sanctuary is supposed to be a place of worship which is a holy place. When over 1/2 the congregation has a coffee cup in the sanctuary that's an ultimate form of disrespect to the Almighty One!! The whole place smelled like coffee. At each entry there was 4 coffee pots as well as 8 coffee pots inside the sanctuary. Not to mention there is an espresso machine in the main foyer as well . If you can't live without caffeine that's called an addiction. Hard to listen/respect a pastor who is sitting down and leaning on the podium while reading the Bible.
My family left 30 mins into service considering the lack of respect surrounding us. Been going to church my entire life and this place needs to actually read the word of God and what it means to show respect, honor, reverence to the house of God!!
WAYS WE SHOULD RESPECT THE HOUSE OF GOD
There is an old saying that says, "Don't tell me you love me, but show me that you love me." God doesn't just want us to tell Him that we love Him but God wants us to show Him that we love Him. God doesn't just want lip service but life service. (I. John 3:18), "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." How do we show respect for the house of God? By observing proper church etiquette. Etiquette is the customary rules for good manners, conduct, or behavior in a polite society. Church etiquette is the customary rules for conduct and behavior in the house of God. Etiquette is a word that we use to describe people who behave well at all times and in all places and treat others with respect. Etiquette in the church shows a reverence for God's presence, a concern for the feelings and well-being of fellow-believers, and others who are in attendance. We should honor the CHURCH BUILDING. Food or beverages should never be brought into the sanctuary and should only be used in the places designated as a way to honor God. We should treat God's property with respect. Do not write in the song books or use them to dispose of gum. The song book racks are not to be used to dispose of trash.
WITNESS OF RESPECTING THE HOUSE OF GOD
(Hebrews 11:1), "...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Believers who faithfully attend the house of God and observe proper church etiquette witness (give evidence and proof) of their respect for God, Word of God, and the House of God. Firstly, they give witness of their LOVE FOR THE SAVIOR (Ephesians 5:25c-27), "...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Secondly, they give witness of their LOYALTY TO THE SAINTS (I. Corinthians 12:12, 26), "For as the body is one and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." Thirdly, they give witness of their LIGHT BEFORE THE SINNERS (Matthew 5:16), "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
We need to respect -"to regard with honor; to have a high opinion of; to place a great value upon the house of God." If the house of God is not important to us who are saved and if practicing proper church etiquette is not important to us who are saved, it dishonors God and it is not going to be important to our children or to the lost community around us. read more