God’s Doorkeepers
Scripture: Psalms 84:10; First Chronicles 9:19-29
Good morning Strangers Rest. Today we are celebrating Stranger’s Rest 99th Usher’s Day. Before I say anything else, I want to ask all current and former ushers of Strangers Rest to stand. On behalf of this Church, thank you for your service!
If you have been in another Church at any time, an usher probably greeted you. An usher is a minister of hospitality and caring in the church. They are generally the first person who greets a visitor, so it is especially important that the right person is appointed to function in this role. From a biblical viewpoint, ushers are considered Levites and therefore the gatekeepers of God’s sanctuary. I will explain this in more detail shortly. Ushers, as the ones who stand at the door, greet, and distribute Church information (programs, offering envelope, etc.), are the ambassadors for the church, and a key part in the Body of Christ. Ushering is a wonderful opportunity to minister to Church members and visitors by way of their attitude towards Jesus and people which is why some people are not equipped to serve in this role. A smile and a gracious greeting are a very warm welcome to church and by giving everyone a heartfelt welcome, ushers help set a welcoming tone for a visitor’s interaction with the congregation, but also with the church service.
Also, ushers know and understand the congregation the best because they assist them and serve them on a regular basis. This intimate knowledge of the congregation enables them to be able to anticipate the individual needs of the members. The ministry of ushering is crucial because it is one of the most visible ministries in the church. When people come to church, they are sometimes burdened, sad or discouraged. Each person, member, or newcomer comes with the hope of having an uplifting experience, a time of renewal and celebration, and to be inspired. A skillful usher helps to make this a reality for those in attendance. The purpose of the usher’s ministry is to assist the pastoral staff and meet, greet, and assist visitors and members, to help maintain order and reverence, and to lead by example. I will not walk you through all the duties an usher has for there are many, but I wanted you to know that this role has a biblical history and should not be taken for granted or entered into lightly.
When you research the role of ushering in the Bible, you will find that the term “usher” is not used. However, biblically, the role is referred to as “doorkeeper or gatekeeper” and the terms were sometimes used interchangeably. Our ushers play a vital role in our worship experience. There are some people who come to Church on Sundays and see their role as being able to worship freely without being responsible for any additional job requirements. That is not so for the usher. They come to Church on Sundays expecting to serve and to make sure everyone has an opportunity to enter the worship experience with minimal distraction. And often they do their jobs without recognition or receiving thanks for what do. So, again, I want to take this time and say “thank you” to our ushers.
Psalms 84:10 says the following, “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” This psalm was written by the sons of Korah who were actually gatekeepers. They were identified in First Chronicles 9:19 which says, “Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father's house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD.” Now, to understand this verse, we need to know the duties of the doorkeepers. Based on what is written, they were not referencing watching over their own door assignment for which they had responsibility for but being a doorkeeper for someone else’s door. You see, the doorkeepers normally dwelled in or near the door they were responsible for. They could enter at will. However, others needed permission to enter. Therefore, what they were referencing in the psalm was someone who was able to stand at the doorsill, was able to look in, but could not actually enter. The person could stand at the threshold of God’s house but was not permitted to enter. The sons of Korah said that being able to stand at the doorsill of God’s house without being able to enter it was still better than dwelling in the tents of the wicked. They said it was better to stand outside on the doorsill of God’s house looking in than on the inside of the tents of the wicked. If you imagine being outside in extremely severe weather versus the safe and warm inside of a tent, then this will make a little more sense to you. This is why some scholars said this verse pertains to the meanest place to be – standing on the doorsill and not being able to enter. This “meanest” place was still preferred over the comfortable tents of wicked.
Now let me share with you why this psalm applies to ushering today and why many do not want this ministry assignment. While all of you are enjoying the service and worshipping God freely in the sanctuary, the ushers are working. They are monitoring things – making sure you are comfortable while also watching the doors for danger. This is a serious job and again, it cannot be done by just anyone. God’s doorkeepers play a vital role in His Church. As I said previously, in Scripture, the term “doorkeepers” were also translated as gatekeepers. In the ancient Near East the entrances to both city and temple resembled the doorway of houses, the gates themselves being like doors; thus, one who guarded the entrance could be called either “doorkeeper” or “gatekeeper.” Now let us read what is recorded about God’s doorkeepers in First Chronicles 9:21-29.
First Chronicles 9:21-29: “(21) Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting. (22) All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office. (23) So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment. (24) The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south. (25) And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days. (26) For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. (27) And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. (28) Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count. (29) Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices.”
