Coffee Time

Magnetic Poles, So what does that have to do with the tea in China? HBSMN is no longer on the BB--silly of you to ask him to respond. Want to try again?

 

Nope. You misread...I said I was SURPRISED he hadn't responded...never asked him to. Although I was not up on the fact that he is no longer around. Guess I missed the memo. It was goon natured chiding, nothing more.

So before you accuse me of silliness...read what I posted. I may be silly sometimes, but this ain't one of them.

 

Is it ok to have a cup of coffee in your personal worship time?

 

Well, it better be! (or surely I won't be the only one up a creek on that issue!)

 

Would you, could you, with a fox?
Could you, would you, in a box?
Would you have it here or there?
Would you drink it anywhere?
Would you drink it, Sam I am?
Drink it worshiping the great I AM?

With apologies to Dr. Seuss, now THAT IS silly!

 

Actually MP, I think that was quite a nice rendition :applause:

 

I think it boils down to legalism, just like wearing Church costumes. Can having a cup of coffee and a doughnut make you any less worshipful? I feel it makes visitors feel more at home when we tell them to go over and get a coffee and doughnut or piece of fruit.

 

If coffee offends God in coporate worship, then it should also offend him in private worship.

 

Well, I'm the only one that commented on having coffee during my personal worship. I wouldn't have a problem with it during corporate worship, but I don't think I could take a cup of coffee (or a bottle of soda) into the sanctuary. That is probably because I was taught not to take food into that particular room. (but I have brought a bottle of water in when I've had a scratchy throat.) We have worshipped in the FH where people were expected to eat. We've had outdoor services. I think the only issue I've got is taking food in the sanctuary. Traditionally we don't take food and drink in there. I don't have a clue what my pastor would do if we all walked in to the service with a cuppa.

(But please do not come into the media center with the books and computers. It's murder on them!)

 

I was raised in a church that it was considered a HUGE no-no to take any drink or food in the sanctuary.

I understand the mindset, and I have even felt the same thing at times. However, we have a pretty hard time supporting it Biblically. And also if coffee offends God...does a cup of water? Does a peppermint candy? Does a bottle for a young child?

 

But it's probably not God we are offending now is it?

Who is offended by the cup of coffee? Well, we know. The choice we have then is to make a decision if we want to keep it the way it is because the sanctuary is a special meeting place and we want to keep it special. Or because it has the best carpet and it's expensive to clean or the biggest room and takes the janitor the longest to clean. OR if we as a corporate body want to start a re-education campaign and weigh that against the pain it will cause some of our members.

 

Exactly!

I have no problem with a church having that "rule", but let's just be honest about it and not make it out like we are offending God in someway. I really don't think God needs or wants us setting human standards for Him and others.

Interesting topic...

 

Coffee does not belong in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is just as sacred as the Holy of Holies was to the priest.

The only thing taken into the Holy of Holies was the blood to be sprinkled upon the mercy seat.

Is the Sanctuary supposed to be a place of worship? or a lodge?

 

Scripture please?

 

Jesus said His Father's House is to be a House of Prayer. He did not say it was to be a coffee and doughnut hall.

 

Thanks, but I was looking for Scripture that said that sanctuary was as sacred as the holy of holies...

 

The holy of holies was OT, pre Christ, only accessible by the high priest once a year.

When the veil was torn, Christ gave access to God to all believers 24/7 with or without coffee.

The santcuary is the meeting place, not the holy place. The first church meetings were in homes, there were no sanctuaries. I'm sure drinks and food were probably served.

As Christ said, a time will come when you won't worship on this mountain or any mountain, but you will worship in spirit and in truth.

The real reason for keeping beverages out of the sanctuary is the mess.

 

While the Temple was standing and still had significance in God's economy Jesus made that statement. But on this side of the cross, Christians individually and cooperately are now the new temple of God (1 Cor 3:16, 17; 6:19).

In another place Paul says, "In whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21, 22, NASB). Note, "a holy temple" and "a dwelling of God" refer to believers, not a physical building.

It is sad how we have created a theology for a physical building, calling it "the sanctuary." The Scriptures sanctions no such.

 

It's not a sanctuary, it's an auditorium, a meeting place.

I wouldn't like to see folks swigging java during a service, but that's a personal thing with me, unsupported by specific scripture.

Is the spirit of God present on Monday when no one is worshipping there?

When the early Christians met in houses, the spirit of God may very well have been present. That doesn't make a house like the Holy of Holies.

Let's don't make a meeting room more than it actually is.

 

There goes the unbeliever! Can't have a non-Christian come to church if it's going to be like that!