Posts Tagged ‘praise’

The Presence of Worship

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

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INTRODUCTION

Last week Pastor Marshall began a series on worship, entitled “Worship is Essential”. He began with the first message in the series dealing with the Priority of Worship if you didn’t get a chance to hear the first message in this series then I encourage you to get a copy of this message either online via our website or you can request a CD a the welcome desk on your way out.

Today I’m going to be sharing the second message in this series.

Looking in Webster’s dictionary you’ll find this first definition for worship, “reverence, homage or honor paid to God” Then it goes on to say that the word is also used to refer to a place where this reverence, homage, etc. paid to God is given.

If you were to ask people what the word worship meant you would get a large variety of responses. Some might agree with Webster, some might say it is when you sing songs to God, some might say it is going to church, some might say it is when you place money in the offering plate. The reason why you would get such a large number of different answers is because the word “worship” is used in so many different contexts. While preparing this message I tried to think of all the ways in which I’ve used worship. I’ve said, “Let’s worship God together now” (in reference to singing praises); “Let’s worship God with our tithes and offerings”; “I worship you Lord”; “Why don’t you come and worship God with us” (while inviting someone to our church).

While looking closely at the contexts in which the word worship is often used I found that we often use this word to refer to an action we do – whether it is singing a chorus, going to church, placing money in an offering plate, raising our hands – etc. However I believe that scripture teaches us that worship is so much more than these things. In fact, you can be doing all these things and still not be entering into the place of true worship

I like what Robert Webber wrote about worship,

ILLUSTRATION:
We need to let go of our intellectual idea of worship and realize there is more to worship than a sermon; we have to let go of our evangelistic notion of worship and reckon with the fact that worship is not primarily directed toward the sinners who need to be converted; we must let go of our entertainment expectations and remind ourselves that we are not in church to watch a Christian variety show. We have gathered together in worship to be met by God the Almighty. God, the Creator of the universe, the One who sustains our lives, our Redeemer and King, is present through proclamation and remembrance. He wants to communicate to us, to penetrate our inner self, to take up residence within us. And, as we go through the experience of meeting with him in this mystical moment of public worship, we are to respond. But response is not just singing a hymn, not just saying a creed, not just saying a prayer. Response, from the very beginning of worship to the end, must be a powerful inner experience of actually being in the presence of God. When we sing a hymn or say a confession or prayer, we are not singing or saying words, but expressing a feeling, bringing our souls, truly responding and communicating to the living and active presence of a loving and merciful God. (Worship is a Verb, by Robert Webber, pg.114)

Today I want to talk about the presence of Worship. Worship really is about presence.

WORSHIP IS ABOUT PRESENCE

 acknowledging and reverent of the presence of God (Worship recognizes God’s presence)
 your presence before Him…. (Worship itself is a presence…)

For our text today I want to take another close look at a scripture that Pastor Marshall referenced last week. I believe we have here a story that has much to teach us about the presence of worship.

36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is–that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)

PRAY

The presence of worship is BIRTHED from the RECOGNITION OF who JESUS is (who the Father is, who the Holy Spirit is).

There is an incredible contrast in this Luke’s account of this event in Jesus’ life. A contrast between a guy named Simon (who happened to be a religious leader) and this unnamed woman (who is described as “immoral” a “sinner”).

• Something interesting: The Pharisee is said to have invited Jesus to his house for dinner…
 He didn’t wash Jesus feet (a basic form of hospitality)
 He didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with oil (a basic form of hospitality)
 He considered that Jesus’ may be a prophet or at most a teacher…but certainly not who Jesus claimed to be. Evidence is in how the Pharisee received Jesus.
• The woman was uninvited yet…
 She washed Jesus feet with her own hair
 She anointed his feet with not any oil but a COSTLY oil.
 She considered Jesus her Saviour. Evidence is in how Jesus received her.

When first looking at this scene, it’s easy to ask, why did the woman come to Jesus? Sure, she heard about him being at the Pharisee’s house and so she made the effort to go there and do her act of worship….but what really prompted her decision to make that effort? A clue is the story of two debtors that Jesus shared with Simon. Something had happened in this woman’s life, or she had witnessed something that opened her eyes to who Jesus is and she believed it. This faith, this understanding birthed the presence of Worship in her heart which resulted in this extravagant expression of her worship.

Listen to me, the presence of true worship is birthed in the recognition of who Jesus is – everything else is idolatry or pseudo-worship. True worship is all about Him. Idolatry or pseudo worship is all about what we can get out of it. True worship is all about God, all about recognizing who Christ is, the God of love, the God of mercy, the majestic God, God of grace, God of justice.

This presence of worship can be expressed in many different ways because it’s based in the heart of recognizing who God is. But remember, that whatever the expression of worship is it always, always, always points to Him!

Here in this story we have Simon inviting Jesus’ with the goal of discovering what this Jesus might be able to do for him, or perhaps what kind of danger this Jesus’ might pose to his position. The Pharisee was more concerned about what Jesus might do then who He is. Contrast the response of Jesus to this uninvited woman who is extravagant in washing Jesus with her hair her tears and anointing Him with the expensive perfume. An expression of what was birthed in her heart, true worship – because she saw who Jesus is! Friends, when you understand, recognize who Jesus is – you can’t help but worship Him!

