How To Get Ready For Church Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NKJV)

Transcription

1 Message for THE LORD'S DAY MORNING, August 23, 2015 Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister MESSAGE 7 in Ecclesiastes Sermon Series ( Finding Meaning In A Meaningless World ) How To Get Ready For Church Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NKJV) Today as we continue with our series of messages from the Book of Ecclesiastes on Finding Meaning In This Meaningless World I would like for you to please turn with me in your Bibles to Ecclesiastes chapter five. And let's read verses 1-7. ECCLESIASTES 5:1-7 (NKJV) 1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool s voice is known by his many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. ************************************************************

2 I N T R O D U C T I O N Up to this point in our study of Ecclesiastes Solomon has primarily focused upon his worldly pursuits to find the meaning of life. Solomon has expressed his disappointment and disillusionment with the things of this world. He has learned that the meaning of life cannot be found in one's work...or his money and material things...or in the pleasures of life...or education. Solomon concludes that the pursuit of these things is meaningless, nothing more than a chasing after the wind. Now all the sudden in this fifth chapter Solomon shifts his focus from the worldly...to WORSHIP. In these first seven verses of this fifth chapter, Solomon talks about the proper way to Prepare for Worship, or as I have entitled my message: Getting Ready For Church. ***************************************************** I L L U S T R A T I O N The short film JAMES 3 portrays a family of four getting ready for Church on Sunday morning. Even though the viewer cannot hear what the family members are saying, it is not hard to read their lips, or at least their attitudes. They wake up on Sunday morning sleepy and grumpy. The dad stumbles over a basket of laundry and kicks it out of the way. The older daughter is arguing with her mother about what she will or will not wear to Church. The younger daughter spills her milk and cereal.

3 As they drive to Church that morning angry words are exchanged when the dad suddenly slams on the brakes as mom is putting on her lipstick. No one in the car is smiling, all wear a frown. But the moment they walk through the Church doors, everyone puts on a happy face. The mom and dad are grinning ear to ear as they greet the first people they meet. Joyfully they make their way through the foyer and find their places in the sanctuary as the worship service begins. When they stand to sing, their eyes are closed in reverent adoration. And as the film nears the end, the sound begins, and you can hear them singing, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow. The film makes you makes you wonder who these people really are? Are they the cranky, snippy people who don't have a kind word to say at home or are they the people who acts nice to people at Church? Is their worship real or is all just a show? (Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters by Philip Graham Ryken, Crossway/Good News Publishers, Copyright 2010) **************************************************** It is very important that we take time to prepare our hearts to worship God before we ever set foot in the Church building on Sunday mornings. But sadly, many Christians don't do anything at all to prepare for worship. And that is because many of us see ourselves as spectators in worship rather than active participants. As we look at what Solomon has to say to us in today's scripture, I pray that all of us will leave here today with a different perspective on worship than when we came. Well let's see what Solomon says about Getting Ready For Church.

4 First of all, Solomon tells us... I. Get Ready to Meet God (v. 1a) Ecclesiastes 5:1a Walk prudently when you go to the house of God. (NIV - Guard your steps when you go to the house of God ) (Some translations say, Watch your step when you go to God's house.) 1. Remember when you were a kid how your mom or dad told you, Don't run in the Church building? And chances are you gave those same instructions to your children too. 2. Basically that is exactly what Solomon is telling us here in verse 1. That term, walk prudently literally means to tip toe into the presence of God or enter reverently and cautiously into the presence of God. Don't run carelessly into God's presence! 3. In Exodus chapter 3 we read that when Moses came into the presence of God at the burning bush he removed his sandals because he realized he was standing on holy ground.

5 4. In Revelation 1 we read that when the apostle John realized he was in the presence of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ he fell at His feet as though he were a dead man. 5. In Revelation 4 the apostle John describes that incredible scene in heaven where the four living angelic creatures stand by the throne of God day and night saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Who was and is and is to come. Just a few verses later, John tells us that when the angelic beings make that proclamation about the holiness of God that the twenty four elders bow down before God saying, You are worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created. (Rev. 4:9-11) 6. If Moses, and John, and the angels of heaven entered into the presence of God with that kind of reverential fear and awe, should any of us dare enter into His presence with a careless, cavalier attitude? 7. When you and I walk through these doors each Lord's Day we need to soberly remind ourselves that we are entering into the presence of the LORD. This isn't Wal-Mart or Food Lion or the local convenience store. This is the Lord's House.

6 As far as buildings go, this building isn't any different than any other brick and mortar building. But the fact that this building has been dedicated or set apart as a house of worship makes it uniquely different. 8. I want you to be keenly aware of just where you are right now. Right at this very moment you are in the very presence of Jehovah God, the One who merely spoke a word and brought this world into existence. You are in the very presence of the One who created you...the One who daily puts food on your table...and clothes on your back...and a roof over your head. You are in the presence of the One who is eternal, the God who has no beginning or end...the God who knows all...sees all...and hears all. You are in the presence of the one who knows exactly what you are thinking at this very moment...the One who knows your deepest, darkest secrets...the One who knows your every fear, your every heartache, and your every tear. You are in the very presence of the One who loves you and me so much that He willingly sacrificed the life of His only begotten Son to save our souls. 9. Before you set foot in this house of worship each Lord's day, GET READY TO MEET GOD!

