Carelessness and Casualness in worship

The Middletown Bible Church ^ | 08/19/03 | various authors

[RaceBannon]

This is a continuation of the thread on CCM music and the apostasy that CCM is.

[RaceBannon]

This is for your reading pleasure. Please read it through and think a little.

[RaceBannon]

you might like this, too.

[AD from SpringBay]

John the Baptist, Ezekiel, Amos, and a handful of fishermen need not apply.

[moyden2000]

I always knew Jesus was a corporate climber.

Mt. 23

25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.

[RaceBannon]

Ill bet they wore their best clothes on Saturday.

[RaceBannon]

Guidance from God's Word
67 Tests that can be used by a believer to decide upon a course of action

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF GUIDANCE
Introduction
SHOULD I or should I not? Life is full of decisions: Should I do a certain thing? Should I go a certain place? Should I take part in a certain activity?

Those who are believers in Christ have a wonderful objective standard of truth which can guide our conduct and govern our lives in a way that pleases our Saviour. The heart cry of the Psalmist was this: "Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalm 119:133). Our lives, our actions, our decisions are all to be ordered and governed by God’s Word.

In many, many areas God’s Word is not specific. Instead the Bible gives us clear principles and sure guidelines which if rightly understood and applied would answer every specific question. The problem is that we often fail to apply the principles and follow the guidelines which the Lord has given to us.

In this study we have set forth 67 TESTS by which we can determine which course of action to take. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Other TESTS could be added to it. Most of these guidelines are taken from the New Testament epistles. Many other guidelines or "tests" could certainly be found in the gospels, in the book of Proverbs and elsewhere in the Bible.

None of these tests will do us any good unless we really apply them. With a desire to please Christ in all that we do, let us test our deeds and actions by these New Testament guidelines:

(Note: These "tests" are given in New Testament order so that the verses can be more easily found)

1. The Scripture Test (Isaiah 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21)

Does the Scripture forbid it? Am I commanded not to do it?

2. The Stewardship Test (Luke 16:9-12)

Will doing it involve a waste or poor use of the money, possessions and time God has entrusted me with?

3. The Separation Test (Rom. 1:1).

Is this action or activity consistent with a life which is separated unto God’s good news?

4. The "Bodily Members" Test (Rom. 6:13)

In doing this are my bodily members being presented to be used as instruments of righteousness unto God or are they being used in a way that is not honoring to the God who owns me and Whom I serve?

5. The Abhorrence Test (Rom. 12:9; cf. Jude 23)

Would doing this in any way make unclear the fact that I hate sin and abhor evil and must avoid it (1 Pet. 3:11) at any cost?

6. The Love Test (Rom. 14:15)

In doing this am I walking according to love? Am I seeking God’s highest and best for those persons that I am involved with?

7. The Conscience Test (Rom. 14:22-23)

Can I do it with a good and clear conscience? (The believer must never do what his conscience forbids. The believer’s conscience may need to be corrected and brought more and more into harmony with God’s Word, but it is never safe to go against one’s conscience and to rebelliously do what my own heart condemns) When in doubt DON’T!

8. The "Who Am I Pleasing?" Test (Rom. 15:1-2)

Am I doing this to please myself or others?

9. The Fire Test (1 Cor. 3:11-15)

Would this be building upon that which will last forever or will it contribute to mere wood, hay and stubble which will all be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ?

10. The Expediency Test (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23)

Is it profitable, beneficial, advantageous to do such a thing? (This is better than asking "Is it permissible?")

11. The Slave Test (1 Cor. 6:12)

In doing this will I become a slave to anything? Will it make me a slave? Will it bind me up so that I am not free to serve my Saviour as I must?

12. The "Temple of God" Test (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

Will it harm my body? Will God be honored by the way I use my body? Will this course of action rest and strengthen or will it weary and weaken the body and brain? If I spend myself to the point of physical exhaustion is it for a wise and righteous cause, even the cause of Christ (2 Cor. 12:15)?

13. The Distraction Test (1 Cor. 7:35)

Would doing this distract me from serving the Lord? Would it hinder me from pleasing the Lord (1 Cor. 7:32)?