{show “That’s My King” video)

Listen to me, sometimes, most times, worship isn’t really about ushering the presence of God into the sanctuary or the place where we are but more about ushering us into the presence of God…the woman, she didn’t usher Jesus’ into her presence via the expression of her worship…in honoring Him she was ushered into His presence.

The presence of worship COMPELS us to GIVE SOMETHING of OURSELVES

Worship always involves to some degree the giving of something as an expression of worship – a contribution of who you are, your life for the one you worship. What is significant in reading this story is that when this woman came to express her love for Christ, she not only poured out this expensive perfume but she had also come into this hostile territory, the home of a religious leader who knew her background, who knew her immorality and no doubt had reminded her of her failings many times. This woman faced the risk of being shut out, the risk of being rejected to humble herself and not only wash the feet of Jesus (and bring honor to Him who had been dishonored), but she humbled herself in washing His feet with her own hair, with her own tears. What an INCREDIBLE picture of the sacrifice made in Worship.

The thing about this giving in worship is that is not something giving unwillingly, or begrudgingly, or in agony. It is a willing gift because of the recognition of WHO you are giving to and what He has already given.

This means then, that the expression of our Worship isn’t confined to place or position. We may express this worship when we give…

• in singing praise to Him on Sunday’s
• in praying for someone in need
• in doing our job through the week to the best of our ability as if we were working for the King
• in the giving of our time to serve where He gives us passion to serve.
• In loving our spouse, our kids, our family as He loves us.
• In directing our resources where we see the need (because He has shown us that need)
• In being a friend to someone who doesn’t have a friend.

Really, every day presents us with opportunities to worship our king. It is entirely possible for our lives to be an expression of worship to Him. And it is when we truly recognize who God is. In fact, this is exactly what Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) wrote to the church in Rome in Romans 12:1,

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1 (NLT)

You know what’s interesting? Paul chose to introduce himself to the Roman church at the beginning of this letter as “a slave of Christ”. This follower of Jesus wasn’t just preaching to the church He was living what He taught.

The other thing we learn about the presence of worship from this woman at the feet of Jesus is…

The Presence of true worship brings a TRANSFORMATION

Among the transformation that happens in one worshipping is ….

…a transformation of perspective
True worship transforms your perspective on who Jesus is. It transforms your perspective on who you are (this woman knew she was a sinner, she realized what wasn’t right in her life but she also knew the only one who could do something about that was Christ)
• transforms your perspective on the future
• transforms your perspective of your problems.
• transforms your perspective of your pleasures.

...a transformation of position.
• the presence of worship changes your position from being someone far from God to being someone close to God.
• Interesting that Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace”. Her position was changed from being someone outside the kingdom, to being a citizen of the Kingdom of God – from being ungodly, to a daughter of the King.
• What I said earlier about worship doesn’t usher the presence of God into the sanctuary or where we are but rather we are ushered into His presence!

…a transformation of purpose (from death to life).
• not concerned about what you get out it, but the Glory He gets.
• Your very life becomes an instrument of worship. There is purpose to everything you do.
• Invest in His kingdom rather than Your kingdom.

Sometimes this transformation in the life of a worshipper of Jesus occurs over a period of time, sometimes it is instantaneous – complete in that moment. But here’s the cool thing, sometimes the transformation brought about by the presence of worship happens even to those not worshipping! This is one of the reasons why I believe corporate worship is so incredible…when the presence of worship is birthed in our hearts and it is expressed in the gathering of God’s people – those who are present, who don’t know who God His, who are not yet Christ-followers, may be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the midst of worshippers! That is so AWESOME!!

Why does this transformation take place? Because true worshippers are ushered into the presence of God and sometimes a few people will get brought along with them…

(If time reference the story of Paul and Silas in Jail – Acts 16)

CONCLUSION

So why are we teaching on worship? Why this focus on worship? Because I think sometimes we get trapped in this wrong idea of what worship is all about and stuck in the routine and familiarity of tradition and behavior where we’ve allowed our “worship’ to become nothing but a cheerleading club. The only way we break free from that mentality and that behavior is to be reminded, to open our eyes, to unlock our hearts and RECOGNIZE who Jesus is, to ACKNOWLEDGE who He is! To respond with the gift of ourselves and allow His life and His presence to transform us!

I think it’s awesome how things have worked out so that we are having communion this morning. Communion serves as a great reminder of who CHRIST IS! Those distributing the emblems of communion can make they’re way up to the front now to do so. As the emblems of communion are being passed out I want us to watch this video clip called, “the gift of Worship”

PRAY

BLESSING (from Hebrews 13:20-21)
20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

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Jailhouse Praise

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

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Jimmy and Dave found a sink hole that seemed to appear out of nowhere one day. The hole was on a path they usually traveled to go to Mr. Earl’s pond where they would fish for sunfish and perch. In the summertime they traveled that path often and the day they found the hole, they knew it was a new one because it was right in the middle of the path.

