1 Timothy 3 v 14 & 15
v.14 “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly”
v.15 “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
2 Timothy 3 v 16 & 17 (GNB)
v.16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living”
v.17 “so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.”
SECTION A
10 BAD HABITS CHRISTIANS MUST WATCH AND AVOID DURING CHURCH SERVICE FOR THEIR OWN GOOD
- Constant lateness to church services and meetings. It proves that their love for God and the things of the Kingdom has grown cold.
- Refusing to sit where the ushers direct you to sit, it’s a sign of pride. People must stop it.
- Always running out to pick calls with your phone ringing out so loud. Worshippers must learn to switch off or mute their phone as soon you get to church.
- Receiving calls repeatedly during every church services. It shows where your heart, your values and priorities are. Stop it.
- Chewing gum or sleeping in church during sermon. Remember the church is neither a cinema hall nor a hotel. Please show reverence to your maker.
- Sitting down during prayer or praise/worship session without any medical or health reasons. This makes you look very odd and unspiritual. Stop it.
- Always looking at the church clock or your wrist watch during church hours insinuating that church should close. Please stop it.
- Chatting and playing games on your phone during church service. It shows you are not spiritual. Please stop it.
- Always leaving the church before closure for no particular appointment, making others who choose to stay till the end of service feel they don’t know what to do with their time. Stop it.
- Gathering outside the church with other members to gossip or discuss football and politics whilst worship service is going on. Let them stop it.
• Wake up people of God.
• The King of Kings is coming soon.
• God bless you for sharing with others.
• Psalm 20 v 7 (NIV)
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
SECTION B
• Ever since I was born, I have not seen many people arrive late to the airport when they are traveling. In fact, when the plane is taking off at 11:00pm, the person will be at the airport by 7:00pm, wow!
• That’s how much people value travelling overseas.
• Same when they have to go to court they will be at that Court not less than 30 minutes before the appointed time.
• But on a Sunday morning when Church has long begun, that’s when you see men and women with ‘swag’ gliding like a wounded tortoise to Church.
• They know they are late. Church starts at 10:00 am but people will come at 10:30am or 11: 00 am why? They think all they need is just to be present and show their faces to their friends.
• Just take the test to call them on Monday at 5:30 or 6:00 am, you’ll realise that they are already on their way to work and some will be there already.
• Know this today, anytime you go to Church one minute late, you have NOT attended Church at all.
• If Christ is saying ‘where two or three are gathered, I’m in their midst’, you think He comes late? The time you give is the time He keeps.
What does it mean to arrive late to Church?
1) Disrespect to Christ
2) Betrayal of Christ
3) Disregard to the Church and the Pastor
4) Interruption of an eternal program
- THERE IS TIME FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN
Eccl. 3 v 1
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven”
• God values appropriate timing.
• He has portioned times for everything.
• Time for worship and devotion to God.
• Time to sleep and wake up.
• Time to Rest and relax.
• Time for the family.
• Time to work.
• Time to eat and drink.
Our God is a perfect time manager.
- PUNCTUALITY IS THE SOUL OF BUSINESS
Luke 21 v 38 (NKJV)
“Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.” - TIME APPROPRIATENESS APPLIES TO BOTH PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL COMMITMENTS
Gen. 19 v 27 (NKJV)
“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.”
• Time to honour business appointment.
• Time to attend interviews.
• Time to honour Visa appointment at Embassies.
• Time to catch a flight.
• Time for socials.
• Time for the family.
• Time to honour invitations from important personalities.
• Time for school runs.
• Time to write examinations.
- CONSEQUENCES OF COMING LATE TO THE HOUSE OF GOD
- DISRESPECT TO GOD YOUR CREATOR
Psalm 95 v 6 – 7
v.6 “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
v.7 “For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:”
Hebrews 12 v 28
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
- MISSING IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE SERVICE
- DISTRUPTION OF WORSHIP
- NEGATIVE EXAMPLE TO OTHERS
- SPIRITUAL INDISCIPLINE
- TAKING GOD FOR GRANTED
- UNDERPLAYING SPIRITUAL IMPORTANCE
- GAINS OF COMING EARLY TO THE HOUSE OF GOD
- HONOURING GOD
Psalms 63 v 1 (NKJV)
“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” - ENJOYING THE EARLY MERCY OF GOD
Psalms 90 v 14: “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days”
Pastor Oladiyun is the Senior Pastor Global of the Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Plots 1 – 6, CLAM Avenue, Omole, Ikeja, Lagos; E-mail: pastorclam@yahoo.com; Tel: 08033033214
