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(In the coming months I shall be busy with editing the Bible Dictionary in three volumes.-b)
Is another Bible dictionary really necessary? It would seem judging the dictionaries that are available these provide husks than meat. The name of the author sells and his celebrity status and numbers do count. The word of God is to be treated as Holy Writ and not as a piece of merchandise.
The Holy Spirit makes it plain: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:/That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Ti.3: 16-17)". How many books available now are prepared in strict adherence to the above? The present work is taken up to fill a void, and prepare a child of God to quit him like a man in this age of lawlessness. He sorely needs solid food from the word of God.
The adage 'child is the father of man' is very much true also in the making of a man of God. It is reasonable that a pedagogue relies as much on truth he knows by experience, and the trusting nature of the child does the rest. This is evident in the preceding verse of St Paul's epistle: 'And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (v.15)'. Hearing the word of God is not simply a matter for the ear. The sound one hears is processed elsewhere so it makes sense to him. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This time St Paul writing to the believers in Rome says this sound has been heard. Instead of being led astray from present topic we may believe that the ability of man to process what he hears is as natural as the night follows day.
Gospel of God when broken down to sounds makes sense and as St Paul puts it, "Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (Ro.10: 18,17)".
Thank YOU LORD JESUS for YOUR gift to the world. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to every one on this forum.
Numbers 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
December 20, 2023
I should have said utilizing the power of the Godhead wasn't exacted in Christ's earthly ministry as to Christ giving Himself any added benefits; wealth or comfort (any self seeking reason). He did many miracles but of course would pray giving God all the glory. In His first 30 years no miracles were indicated before His public ministry; and the first one turning water into wine perhaps was something He allowed before the other miracles. Reliance on the Spirit; of course is necessary for all of us; thus in His sinless earthly existance He was tempted but without sin; and had total dependance on God the Father and to be strengthened by angels; ministering through the power of the Spirit.
It perhaps is a novel thing just as much for us as for His disciples of old once resurrected; seeing Him ruling as King which is something no doubt they greatly desired when He first came. Maybe at that time we will understand the distinctions better between His role and that of the Father; which will probably be even clearer once He "hands over the Kingdom to the Father" ( 1 Cor. 15:24). To add another layer; we will rule and reign with Him; and David himself will once again be king along with Him as several scriptures indicate.
When considering the return of Christ from our perspective we look forward to the conquering King at His second coming (which in reality is at least His third appearance since He ascended from the grave as a sort of part b to His first appearing in the form of the Son of Man; and the Second Coming is split into the Rapture when He appears in the air and when He physically returns at Armaggedon being a sort of "fourth" coming).
Of course this term doesn't appear in scripture; nor does the Word "trinity". Rapture is what Harpazo means after translation to the term "rapturo" so it isn't in our English texts. In a broader context; Christ appeared in the Old Testament many times (known as a Christophene if it is spelled right). It would seem that the Preincarnate Christ would be there all times; in fact when the Lord communed with man; as no man can see God and live ( Exodus 33:20). The same could be said for Christ in all His glory; John fell at His feet as though dead in his encounter in Revelation ( Rev. 1:17-18).
It is truly profound to consider how Christ was reduced to the microscopic size of a human fetus; just as much as a virgin birth. Surely in that state the angels were protecting him; being part of the Godhead wasn't part of His earthly ministry ( Philippians 2:7) as He had to live as a substitute for us; but without sin as well as dying as our atonement as the perfect sacrifice. The fact that Christ died for His enemies is remarkable. How He took on our sins is incomprehensible as well; but this was God's plan from before the foundation of the earth.
May us all remember the verse Matthew 21:44 in regard to falling on Christ. When He returns He will fall on His enemies and crush all the empires of this world as foretold in Daniel 2:45. Let us fall down in worship and adoration today.
Agape. Rich P
I thank the brethren on this forum for their faithfulness and love for the word and the fellow saints. Stand and be encouraged for as GOD reminds us, this too will pass. These verses have helped me... Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; probably one of the hardest for me - Romans 8:28. And many more- I'm sure veteran saints on this forum can add others too.
It is difficult, but we are called to be a blessing to as many as possible without expecting any type of return - horizontally. Our blessing will come vertically, from above,
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Sorry Brethren! didn't mean to be preachy.
GOD to shine HIS blessed face on you and your family during this wonderful time of praising of our SAVIOR.
Merry Christmas and have a prosperous New Year!
December 20, 2023
Let us increase our prayer time, our reading of the Bible, and witnessing to the lost.
Thank you brethren for your faithfulness on this forum. GOD to shine HIS wonderful face on all the saints. Let us pray faithfully and diligently for the "apple of GOD'S eye", the peace in Jerusalem as well as in other war torn areas. The saints in Armenia and the LORD'S mission fields.
Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year every one. May the peace of GOD be upon you and your family.