Being typical boys, their first instinct was to look in the hole and see just how deep it really was. It was too deep and dark for them to see anything, but if they yelled real loud they would get an echo that was better than those you would hear out at the Grand Canyon.

However, the fun level soon dropped dramatically after a long period of hollering in a hole and the two boys now turned their attention to checking the depth of the hole by dropping things into the limestone darkness.
It was a very scientific process. They would drop a rock into the hole and count the seconds until they heard the rock hit the bottom. There was only one problem. The hole was so deep they could not hear the rock hit the bottom.

Their fun now turned into work as they dropped huge boulders, tree stumps, and whatever they could find into the sink hole, still with no success of hearing a sound from their efforts.

They were now desperate to find a bottom to the hole. As they looked for larger items to push into the sink hole, Jimmy found a railroad tie in the undergrowth near the path. The two summer tanned boys with all their might dragged and pushed the railroad tie to the hole and slowly let it fall into the darkness. As they waited for the sure sound of a crash to the bottom, they were amazed at the sudden appearance of a white goat running from the undergrowth where they found the railroad tie. The goat ran right past the startled boys and went immediately into the darkness of the sink hole.

In total shock Jimmy and Dave moved slowly to the edge of the hole and looked in. All they saw was settling dust, darkness and heard absolutely nothing.

From behind them, Mr. Earl was coming up the well traveled path and as he approached the now pale boys, he asked them if they had seen a goat along the way.

“Funny you should ask,” said Dave with his eyes as large as china saucers. “We have just seen a goat and it did the strangest thing, too!”

“Yeah,” answered Jimmy and pointing to the hole in the path, “A goat just ran out of those woods over there and jumped in this hole for no apparent reason, less than a minute ago.”

Seeming somewhat confused Mr. Earl smiled at the boys and said, “Well, that must not have been my goat. You see, my goat was tied with a long rope to a railroad tie.” (Tenessee Farm Bureau, September 2000)

That’s funny, huh? While this supposedly true story gleaned from the September 2000 issue of the Tennessee Farm Bureau is hilarious it also points out how dangerous sink holes can be…

In 1993 a 100 foot wide sink hole opened up under a hotel parking lot in Atlanta Georgia that killed two people and destroyed four dozen cars. On July 14 2001, after 4 days of severe rains in Hernando County Florida, eighteen sinkholes, the largest of which measured eighty feet across and over one hundred feet deep opened up in a two day period. No one was injured but one emergency worker narrowly escaped injury when the earth sank beneath him as he was clearing debris with a backhoe.

The holes in our lives we have labeled depression, anger, weariness, fairness, loss and brokenness, may not open as suddenly as sink holes but they are as dangerous and sometimes as deep. And, whether you are a person caught in the throes of depression or a goat tied to a railroad tie, they can be easy to fall into, mighty difficult to climb out of and especially hard to fill to prevent further falling.

Our text for today speaks about the incredible hole that Paul, Silas and company found themselves in while serving God in Philippi. No doubt for the average person, for most of us, if this happened to us this hole would have broke us. Yet how on earth could a beaten man sing songs and praise God? The reality is that it is possible in midst of our worst situations for God to fill us with praise. Our response is to praise the Lord, to let out what HE has placed within. It is better out than in!! The Apostle Paul knew there was power in praise, so lets look and see just what Praising the God can do, because I believe friends – that no matter what holes we happen to stumble across in life the key to climbing out of those holes and filling them up is found in simply understanding the power of praise…

THE POWER OF…

I. Praising the Lord brings reality into focus

A. Reality is not necessarily just what’s on the surface!
1. The Apostle Paul’s present condition: Tell the whole story as found in our text. Focus on the negative (Verses 19-24).

2. What might be our present circumstances: good or ill?


B. Reality is and should be focused on God!
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 (NIV)

Note the Apostle Paul’s reaction to his circumstances (verse 25!)

Acts 16:25 (NIV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

No wonder Paul later wrote in the introduction to his letter to the Philippians,

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

No matter what we face in life, the believer has the assurance of the reality of God’s presence. Forgetting that reality makes it easy to succumb to despair and hopelessness – remembering this leads to gratefulness and praise.

The power of praising the Lord brings Reality into focus.

THE POWER OF…

II. Praising the Lord brings freedom from bondage (vv. 26)

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.– Acts 16:26 (NIV)

A. Praise brings about supernatural EVENTS.
Listen carefully… because Paul and Silas sang Hymns of praise, God had an open avenue into their circumstances.

There was a violent earthquake, the prison doors flew open and the chains fell off. Is this a natural occurrence?

Do you remember the story of the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6: 6-20; especially verses 6, 14, and 20)?

Joshua 6:6,14,20 (NIV)
6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

What caused the walls to fall, 7 days of Marching around the city? Was it 7 days of the 7 priests blowing trumpets? OR WAS IT THE PRAISE OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY SHOUTED TO THE LORD? AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN!