14. The Stumblingblock Test (1 Cor. 8:13; 10:32; Rom. 14:21).

Will doing this cause another person to stumble? Would it in any way hinder another believer’s growth? Would it in any way hinder an unsaved person from coming to know Christ as Saviour?

15. The Missionary Test (1 Cor. 9:19-22; 10:33; cf. 2 Tim. 2:10).

Will my actions contribute toward and encourage others to come to know Christ as Saviour? Will it in any way hinder or detract from Christ and His gospel? Will it help others to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour?

16. The Idolatry Test (1 Cor. 10:7,14; 1 John 5:21)

In doing this am I allowing something or someone be more important to me than God?

17. The Edification Test (1 Cor. 10:23; 14:26).

Will this edify and build up a fellow believer? Would my actions encourage another’s growth in the Lord?

18. The Selfishness Test (1 Cor. 10:24; 13:5).

Am I doing this to please and serve myself or others? Am I living to myself or to the Lord (Rom. 14:7; 2 Cor. 5:15)?

19. The Glory of God Test (1 Cor. 10:31).

Can I do it to the glory of God? In doing this am I showing forth a clear picture of my God and WHO HE IS?

20. The "Follow Me" Test (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9).

Would I want others to follow me in this? Would I want other believers to imitate me in this? Could I recommend this course of action to them?

21. The Association Test (1 Cor. 15:33; cf. 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Pet. 4:4).

In doing this will I be brought into a compromising association with bad company (evil companionships) which will have a spoiling and corrupting influence upon my character and morals?

22. The "Labor in the Lord" Test (1 Cor. 15:58; cf. 2 Cor. 9:8).

Would this in any way keep me from abounding in the work of the Lord? Would it keep me from serving the Lord with ardent zeal and zip?

23. The Temporal/Eternal Test (2 Cor. 4:18; Col. 3:1-2).

Am I basing my decision on temporal or eternal realities? Am I seeing the short view or the long view? Am I making this evaluation based on time or eternity? Am I seeing it as God would see it?

24. The Judgment Seat Test (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10-12).

Would this bring shame to me (cause me to be ashamed) at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

25. The Motivation Test (2 Cor. 5:14).

Am I motivated by the love of Christ or by the lust of the flesh?

26. The New Creature Test (2 Cor. 5:17).

Are these things part of my old life (are they part of the "old things" which have passed away) or part of my new life in Christ?

27. The Ambassador Test (2 Cor. 5:20).

In doing this am I representing My Saviour in a clear and unmistakable way?

28. The Holiness Test (2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Tim. 2:21).

Would doing this in any way cause me to compromise personal holiness? Would it hinder me in any way from being a clean and set apart vessel for the Lord’s use?

29. The Mental Test (2 Cor. 10:5; cf. 11:3).

Will doing this help me to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ or will it put me in the place where my mind is bombarded with high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God?

30. The "Pleasing Who?" Test (Gal. 1:10).

In doing this am I seeking to please God or man?

31. The "Reap What Is Sown" Test (Gal. 6:7).

Am I prepared to reap the consequences of this action?

32. The Holy Spirit Test (Eph. 4:30;cf. 1 Thess. 5:19).

Does it grieve (sadden, pain) the Holy Spirit of God? Would doing this in any way quench or hinder the Holy Spirit’s working in my life?

33. The Saint Test (Eph. 5:3)—the child of God test (Eph. 5:1), the new creature test (2 Cor. 5:17), the citizen of heaven.

Am I acting in a way that is appropriate and fitting to WHO I AM in Christ Jesus? Is that what a child of God would do? Is this what a saint would do? Is this what a new creature in Christ would do? Etc.

34. The Divine Approval Test (Eph. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:9).

Is it well pleasing to the Lord? If I do this will I have God’s smile of approval and His "Well Done!"? (cf. Matt. 25:21,23)

35. The Time Test (Eph. 5:16).

Is this the best use of time? Is it the best way to buy up the opportunities God has given to me?

