The view from the pulpit is often interesting. People are so used to watching unresponsive TV and computer screens that they forget preachers can see them! After a while, the unexpected becomes the commonplace and they are able to keep composure though “the wall come tumbling down.”

When Christians gather for worship on the Lord’s Day, something special happens. Their common bond is strengthened as in concert they pour out their hearts’ gratitude to their Savior. It is a time of worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1), rejoicing (Psa.118:24), examination (2 Cor.13:5) and fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). It is the week’s beginning and the week’s highlight – nothing else done in the nest hundred fifty or sixty hours equals it. We understand why Paul once delayed a journey for seven days so he could worship the Lord on the Lord’s day with the Lord’s people (Acts 20:6-7).

People of all ages are usually present: babies, children, teens, young adults, families, singles, empty-nest couples, senior saints, and widows/widowers. Each comes to express a common love for an uncommon god; each feels a universal thirst for eternal Truth. While worship is formal and congregational, it is neither cold nor impersonal (in “spirit,” John 4:24). Personalities are involved, and that can make it interesting. This past Lord’s Day we had an uncommon service. You should have see what happened…

A BABY CRIED. Occasionally someone frowns when a child cries during services, but most of us smile. Good mothers (fathers) recognize the need to take a child out to avoid disturbing others, but we don’t want them to feel self-conscious. We are glad is happens! What is no baby had cried Sunday? It would have meant there no babies there – for all babies cry! No church wants to be that quiet – a tomb is quieter than a nursery, but who wants to worship in a cemetery?! A church without children is a church with its best days behind instead of ahead. If no babies had cried on Sunday, it might also have indicated that parents saw no need to train the next generation in the Lord’s ways (Eph. 6:4). Good parents want their children to learn about god from their first Sunday on planet earth. They do not want them to even be able to remember the first time they came to worship. We know they will eventually learn to be quiet, but for now we’re glad to hear them.

A SISTER LEFT EARLY FOR WORK. In a perfect world, all businesses would close so that every person could exalt the name of God in worship each Lord’s Day (Psa. 34:3). It will be that way in heaven, but it is not that way on earth. Christians are sometimes forced to make decisions. This sister had to be at work before the service ended… what to do? She could have skipped and told others she “had to work,” She could have slept in, had plenty of time to get ready, left in time to avoid traffic, and got a bite to eat before her shift. But she chose to get up early, be in Bible class, sing song to the Lord, open her heart to Him in prayer, thank Him for Christ’s sacrifice during communion, give Him part of lasts weeks check, and listen to His Word. She sat toward the back so as not to disturb others when she exited a few minutes before the sermon ended. Therefore, not everyone saw her “sermon on priorities” (Matt.6:33; Col.3:1-2), but it did not go unnoticed in heaven.

PAGES RUSTLED. As the herald “preached the word” (2 Tim.4:2), hearers “searched the scriptures to see whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Far from offending him, it was music to his ears. Jesus found “the place where it was written” (Luke 4:17), and so should we. Some may joke that their favorite wards in a sermon are “in conclusion,” but most Christians are thirsty for the Word (1Pet. 2:2) and “hungering after righteousness” (Matt. 5:8). They bring their Bibles, and mark their Bibles, memorize their Bibles, and live by their Bibles.

A SISTER NODDED. No one except the evangelist probably noticed, but a faithful sister nodded in a agreement with a sermon point. She would not speak out to say “amen’ like her husband (1Cor. 14:34); 1Tim. 2:11), but she encouraged the preacher just as much without saying a word. “Nods” also help others in the audience to know that the sermon is expressing both the preachers convictions and those of other Christians.

A CHILD TOOK NOTES. Any parent knows that “out of the mouths of babes” come profound statements. Often “a little child has led” God’s people (cf. Is. 11:6) Most churches can point to some young people whose example is worth imitation by those much older (1Tim. 4:12). Last Sunday a child was interested enough to take notes (cf. 1Tim:3:15). There is nothing so unusual about that- when a visual aid is used (old time sheet charts or modern power point presentations), little eyes are always paying attention, and little hands are often copying those words down. They may not fully comprehend these concepts, but the seed is planted, the foundation is laid, the base color is on the canvas. One day fruit will ripen, the structure will stand, and the painting will be perfected. And, these very notes may become fresh classes and sermons for another generation of children. Some in pulpits now still occasionally use notes written with childish letters on yellowing paper. These have been “born again” into lessons for those who were not even born when the notes were first taken. The Truth never ages; it only needs recycling.

A Christian worship for the first time. Baptized on Tuesday, a young man offered God acceptable worship for the first time Sunday. God cleansed him from sin, set him in the church, and watched with interest as he bowed his soul in adoration (Acts 22:16; 1Cor. 12:28; John 4:24). If the Lord delays His return, and his days are prolonged, that is probably only 1 out of 10,000 times he will offer public worship to His Creator (John 4:24; Heb. 10:25), but it will never mean more to God or Him than this first service. It was a beautiful first step on a long journey … the opening note to a grand symphony.

TEARS FLOWED. Christian love of the finds itself expressed in both laughter and tears, as it did with Jesus and the early Christians (Luke 19:41; Acts 20:37). God’s Word touched good and honest hearts and souls responded Sunday to the Lord’s invitation. Joyful tears flowed over “one sinner that repents” (cf. James 5:16, 19, 20).

That is what happened on Sunday! Insignificant? You be the judge!!

Copied from an article by Allen Webster

Think about it !!! Mike