B. Praise brings personal freedom!
Paul’s chains fell off!
- Talk about emotional freedom (Paul and Silas could have been held in bondage to fear, bitterness, rage, depression, self-pity, anger etc.)

Not only does praise bring personal freedom in affecting individuals but also…

C. Praise brings corporate freedom
Every one in the prison was now free! Good and Bad are freed! People who knew Christ as Lord were Freed! People who had just heard the Praise of the living God were Freed!!

Is amazing to me but when you Praise God you are not only ushering in personal freedom but YOU are also having an affect on those around you.

The Power of Praise brings freedom from bondage!

THE POWER OF…

III. Praising GOD is a vehicle of salvation to the lost

27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
– Acts 16: 27-36 (NIV)

A. Praise brings questions!
One of the most famous question in all of Scripture: “What Must I Do To Be Saved (Verse 30)?”

A man in fear for his life had seen some incredible things on third shift. Beaten, imprisoned men sang about a Savior. Something supernatural had happened. God became real and this jailer did not know this God

What example do we set? Does it cause anyone to notice at all, or do we just complain and gripe like the rest of the world? How do we respond to the struggles of life – in faith or in frustration? If we pull a “Job” or a “Paul & Silas”, we will respond in faith and others will see and ask the most important question of their entire life: “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” – What must I do to climb out this hole that I am in? What must I do to fill the hole in my life? What can I do to experience that joy in my life?

B. Praise reveals the answer!
When Paul replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (verse 31), was he just blowing smoke, or did he BELIEVE IT?

WHAT HAD JUST TRANSPIRED IN HIS OWN IMMEDIATE LIFE?!? He had just been saved! There is a physical and a spiritual dimension here. Paul found Jesus on the road to Damascus, (Acts chapter 9) and he believed in Him. Now, not only was Paul physically saved from death and imprisonment, but how do you think his faith was effected by this miracle? Paul was living proof of what Jesus can do!

What was the net effect? Not only did the jailer come to know the Lord, his whole family was freed from the bondage of sin and death. Personal and corporate Salvation was experienced by the Lost!

One Last thought: look at verse 34. Read between the lines. What do you believe to be the response of our New Convert to the faith? I believe he PRAISED THE LORD!

Acts 16:34 (NIV)
34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole family.

CONCLUSION

What keeps you from praising the lord with your whole life? What keeps you from being a living model of praise so that the world might know? Are you willing to praise the Lord even in the midst of the holes you find yourself in?

The Power of Praise brings reality into focus, brings freedom from bondage, and is a vehicle of salvation…

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease.

During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren’t enough, her husband’s company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What’s worse, Sandra’s friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.

“She has no idea what I’m feeling,” thought Sandra with a shudder.

Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an air bag that saved her life but took that of her child?

“Good afternoon, may I help you?” The shop clerk’s approach startled her.

“I….I need an arrangement,” stammered Sandra.

“For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving “Special?” asked the shop clerk. “I’m convinced that flowers tell stories,” she continued. “Are you looking for something that conveys ‘gratitude’ this Thanksgiving?”

“Not exactly!” Sandra blurted out. “In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.”

Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.”

Then the door’s small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, “Hi, Barbara…let me get your order.”

She politely excused herself and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses; Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

“Want this in a box?” asked the clerk.

Sandra watched for the customer’s response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed.

“Yes, please,” Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn’t be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again,” she said as she gently tapped her chest.

“Uh,” stammered Sandra, “that lady just left with, uh….she just left with no flowers!”

“Right, said the clerk, “I cut off the flowers. That’s the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.”

“Oh, come on, you can’t tell me someone is willing to pay for that!” exclaimed Sandra.

“Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel today,” explained the clerk. “She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery.”

“That same year I had lost my husband,” continued the clerk, “and for the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.”

“So what did you do?” asked Sandra.

“I learned to be thankful for thorns,” answered the clerk quietly. “I’ve always thanked God for good things in life and never to ask Him why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always enjoyed the ‘flowers’ of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend had tried to tell her. “I guess the truth is I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.”

Just then someone else walked in the shop.

“Hey, Phil!” shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man.

“My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement…twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems,” laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

“Those are for your wife?” asked Sandra incredulously. “Do you mind me asking why she wants something that looks like that?”

“No…I’m glad you asked,” Phil replied. “Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord’s grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she learned from “thorny” times, and that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific “problem” and give thanks for what that problem taught us.”

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special.”

I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life,” Sandra said to the clerk. “It’s all too…fresh.”

“Well,” the clerk replied carefully, “my experience has shown me that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don’t resent the thorns.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment.

“I’ll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please,” she managed to choke out.

“I hoped you would,” said the clerk gently. “I’ll have them ready in a minute.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?” Sarah asked.

“Nothing; nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first.”

It read:

“My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the life I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.”

