />
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If you go, He'll go with you.<br />
If you go, He'll take care of you.<br />
If you go, He'll open doors for you that no man can close.<br />
If you go, He'll make ways for you that no man block.<br />
If you go, He'll put bread on your table, shoes on your feet, and clothes on your back.<br />
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Go where He sends you.<br />
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I hear the words of the hymn echoing in the chambers of my soul...<br />
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<i>It may not be on the mountain's height<br />
Or over the stormy sea,<br />
It may not be at the battle's front<br />
My Lord will have need of me;<br />
But if by a still, small voice he calls<br />
To paths I do not know,<br />
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine,<br />
I'll go where You want me to go.<br />
I'll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,<br />
O'er mountain or plain or sea;<br />
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I'll be what You want me to be.</i>Ministry Madness: I Just Want to Scream!tag:abcpreachers.ning.com,2008-12-28:916966:BlogPost:2997802008-12-28T19:30:00.000ZPastor T. A. Smith Srhttps://abcpreachers.ning.com/profile/PastorTASmithSr
Periodically, I experience Sundays when I leave the pulpit feeling a deep sense of frustration. Today was one of those days.<br />
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As I sit here at my desk in the study reflecting on what just happened in today's worship experience, I really just want to scream. In fact, my flesh just wants to say, "This is it! What's the use? I quit!" I mean nothing seemed to flow as it should and ought. What we just went through had no sign of worship at all. Praise and worship was weak. The choir sang with no…
Periodically, I experience Sundays when I leave the pulpit feeling a deep sense of frustration. Today was one of those days.<br />
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As I sit here at my desk in the study reflecting on what just happened in today's worship experience, I really just want to scream. In fact, my flesh just wants to say, "This is it! What's the use? I quit!" I mean nothing seemed to flow as it should and ought. What we just went through had no sign of worship at all. Praise and worship was weak. The choir sang with no passion. The congregation was basically non-participative throughout most of the worship service, and vocally non-responsive to the preaching. It was obvious that this was one of those Sundays when people just came to church to go through the routine. As the pastor of the church, it really hurts me to admit it, but gee...the truth of the matter is that today's "worship experience" lacked the fervor and excitement that should resonate in any sanctaury where Christ is honored. I'm ashamed today to say that this is the church where I serve as pastor.<br />
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What intensifies my frustration is that I came to worship expecting to have a joyous time in the Lord and in the fellowship of the saints, but I couldn't find it. It was absent. It just wasn't there. I spent myself preparing to preach. I labored all week hearing God, doing all I needed to do to exegete the passage from which I was preaching today. After returning home on Saturday morning from visiting with family out-of-state over Christmas celebration, I went right into Saturday Church School and spent myself teaching the flock. Then I spent myself in my study at the church until after 10pm crafting my manuscript. I went home, took a shower, got a few hours of sleep, and then returned to my study at the church three hours before the start of our morning worship service to put the finishing touches on my sermon. And I did all that for what? Just to pour myself out again in ministry to a people who displayed an indifferent attitude---not just towards the sermon, but towards the whole worship experience. I just want to scream!!!<br />
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Please! Understand as you read this that I'm not looking for pity. With over 20 years of pastoral experience under my belt, I've been here many times before and bounced back, and am certain that I will come here many more times as I continue in ministry. I'm writing this because I know that somebody else is going through a frustration that is similar to mine. I readily recognize that my experience is not exceptional nor exclusive. Every Lord's Day thousands and thousands of senior pastors leave their pulpit feeling a deep sense of frustration over the apathy and indifference that those to whom they have been assigned to minister to display towards worshiping the Lord and towards hearing His Word! Every Lord's Day, thousands and thousands of senior pastors exit the pulpit, sit in the silence of their own private thoughts and think about throwing in the towel. They genuinely love ministry. They genuinely want to help people gain a clearer understanding of God's revelation. They give all of who they are and all of what they have to pour into the lives of others. But often it seems that all the sacrifice and effort required in pastoral ministry is wasted on people who lack authentic appreciation for it. Its enough to make you want to SCREAM! While we have to be rooted enough to recognize that's only the flesh, and we can't follow the counsel of the flesh; we have to be led by the Spirit, yet there is the reality of our human-ness, too. For we are only earthen vessels into which a spiritual treasure has been deposited. We have emotions...and sometimes....sometimes our emotions overwhelm us to the point where we get infected with the Elijah-under-the-juniper-tree Syndrome: "Lord, it's enough!"<br />
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When we are strugling with negative emotions, perhaps the last thing we need is to be in isolation. That often only serves to intensify what we feel, and leads us to self-pity and/or destructive behavior. This is a real danger zone for pastors. Most pastors are lonley poeple. Sure, we have people around us much of the time, but they are around us because they are needy. They look to us to give them what they need. We dare not look to them to give us what we need. We have to locate that somewhere else. And often, we who serve in pastoral ministry do not have another pastor with whom we can be transparent about our negative feelings and emotions relative to our ministry, and even our personal lives. We feel it, but we dare not voice it. That wouldn't be the spiritually mature thing to do. We get caught up in the notion that we must appear before others to be an ecclesiastical version of Superman.<br />
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So my questions are: 1) Do you experience such Sundays in your ministry? and 2) How do you handle your emotions and recover?<br />
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Perhaps if we can be open and honest here, we can provide some wise counsel to one another, and be strengthened to better handle our next episode of ministry madness when we feel like we just want to scream. WARNING: Sunday Morning Blues Coming To A Pulpit Near You!<br />
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"Spiritual leaders pay a price as they seek to serve God's people, but the people usually don't appreciate it. The same people repeat the same sins and refuse to trust God and obey Him." Warren W. Wiersbe