DIRECTIONS ON PROPER DECORUM DURING WORSHIP

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1 MARANATHA MESSENGER Weekly Newsletter of Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3 August 2003 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore Tel: (65) Fax: (65) maranatha.bpc@pacific.net.sg Website: * Sunday School: 9.45 am Worship Service: am Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm Pastor: Rev Jack Sin (Pager: ) DIRECTIONS ON PROPER DECORUM DURING WORSHIP Introduction 1 Chron 16:29 says, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness and Hab 2:20 says, But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Worship on the Sabbath is a spiritual exercise that is a duty and a privilege accorded to the redeemed of God every Sunday. It is an emblem of eternal rest and everlasting praise one day in heaven. Do not miss congregational worship on the Lord s day. There is a certain decorum and propriety for approaching the thrice holy Almighty God whom we are not to take for granted. Flippant and frivolous attitude and behaviour dishonour God and reflect a lack of fear and reverence for God. The Westminster Assembly of the 17 th century who produced the Directory of Public Worship, has the following pertinent and practical advice which we shall consider prayerfully:- Of the Assembling of the Congregation, and their Behaviour in the Public Worship of God. When the congregation is to meet for public worship, the people (having before prepared their hearts thereunto) ought all to come and join therein; not absenting themselves from the public ordinances through negligence, or upon pretence of private meetings. Let all enter assembly, not irreverently, but in a grave and seemly manner, taking their seats or places without adoration, or bowing themselves towards one place or other. The congregation being assembled, the minister, after solemn calling on them to the worshipping of the great name of God, is to begin with prayer, In all reverence and humility acknowledging the incomprehensible greatness and majesty of the Lord (in whose presence they do then in a special manner appear) and their own vileness and unworthiness to approach so near him, with their utter inability of themselves to so great a work; and humbly beseeching him for pardon, assistance, and acceptance, in the whole service then to be performed; and for a blessing on that particular portion of His Word then to be read: And all in the name and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ. The public worship having begun, the people are wholly to attend upon it, forbearing to read anything, except what the minister is then reading or citing; and abstaining much more from all private whisperings, conferences, salutations, or doing reverence to any person present, or coming in; as also

2 from all gazing, sleeping, and other indecent behaviour, which may disturb the minister or people, or hinder themselves or others in the service of God. If any, through necessity, be hindered from being present at the beginning, they ought not, when they come into the congregation, to betake themselves to their private devotions, but reverently to compose themselves to join with the assembly in that ordinance of God which is then in hand. Consider prayerfully also the following practical guidelines for the preparation for holy worship on the Lord s day. 1. Prepare your heart for the beginning of the Lord s Day and frame your mind for reverential public worship and prayer. 2. Enter into the holy assembly of saints in the presence of God reverently and punctually, not carelessly and flippantly. Never miss the Lord s Day worship service except for valid reasons of absolute necessity or if one is on a bed of affliction. 3. Do not judge or be prejudiced against the message, messenger or the Word. Mark and attend to the Word of God, which is being read and preached to you. 4. Beware of a slothful and sluggish disposition. Be attentive, receptive and pray for the minister and for yourself in the humble reception of the Word preached to us. 5. Apply all the Word of God to yourselves according to its relevance and usefulness. As you leave the church, ask How do these promises reproof, or counsel, comfort or exhortation or direction concern me and how can I apply it throughout the week? 6. Above all, resolve to obey what God shall made known to be his will for you. Careless hearing and living tend most dangerously toward a hardened heart and spiritual decline. 7. Do not be a mere hearer of prayers of the preacher, but pray with the minister and beseech heaven corporately to answer our feeble cries and petitions for the saving of souls and edifying of the saints. 5. Stir up your hearts to alacrity and joy in the singing of hymns, the worship of God and sing aloud joyfully with the congregation. 6. Be meditative and sober in the whole worship service, ready to receive any instruction from God; be it from a prayer, hymn or the Word preached. 7. Confess your sins and repent of your evil ways and seek the Lord for forgiveness and pardon. 8. Do not be distracted by the things around you and do not let the cares of the world cloud your mind during the service. 9. Consider how you may apply or practice what you have learnt into your life today. 10. Share with someone a relevant lesson that you have learnt from the service and let another be blessed by the Word. 11. Teach our children to respect God s house by keeping silent, especially when the service is on. 12. At the close of the service, after the benediction, spend a few quiet moments to reflect or ponder to thank God for His holy Word.