Praise Him for your roses, thank him for your thorns. (quoted on the website, Motivating Stories)

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“But” Worship

Sunday, June 2nd, 2002

Read at beginning of service:

Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

INTRODUCTION

- Give background to text from 2 Kings 17:1-23

  • In 2 Kings 17:1-6 we have the account of the last king of Israel named Hoshea), he reigned nine years.
  • Verse 2 describes him as doing evil in the eyes of the Lord but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him ? nevertheless we learn that Shalmaneser (the king of Assyria) discovered Hoshea was a traitor, had him seized and put in prison.
  • Shalmaneser laid siege to Samaria (capital of Israel) for 3 years and then captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. These Israelites were divided and settled in various cities and towns of the empire of Assyria.
  • In 2 Kings 17:7-23 we are given the reason for Israel?s capture and exile by the Assyrians.
  • The main reason given for this is they had sinned against the Lord their God (v7-8) The nature of their sin was:
  • They worshipped other gods
  • They followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.
  • They secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right (v9)
  • They built high places in all their towns.
  • They built idols and burned incense and “sacred” places to other Gods on every high hill and under every spreading tree.
  • They did wicked things that provoked the Lord to anger.
  • They ignored the warnings to Israel and Judah made by all of God?s prophets and seers (v13)
  • The people are described as stiff-necked because they would not listen. Stiff-necked is a condition described as not trusting in the Lord their God (v14)
  • They rejected the decrees God had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them.
  • They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.
  • They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do,” and they did the things the Lord had forbidden them to do.
  • They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole.
  • They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshipped Baal.
  • They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire.
  • They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord provoking Him to anger (v. 17)
  • The result? “So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence” (vs 18)
  • “Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.” (vs. 20)

- Then we come to our text for this morning. The Israelites are in captivity in Assyria and the king replaces them with imported captives from other countries. He settles these people into Samaria, the main province of Israel at that time.

(Read 2 Kings 17:24-41)

In this passage there is one thing that really stood out the first time I read it:

2 Kings 17:32-33 (NIV)

32 They worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. 33 They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

  • They worshiped the Lord, but?

Here we have in these verses of chapter 17 a description of the worship of these newly settled people and I believe that there are several characteristics of this worship that we must take note of. In light of the particular emphasis placed on verse 32 and 33 I would ask you the question, “How might the Samaritan?s worship compare with our worship of God today?” In some cases, the comparisons may be a little too close for comfort!
How much of our worship includes the word “but”? “I?ll worship the Lord but in my way, in my time, and when it?s convenient?”

What is it that leads to “but” worship??

Looking at the Samaritans we find that?

THEIR WORSHIP WAS RESTRICTED BY SELF SEEKING PURPOSES


2 Kings 17:25-26 (NIV)25 When they first lived there, they did not worship the LORD; so he sent lions among them and they killed some of the people. 26 It was reported to the king of Assyria: “The people you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know what the god of that country requires. He has sent lions among them, which are killing them off, because the people do not know what he requires.”

  • Talk about a welcoming party to your new home!!
  • These freshly settled people were anxious to know how to appease the god of the country they lived in ? they were afraid that they would die!
  • They would never have thought of God, had it not been for the lions. The lion “crisis” awakened them to the presence of the LORD and produced in them a desire to find out what He requires. This was good?
  • The problem is that they viewed their worship as a way to get rid of the lions rather than an invitation for the presence of God. They sought a way to appease God so that they could get out of their crisis.
  • Friends the purpose for worship is not to get rid of the lions but to welcome the presence of the lion-tamer! Yet how many people today think only of God: When they are ill, forgetting Him when they are well; During their calamities, but not during their joys; When faced with problems, but not when enjoying prosperity. How many people are like some sailors who in a storm pray fervently to God for deliverance, making promises but then get drunk or engage in immorality as soon as they get to land!
  • If we turn to God only in the midst of crisis, our worship will be no different than the Samaritans!

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: Saul and his “sacrifice” ? (1 Samuel 13:1-15) contrast with David?s “worship” in 2 Samuel 6:12-23

2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NIV)

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel–I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

THEIR WORSHIP WAS LIMITED TO FORM WITHOUT SUBSTANCE.

Their hearts were not in their service to the Lord?

  • As evident by the fact that they continued to serve their “carved images” (vs 33)
  • What service they rendered to the Lord possessed “form”, but not “substance”

Such worship is often common today?

  • Where there is “form”, but not substance”
  • Now, there is a need for “form” in worship?
  • Possessing both a physical and spiritual nature, man needs physical ways to express his spiritual devotion.
  • So God has provided physical expressions even in the New Testament worship, even though it is much more spiritual than that found in the Old Testament.
  • The Lord?s Supper, singing, prayer, giving, etc., they all have “form”
  • But to go through the “form” without the “substance” (a right spirit and attitude) is “hypocritical”.


Matthew 15:7-8 (NIV)7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

  • As Christians we?re guilty of such worship if we?
    • Sing “Trust and Obey”, but do neither
    • Sing “I?ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”, but aren?t willing to go or do.
    • Sing “Amazing Grace” with bored expressions on our faces and in our hearts.
  • Worship that is both “form” and “substance” will follow the example of David when he said?

Psalms 138:1 (NIV) I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; ?”

