PSALM 122:1
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
”Dear Pastor,
You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated:
Christmas (Sunday before or after)--1
New Year's (Party lasted too long)--1
Easter (Get away for the holidays)--1
July 4 (National holiday)--1
Labor Day (Need to get away)--1
Memorial Day (Visit hometown)--1
School closing (Kids need a break)--1
School opens (One last fling)--1
Family reunions (Mine and wife's)--2
Sleep late (Saturday night activities)--4
Deaths in family--4
Anniversary (Second honeymoon)--1
Sickness (One for each family member)--5
Business trips (A must)--3
Vacation (3 weeks)--3
Bad weather (Ice, snow, rain, clouds)--6
Ball games--5
Unexpected company (Can't walk out)--5
Time changes (Spring ahead; fall back)--2
Special on TV (Super Bowl, etc.)--3
Pastor, that leaves only two Sundays per year. So, you can count on us to be in church on the fourth Sunday in February and the third Sunday in August unless providentially hindered.
Sincerely,
Faithful Member Source Unknown
There are many, perhaps you, who have had a history of regular, faithful church attendance, but now find their interest waning. Their desire to attend services has begun to drop off.
· They find many excuses for not attending evening service.
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· They think that church on Wednesday night is the last place we want to be.
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· They even find Church attendance on Sunday morning becoming spotty.
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Even those of us who attend church regularly can find ourselves going through the motions of church attendance and not really having much enthusiastic interest, contentment or measurable change resulting from our coming to church.
It's very easy to get in a rut. We might be in the rut of not attending as much as we should. Or we might be in the rut of just attending out of habit, but having no pleasure in being here.
What do we need in order to help our attendance and our enjoyment of church when we do attend? We need an attitude adjustment!
We need to get more excited about church attendance.
A verse that helps me is Psalm 122:1 - I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Our problem is that we have lost our joy for attending church and we need our attitude adjusted.
Why should we be glad to attend church services?
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
We shouldn't come to church to see who's here, who's not here.
We shouldn't come to church to observe the behavior of other people.
We shouldn't come to church to evaluate the service or the sermon.
But we should come to church to praise God, to worship Him!
Revelation 4 shows a heavenly scene.
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
In this scene I feel the 24 elders represent the church.
And in Heaven when the heavenly spirit beings give adoration and praise the elders fall down and worship. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
If we are going to worship and adore God in Heaven, shouldn't we be worshipping and adoring God now?
Hebrews 13:15 tells us to worship continually. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
When we sing the choruses and hymns, let us remember that we are doing it to worship and adore our God!
The Scriptures indicate that worship is corporate as well as individual.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Psalm 34:3 - O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
The Book of Psalms ends with these words, Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)
Psalm 111:1 reminds us that our worship is to be total.
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
So often we don't get much out of worship because our lips are moving but our hearts are miles away.
Matthew 15:8 - This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
What keeps us from true praise from the heart?
Our worries, our cares, our business, our games, our loves keep us from praise!
What keeps us from praise from the heart?
Forgetting what God has done for us through salvation, and neglecting to appreciate all that He has done and is doing for us on a daily basis.
Perhaps you are having difficulty truly praising the Lord because you have never trusted Christ as Savior. You will find worship difficult until you place your trust in the one who died for you!
John Yates said, "John Henry Jowett, a British preacher of an earlier generation, said this about gratitude: "Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic." What did he mean? He meant that gratitude, like a vaccine, can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. Like an antitoxin, gratitude can prevent the affects of the poisons of cynicism, criticalness, and grumbling. Like an antiseptic, a spirit of gratitude can soothe and heal the most troubled spirit. John Yates, "An Attitude of Gratitude," Preaching Today, Tape No. 110.
We are to show gratitude to our God. Let's make sure that we show ours when we come to worship.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
"One night something happened to A.J. Gordon that revolutionized his ministry. After retiring, he dreamed he was in his pulpit ready to deliver his Sunday morning message when a stranger with a regal, yet, loving look attracted his attention. As he preached his eyes kept returning to the unique guest. While the closing hymn was being sung, he decided to speak with him; but before he could get to the back door, the unknown man was gone.