36. The Submission Test (Eph. 5:21)

In doing this am I in submission to those authorities whom God has placed over me?

37. The Armor of God Test (Eph. 6:10-18).

Will doing this make me more vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy?

38. The Excellence Test (Phil. 1:10).

It may be acceptable and permissible to do this, and it may even be a good thing to do, but is it really the BEST THING?

39. The Magnification Test (Phil. 1:20).

By my doing this will Christ be magnified?

40. The Gospel Test (Phil. 1:27).

Would my actions in any way detract from or cloud or confuse the message of good news which I want others to know and believe?

41. The Dung Test (Phil. 3:7-8).

Am I willing to sacrifice and forego certain things that are important to me for the sake of Christ?

42. The Joy Test (Phil. 4:4).

Is my joy in the Lord or is it in something or someone else? If I were not to do this, would I lose my joy? Am I seeking joy, happiness and satisfaction from the wrong source?

43. The Contentment Test (Phil. 4:11; 1 Tim. 6:6,8).

If I were not to do this or have this, could I still be content and satisfied?

44. The Pure Thinking Test (Phil. 4:8).

Will this contribute to pure, wholesome, healthy thinking or will it encourage me to become occupied with mental garbage?

45. The Preeminence Test (Col. 1:18).

In doing this will the Lord Jesus be given first place in my life?

46. The Name of Christ Test (Col. 3:17).

Can I do it in the Name of the Lord Jesus with thanksgiving? Would He want to identify His Name with what I am doing?

47. The Servant of Christ Test (Col. 3:23-24).

Can I do it heartily (with all my soul) as unto the Lord?

48. The Good Testimony Test (Col. 4:5).

Will it present a clear testimony to those outside of Christ?

49. The Prayer Test (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 18:1)

Would this in any way hinder my prayer life or make prayer more difficult for me?

50. The Thanksgiving Test (1 Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:20).

Can I do it with thanksgiving? Can I thank God with a clear conscience?

51. The Appearance Test (1 Thess. 5:22).

Would what I do assume any appearance of evil? Would my actions be misinterpreted or seen in a negative light?

52. The Modesty Test (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:3-4).

Would doing this draw attention to me or to Christ in me? Would I be displaying SELF or the SAVIOUR?

53. The "Blameless" Test (1 Tim. 3:1).

Would doing this give anyone an occasion to point the finger at me and blame me for conduct that is out of harmony with my professed faith in Christ? (See Daniel’s worthy example in Daniel 6:4).

54. The Example Test (1 Tim. 4:12).

By doing this would I be a good example of what a believer ought to be?

55. The Entanglement Test (2 Tim. 2:4).

Would doing this get me caught or tangled up "with the affairs of this life" to the neglect of my primary duty which is to please Christ?

56. The Pleasure-Loving Test (2 Tim. 3:4).

Am I doing this because I love pleasure more than I love God? Am I delighting myself in other things or other persons more than I am the Lord (Psalm 37:4)?

57. The Second Coming Test (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 John 2:28).

Would I want the Lord to come when I am doing this? Would I want the Lord to find me in this place, involved in this activity when He comes?

58. The Adorning Test (Titus 2:10).

Will this activity adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? In doing this will the truths and principles of God’s Word be beautified in my life?

59. The "Denying Ungodliness" Test (Tit. 2:12; cf.1 Pet. 2:11).

In making this decision am I saying "NO" in strong, clear and unmistakable terms to ungodliness and worldly lusts?

60. The Hindrance Test (Heb. 12:1-2)

Will doing this in any way hinder me from running the race? Would it weigh me down so that I cannot run as I should?

61. The Reproach of Christ Test (Heb. 13:13; cf. 11:26).

In making this decision what is more important to me (what do I place more value on)—the approval of men or the reproach of Christ?

62. The Temptation Test (James 1:13-16).

Does it make resistance to temptation easier or harder?

63. The "Near to God" Test (James 4:8; cf. Heb. 10:38).

Does it draw me nearer to or remove me farther from Christ?