Psalms 146:1-2 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalms 147:1 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Is our worship simply consist of form? Is there any substance?

  • Is it simply going through the motions or playing out a part?
  • If that is all we have, then our worship is no more pleasing to God than that of the Samaritans!
  • Isaiah has this to say to us:


Isaiah 29:13-14 (NIV)13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. 14 Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

BIBLICAL STORY: Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19) EMPHASIZE “SACRIFICE” Worship with substance is worship with sacrifice!

THEIR WORSHIP WAS DILUTED BY COMPROMISE

In the Case of the Samaritans?.

  • They had God and they had “gods”; they liked the latter best


2 Kings 17:41a (NIV)41 Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.

  • They gave God lip service, but their hearts were not his because their worship was diluted

Such can happen to Christians today?

  • When they seek to serve God, while also try to serve the world. When we worship God but dilute it with our heart?s attachment to the things of the world.
  • But this is impossible according to Jesus.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

(this passage is located at the end of Jesus? discourse on “Treasures in Heaven” it might be worthwhile to read from this passage ? Matthew 6:19-24)

  • you worship what you treasure?
  • When people try to serve both, the world always wins.
  • It shows up in how their jobs, their recreation, etc., takes precedence over their service to God.
  • It shows up in how they seek to rationalize their conduct.

But God cannot tolerate “compromise”

  • He requires total commitment to Him, no matter the price.
  • As taught in the Old Testament:


Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (NIV)

14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.

  • As taught by Jesus Himself:


Luke 14:33 (NIV)33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

  • To compromise with the world is to commit “spiritual adultery”!


James 4:4 (NIV)4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

  • Thus we need to heed Jesus? admonition


Matthew 6:33 (NIV)33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-30)


Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

CONCLUSION

In looking at what is written about the Samaritans and their “worship” of God we?ve noticed that their worship is restricted by self seeking purposes, limited to form without substance, and diluted by compromise. But in doing so is there anything that seems a bit familiar to your worship of God? If we?re not careful we can let our worship be like the Samaritans. If we?re not careful a writer could look at us and say, “They worshipped the Lord, but?” The sad thing is that in a great part of the Western World today that would be an accurate description – Worship that is prompted more by what we can get from God then birthed from a recognition of who He is, worship that has more emphasis on the method than the heart, worship that part of a list rather than defining your life!

Let Elijah challenge us to stop letting our worship be diluted by compromise

1 Kings 18:21 (NIV)

21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Let Paul challenge us to a worship of form AND substance?

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Let the example and words of David challenge us to a worship birthed out of love for God and who He is rather than what we can get from Him…


Psalms 29:2 (NIV)2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalms 95:6 (NIV)

6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

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Laying out the Welcome Mat for God

Sunday, May 20th, 2001

Read at beginning of service:

1 John 1:1-10 (NIV)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

INTRODUCTION


Acts 2:38-47 (NIV)38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I want to ask you a question this morning. Have you ever found yourself somewhere where you don?t feel welcome? You know, maybe you walk into a room filled with strangers and there?s this invisible yet perceptible barrier that makes you squirm and gives you the urge to run. Or maybe it?s when you walk over to a group of people talking and it seems that you?re invisible. No one even acknowledges that you are there. Maybe some of you have never had this feeling ? I know I have.

There were times growing up where I would find myself in situations where I felt very unwelcome. I remember when I was on a Grade Eight trip to Ottawa. This was a trip that I had been looking forward to all year long. I was going on an adventure with friends. Sure, it?s supposed to be educational ?but there would be time for fun. But something happened on the bus trip down. To be honest, to this day I don?t know why (or maybe I can?t remember why) but I do remember that as I went to sit with my friends and “fit in” with the group I suddenly felt “unwelcome”. All of a sudden I was the butt of jokes and when I went to join them in the different fun antics they did in the hotel and on our educational experiences it was obvious that they didn?t want me hanging around. The feeling at that time was horrible. The feeling that I was unwelcome ? not strangers, but friends! Needless to say, the trip to Ottawa went down as one of the worst experiences of my life. But as I look back now, I laugh at some of the things that happened to me and I?m thankful for the lesson I learned through it. The lesson I learned was just how awful it is to feel unwelcome, not wanted.

Now I?d like to change tact a little bit. How welcome is God in this church, in your life, in your family. You know, I think sometimes, we often emphasize how much we want God to be with us ? healing us, protecting us, giving us warm fuzzies, blessing us financially, answering prayer ? but we can forget sometimes how much God wants us to be with Him!

We lay out the welcome mat at church (homes, lives) for God ? but are we laying it out for his blessings, his power, his grace, his mercy, his majesty alone? Or are we laying out the welcome for God, for Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit ? for His presence? Is God welcome or just the blessings? Or is anything to do with God welcome at all?

The book of Acts, written by Luke, is a history book of the early church. By the time we get to our text, Jesus has been crucified and resurrected. He has appeared to the disciples in the upper room. A group of 120 people form the nucleus of the church, Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost and three thousand are saved and baptized.

