Rev. David Holwick ZN
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 20, 1994
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 & 16:7-12
|
I. Thanks in a church setting.
A. Israel had special services of thanksgiving, just like us.
1) In 1 Chr 16, deals with the Ark being brought into Tabernacle.
2) Lots of noisy trumpets and singing. (Glory)
3) Giving thanks was something they got excited about.
4) Expressing thanks in church is tougher for us.
B. We are less emotional.
1) Too much enthusiasm is suspect.
a) Trumpets are definitely out.
2) (Contrast with black worship at Watchung Rally)
C. God made us to be worshipers, but most of us do not worship well.
1) Without a thankful heart, we cannot worship God.
a) A.W. Tozer noted that worship is "the missing jewel in
the church."
b) But it is often true that, as the Devil says in THE
BROTHERS KARAMAZOV,
"Everything would be transformed into a religious service:
it would be holy, but a little dull."
#2397
2) Biblical worship should be a celebration.
a) Those who are truly thankful are characterized by joy.
b) Thanksgiving cannot be done by others while we watch.
c) This is why we encourage participation, a key to worship.
II. Are you thankful for the gifts, or to the Giver?
A. Thanksgiving has become:
1) Food.
2) Football.
3) First day for Christmas specials.
B. We are not ungrateful, but...
1) We figure our hard work had something to do with what we have.
2) Maybe we would be more thankful if we got a little more.
C. David tells us to call upon God.
III. God likes publicity.
A. Testimony - tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chr 16:9
1) A testimony is what we share with believers.
a) In telling others of our blessings, we remind ourselves.
b) Don't brag (Christmas bragsheets) but give God credit.
2) Others need encouragement that God is still alive.
3) Jesus says if we don't, the stones will.
B. Witness - proclaim his salvation. 1 Chr 16:23
1) Witnessing is the good news we share with non-believers.
2) Many are hesitant to talk to others about faith.
a) They will know we are hypocrites.
b) We don't want to offend people.
1> Witnessing should be positive, not condemning.
2> People need to hear - they are in trouble if they
don't.
3> Many are very open to the message once they hear it.
c) We don't know what to say.
3) The gospel in a nutshell - Romans 6:23.
a) The problem.
1> Wages.
2> Sin.
3> Death. Spiritual as well as physical.
b) But: God's solution.
1> Gift of God.
2> Eternal life.
3> In Christ Jesus.
c) Our response: Jesus as Lord.
1> Salvation is free.
2> Obedience to Jesus as Lord should follow.
3> It is the best way to say THANK YOU!
C. Missions - make known among the nations. 1 Chr 16:8
1) Nancy Bartolec now back in Bulgaria.
a) Hard to believe this typical teenager is in East Europe.
b) From no spiritual interest to traveling world.
2) Jesus is not just for Georgia.
a) New Jersey Council meeting, and Asian worker.
1> Philippines is sending a missionary HERE.
b) Anybody can be our brother in Christ, but we must tell
them.
3) If you cannot go, then support those who can.
IV. Remembering the wonders. 1 Chr 16:12
A. Personal blessings - what God has done for us.
1) Reflect on the everyday things that have gone right.
a) (What has gone wrong has gotten enough attention.)
2) Make an inventory, and thank God explicitly.
a) (sort of like a video inventory.)
B. Past miracles God has done for others.
1) Bible miracles are often a lot more impressive than ours.
2) God is still working today.
a) Examples of healing, exactly answered prayers.
b) Don't expect them daily, but be open to possibility.
3) Encourage yourself with stories and lives of Christians.
V. Seeking God. 1 Chr 16:10
A. Not just at conversion, but ALWAYS. (v. 11)
B. A vision of God can keep us going.
Recently two American evangelists visited a large congregation
in Shanghai, China, known as Muen Church.
Literally, it means "Taking a Bath in Grace Church."
This congregation, along with other churches in China, was closed
by the Communists in 1969 during the Cultural Revolution.
It was a time of great suffering and oppression for Christians.
Pastors and laity were exiled and sentenced to hard labor.
Christians were severely punished for practicing their faith.
During their visit with the pastors of the church, the two
Americans were deeply moved by the pastors' faith & integrity.
They asked, "When you were exiled from the city, did you ever
dream of worshiping in this sanctuary again?"
"No," each responded.
"We thought maybe our children would, but none of us ever
imagined that we would pray or sing again in this sanctuary."
For the ten years this church was closed the government used the
building for a school.
After the death of the Gang of Four the building was reopened as
a church in 1979.
As the Americans walked into this magnificent church, one of the
pastors invited them to move toward the front.
Behind the pulpit was a large cross cut into the marble and
concrete.
"You see this cross?" the pastor asked.
"Yes," they replied, "it is beautiful."
"During the time the church was closed and turned into a school,
the authorities took cement and covered the cross.
They reasoned that since no one could see it, no one would know
about it."
Then the pastor, taking a deep breath and breaking into a big
smile said with profound conviction,
"We knew it was there all the time!"
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Easily create Web Help sites