As Gordon's dream continued, the same person came back again at the evening service. Once more he slipped out before the minister could shake his hand. Turning to one of his deacons, the pastor inquired, "WHO WAS THAT MAN?"
"Oh, didn't you reognize him? That was Jesus of Nazareth!"
"You mean Christ Himself was listening to me? What did He say?" exclaimed the preacher.
Before the deacon could reply, Gordon awoke with a start. It had been so real that he could hardly believe he had been dreaming. For the first time he fully appreciated the reality that the Lord Jesus is present in a special way when His people gather for worship. This thought changed his ministry. From then on, his sermons were filled with a new passion and earnestness. Eventually the entire nation heard of his powerful preaching."
(Source unknown)
Matthew 18:20 says, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
We should be joyful about frequent church attendance because Jesus is here when we meet, right in our midst! He's here this morning!
He's here, right here, right now!
He is here to answer prayer.
He is here as the founder and head of the church.
He is here as observer and judge.
He is here to bless, to guide, to encourage, and to strengthen.
He is here to bestow power and peace.
The size of the meeting does not matter. He is here!
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEOPLE
The church is a called out group of people.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ we are called out to worship God and serve God. In Matthew 16 Jesus calls us His church!
In John 10:27-28 Jesus calls us His sheep - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
In John 1:12 we are called God's children - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Although there are some who attend church who are not believers, for the most part it is God's children who gather.
The church is to be a place of friends.
The church is to be a place of mutual support.
The church is to be a place for brothers and sisters.
The church is the place for the closest of relationships and fellowships.
All week long you can find people to deal with who
· Do not care about God
· Take the name of your Savior in vain
· Ridicule the Christian faith
· Live immoral lives
· And do nothing to edify or help you in your walk with God
We are to come to church to interact and fellowship with those we love in Christ.
John 15:17 - These things I command you, that ye love one another.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEOPLE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEACE
Jesus Christ is in the midst of the church.
Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
The church is a refuge.
The church is a place of Spiritual refreshment.
The church is a place of rest from the onslaught of wickedness.
The church is to be a place of peace!
Now, I realize that in many churches there is no peace! But God's plan is for his church to be at peace amongst itself.
When Christians in a church strive to please Jesus Christ and to do as He says, there will be peace among the brethren. Although there will be disagreements, and sins that will need to be dealt with, ultimately peace will triumph.
It is our duty to let the peace of God rule in each of our hearts.
Psalms 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ephesians 5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers..." If our congregation continues to be a family of "peacemakers" we will be a church worth attending because it is a church at peace.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEOPLE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEACE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S POWER
There Is Power In Prayer -
John 16:24 - Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Acts 4:31 - And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
"During the first World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, Mr Moody carried on numberless evangelistic meetings. He secured many speakers from abroad, rented halls and engaged theatres. It took a great amount of money to carry on such extensive work.
"One day Mr. Moody invited a dozen men to luncheon in a downtown hotel. He said to them, 'I didn't invite you here merely to eat. I invited you because I believe you have power in prayer. I need seven thousand dollars to keep this work going.'
"Before luncheon was served they all definitely prayed for seven thousand dollars. Before luncheon was finished, Moody was handed a telegram which read: "We you friends at Northfield, became impressed that you must have money to carry on your work in Chicago. We have taken an offering amounting to seven thousand dollars. I am mailing you a draft today for that amount, praying God's richest blessing upon you and his cause."
My friend we haven't begun to see all that God would do in this community and on the mission field, if we but prayed together in faith believing!
There is also power in preaching.
1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
I have seen the preaching of God's Word lead to the salvation of souls.
I have seen the preaching of God's Word change a person's attitude towards another person.
I have seen the preaching of God's Word lead to Baptism and surrender to Christ.
I have seen the preaching of God's Word bring peace.
But for the preaching of God's Word to even begin to have effect in your life, you need to be here and willing to listen to it.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRAISE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEOPLE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S PEACE
CHURCH IS THE PLACE OF GOD'S POWER
What is your attitude towards church attendance this morning?
Are you willing to let God adjust it?