It is often talked about how important it is to be friendly and welcome newcomers to church. We want to make the right impression. And I?m not going to knock that this morning. But what I?d like to point out is that if we?re more concerned with making the right impression and welcoming newcomers than we are with God then we?ve got things backwards. Those who lay out the welcome mat for God will soon find that the newcomers are coming to your church not because it?s super friendly ? but because God has found a place where He is welcome and has decided to drop in. And when God drops in ? as you see in the book of Acts ? there are signs and wonders, there are healings, there are miracles, not because they were sought after but because God was sought after!

Let me ask you a question. Do you want to be a part of a church that welcome?s God, that welcomes Jesus, that welcomes the Holy Spirit? This morning let us examine the text and discover how the church of Christ lays out the welcome mat for God and experiences his blessings.

a love for God?s Word

The beginning of verse 42 tells us that the early church was “devoted to the apostle?s teaching”. In other words they were listening to what the apostles were saying and soaking it in.

What was the teaching of the apostles?

Let?s remember that the New Testament was not written at this time. The apostles taught from the Old Testament Scriptures and showed how they pointed to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They also taught from the teachings of Jesus that they had learned first hand.

The majority of these new believers were Jewish by birth. Now that God opened their eyes they saw the scriptures as something more than just a set of rules and regulations, more than a history book about their people, but a living and relevant book that could transform their lives.

In a book called, When God Builds A Church, by Bob Russell, pastor of the Southeast Church in Louisville, Ky., he tells about a special staff meeting that he called as they prepared to move into their new church building.

He asked his staff to meet him at the new building. When everyone arrived, hard hats, magic markers, and Bibles were passed out. He then instructed his staff to go to the classrooms and offices in the building where they would be working and write scripture verses on the concrete floors.

Pastor Russell told them, “Someday soon the scriptures will be covered with carpet. But I hope you will always remember what you have written today. And what we do today will be a visible reminder that we are always to stand on God?s Word.”

The staff really got into it. Some of them found some spray paint and began using it so the words would show up better.

Those in the children?s ministry wrote things like, “Let the little children come unto me?for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

In the education wing, the adult education ministers wrote, “Study to show yourself approved unto God?”

In the music practice rooms the music minister wrote, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

In the pastor?s offices they wrote: “Preach the word in season and out of season.”

One single lady in the children?s ministry wrote her favorite verse on the floor of her office, “It is not good for a man to be alone.”

The scriptures-on-the-floor idea caught on and soon hundreds of church members followed suit. In a matter of weeks, there were scriptures all over the concrete floors-down the hallways, on the stairways, and on the steps leading up to the pulpit.

Pastor Russell went on to comment: “I believe the greatest reason God has chosen to bless Southeast Church and thousands of other churches around the world is that we have been serious about upholding the absolute truth of God?s Word.” (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

Friends, when a church is devoted to learning, teaching, preaching and sharing the scriptures ? the church is laying out the welcome mat for Him. Why, because in doing so, people are saying, “I want to know you God.”

fellowship

Verse 42 not only says that the early church were devoted to the apostle?s teaching but also to the “fellowship”.

Verse 42 says that they continued steadfastly in? “fellowship.”

The term “fellowship” comes from the Greek word “koinonia.” It literally means to “share something in common.”

In the church there are old and young, wealthy and poor, healthy and disabled, black and white, baby Christians and mature believers. In spite of all of that diversity God?s people can enjoy the rich fellowship.

Why, because of what we share in common.

We share a common commitment to Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and Lord.

We share a common lifestyle. We walk in the light and have fellowship one with another?


1 John 1:3-7 (NIV)3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

We share a common goal?. To magnify and glorify Jesus in all that we do.

We share a common sacrifice. We chosen not to love the world and we have decided to please our Savior.

The Lord?s twelve disciples were quite a diverse bunch. Simon the Zealot was a patriot, a redneck of sorts that hated the Roman government. Matthew was a tax collector, a co-conspirator with the Roman government. (That would be kind of like having Day and Jean Chretien on the same committee!) Thomas and Peter were opposites too. Peter was impulsive and often fickle. Thomas was a thinker, slow to respond, but deeply committed.

I am sure that the different personalities clashed, but there was a fellowship. Jesus united them. They eventually would learn to check their egos and serve one another.

Fellowship is intended to bind us together in love.

Look back again at our text and note how that fellowship was expressed.

Acts 2:44-45 (NIV)

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

True fellowship fulfills the great expectation of Jesus for his disciples.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

There is nothing that makes God feel more welcome than when this kind of love, this kind of unity, this kind of fellowship exists among people. So we are laying out the welcome mat for God when we love His Word found in the Scriptures, when we promote fellowship amongst each other and thirdly when we?

worship

Our text says that the early church devoted themselves to the “breaking of bread”. Later on Verses 46-47a expand upon this observation,


Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

The reference to them “breaking bread” tells us that their times of worship included the celebration of the Lord?s Supper. They gathered together to focus their attention upon the Lord and what He had done for them in providing salvation.