In these verses we find that David and Samuel are credited with establishing the gatekeepers’ office, which was sacred and important to the worship of the Lord in the tabernacle. Their job responsibilities included being a keeper of the door of the tabernacle; they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God (thus operating like a trustee); they were in charge of opening the house of God every morning; some were in charge of the serving vessels; while others were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices. They played a significant role in God’s house during biblical times and the same applies today. The role they played ensured that whenever there was a ceremony or worship service taking place in the tabernacle everything was prepared and ready. So let me ask you a question. When you look at the ushers of Strangers Rest, do you see them as your servants – someone on station to make sure you are comfortable and able to enjoy the service? Do you enjoy being able to be seated, hold your hand up when you are hot and suddenly someone brings you a fan? Or if you needed any help while you were in the house of God did you ever question that you could get the help you needed from the ushers?
Now here is the most important question: did you say thank you? Or did you assume, because it was their job, that no thanks were necessary? A few weeks ago, I came into the sanctuary and entered the pulpit as I normally do. It was already hot in here before the service started. I sat down and realized that I was going to need some water. So, I asked the pulpit conductor to ask Sis. Brunson for a bottle of water. As a true usher would, she gracefully and with great care got the water for me. But it did not end there. She also sent word that I had come into the sanctuary, walked past her, and entered the pulpit all without speaking to her and now I was asking her for some water. You talk about a spiritual face slap. You talk about being called out and feeling smaller than a gnat. That is how I felt. I was embarrassed, not only because I was not raised that way, but because I was wrong. So, I did the only thing I could do, I got up and went over to her, said good morning, and thank you! Again, she gracefully forgave me (until next time.) Sis. Brunson, thank you for correcting me. You so much reminded me of all the ushers who took my gum, told me to sit down and be quiet, would not let me walk during certain times of the service but most importantly, was always present to help when I needed it. So again, thank you. If I come into the sanctuary so focused on what I need to do next and fail to speak to you on my way to the pulpit, I promise to look your way and wave at you, so you know I have not forgotten.
I want to share something with you that Jesus said which truly identifies with the role of an usher. He said, “(26) Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. (27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28) Ushers are servants! Some people refuse to operate in this ministry because it is not high profile, and it requires you to serve others. Well, what may not appear important to man is definitely important to God. If a person visits this Church and they have a positive experience with an usher, they more than likely will have a positive worship experience and return for a second visit. If we follow Jesus’ example, we will take a turn at ushering and learning what it means to truly serve.
Now I want to speak to the ushers – and all of you can continue to listen in because you might also hear something that will encourage you. Ushers, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Every Sunday when you walk through these doors, you are letting your light shine. You might be having a bad morning, a difficult day or even a bad week, but when you get to your post you have consistently let your light shine. Why? Because people see your good works and while they may not take notice of it, God sure does. He has something special waiting for you when you get into His presence. Thank you!
Ushers, Paul wrote, “(13) For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” (Galatians 5:13-14) Paul said that through love we should serve one another. You do this every Sunday. To do what you do every week, you must have the love of God flowing through you. Even though you might be struggling personally and might need support, you push through your pain to serve others. With this mentality you are fulfilling what Paul also wrote when he said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) You might not always get the thanks and/or recognition for the job that you deserve, but please do not get weary! We thank you for your service!
I want to close with what Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus. Some people have used these verses to justify slavery and believed that Paul was pro-slavery. With this stance they do not even read these verses for a Spirit led understanding. All of that aside, I want to close this message with these verses. Paul wrote, and I will be reading from the Amplified Bible, “(5) Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ, (6) not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; (7) rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, (8) knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5-8) (Amp)
Although Paul wrote this to the slaves who had converted to Christianity, the message is for us also. Ushers, when you are serving us, you are serving God. You see, the word “slave” is the Greek word doulos and refers to a person who is a slave by choice because they love their master who, in this case, is Christ. Ushers, you are fulfilling your duties as slaves of Christ – desiring to fulfill His will in your job. You are doing it from the heart knowing that God is going to reward you for your service. And what is so special about your role, you treat everyone the same. A person’s station in life is not important in God’s house. All of us are brothers and sisters and that is why you show the love of Jesus to everyone who comes through these doors. I have seen you do this. God has seen you do this. Strangers Rest ushers, on behalf of the members of this Church, thank you for your commitment, your service, and your dedication to Jesus Christ in, your Lord and Savior. May God continue to bless you as you bless others through your ministry as an usher!
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
