“And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:1-3 NIV)
This is the real truth and not a historical replication of another person’s words; specifically not a repeated quote by a well-known reverend, another Dr. M.L. King. last night I had a dream. Let me back up a little bit. Let me give you the backstory, just a bit. I went to bed, not knowing what I would write to you today. As I lay awake I entertained several ideas, hoping for some Divine confirmation. My eyes got heavy after several house of contemplation, and I eventually fell asleep. I had no idea that the following words of a familiar song would be relevant, “Stayed awake all night, but that’s alright. Jesus will fix it, afterwhile.” Pause and take note: “Yes, He will!” Somebody needed to hear that particular reaffirmation this morning, but let me continue revealing what happened.
I have this dream. In the dream, I went to the church where I pastor. On the outside, everything looked the same. As I walked down the short educational wing, nothing had changed. But then I enter the sanctuary, and everything had changed. There were three sections of pews, one more than our existing two sections of pews. All three sections were so filled that people were literally sitting on top of each other. The choir stand had been expanded and it was filled with choir members in red robes. An additional choir was standing against the east wall, apparently waiting to show the other choir, “We can sing too!” The pulpit was so filled with preachers that I had to go squeeze into a pew. Nothing was starting on time. You who know me, can imagine I was doing one of those “HMJ.” Breath prayers in my dream. Yes, a “Help Me Jesus” prayer.
Let’s continue. I approach one of the preachers, not one the normal faithful ones who sit in our real-life pulpit but someone I had never met. I asked him when he was going to give the call to worship and/or the invocation. With an attitude and an awful look, this preacher amazed me, took off his robe and angrily departed from the church. I turned and asked one of the other preachers, another who I had never seen before, to give the call to worship. He replied to me, “We are waiting for another preacher to come in before we start, and when he arrives, he would do it.” I asked, “Am I not still the pastor?” The dream goes on. Finally, the mysterious new preacher showed up, and approached the pulpit as if he was the Lord Himself, entering Jerusalem as significant as the King of Kings on Palm Sunday. I’m fully outdone, obviously frustrated, and openly fighting my fleshly nature to act out of character…in this dream.
I sat through part of the service. I observe what is going on. I guess I could not stand it anymore because I wake up from my dream. I told you I had a dream! Maybe it was really a nightmare. For while I saw a bigger gathering of people, I also saw disobedience, a distinct rejection of authority, a display of pride as opposed to humility, and one more disgusting thing! During the entire “worship experience,” Jesus was not mentioned. I mean His name was not mentioned! His miraculous works were not mentioned! His mission to head toward Calvary and die for our sins was not mentioned! The pulpit was moved from the center of the raised platform to the side, as if God’s word was no longer the center focus of worship. Like I said, maybe instead of having a dream, I was having a nightmare.
I did not get up right away when I woke up. I sat there wondering if there was any meaning behind the dream. And as the Lord spoke to Moses and laid out that commandment above, “You shall have no other gods before me,” the meaning became clear and specific. Can I share it with you? Thanks for saying, “Sure” or “Please do!”
First, comparing the size of our church with the church in the dream, I concluded that bigger is not always better. Second, it was reaffirmed to me that God has placed members of the body just where He wants them and they must perform their roles, using the gifts by which He blessed them. Third, it was reinforced that the Lord must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. Fourth, church is not a social gathering, it is a saint gathering. Fifth, it was revealed to me that within the church and between churches, it is not a competition. Sixth, it was emphasized that you cannot have church without mentioning Jesus and all He did for us, to save us! Seventh, preaching is the center of worship! Well, seven represents complete. So this completes what obviously the Lord wanted me to write about this morning. Read this paragraph again. Keep in mind, don’t let anything get in the way of worshipping as the Lord has said. Okay? I’m awake now and I feel so much better! Have a great Thursday! Be blessed!
“You shall fear [only] the Lord your God; and you shall serve Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect] and swear [oaths] by His name [alone]. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the Lord your God who is among you is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His]—” (Deuteronomy 6:13-15a The Amplified Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King