Isaiah 9:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
We are encouraged to trust in HIS word and lift up our leadership in prayer. Our duty is to stand in the gap and make a hedge for all as we take the battle to the spiritual wicked in high places. Armour up saints, "...taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16
Let us all be prayed up as we go before the LORD'S throne of grace on the behalf of the peace in Jerusalem, the saints in Armenia, the need for spiritual wisdom in DC, courage in our pulpits to preach the whole counsel of the LORD GOD. Thank YOU FATHER for CHRIST'S salvation and our place in heaven.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year unto all on this platform. December 20, 2023
" The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
What do three measures of meal signify. The Spirit has given us a clue. Each measure of it signifies body spirit and soul respectively as you find Abraham does. One measure as adequate for each of the three. " And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth."(Ge.18:6) He sets it before Trinity and they did eat. "and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
The leaven in the Parable refers to the doctrine of Christ. our lives are hid in Christ 'till the whole was leavened'. It points our abiding life in Christ till 'that mortality might be swallowed up of life'.(2 Co.5:4)
Everlasting is implied by the Spirit when God renews covenant,"And I will establish my covenant with you," and the Spirit calls it ' God remembered Noah, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."(Ge.9:16)
By the same token the Spirit refers God tempted as in "that God did tempt Abraham,"(Ge.22:1). God wanted to bring to fore what was foremost hidden in Abraham. Bring to light his faith that remained untested do far. At the end God says, "for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." (22:12) 'Thine only son' is used as the heir of promise as in the case of his 'only begotten Son' referring to the Word become flesh. David as man after my heart has its own significance. David as a double for his Son, heart as double for soul in Trinity. We have such a wonderful document from God inexhaustible riches of his wisdom and power and it is a comfort to be able chew over it at all times.
In the beginning-Everlasting covenant between God and Man. The Lamb slain is set an emblem
In eternity- The throne of God and of the Lamb is the culmination of the Abstract set in Seven days.
on earth- God blesses Abraham,"and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."(Ge.12:3)
God confirms it in the plains of Mamre, " and, lo, three men stood by him"(Ge.18:2)
God 'tempts' Abraham demanding sacrifice. Isaac foreshadows Jesus Christ. "and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son."(Ge.22:1-13)
Jesus the Lamb of God. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."(He.10:14)
The Holy city of God- New Jerusalem in heaven. Those names written in heaven. "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:"(Is.4:3)
All those who received by faith Jesus Christ as their Savior and put their soul in his keeping has him as the Good Shepherd. The Throne of God and of the lamb (Re.22:1) is the proof.
Let us all put on the armor of GOD and go in to battle prepared against the spiritual wickedness before us.
GOD to shine HIS blessed face on all who are on this platform. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all in CHRIST JESUS name.
December 19, 2023
Even so LORD, come!
Luke 2:
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas to all on this platform, and have a prosperous New Year.
GOD to shine HIS face on all who love HIM.
December 19, 2023
What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people. Psalm 116:12-14
Psalm 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the Judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Praise the Lord
Isaiah 9
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous New Year to all who are on this platform.
December 19, 2023
"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning."
Key to unlock the meaning is to compare the spiritual with spiritual. Passage concerning the daughters of Zion in the previous chapter "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,"(Is.3:16) refers to the arrogance of Israel which is evident even now. The prophet refers to 'in that day' which is when the Son shall execute by the spirit of judgment upon the daughter for all the filth and blood they have caused to run on the streets. "The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses./What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? (3:14-15)
That day is the day of the Lord. "And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink."(v.24)
Daughters of Zion mentioned here are the virgins Re.14:3 " the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." These are mentioned in Is.4:3 "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." This is called New Jerusalem.
Isaiah uses Number 7 and it denotes fulfillment which is what the Son as the Judge shall exact. Seven is a tag as 144,000 (It is made up of 12x12x1000. Thousands refers to the last days when the Marriage of the Lamb is ready.
"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach." One Man is Jesus Christ. Their righteousness is their apparel Their bread is the spiritual body and their soul is the Son in Trinity. Man child (Is.66:6-7)
"What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" In the parable of Jesus the merchant man seeking goodly pearls found one pearl. "When he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."(13:45-46). The one pearl is Jesus Christ who gave himself as the man who found it in the Son who gave himself for him. A merchant trades thus giving up certain advantages and it applies both parties. The transaction is also fair since the soul of man is the 'inner man' or man child'. Since God breathed into Adam and made him a living soul his fallen state allowed the law of sin into the bloodstream of the world. Conversely when we received Jesus Christ as our Savior we came under the Law of the Spirit. There is no more condemnation applies to our soul. When Jesus the Good Shepherd speaks"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."( John 10:28).