The 21st century church I fear has lost sight of what worship is to be about. We are often guilty of evaluating a worship service as if it were a performance that needs to be rated. In our minds are thoughts like: “I don?t think I like that son so and so sang. I thought the sermon today was about a six on a scale of ten.” If fear that we see those who are up front as the ones who are worshiping and the rest of us are watching them worship.

If you?re curious about catching a peak at what worship is about. Take a glimpse at a pep rally for a sports team?

Several years ago, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks did a comedy skit called the “2013 Year Old Man”. In the skit, Reiner interviews Brooks, who is the old gentleman. At one point, Reiner asks the old man, “Did you always believe in the Lord?”

Brooks replied: “No. We had a guy in our village named Phil, and for a time we worshiped him.”

Reiner: You worshiped a guy named Phil? Why?

Brooks: Because he was big, and mean, and he could break you in two with his bare hands!

Riener: Did you have prayers?

Brooks: Yes, would you like to hear one? “O Phil, please don?t be mean, and hurt us, or break us in two with your bare hands.”

Reiner: So when did you start worshiping the Lord?

Brooks: Well, one day a big thunderstorm came up, and a lightning bolt hit Phil. We gathered around and saw that he was dead. Then we said to one another, “There?s somethin? bigger than Phil!” (quoted on SermonIllustrations.com HUMOR: FALSE PROPHETS AND MESSIAHS)

Everybody in the world worships something ? or someone. Even those who claim they don?t are probably only saying that because they worship themselves! The point is. There is someone bigger. And God deserves, demands, and desires our worship! He desires the hearts of men turned to Him with the cry of, “Glory to God in the Highest! Who is worthy of our worship!” The purpose of worship is not to please us! But to please God!!!!

The scriptures urge us to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name?” and friends when you do that, when you begin to focus on showing appreciation and love to God, you are worshipping Him.

I firmly believe that it is true worship that not only sets out the welcome mat for God but opens the doors of heaven to usher in His glory. For worship is the best way of saying “God, Jesus, Holy Spirit ? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE ? PLEASE DO COME IN!!”

prayer

Last but not least, verse 42 tells us that the first church was marked by a devotion to prayer.

A businessman in a small town that had historically been “dry” revealed his plans to open a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. Shortly thereafter lightening struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner brought a law suit against the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible. The church hired an attorney to argue in court that they were not responsible for the man?s propery being destroyed.

The presiding judge after his initial review of the case stated, “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

The early church believed in prayer.

Prayer was a critical component in the health of the church in Jerusalem. They gathered together each day to seek the will and direction of the Lord.

If any church wants to set out the welcome mat for God it must prioritize prayer.

In the last couple of weeks the state of California has been facing a crisis. Power outages and blackouts have been daily occurrences leaving hundreds of thousands of residences, factories and offices without electricity. In fact, if you are following the news you will notice that the United States is entering into an energy crisis and if nothing is done soon to alleviate the growing demand for hydro, all of America could begin facing rotating blackouts. Just this week I was reminded of the dependence we have on power when the power went out for about 21/2 hours on Thursday (I think) morning.

The problem however is not that the power does not exist. The problem is that the Power Companies do not have the financial resources to access that power.

Friend there need never be a power outage in the church.

Through prayer we can touch heaven and access all that we need.

Ephesians 2:20-21 reminds us that our Lord is able to do more for us than what we could ask or think?.

Ephesians 2:20-21 (NIV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

James Montgomery Boice tells of Lawrence of Arabia visiting Paris after World War I with some Arab friends. He showed them around Paris, but what fascinated them most was the faucet in their hotel room. They spent hours turning it on and off; they thought it was wonderful. All they had to do was turn the handle, and they could get all the water they wanted. When time came to leave, Lawrence found them in the bathroom trying to detach the faucet. They explained, “It is very dry in Arabia. What we need are faucets. If we have them, we will have all the water we want.” Lawrence had to explain that the effectiveness of the faucets lay in their connection to the pipeline. (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

Friend there is a pipeline of power. It is available through prayer. Are you connected? You see when you pray you open the channels of communication ? of power between you and God ? in effect you?re not only laying out the welcome mat and opening the door but you are also embracing God!! There is nothing I love more than when I come home from work and my son meets me at the door and gives me a great big hug and begins to tell me about his day in his grammatically incorrect childish sentences! Why ? because I sense the love just flowing from Him and I know that I am welcome home!

CONCLUSION

The verse that stuck out in my mind in this whole passage is found in the last part of verse 47,


Acts 2:47b (NIV)?And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

God brought people to the fledgling church where they were saved. Why did he do this? I believe it was because He knew that He was welcome! Where God is welcomed, there will be an outpouring of His love, his grace, his mercy, his miracles, his majesty that will simply capture the hearts of those witnessing it.

Friends, We need to make God welcome in our church, in our homes, in our lives. I believe that He is just waiting for those who not only will lay out the welcome mat but open the doors of heaven and be reaching for Him with open arms.

Lay out the welcome mat for God.

(Talk about those who feel unwelcomed by God)

(Talk about those who feel unwelcomed by the church)

(Talk about what we can do ? Devote to the scriptures, fellowship, worship, and prayer)

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