“A Call to Worship”

Date
August 31, 1998

Scripture Text
Psalm 100

Note
This message was delivered at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Brentwood, Long Island, New York.  Rev. Richard M. Logan, Sr. is the Pastor there.

The Church’s Task

The central task of the church is to worship God.  Nothing should take precedence over worshipping God.  Churches have many ministries and programs:

• Scholarships
• Food for the hungry
• Etc.

However, we are in the worship business -- lifting up the Name of Jesus.

The church is not a social club.  It is not a political club.  It is not a fraternal club.  It is not a community club.  We are running in Jesus’ Name and we need to praise the Lord.

The Member’s Task

You may have read Psalm 100 before, but has its message penetrated your heart?  We need to give joyful service to the Lord.   How can you come into the house of God looking as if you’ve been sucking on lemons all night?

Psalm 100

Psalm 100 challenges us to look at our churches.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving:  this is an invitation to be a part of the service.  Worship is a privilege.  You are not doing God a favor by coming to church.  We did not earn it.  Still, God allows us to come in.   God could do it without us -- He has angels to worship Him. 

We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  The wages of sin is death.  That shuts us out.  But Jesus has brought us back.

The House of God

Enter into HIS GATES with thanksgiving, and HIS COURTS with praise.  We can worship God anywhere.   For that matter, we should worship Him everywhere.   Still, there is something special about the house of God.

God is in Control

God must be in control.  We must decrease so that God may increase.  Everybody wants to be in charge, but this is God’s church, and we are God’s people.   

There is too much “us” in churches.  We have more money, more people, etc.  We have everything... except Jesus.  We should not come to see what other people have or what they are wearing.  We come to praise the Lord.

Thanksgiving and Praise

The purpose for entering into worship is to thank and praise the Lord.

Praise deals with the attributes of God -- Who He Is.

Thanksgiving deals with the deeds of God -- what He has done.

We thank Him for health and strength (the deeds of God).  Psalm 100:3 says that God is our Creator.  He is good and His mercy is everlasting.  His truth endures to all generations.

Conclusion

We should not play church or carry on traditions.  When praise goes up, the blessings come down.