The Usher

Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

To begin with brothers and sisters, Christian Friends, Well Wishers and Saints of God I’m honored to be here at the historical Second Baptist Church. I see the Ushers having a mind to serve God! I like to see a church that serves. You can’t serve God unless you serve your fellow man.

I just want to thank y’all for coming to Shiloh and making our program a great success.

And so Ushers the bible says in Psalm 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. When the Sons of Korah penned this great text it was for a very specific reason. When you hear 10:For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. There had to had been some instances that made them write this song.

1. It’s in the text because the Psalmist says in verse 1. How lovely how beautiful how nice this church looks… And Second Baptist Church in Port Allen is a beautiful Church.

Then 2. The song writer says in verse 2. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

That means that Korah’s sons who are musicians and songwriters and singers are also gatekeepers also ushers, also temple guards,and who are also doorkeepers. They were are always there at the church. yeah 3x and after they have been raised up in the faith they speak for themselves Listen at Korah’s Sons in verse 2. I want more than anything to be in the courtyards of the LORD’s Temple.My whole being wants to be with the living God. They are saying from to the depths of my Soul I want to be in the Lord’s Temple. I love coming to church...

Can I walk the text? because verse 3 tells us that even the birds feel comfortable living and being around your church and they feel so comfortable until they are building nests and raising their offspring. Now if birds got sense enough to come to church and bring their offspring what about us. I know we ain’t gon let no birds out praise us.

Because here’s the part look at verses 4-6. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: They will be still praising thee. Selah. 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; In whose heart are the ways of them. 6  Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; The rain also filleth the pools. Brothers and sisters Korah’s Sons are talking about themselves because verse 4 really means they are Happy because they live at God’s Temple; they are always praising God. That was their job!!! They stayed in the service of the Lord. Tyrone they just wrote songs played music watched the temple and praised God..

Then #5. in Verses 5&6 the text gives us clues about what was going on in that region. here’s what it’s talking about. Blessed is the man/woman who wants to travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord even though they have to travel through the valley of Baca.

I looked it up The Valley of Baca was a place of weeping and sorrow but these pilgrims would travel through the valley of Baca Singing Shouting and giving God Glory for the journey.. And verses 7&8 say .The people get stronger as they go, and everyone meets with God in Jerusalem. 8 LORD God All-Powerful, hear my prayer; God of Jacob, listen to me.

I imagine them saying until I reach my home 2x I never expect to give the journey over until I reach my home. And in today’s times we better have a song and a prayer that carry us through the valley of weeping and sorrow. With all of the killing and crime in NO & BR we need a Psalm 84 Song in our hearts. Come on say Amen .

Then there are verse 9&10 that makes a declaration about the songwriter’s commitment to the True and Living God Watch the text 9. Behold, O God our shield, And look upon the face of thine anointed. 10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

He says in essence Dear God our Heavenly Father look at our little shields you know we can’t really fight no wicked criminals, help us get to Jerusalem safely.

Because 10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Ushers your job is super important. And The bible gave many different names for Ushers whether its Porters,or Temple Guards, or Ushers, or Doorkeepers, or Gatekeepers it is a serious assignment.This isn’t no play around job.

Let me tell you what the ushers in the bible did 1. They stood at Gates of the cities and doors of palaces, the stood at the doors temples, and other large buildings in ancient times and even now in modern times.

2. The bible says in 2 King 11:4-9 the ushers guarded the king’s house and the house of the Lord. They were the ones who admitted you in or rejected you and turned you around at the door. If you didn’t look right! If you look suspicious, If you look like you got a gun or a weapon they wouldn’t let you in. And in 2022 Church security is important. The Usher’s keen eyes are one of the first lines of defense to warn us of present danger.

3. In the Bible these men had various names such as gatekeeper, porter, doorkeeper, guard, and temple gatekeepers. The Temple Gatekeepers were “priests who guarded the threshold” This was where the congregation would come in at a put up their offering. (2 Kgs 12:9) says that the Ushers or (Temple Priest) or “keepers of the threshold” Guarded God’s Money.

4. Ushers! Doorkeepers gatekeepers and Porters formed a significant group. I did my research and Postexilic writers Like David Solomon Ezra and Nehemiah saw the Gatekeepers as a special class. David had 4,000 Ushers.. You can’t just jump up and be no usher. No no no you got to be trustworthy because a lot of special stuff was entrusted to the Usher. In bible days The Ushers cared for the Ark of the Covenant, The ushers secured the special offerings in the temple, and the ushers guarded the storehouses of the church to keep thieves out. And The Ushers helped with purifications ceremonies,

In 2022 Ushers have to watch the Vestibule, The Ushers have to watch the sanctuary, The Ushers watch and service the pulpit and choir area. The Ushers watch and service the restrooms while church is going on. The Ushers watch for the security inside and outside of the church. The Pastor can’t watch that. The Choir and musicians can’t watch that. The deaconess can’t watch that. and The deacons can’t watch that.

Listen The Usher’s job is vitally important. And when they are dressed in white or in black and they are all uniformed it’s beautiful site to see.

Well I’ve held y’all long enough. but tah Korah’s sons loved being in the house of the Lord. They loved serving in the temple of the God. And I heard them saying 10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Usher keep on serving because serving the Lord will pay off after while. Oh yes it will

I heard Jesus saying I must work the work of Him while it’s day for when night comes no man can work um um Oh Lord Yes, I’ve got to close here but tah I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house pf the Lord.. I want to be in the House where prayer can be heard and mercy can be found.I want to be where the community of Saints are gathered together giving God the glory the honor and all the praise.

Because One Friday they took my Lord and your God and lead Him on Up to Calvary. Yes they