Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2021

This morning we had a good Sunday School, as always. Then we shared church worship before participating in missions giving for BGMC, Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. We concluded service sharing in the remembrance celebration of communion.

Pastor started a new sermon series, The Battle Over Worship. Ever been in a situation where you are in a disagreement and didn't realize it? Sometimes we are naively unaware. Nations do this and people within our own country.

Christian Believers are participants in the longest running battle. It started since before Adam and Eve. There is no sitting out or staying neutral. We are on one side or another. Pastor noted even participating in Halloween is a cause for confrontation. (I recalled from my church upbringing in the Episcopal church that the celebration was originally All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saint’s Day. Originally the decorations and masks were to scare away the evil spirits.) 

There is a battle over worship. Jesus should be worshiped at all times. But this does not always happen. It may seem ridiculous to battle over this! But worship is a ground zero. We may have to check our emotions; check our posture/attitude. This is not about ‘small’ potatoes or ‘preference’ potatoes; ie hymns v contemporary songs; hymnals v lyrics on the screen; hand raising v subdued; etc.) Pastor showed a short, funny video about “hand raisers” by Tim Hawkins.

The definition of Worship: to Ascribe value to something or someone.
There are lots of factors that distract us. We are hungry, thirsty, fatigued, distracted by bladder, family, friends or strangers. Then add the preference potatoes to that.

Where does Jesus fit on the scale? This is the battle for worship.

Lucifer wanted to be worshiped. His rebellion caused God to put him and one third of the angels out of Heaven. Satan continues to try to distract our worship away from Jesus. The enemy's greatest delight is to steal the worship reserved for God and turn it toward something else.

The Point: You will worship something or someone.

Believers should ascribe top value to Jesus. The size, capacity or power of your worship is only as great as the thing that steals your attention from Jesus. What would keep you from singing a song to Jesus? Believers are to worship no matter what. The church shouldn’t be known for worship wars.

Worship resides in a contrite heart. Psalm 51:1-17. Will your worship be for Jesus? What if we decided every day that nothing would steal our worship from Jesus?

I think this song fits today: Made to Worship!

Verses for Today:
Psalm 51:14-17 NIV
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.


Lord, I pray that You keep me focused on worshiping You!