7 Next Solomon tells us... II. Get Ready To LISTEN To God (v.1b) Ecclesiastes 5:1b Walk prudently when you go to the house of God, and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. (The New Living Translation says it this way: As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. Boy, that's pretty clear isn't it? ) ILLUSTRATION: If you have ever flown on a commercial jet you can relate to this. After you board the plane and take your seat, the flight attendant shares a list of pre-flight instructions with everyone aboard. He or she explains how to use the seat belt...where the exits are...how to put on the oxygen mask if needed...and how to use your seat as a flotation device in the event of an emergency landing in water. And the whole time the flight attendant is giving out these instructions people are talking, or laughing, or reading a book, or staring out the window, or getting stuff out of the overhead storage compartment. They are doing everything but listening.

8 1. Sadly, that scene is very similar to what goes on in many Church services each week. The preacher is up there preaching a message from God's word that he has spent as much as hours to prepare, and while he is proclaiming God's word, some are reading their Sunday bulletin, some are passing notes, some are looking at their watch wondering if they are going to get out of Church in time to beat the Baptists to the restaurant, some are making out their grocery list, some are texting on their iphones, while others are nodding off to sleep. 2. Brothers and sisters listen: Regardless of whether or not you like the messenger you have an obligation and a responsibility to listen to the message. If you will study your Bible very carefully you will find that God's prophets and God's preachers were not very well liked, in fact most of them were even hated. But those who listened to and heeded the message they delivered from God found eternal life, and joy, and peace.

9 3. The right way to approach GOD each week is with open ears...an open mind...and an open heart. In fact, do you know that is my prayer on your behalf on Sunday mornings before you ever get here? I pray for each of you to come into God's presence with open ears, and open mind, and an open heart. 4. We must understand that whenever we come to worship we are entering into the presence of a HOLY GOD who has gathered HIS HOLY PEOPLE to hear HIS HOLY WORD, and if we are not listening to what GOD has to say to us, the Bible tells us we are guilty of a great evil, for we have despised the cross and the empty tomb. 5. Brothers, are you listening to GOD? Sisters, are you listening to GOD? How do you get ready for Church? First, you GET READY TO MEET GOD. Secondly, you GET READY TO LISTEN TO GOD. Now the third thing Solomon tells us to do is...

10 III. Get Ready To HUMBLE Yourself Before God (v.2) 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. 1. Solomon's point is quite clear: GOD is GOD and we are not! -God is in HEAVEN, we are on EARTH. -God is seated on His mighty THRONE, we are seated on PADDED PEWS. -God is THE CREATOR, we are THE CREATED. -God is HOLY, we are UNHOLY. -God is PERFECT, we are IMPERFECT. -God is SINLESS, we are SINNERS. I L L U S T R A T I O N At a reception honoring musician Sir Robert Mayer on his 100 th birthday, elderly British socialite Lady Diana Cooper engaged in some friendly chit-chat with a friendly woman. Lady Diana's failing eyesight prevented her from recognizing the woman she was talking to, until she saw her magnificent diamond rings and realized she had been talking to Queen Elizabeth. Overcome with embarrassment, Lady Diana curtsied and stammered, Ma-am, oh ma'am, I am so sorry. I didn't recognize you without your crown. to which Queen Elizabeth replied, That is quite alright. This is Sir Robert's moment, so I decided to leave my crown at home.

11 2. Oh brothers and sisters, each week when you and I come into God's presence, let us remember this is GOD'S MOMENT...let us leave our crowns and our egos at home. How Do I Get Ready For Church? GET READY TO MEET GOD. GET READY TO LISTEN TO GOD. GET READY TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD. And finally... IV. Get Ready To OBEY God (vs. 4,5) 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 1. Probably everyone of us has made a promise or vow to GOD in a time of trouble. LORD, I promise You if you will get me out of this mess I am in, I will be in Church every Sunday. LORD, if you'll just let my loved one get better, I promise I'll do anything you ask me to do! LORD, if You will keep my family and friends from finding out about this sin in my life, I promise I won't ever do it again.

12 2. Solomon is telling us GOD takes our vows very seriously and so should we! If you or I make a vow or promise to GOD we had better be prepared to follow through with it. It is better not to make a vow or promise to GOD at all than to make a vow and not do what we promise to do. ************************************************************************ C O N C L U S I O N As we close, I want to give you some food for thought. When we come here to worship we must remember GOD knows absolutely everything about us. He knows what it is in your heart. He knows if you are hiding sin. He knows if you are harboring anger or hatred towards a brother or sister. He knows if you are worshiping in spirit and in truth or if you are just putting on some hypocritical religious show to impress people. WORSHIP is not about you or me, WORSHIP IS ABOUT GOD and when we forget that we miss the whole meaning of worship. WORSHIP is about God's Holiness, His Righteousness, and His worthiness to be PRAISED and ADORED. So Get Ready to Meet God! Get Ready To Listen to God! Get Ready To Humble Yourself Before God! Get Ready To Obey God. LET'S GET READY FOR CHURCH!