Faith in Jesus Christ connects every believer so our soul is in his safekeeping. This is what faith with works mean. The Abiding life brings the Father also into the equation. I and my Father are one.( John 10:27-30)When we put on spiritual bodies our individual souls are represented by Trinity.While we groaned 'earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, ' our souls were being strengthened in our inner man by the indwelling Spirit. "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." (2 Co.5:1-5)
Serving God and mammon is what the heathens do. They will have to account for what they did to the soul. "the heart of the wicked is little worth."(Pr.10:20) Choose life as did the merchant in the parable, "And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
vv.1-9
Concerning his ministry Jesus was on his last lap moving towards Jerusalem. "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples"(16:21). He confided to his disciples what must occur there."How that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." The transfiguration is to be understood as a preview of the glory that awaited him. It was also an invitation to his disciples including Judas Iscariot, whom he knew would betray him. In his prayer he makes it clear. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept,"( John 17:12) Once again we read that they were to keep it a secret till his resurrection.
"Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,/And was transfigured before them."
Why three instead of 12 disciples? The Spirit has shown us the representative nature of Salvation Plan of God. Ro.5: the Spirit makes Jesus and Adam as representatives of the Law of the Spirit and law of sin respectively.The Number Three refers Trinity as well as a tag for the Son. The New Jerusalem is foursquare "On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates." and "On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates."(Re.21:16-21) We see four cardinal directions measurement of each as that of man and angel. Pearl symbolizes the soul of our spiritual bodies where man component refers to the Son. The Spirit helped us understand the mystery of one pearl of great price (13:45-46) New Jerusalem on the east has three gates and identical with the other three. The three pearls are as one. (Every several gate was one pearl-v.21)
If God willing I shall take up with this topic in the coming Year. May God bless you and keep you all in Jesus name, Amen.
I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine who is a young Pastor last week. In it; he was lamenting an individual who claimed that Christ died for him (or her). This was because the evidence of it through this person's behavior would indicate otherwise. It is indeed true and necessary that we all have a personal understanding and experience in regard to salvific faith and repentance granted in regard to being one of God's elect if indeed we are saved. Clearly "accepting" Christ as Lord isn't really doing anything beyond what demons do and shudder ( James 2:19). Confession with the mouth and belief in the heart must coexist ( Romans 10:9-10); it is more than just a verbal declaration of facts. Nonetheless there should be some understanding of the atonement; as well as evidence that the heart has been changed with the spirit convicting of sin; righteousness and judgment to come ( John 16:8). As the Lord states "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" ( Matt. 12:34 and other related verses in New and Old Testament). What John 3:16 is indicating is a state of belief; not merely a one time thing (as translated correctly). Enduring to the end shows that it isn't our own strength which brings about this result; since we all struggle with sin as long as we live ( 1 John 1:8). Nonetheless we have the capacity to live a life of Holiness; since greater is He within us than he who is in the world ( 1 John 4:4).
There are variations of strengths and weaknesses that we all have; some are steeped in doctrines but rather cold in affection towards God; others seem to be caught up in experiences at the expense of wisdom from the Word; and often they seem to have little grasp of repentance or deem it not worthy in very much discussion. There is ample substance in the Word for the Spirit to enlighten us; and any personal vision or dream must be subject to the Word; if in variance then it must be discarded.
MORE TO COME
"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,/And was transfigured before them"
"After six days" refers to v.28 in the preceding chapter, "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." This was a visual clue to the tabernacle, "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."(2 Co.5:1) The Number Seven signifies fulfillment, entering into the rest of God. This was entirely a preview for the three representing the twelve, indicating the nature of the Son of man coming in his kingdom. This anticipates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. It is one event to which time and place of generations of man is immaterial. So you and I have been included when the prophesy of Joel was fulfilled upon those who were assembled on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Within the generation of Jesus Christ (1:1) generations after generations, includes indwelling Spirit of St Paul identical with that of us, and it is what faith does.
By the same token what does transfiguration of Jesus signifies for us but what St Paul refers? "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."(2 Co.5:1-5)
There is no division here,- and death that Jesus referred in 16:28 is with regards to dissolution of our mortality, ie., earthly tabernacle.
Notice here the mention of the holy mountain referred in the epistle of St. Peter, "And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount." (1 Pe.1:18) Visually it connects with the mount in 5:1
Promise of God lay in the prophesy of Joel, which covered all flesh, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;/And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh'(Ac.2:16-17) This was a continual process and the ministry of Jesus began from the great light sprung up and lit over the people under the shadow of death. 'My Spirit upon all flesh required 'the little ones' whose childlike trust prepared them to share the kingdom building. Jesus demonstrated the kingdom of heaven coming on earth and the Spirit gives us a concrete imagery in 'keys of the kingdom' and whatsoever the disciples exercised faith and bound over as in the case of Elymas the sorcerer it was bound in heaven as well. The case of Paul and Barnabas was a proof to the significance of 'my Spirit upon all flesh'.
