InTouch November 2024

Dear Friends, 
You may have noticed that during the services  I sometimes ask someone to come up to the  front and do a reading. There are lots of reasons why I do that. I believe it’s good that others are able to take part in the service, it  helps me and it is good for those who do the reading. 

But have you noticed, that when I read I always conclude by saying “So reads the word  of God”? There’s no fast rule why I should, but I just want to remind folk that the words I have read are not mine but God’s Word. Yet, we would all agree that the reading of the  scriptures is crucial in any act of public worship. Remember how Jesus Himself knew the  importance of reading the Word of God in the  place of worship - Luke 4:16. 

I say this because I have heard that there are an increasing number of churches that no longer include reading the Word of God as part of their worship. Instead they have the singing portion and then the preaching part. But this is unbiblical. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13:

“Devote yourself to the public reading of  scripture”.

It is hard to misinterpret this clear instruction. 

However, I wonder how prepared we are when we listen to the scriptures being read out? Do we really believe there is power in the Word of  God simply being read out? I heard a testimony  of someone who was converted as he listened  to the Word of God being read publicly in a church and by a minister who didn’t even  believe the Gospel. He since has gone to  another church, but this tells us of the power of  God’s Word when it is read publicly. 

Apart from the obvious, the reading of God’s  Word helps us to be prepared for the preached  message. Yet, do not underestimate the power  of God’s Word when it is publicly read. It is a  pattern established with God’s people Israel,  Ezra 8, carried on by Jesus in the synagogue,  Luke 4, and continued by the early Church. 

Yours in Christ,  
​
Pastor

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