Songs We Sing: "in The Garden" Series

SONGS WE SING: ‘IN THE GARDEN’

John 20:1-18

#InTheGarden

SING ‘IN THE GARDEN’

INTRODUCTION… maineiac.com/index.php/jokes/religious-jokes/1187-forrest-gump-

The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump finally dies and goes to Heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates, met none other than St. Peter himself. St. Peter says, "Well, Forrest, it's certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we've been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The test is short and you have to pass before you can get into heaven."

St. Peter continues: "The questions are:

What days of the week begin with the letter "T"?

How many seconds are there in a year?

What is God's first name?"

Forrest says, "Well, the first one, how many days in the week begin with the letter "T"? That's an easy one. That'd be Today and Tomorrow."

The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims, "Forrest, that's not what I was thinking, but... I'll give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?" asks St. Peter.

"How many seconds in a year? Now that's harder," says Forrest, "but I thunk and thunk and guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded, St. Peter says, "Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

"Shucks, there's gotta be twelve; January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd..."

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with this, and I'll have to give you credit for that one, too. Let's go on with the next and final question. Can you tell me God's first name?"

"Sure." Forrest replied. "It's Andy."

"Andy?!" exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St. Peter. "Okay, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name of Andy as the first name of God?"

"That was the easiest one of 'em all," Forrest replied. "Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own.”

St. Peter opened the Pearly gates and said, "Run, Forrest, Run!"

This morning we are finishing up a sermon series called: “The Songs We Sing” and the song we will focus on is where that classic joke with many versions comes from. And just so you know: #1 yes there are gates in Heaven, #2 no I don’t know if Peter will meet us at the gates, #3 and no there is no entrance exam. #4 And everyone knows God’s Name is not Andy. But Howard. Jesus told us this when He taught His disciples how to pray: “Our Father in Heaven, Howard be Thy Name.”

FOCUS ON “WORSHIP”

Worship is an important attitude of the heart and a total disposition of our soul focusing on God. As we have focused on different songs we sing, understand that the songs are the surface focus, but the real focus is the direction of our hearts and minds when we sing. Worship is our focus and the posture of our minds:

Worship of God Almighty is our focus.

Worship claiming the blood of Christ is our focus.

Worship in the Spirit and in Truth is our focus.

We have been focusing on the heart of worship:

SONG LYRICS: ‘HEART OF WORSHIP’ BY MATT REDMAN

I'll bring You more than a song; For a song in itself is not what You have required

You search much deeper within; Through the way things appear; You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship; And it's all about You all about You Jesus

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it; When it's all about You all about You Jesus

Part of worshipping God is singing. It is not the only part, but is a significant part. As we have focused on different songs we sing, understand that the songs are the surface focus, but the real focus is the posture of our body and our actions (from last week’s Sunday School lesson):

Worship is (yahdah) reverence by extending our hands to God (Psalm 67:3).

Worship is (halal) clamorously celebrating our Creator (Psalm 149:3).

Worship is (zamar) making music to God (Psalm 144:9).

Worship is (towdah) extending the hand to our Lord of Lords (Psalm 56:11-12).

Worship is (shabach) shouting praises to the King of Kings (Psalm 145:4).

Worship is (tehillah) spontaneous songs to our Heavenly Father (Psalm 22:3).

Worship is (shacah, proskuneo) bowing down flat in God’s presence (Job 1:20, Matthew 2:2).

Worship is (barak) kneeling to praise the God of the Universe (Psalm 72:11, 15).

Worship is (abad) serving for God’s glory (Deuteronomy 6:13).

Part of worship is the words that we intentionally say or sing to God. Part of worship is our focus. Part of worship is our actions. So, in these past weeks as we have thought about some of the songs we sing in services, we are thinking through worship. Today is no different as we continue to ponder the heart of worship and bring it back to focus on Jesus.