September 8, 2019
Morning Service

Last Sunday morning, Paul shared his testimony with us and how joyful he was that God had bestowed His grace and mercy upon him.  Though we all consider Paul a hero of the faith, he considered himself “the chief of sinners.”  We then saw that it was for the sinners that Jesus came into this world.  He was not sent to condemn them, but to save them. (John 3:17)   In chapter 2, Paul encouraged us to be praying for all men especially for those who have authority over us.  We were challenged to put this into practice in our lives because Paul said in doing this it “is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”  Today Paul continues to instruct us on how things are to done within the church as he finishes the teaching on prayer as he includes the needed attitude.

1Ti 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

            Attitude is everything, even in our prayer life.  The NLT says we are to pray without “anger and controversy.”  In chapter 1 we were told the purpose of the scriptures were to create within us a “love from a pure heart.”  That same “pure heart” needs to be present in our time of prayer as well.  We need to cleanse our heart from wrath, doubting, anger and controversy.  Our hearts need to be pure and at peace at our times of prayer and worship so we can open up and enjoy the presence of the Lord.  Jesus spoke on this as well in the gospel of Matthew as He was teaching on anger in the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Mat 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

            Jesus is instructing us to the same thing as Paul as we are to enter into prayer and also worship with a purified and clear heart.  We are to do our best “live at peace with all men as much as it counts on you.” (Rom. 12:18) So as we come to church we need to prepare ourselves to enter into worship by asking for forgiveness where it is needed and repent of any anger or doubt so we can truly enter whole heartedly into the worship and fellowship with our Lord.  These issues become barriers between us and our ability to be able to truly worship open and freely.  Prepare your heart and attitude to come into the presence of God.  By doing this you can help to clear away all the fog and turmoil this life brings with it and then you can be fully present with the Lord in this moment. 

Is this easy to do in our culture and this microwave society?  Not if you are rushing out the door at the last minute trying to get kids into the car and making sure they all at least have clothes on!  I know and have been there being so stressed to just get to church that I end up wondering if it is even worth the hassle of coming; Lord help us!  Here is where you have to examine your heart and say “How should I approach preparing for church as I attempt to place God first in my life?”  Preparation begins on Saturday night as you get everyone to bed early and have clothes prepared anticipating the chaos of the morning and also prepare your heart as well.  Gathering together to worship, partake, pray and learn are all commands from the Lord that He will bless you for doing.  It needs to be made a priority in our lives, not a last minute decision to “go if it works out.”  It is an act of worship and obedience.  Let the gathering together be a “refueling” station that allows you to deal with everything else life has to offer.  It is meant to edify you (build you up) so if it is not doing that, you need to take a look in the mirror.  You get out of church what you put into it.  If a relationship with Christ is a priority in your life, these services are priceless as He speaks to you through the Word and you are able to worship Him in song and praise and do it in unity with brothers and sisters who are doing life right alongside of you serving the same Savior.  The Hebrew writer describes the attitude we need in preparation of meeting together like this: 

 

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  (24)  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

            Let’ break this down one point at a time.  We are to enter in “boldly” to His presence knowing that we are invited and welcomed to be there (verse 19-20).  He invites us to “come and dine” with Him as we feast upon His Word and sing praises from our hearts.  It is a privilege to come much more than a demand.  This was not true in the OT, as only the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies and only with an annual blood sacrifice.  We are allowed to live in His presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and as we are called to assemble together He promises to be there with us.

 

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

            Next the writer reemphasizing the point we made earlier.  As we draw near to God we need to come with a “true heart in full assurance of heart.”  Come to church prepared and anticipate meeting intimately with the Lord and expecting to be blessed and edified.  Come to give as well as to receive.  Pray for the services beforehand that God will reveal Himself to you and others in the Word and praise.  In doing this we are “holding fast the confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Verse 23) You are putting your faith into action when you prepare your heart to meet with God as you come to the assembly because He promised that He would be there.  Prepare your heart and go anticipating great things.

            Next the writer touches on the fact that we are better together as in verse 24 he encourages us to encourage one another.  “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”  Our “Hug and Howdy” part of our service certainly gives us many opportunities to “stir up” one another.  We interact and invest with each other in a very intimate way that is designed to allow us a short time to love on one another.  Each of you are such a blessing to me as God has placed us to do life together as a family.

            Finally, we are commanded to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.”  Attending church when the doors are open is an easy way to put your faith into action by being obedient to this scripture.  We meet three times a week and I know Jerry’s saying is always true; “If you miss church you will miss something.”  I have never attended a service and regretted coming, God always has something for me that lifts me up with strength to face another day.  The same effect of reading scriptures occurs with church attendance, the more you read the more you desire to read.  The more you attend and participate the more you desire to be there and be part of what is happening.  Times will get more difficult for the Christian as we draw closer to His return so we need all the encouragement, instruction and fellowship we can get.

            I am in no way pointing fingers this morning or trying to “guilt” you into attending services.  The Lord just laid on my heart to speak on preparing yourself for worship and the many benefits it will have.  I am preaching to myself as much as I am to you.  Reread these scriptures prayerfully and honestly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you can improve on these areas as we all seek to place Him first in our lives.

 

Heavenly Father thank You for the invitation to meet with You today and please reveal to our hearts how precious these moments together really are.