Blog: Max Dawson
February 11, 2016
Someone told me the following story a long time ago.
There was a church where the preacher and the song leader were not getting along. Their contention began
to spill over into the worship service. One Sunday morning the crowd was a little thin, so the preacher asked everyone to move closer to the front, so they could all sit together. The song leader then led the song, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”
A week later, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The song leader then led the song, “Nothing To Thee I Bring.”
The next Sunday morning, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The song leader then led the song, “I Love To Tell The Story.”
The preacher became very disgusted over the situation, and so that Sunday evening he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The song leader then led, “Oh, Why Not Tonight.”
And so it came to pass, that the next week the preacher resigned. He informed the church that it was Jesus who led him there and it was Jesus who was taking him away. The song leader led the song, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
THE FINAL WORD
I suspect that the above story didn’t really happen. It’s a silly story, but it is funny. And there are a couple of lessons that can be gleaned from this tale.
First, it points out that songs have a message. Those messages impact us and our worship. Most of us will be gathering for worship this coming Lord’s Day. The song leader will direct us in songs that have been chosen for our edification and for God’s praise. Let’s think about the messages of those songs. And let us sing with our hearts from the depths of our souls as we honor God.
The second lesson has to do with brethren getting along with each other. What was their contention about? Had they sat down with one another and honestly tried to work through the problem? It continues to upset me (and I suspect it also upsets the Lord) that Christians do not follow the instructions (commands) Jesus gave for handling personal conflicts.
If you are interested in learning from Jesus how to handle things like this, then read and . These two texts place responsibility on both parties–on the offender and the offended–to go to the other seeking to reconcile.
Who should go first? That is, who should take the first step? If both are following Jesus, they would both meet on the way to see the other. Both are equally responsible to act.
No excuses! No arguments about why this won’t work. Just be a disciple of Jesus!
Just do it!
Blessings,
–Max