Church is a Celebration
Church is a Celebration of Jesus Christ. To many times we come to church not expecting much. We are even joyous when the service ends early or become frustrated when the service goes to long. Why? Because we don't come to celebrate Jesus and what He has done for us and for others. Without a show of hands, how many attended every service of the past missions conference? Who missed one service, who missed two services, who missed all but one, who missed them all? Why did you miss, maybe you had something of higher priority. Rather then hearing missionaries. While in Guayaquil, we got delay getting to church on Wednesday evening. We were late by 2 hour. Guess how many people weren't there because missionaries were coming. The church was nearly full. Of the people at church on that Wednesday night, guess how many people left because the missionaries were late? None! Why because they were there a to celebrate Jesus. In the states, how long do you think it would take for the average person to start getting impatient, because the service hasn't started yet? 2 minutes, 5 minutes, maybe. These folks waited 2 hour to start the service and there was not one upset person.
My intention is not to pile on a guilt trip. I'm guilty of everything I’ve just said to you. Pastor is out of the pulpit, missionaries coming to speak were excuses for me to stay home. If I just celebrated Jesus, I would be delighted to hear how God uses someone else to teach His word.
A few months ago I spoke about the need of fellowship and church. Now we are going to see a few clear instructions given about coming to church from Old Testament.
Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
The word celebration is not used, but the concept of a celebrated worship is clear.
In order to truly celebrate we must be;
I. Intimate (With God's Word)
A. Entering God's House
1. With Reverence (An Adoring Awe)
2. With a Purpose (To Worship God)
B. Come in Close in Him and His Word
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Draw NearBReady to Hear with Desire
1. How? Cleanse your hands/Purify your Hearts
PurifyBto clear from material defilement or imperfection/to make absolute
2. Who? Sinners/Double Minded
3. Don't Act Like the World
In order to truly celebrate we must be;
II. Deliberate (In Our Speech)
A. Flippant Word's Reflect Our Perception of God
RashBThe incessant speech making betrays the shallow perception of God=s character. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
B. Remember God Through Our Talk
1. God is in Heaven/We're Not
2. To Much Tongue Shows Our Ignorance
James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
In order to truly celebrate we must be;
III. Active (for God)
A. Restful Slumber When Working for God
1. Good Dreams
2. Working through Faith
James 2:14-26
B. A Fool Never Finds God's Rest
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking.