An Act of Worship

An Act of Worship

 

From my notes I present an edited post about our Sunday morning service at Open Door church.

Before we began the worship portion at Open Door Church, our Sister Linda shared; 

 

"For many years Abraham and his wife Sarah desired a son.  God gave them a promise, but it took 25 years until their son arrived.  By this time both Abraham and his wife were very old; yet they were excited to have their beloved son with them at last.  One day, God required Abraham to give up his son on the Mount.  But God provided a substitute sacrifice.  It was on this same mountain that Jesus became the sacrifice as our substitute.

We must honor God with our very life.  Today we share our weaknesses, and they actually become our strengths.

We don’t have to do these things, but we do them willingly.  How much like Abraham you are, as you model Christ.

(The praise and worship portion of the service began - - God was in this place.)

Pastor Allan took the microphone and was speaking;

"God desires to come into the clutter of your heart, however you must give Him access and allow Him to come in.  Don’t slam the door of your closet, but give him all of your heart.  Even the deep corners where are hidden things you know you need to let go. 

The Word say, “Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.”

The designer knows the working parts that need adjustment and replacement.  Let God do the work.  We often want to be in control and fix it ourselves, but we need to turn it over to God."

Pastor turned the service over to Associate Pastor Rodney, for the morning message:

“God is taking us through a process so can understand the Living Word.  Ask God questions while you study your Bible.  Let God speak to you from the printed pages.

Mark 14:1 It was festival time, and although the Chief priests and the scribes desired to kill Jesus by a treacherous way, they waited because the timing was not right during a celebration.

Mark 14:3. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as Jesus sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head and feet. The fragrance of the precious balm filled the house.

Some had indignation and criticized the woman for wasting a years wages on Jesus; when in their opinion, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

Mark 14:8  Jesus told them to leave her alone because  she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

You might have some questions about our church and why do we raise our hands, or stand while we worship?  You may not know all the story.  Mary knew who Jesus was.  She had seen him raise her brother from the dead.  He was the Resurrection and the Life, and she loved Jesus with all her heart.  Her gift was a small sacrifice compared to all that Jesus had done.

We may not understand all the theology, but when God touches your heart, He can change your life.  Mary knew who was at that table on that day.  He was real to her. 

 

As we read the Bible stories, they become live actors.   The culture in that day was different than ours, but she knew she must do this anointing as an act of worship and she was not afraid.

We have a lot of plans we want to do as a church body, and we no apology is necessary as we worship.  Do your friends and family know you are a Christian?  

We are called to sacrifice as Jesus was willing to be the sacrifice for us.  He has given us new life, a new purpose and a new direction .  May we come to Him with a willing heart.  Thank you God that we can be a part of the revival of our city."