3 Conclusion For the rest of the Sabbath, spend time to encourage, edify and fellowship with one another in the Lord or read His Word and rest well. Mal 3:16 says, Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. Jack Sin SHARING FROM A USER OF MARANATHA S NBC NOTES We thank God for Maranatha s resource ministry, which we in Malaysia have already benefited. May God continue to use it for the advancement of spiritual growth and His kingdom, both in Singapore and elsewhere. The NBC notes in particular have been very helpful in bringing out spiritual thoughts and truths and are themed with practical applications. These are much needed today for Christian growth. We pray that many who use the resource ministry would find increasingly the profundity of God s Word and both the practicality and reality of His unchanging truth. We will remember and pray for your ministry and the resource ministry as well. There was much study pleasure derived from the notes on Judges and 1 Samuel, both in the going through and completion of them. It was akin to having participated in a few church camps for spiritual refreshment. We are now looking forward to the notes on 2 Samuel. We have learnt many things, one of which is in 1 Sam 1 on Hannah s prayer of life and spirit. That is a great reminder, especially to us, of the constant need to pray and why the need to pray. There are further pointers which gave much reflection and encouragement as well: 1. 1 Sam 2: 4 & 5 The storyline began with the wicked sons of Eli who failed to exercise discipline for spiritual restoration, and hence failed in his spiritual duties. That brought about grave consequences, overall spiritual decay including the way Eli himself died. Wouldn t that a picture itself to mirror the church which lacks discipline and where the Word ministry has little power to train, build, inspire and reprove souls? 2. 1 Sam 23 under application 3 and 4. Quote See if our own mother church is spiritually dead and lukewarm, to be involved or to start many ministries and missions would be of no avail. We need to make sure that God is on our side to start any extra or even more challenging ministry unquote. Wouldn t that be true of the church where new ministries/fellowships are started but are hardly sustained because the core ministries themselves are unable to inspire and support the new ones? Indeed, it is always easy to begin well but the best is in ending well. Likewise, it was easy to begin with Judges 2 but it was not so easy later on to keep up the pace through the rest Judges up to 1 Sam 31. However, it was a goal set to finish the notes soonest possible but trying hard not to miss out the underlying spiritual message and its essence. It was a good decision. Al though trying, it was indeed enjoyable.

4 Finally, we thank God for His sustenance and upkeeping. Indeed He has been faithful and gracious to us. Thank you for all the prayers as well and the MMs up to 13 July which were received. We hope that the pain in your leg by now has healed completely. Regards Victor, Ashley and Ashton Ho Calvary Jaya BPC, Malaysia FORTHCOMING ACTIVITIES OF MARANATHA Members and friends of Maranatha are reminded of the appointment of the Combined NBC Get-Together on 15 August, Friday night at 8 pm at Eld & Mrs Thomas Liaw s residence. Pastor will be sharing on Upholding Biblical Morals in the Church, Family and Nation and a video show thereafter. Do not miss this blessed evening of fellowship and mutual edification. All are welcome! On 23 August, Saturday, 3 pm we will have the privilege of having Dr Leonard Pine, a distinguished Bible Presbyterian Minister/Lecturer of Western Reformed Seminary and Mission Representative of PMU for the music seminar. Pastor has the opportunity of meeting him at the 65 th BP Synod Meeting in August 2001 at Tacoma and preached in his previous church in Columbia BPC, Oregon. Dr Pine is gifted not only in missions and pastoral work but also in discipleship (the topic of his DMin Dissertation) and in the music ministry (as the choir director of a BPC in Buffalo, New York). He will give two sessions on Music and Worship at Maranatha BPC and on Sunday, he will minister at the worship service and also at a Discipleship Workshop at 1.30 pm (after lunch). Do not miss these opportunities to learn and hear God s Word from his servant and be grounded and rooted in the most Holy Faith. (Today is the LAST DAY for signing up). Before coming here, Dr Pine will minister for about two weeks with a team of nine young people from various BPCs in the USA at our mission stations, Truth BPC in Chiangmai and Den Luang Nursery led by Robert & Chadarat our missionaries. Do pray for their ministry in our midst and their safe travel. Finally, our church camp is confirmed from 1-4 December 2003 at Kota Tinggi Rainforest Resort, a scenic and natural setting for a refreshing retreat. Rev Philip Heng will bring the Word (four messages) on Faithful Discipleship Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. There will be a workshop on How to Study the Bible and a Firefly Cruise for the bravehearted. Dn Daniel Tau and the camp committee will inform us of more details soon. Set aside time and apply for leave early to come for this uplifting and edifying camp - Jack Sin. THANK YOU LORD I ll like to share some good news. I ve been admitted to NUS MA by research programme and have been awarded a research scholarship as well. I thank God for my answered prayers.

5 During the application process, there were several difficulties. As you know, I m bonded to MOE to teach after graduation. I had to apply for a bond suspension in order to pursue my Master s degree. MOE only allows a 1-year bond suspension but my research programme takes between 1-3 years. Therefore, there were some doubts whether my application would be approved. Although I m keen to do Master s, I knew that whatever the outcome of my application, whether I get to do Master s or I ve to go to NIE, the Lord knows what s best for me and I prayed earnestly for His guidance. Two weeks ago, I received the letter of approval of my application for bond suspension from MOE. The next day, I received a letter from NUS. My parents thought it was the offer of admission to NUS but it turned out to be another blessing from God. I was awarded a prize for being the best student in English language for the exams for BA (Honours). Finally, the much-awaited NUS offer of admission came. I was a little worried about expenses during the course. I made some calculations and believe that I ve enough savings to last through the year if I m more thrifty. Although I wanted a scholarship badly, I submitted it all to God and trust that He will provide for me. Indeed, God has answered all my prayers and more. He brought me through all the hurdles and blessed me with undeserved gifts. I pray and trust that God will continue to guide me through this year of studies, that I will be able to fulfil the demands of the course in 1 year s time. In Christ Hazel See At the Pulpit Theme for the Quarter: The Holy Spirit & The Believer Today Rev Jack Sin "Walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26) *These hyperlinks work with Word 97 and later version. [End of MM, 3 August 2003

MARANATHA MESSENGER A CONSECRATED LIFE OF FERVENT AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD

MARANATHA MESSENGER A CONSECRATED LIFE OF FERVENT AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD MARANATHA MESSENGER Weekly Newsletter of Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 14 September 2014 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28) Address: 63 Cranwell