This is a guest message from Pastor John Wright.

 

Key Verse: Psalm 47:1-6

Sing Praises for God is the King of all the Earth sing to him a song of praise. God created us for fellowship with him. God also created us so that we may be rulers (Genesis 1:27-28). So God gave us the authority and power to command Earth but it doesn’t skip the fact that He wants us to fellowship with God.

The purpose of worship is not only to glorify God but it is also for our benefit.

When God saw Hebrew people in slavery He moved them out and put them in a land of milk and honey. This was for man’s benefit. God’s purpose here was to free the people from slavery and bless them by putting them in a land flowing with milk and honey. Exodus 7:16 says “Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the desert.” However this wasn’t the bottom line. God did not free the Hebrew’s because He needed people to worship Him. God is not a greedy God. God’s underlying purpose was to free His people and bless them (Exodus 3:8). God knew that they would be truly blessed when they learned to worship Him. In worshipping God it opens the channel for blessings to flow.

The purpose of our worship service is to serve God with our praise and then we will see people’s needs met by His sufficiency.

God’s purpose from the beginning is to bless. So when God sees us on Sunday morning, praising and worshipping Him God is well-pleased and He wants to bless us. I see two reasons why we commence our Sunday Services with worship. The first reason is to serve God with our praise. The second reason is, effective praise and worship allows God to meet our needs.

We were designed to glorify God, but we were also created so that we can enjoy our relationship with Him forever. God is to be the focus of our worship and He planned it that way, so that we would find joy, purpose and fulfilment in our lives. If we miss out on worship we miss out on the potential of the blessing. When we worship it helps us focus our thoughts on the Lord. I myself have had multiple things on my mind where but when I come in to church and hear the music I can concentrate on the Lord and put the rest of the things I have to do today out of my mind. Worship helps us get our thoughts away from the world and get our thoughts on the Lord. We are so blessed that we have had our eyes open to the truth of the Holy Spirit. So that we can worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 6:23).

4 Thoughts about when we come together in praise and worship from Ephesians 1 and 2:

1. The first thing that strikes us is God’s love for us (Ephesians 2:4-5)

As we sing the words in the many worship songs, we sing of God’s great love for us. God loves you.

 

2. God’s forgiveness (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Knowing God’s forgiveness and singing of His forgiveness ensures we feel and know that we are accepted by Him. Sometimes with friends and even family we can wonder if we are truly accepted, appreciated and loved, but in God we have the forgiveness of sin. We all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. However, in Him we have redemption. Through His blood we have the forgiveness of sin.

 

3. The purpose He has for us (Ephesians 2:6-10)

God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. He has works for every one of us to do.

 

4. God’s promises to us (Ephesians 1:7)

Our sins being forgiven is a promise of God. We can come to the Lord in true repentance with a sincere heart. Ephesians 2:18-19 holds another promise through Him we have access to the Father. We are members of God’s household.

Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Don’t underestimate the blessing that can flow out of being in a time of worship. Worship softens our heart and prepares us for the Word. Then we can hear clearly from God.

 

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.