64. The Growth Test (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; cf. Heb. 6:1-3).

Will doing this in any way hinder or stifle my growth in Christ? Will it contribute to my growth in Christ?

65. The Fellowship Test (1 John 1:3-4).

Would doing this in any way rob me of the joy of having fellowship with Christ?

66. The Worldliness Test (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4).

Am I seeking to do this thing INDEPENDENTLY of God (leaving Him out)?

67. The "First Love" Test (Rev. 2:4).

Will doing this make it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is my first love?

---

The Middletown Bible Church
349 East Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 346-0907 More articles under The Christian Life

[RaceBannon]

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/christia/legalism.htm

LEGALISM
WHAT IT IS

The term "legalism" or "legalist" is not found in the Bible, but the serious error of legalism is certainly dealt with, especially by the Apostle Paul who ever and always boasted in the cross and championed the grace of God (Gal. 6:14; 1:6). Perhaps the best way to see what Paul had to say about how the flesh wrongly uses the law is to read carefully through the epistle to the Galatians.

LEGALISM
WHAT IT IS NOT

Being obedient to God's specific commands is not legalism. "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4).

Living a holy life that is set apart unto the Lord's service is not legalism. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification [holiness], that ye should abstain from fornication....For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:3,7).

Living a life separated unto Christ and separated from the fads and fashions of the world is not legalism. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).

Conforming one's life to be in harmony with certain standards decided upon by Spirit-led leaders of a local assembly of believers is not legalism. "That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well" (Acts 15:29).

Forgoing my personal rights for the sake of my brother is not legalism. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak" (Rom. 14:21).

[moyden2000]

I Peter 3

3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

[moyden2000]

Legalism has nothing to do with it. Your teaching fails to grasp the basics of Christianity itself.

Your teaching is flatly unscriptural.

[RaceBannon]

You are deliberately twisting words. No one is demanding we wear gowns and tuxes to Church.

[Joe Bonforte]

68. The Exhaustion Test - After going through all the other tests, do I still have time to do this?

[billbears]

Haven't had the chance to read through all the posts over on the other thread but let me throw a thought here. I agree with this article a lot. I was brought up in a country church and you didn't even wear a hat inside. Shorts, definite no. Dresses had to be respectable, not body hugging as some teenagers I've seen wearing to our church as of late. Basically you dressed up because you were going to see God. And I'll admit as a little kid I couldn't stand getting in those stuffy clothes but I don't go to church wearing jeans years later either. Guess the lesson stuck

As for CCM being an apostasy, I don't know. I love music. And when I listen to good Christian music is when I feel closest to the Lord. Carmen, Petra, White Heart, even a little Christian metal when I was younger :) But I also enjoy the music I remember growing up on and watching the Southern Gospel Hour every Sunday morning before I went to church. Is it sacrilege? It can be, yes. But I think also there is a generational difference in some instances. Was the music of what we consider classical artists 400-500 years ago accepted when the standard may have been I don't know, Gregorian chants? Was that music welcomed with open arms? It was a pretty big change. It may have been, but I doubt it.

One thing I've learned about church is people don't like change at all. They want to do it as their parents did it and in some instances I believe that philosphy 100 percent. I don't want guitars, drums, and the like in service. Sing a couple of hymns, listen to the choir sing a special, listen to the preacher, and go home. But on the way home, there's a good chance I may be listening to some Randy Travis or Petra on the drive

[moyden2000]

You teach that holiness is defined by the quality of your clothing.

Your teaching is flatly unscriptural.

[Quix]

Yes and NO!

I believe there are occasons for fitting ceremony etc.

ON THE WHOLE, I have changed my perspective and convictions on this issue.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH--EVEN THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH HAS TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LONG MAJORED IN MINORS AND MINOR IN MAJORS.

And on this issue, I believe we have taken a MAJOR--BEING CONCERNED ABOUT HOW OUR HEARTS WERE DRESSED and turned that important issue on it's head in the toilet while we have pranced and strutted emphasizing EXTERNALS to the glory of jealousy and the devil while ignoring the condition of our hearts--and sometimes worse, ignoring the less fortunate and their sensibilities as we strutted haughtily by them.

