Don’t Sing To Me Of Anything

There was a church where the preacher and the song leader were not getting along. As time went by this began to spill over into the worship service. The first week the preacher preached on moving forward and letting go of the past. The song leader led the song "I Shall Not Be Moved". When he preached on how we should pay our debts, the song leader led "Jesus Paid it All". When he preached on gossip, the song leader led the song "I Love to Tell the Story."

With all this going on, the preacher became very disgusted and told the congregation during the evening sermon that he was considering resigning. The song leader led "Oh Why Not Tonight"? As it came to pass, the preacher did indeed resign. The next week the preacher informed the church that Jesus was leading him elsewhere; the song leader led "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".

This may be a funny story but in reality when brothers bring their personal differences into the worship, it's not very enjoyable for anyone. In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus tells us "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Don’t try to worship your God when there is something between you and your brother.

The times of worship are no place for digs and insults. I'm always shocked when I hear of preachers that take shots at people from the pulpit. I cringe when I hear people use public prayer to list others inadequacies. If there was ever a time and place to set aside our personal differences, it’s when we bow ourselves before God. Your relationship with other brothers in Christ will affect your relationship with God ( 1^st John 4:20). Don’t bring your fight to church!

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