The Pastor's Corner

The Best Seat in the House

sean@jmbc.us (Sean Collins) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:58:14 GMT

The best seat is where god wants us to sit...

Matthew 23:6 (NASB95) — 6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues,...

When we consider the idea of the “best seats,” we want the prime location at the event we will be attending. For example, when we attend a concert or sporting event, we want the seat with the best view! We don’t want to be in the nosebleed section.

While it doesn’t cost anything, the best seat on the night of your anniversary is the “display table!” It is where you can see everyone and everything. It’s away from the kitchen and the restrooms but it has a romantic view and it is private! These are the “best seats in the house!”

Surprisingly, “the best seats” even appear in Scripture! Jesus frequently addressed this topic when rebuking the prideful Pharisees, and it is echoed in James’ warnings about showing partiality during worship.

As we move to our context, I wonder what attitude we have as we consider “the best seats” in worship? Also, what even constitutes “the best seat?” Is “the best seat” near the back or is it near the front?

I wonder if we sit in the best seat to fulfill our weekly or monthly quota of attending church only to mark it off a checklist? In worship, what does “the best seat” mean to us? Is it about convenience for me or closeness to Him? Do we come ready to hear from the Triune God, eager to serve or are we distracted by other priorities and concerns of life?

At the close of his discussion with the Pharisees, Jesus summed it up this way, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” Thus, the “best seat” may be marked by our posture, not our position!

I am aware the best seat may be different for each one of us but just a few thoughts:

Maybe the best seat is sitting closer to the front to be prepared to participate in worship and hear the word more fully.
Maybe the best seat is sitting next to someone that you know has been struggling with pain, hurt, or sadness.
Maybe the best seat is helping a mom or dad with children or a senior saint get around more easily .
Maybe the best seat is sitting beside that person who you notice always sits alone.
Maybe the best seat isn’t sitting alone, it is getting out of your comfort zone and sitting with others.
Maybe the best seat isn’t a seat at all but a place of service.

Simply put, “the best seat” is where God wants us, not where we might feel most comfortable. I invite us all to consider what is “the best seat” for me, my family, and my church so that we will glorify God?

A Child of the King

sean@jmbc.us (Sean Collins) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:09:56 GMT

Perhaps, I am the only one! When I get discouraged, overwhelmed, and even frustrated, if I am completely honest, I turn the attention from Him and wonder about myself. Again, perhaps, I am the only one, but on the off chance there is someone else who struggles with this let’s remind ourselves what the Scripture says,

Romans 8:16–17 (NKJV) — 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

In case you missed it, Paul is saying that we are a child of the King!!! As children of the heavenly kingdom, we need to learn to enjoy and possess the rich spiritual blessings that belong to us as heirs of His riches.

Let us think on these things:

We have been justified and made acceptable to God
We have been adopted into God’s royal family
We have been given a citizenship in heaven
We possess the indwelling Holy Spirit
We have been placed into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love
We have a promise that the best is yet to come- a heavenly home

No matter your situation, no matter how great or small, no matter if you are rich or poor, if you have accepted Christ’s free pardon of sin, you are still God’s child.

Let this old hymn ring true:

My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full—He has riches untold.

My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men, once wandered o’er earth as the poorest of them; but now He is reigning forever on high, and will give me a home in heav’n by and by.

I once was an outcast stranger on earth, a sinner by choice and an alien by birth; but I’ve been adopted; my name’s written down—an heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there! Tho exiled from home, yet still I may sing: All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.

Chorus: I’m a child of the King! With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of the King!

The Power of Repentance in Our Worship

sean@jmbc.us (Sean Collins) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:57:32 GMT

Renewing our hope: The book of haggai

The opening verses of Haggai set the stage as it paints a picture of a people who have returned from exile and are tasked with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Yet, amid the grandeur of Babylon, where they lived, and the allure of personal pursuits, they failed to prioritize God's house and, ultimately, their worship. Instead, they pursued the wisdom of man saying, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt" (Haggai 1:2).

Sadly, this sentiment resonates with many today. Caught in the whirlwind of daily life, we may inadvertently sideline our spiritual commitments or place them on the back burner! Yet, Haggai's message penetrates our excuses as he cries out and challenges us to, "consider our ways" and repent (Haggai 1:5, 7). To combat the excuses, Haggai reminds the people that God has a purpose for them and they needed to return to Him!

First, he highlights the importance of them being the right people. The people who returned to Jerusalem were not a random assortment; they were individuals with a special devotion to the Lord, willing to forsake comfort and convenience for the sake of His house. Their example reminds us that God uses ordinary people, like us, with faith to accomplish His purposes. From Abraham to Paul, the Bible is full of flawed individuals whom God used mightily for his glory!

Second, Haggai emphasizes the people are in the right place. Jerusalem held a unique place in the hearts of God's people, symbolizing His presence. Similarly, our lives are anchored in specific contexts and places, where God calls us to be ambassadors of His grace and truth. Whether in the bustling streets of a city or the quiet corners of a rural area, our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the gospel and demonstrate God's love to those around us. Like the remnant who returned to Jerusalem, we must embrace our role in the places God has planted us and grow there!

Third, he draws our attention to the importance of the right project. The remnant wasted no time in prioritizing the reconstruction of the temple, demonstrating their commitment to God's work above their own interests. Their sacrificial giving and labor reflected a singular focus on honoring and pleasing the Lord. Just like the children of Israel, our lives should be marked by devotion to God's kingdom work through our willingness to work and witness, serve and sacrifice!

Finally, Haggai directs our attention to the right priorities. The people's initial zeal waned over time, as they became entangled in their own pursuits, neglecting the house of the Lord. Yet, God's admonition to "consider your ways" reverberates through the corridors of history, compelling us to reassess our priorities in light of eternity, repent, and seek to worship God above all!

In a world consumed by temporal pursuits and fleeting pleasures, we are reminded of the fleeting pleasure of earthly endeavors. Like the people of Haggai's time, we may sow much but reap little, unless our labor is aligned with God's will and His glory. As we reflect on the timeless truths of Haggai's prophecy, may we heed its call to repent and renew our worship. Let us be the right people, in the right place, engaged in the right project, with the right priorities. In doing so, we fulfill our ultimate purpose! What is the chief end of man? Answer: To glorify God and enjoy him forever! (WCF SC Question 1)