Sometimes I see things posted on social media that just stop me in my tracks, so to speak. Here is an example: A person visiting a certain city for the weekend asked help locating a church to attend. This recommendation for one church appeared… “they make great lattes (and you can drink them in church).”
What? I thought we were talking about finding a church, not Starbucks. I believe the Lord would have us choose a church based upon the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the proper worship of a holy God.
The object of our worship is Almighty God, Creator of the universe. This is worship: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (1 Chronicles 16:29).
Who may worship the Lord? “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false” (Psalm 24:3-4).
Jesus, speaking to the woman at the well, had this to say concerning worship of the Father… “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
Paul, in Romans 12:1, had this to say: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”
For true worship,
Pastor Jerry
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