My own church is having a big do in a week or so--the best dressed kid in Hawaiian outfit. I speedily went out and bought some Hawaiian clothes for the less fortunate and suggested that they change the awards to awarding those who's hearts were best dressed in Jesus' Aloha Spirit of Jesus' Love etc.

I have also changed recently from a church wherein virtually every mode of dress known to man appeared with great nanchalance but the worship was earnest and heartfelt, vibrant and energetic and God's response seemed to be well pleased . . .

to a church that emphasizes at least among the staff that coats and ties and dresses are du rigour on Sunday morning. At first, I though--that's nice--as unto The Lord. And I know the folks are doing it for that reason etc. as the article expounds on at such length.

Sadly, in spite of a very loving, warm group with great Biblical teaching, energetic worship etc. the folks seem to be more distant from each other and the tone on Sunday mornings just from looking at the staff dress code is that if you can't measure up to that standard, you're out of place.

I don't think that is at all what Jesus would have and I don't think the pastor or staff would have that if they really saw it and understood it for the reality it is.

Jesus said go to the highways and byways and compel them to come in. He didn't say take them by Saks Fifth Avenue first.

Having our wedding garments on is another issue--a very spiritual/heart issue.

Now there is clean and decent. But beyond that--let our hearts be better dressed than our skin. And if someone didn't make it through the washer, dryer and ironing board that day--let no flinch cross our countenance. Heaven records every idle word . . . and looking down on another in any sense over clothes at church is not a spiritual grace.

IMHO.

[Libertina]

I will read the entire article later, but agreed with the casual dress problem. I went to my childhood church and one child in front was tossing around a paper airplane (the pastor's kid :( and one parent had her son STAND on the upholstered pew cusions so he could "see" the choir better. Not surprisingly, society's loose casual nature has leaked into the church. Think of how Ronald Reagan honored the White House, he never entered the Oval Office without a suit jacket and tie. Now think of how we treat the church. That is not to say that ragged people can't be believers. But there is a difference between poverty and simple sloppy laziness. However, no matter what the congregation wears, it is NOT on my mind during the service :)

[Graybeard58]

"John the Baptist, Ezekiel, Amos, and a handful of fishermen need not apply."

...Nor my late father-in-law who was the person solely responsible for seeing that my wife had perfect Church/Sunday School attendance for 15 years, begining when she was three days old.
When she was about ten years old, she and her older brother had the dubious honor of hearing one of the better dressed matrons of the Church tell her father that he should wear something better than the over alls he had on.
Never mind that was all the old man owned. He was a share cropper with 6 children and no wife to help.
To his great credit, he did not let this incident keep him or his children away from church but as soon as my brother-in-law was old enough to make his own church going decisions he never set foot in a church again up to and including his own funeral.
I am of the opinion that his decision was wrong but I didn't help form his opinions, the well dressed church lady did.
My brother-in-law was a Christian and supported financially a local church pastored by a high school friend of his he did it anonymously and the only reason I know about it is my wife worked as his book keeper.

My brother-in-law passed away about two years ago and I miss him, he was one of the finest people I have ever know in my 58 years on earth.
Graybeard from N. Pekin

[sayfer bullets]

bump for later reading...but in the meantime...

1. Isn't it great that one has many choices for style of worship? If I am annoyed by loud music, cheerful Christians rejoicing in their love of the father, or a lack of good old responsive reading, I can go to a number of churches with lots people over 50. (tongue in cheek here, I adore hymns and traditional worship as well. we should mix things up you know.)

2. The focus, whether dress or not, should be on the Lord and not on our adornments, accessories, hair, or any other thing about ourselves. With respect to being well dressed, it does show a measure of respect and reverence for our father's house, but should we create an environment unwelcoming to some?

more to read. that's some thick material. I'm probably in agreement to a point, a bit too much invested emotionally here might be counterproductive.

[LiteKeeper]

read, comment, and print later

[Texas_Dawg]

However, no matter what the congregation wears, it is NOT on my mind during the service :)

Uhhhh... yeah. Obviously.