Without abiding in Christ and seeing the light by the true Light Simon Peter could have erred. Jesus was there to perfect the will of His Father and empower all believers as associates of Jesus Christ in kingdom-building.Simon Peter's concern arose from selfish reasons but the coming passion,-suffering and death on the cross covered all flesh. To stand athwart the predetermined will or to disobey it, was what Satan would have made a case for. Jesus calls Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me./ For thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
Jesus admonishes his disciple the doctrine of Christ which remained to be fulfilled in him. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."(5:17). His death and resurrection was bound up with it.
vv.25-28 "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death," referred to the day of Pentecost. (Ac.2)
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Firstly we shall examine the manner Jesus used it. "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"( Luke 13:18). Jesus used the passkey and it is called the finger of God. In the case of Moses it was the rod with which he stumped the magicians of Egypt who said,"Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God."(Ex.8:19). Jesus explained,"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (12:28) Finger of God in the case of the Son is faith that establishes his paternity,- DNA is faith, and when Moses did as was commanded of God, his rod was a substitute as good as any. The key is merely a label for faith. Jesus set an example for his disciples. Whatever he loosed whether on the Sabbath day or any other on earth was loosed in heaven. Jesus also promised,"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."( John 14:12). The context is about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit shall entrust everyone, an associate to the Son who from the right hand of the Most High, and their faith is the keys of the kingdom. Literal interpretation of the passage gave false shepherds to wrest control over His flock, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."(John10:1) Paul and Barnabas also could bind over Elymas, "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. "(Ac.13:11)
Jesus touched upon 'the keys of the kingdom' in v.19 to his disciples in general and was not a private instruction for the ears of Simon Peter alone. He felt it was necessary to enlarge their grasp as to what the Association initiated by him implied. In Luke 18 we read the passage where Jesus confides of his coming passion and death. "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."(18:31). Prior to this Jesus would have talked the matter of the keys and to Peter's query, 'Lo, we have left all, and followed thee' Jesus answers it in general terms, "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,/Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."(vv.28-29) The conversation was private for the sole reason that the enormity of the responsibilities regarding the kingdom building with their present level of understanding would be only met with a helper in heaven. Ch.16 in the Gospel of John was concerning the outpouring of the Spirit.
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer," Here Matthew is setting some important aspects of Jesus' ministry in a timely fashion as we find similarly in John setting a day,"At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."( John 14:20). Before Matthew leads us to the Transfiguration in 17:1-9 and spiritual bodies,-fulfillment of the divine Promise with such cataclysmic consequences, what does Simon Peter mean by harping on the physical aspect of saving his life,- and rightly so he was berated by Jesus for it "for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."(vv.23-25)
So true! Simon Peter would have haven surprised himself after he uttered it. The revelation came from the Father. I suppose it is what Jesus meant by 'launch out into the deep' ( Luke 5:5). I have felt on everyday basis in my Word ministry, as late as this morning. Only I need sit before my computer to blog my daily post and never have the Spirit let me down. Whatever I have read in the past and thought over, comes with fresh insight and it is what the Spirit does. Only I need keep faith that He shall never let me down.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus with Thomas asking that Your Spirit will be with him in His studies and exams helping him to study well and complete his exams with confidence and accuracy. We ask that You bring Thomas success and peace in the execution of these exams and in the waiting on his scores. Have Thomas pass all of his courses for this semester.
Amen.
I have been in Pentecostal churches that exercise spiritual gifts outwardly. I love the openness to the influence of the Holy Spirit among the congregation and the sense of freedom in worship.
I have been in churches that have contemporary services with worship bands. I love the singing of songs that express our love for the Lord to Him and, more so, that exalt who He is. The sermons are usually longer than in liturgical services, so there is more teaching from the pulpit, whereas teaching in liturgical churches usually occurs in the Sunday School hour (another tradition).
Some churches observe Advent with mid-week services, some have mid-week services every week, some have small group home bible studies, some have studies at the church during the weekdays, some have special programs aimed at children such as Awana or Royal Rangers, others have Youth ministries for Jr. Hi and High School ages. All of these added traditions are adaptations incorporated into the functioning of the church in different times and places. My sister in law from Africa says that they go to church on Sunday and stay there all I with meals and services in the morning and in the evening. Many have to travel a long way on foot so it isn't practical for them to go home and come back.
I do not think that these things are evil. I think that they can be helpful to those who utilize them in the exercise of their faith, worship, and ministry to others. However, we do need to be careful not to hold these traditions as more important or binding than the Scripture nor to be unwilling to change traditions that become outmoded.
There was a time in the church where singing was only acapella without music, times where there was chanting, times where instrumentation were introduced with piano or organ accompaniment, a time when choirs became normalized, and in our generation, worship bands near or on the place of the altar platform.
We just need to be prayerful and open towards God and His work