Intro. Our text records the experiences of a good man, who in an evil hour was tempted to call it quits. he felt that heaven had terribly mistreated the person who was tryhing to do the right thing. The "bad guy" seemed to be winning. have you felt the same thing?
My freind, you cannot afford to have your thinking so twisted. But it will fi you give up the church habit, it will! You will being to believe that wrong is right, and that losers are winners!
You may ask, "Pastor, what are the mechanics to enter this agreement with God?" Understand that your pastor has a service for you every Sunday. This service of worship is in the best interest of your soul. What are the reasons for going to church every sunday?
I. FIRST, WORSHIP GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK.
"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies" Ps. 119:59 Better to sit for an hour on Sunday morning and think, than to sit in hell for an eternity and think.
Think:
1. How much older and closer to the end of life you are!
2. What you have done with your life so far!
3. The record that will be revealed when you face judgment.
4. Your influence as a parent.
5. The lies you have told - your cheating - the tithes you have embezzled - grudges you bear - the horor y ou have lost!
If you have cancer, you better think about it, and the sooner the better - think about your soul, dear friend!
II. WORSHIP GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ AND HEAR GOD'S WORD.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Ps. 119:11 Would you take a trip without getting information? You need to know how to get to heaven, and what is needed to get you there! You say, "I don't care, not interested in my soul or where I spend eternity, then stay at home, sleep and lounge, and I will tell your neighbors and friends who attend your funeral how you checked out, and how you started the trip!
III. WORSHIP GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH GOD.
It is the only way available to request help - there is no postal service available. Prayer works - "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mk. 11:24 Jesus Crhist has opened an account in your name, how much credit (faith) have you used?
IV. WORSHIP GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE.
A. The difference exists, my friend!
B. It is a decision of with whom you wish to spend eternity!
V. WORSHIP GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE REPAIRS
"Mechanic on Duty!"
You have become aware duiring the week that something in your life is not functioning correctly. That problem can be corrected at the altar of God! A slight adjustment in your soul can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort! I have show you the "What" of worship, now let me check the benefits with you - the "Why" of why you should worship.
EIGHT REASONS TO WORSHIP
1. IT IS A GOOD STATE TO BE IN. You will never feel better
"In the presence is fullness of joy" Ps. 16:11
Worship provides a peace and a confidence which are out of this world!
2. IT MAKES SPIRITUAL THINGS REAL!
"I know whom I have believed,a nd am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" 2 Tim. 1:12
3. IT KEEPS US OUT OF PLACES THAT WOULD HARM US!
If you are in church you will not be in the devil's palaces!
4. IT DEVELOPS THE BEST IN YOU AND CRUCIFIES THE WORST.
Face it! You have a carnal nature (the longings of the flesh). Are you going to be in control or under control? Paul said that he learned to "die daily."
5. IT KEEPS YOU THANKFUL.
The presence of God is the answer to pride. You never feel big or boastful when God is nigh.
6. IT MAKES OUR LIVES FRUITFUL.
There are enough lives cursing the world as it is, God wants to make us a blessing. Jn. 15:7,8.
7. IT BRINGS HEAVEN TO EARTH
"Tis heaven below my Redeemer to know"
8. IT KEEPS ETERNITY IN VIEW.
"We shall know even as also we are known" I Cor. 13:12
If we are living in Him, then dying is simply exchanging the physical for the spiritual, and limitations for unlimited fellowship.
If you wish to excape the Worship of God. Never to attend a church service again in your life. If you truly want to excape, go to communist China or Russia. There you will find a week, and every week, without any kind of a church service. YOU SEE THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN SOULS! GO FOR IT!
Come now, use your commons ense, you need the Church, the Pastor and it's People...you need to know how to get to Heaven and how to experience a little heaven on earth.
