Is Worship a Formula? A Review of ‘Morning Sermon’

[00:09:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
You are here and we're thankful that the Lord is here.
[00:09:08] Amen.
[00:09:09] Amen.
[00:09:09] Heavenly Father, we just thank you.
[00:09:11] We come to you today, God.
[00:09:12] And Lord, we just thank you that we can be in your house this morning.
[00:09:15] God, we thank you for your blood that you shed on Calvary, God, that washed away our sins, Lord.
[00:09:20] And God, we thank you that we have the liberty and the freedom and the opportunity to come into your house, Lord, to magnify your name and to lift you up.
[00:09:27] God you see those that are sick this morning God those that are not here God we ask Lord that you would touch them God we ask that you would bring a special touch on those that need it God those that haven't been with us but Lord you know every situation God and Lord we thank you God that you are still the King God Lord and you still reign and Lord there is nothing impossible with you today God and Lord we just thank you God that we come today with a heart of thanksgiving Lord ready to worship and magnify the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
[00:09:54] and God we give you all the glory and honor in Jesus name and everybody said amen all right ushers if you'll come on and take up the morning tithes and offering kids you can grab your banners and we're going to praise the Lord this morning amen amen yes adults you can grab a banner too

[00:10:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I want to dance like David, I want a faith like Paul I want to sing like Silas tearing down the prison walls I want to face that fire, it won't burn me though God's got my back, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego I want to walk like Moses, right through the waves One day I'll see that promised land no longer slaves Though the fear is talking, no it can't take out my pain
[00:11:00] I'm gonna praise, I'm gonna praise I praise the mountain-moving, body-raising, breaker of chains Gonna praise, I'm gonna praise I praise the heaven-seated, undefeated, highest in name That's who I praise Hey, that's who I praise That's who I praise
[00:11:30] I want a gift like Mary, I want to break my vase I want to sleep like Daniel even in a lion's cave I'm gonna get that promise just like Jericho Yeah, I know what I'll make it for
[00:11:45] I'm gonna praise, I'm gonna praise I'll praise the mountain-moving, body-raising, breaker of change Gonna praise, I'm gonna praise I'll praise the heaven-seated, undefeated, highest of names That's who I'll praise, hey I'll praise that God is proven, He can do impossible things
[00:12:15] That's who I praise, that's who I praise He is the Lion of Judah
[00:12:24] He is the land that was slain The only one who's worthy, worthy, worthy of all of His names That's who I praise He is the risen Messiah He is the Ancient of Days The only one who's worthy, worthy, worthy of all of His names That's who I praise
[00:12:54] I'm gonna praise I praise the mountain-moving, body-raising, breaker of chains Gonna praise I'm gonna praise I praise the heaven-seated, undefeated, highest of names That's who I praise I praise that God has proven He can do impossible things
[00:13:26] That's who I praise!

[00:13:37] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
That's who I praise!

[00:13:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
That's who I praise!
[00:13:38] I wanna love like Jesus, that kind of grace I wanna live like I've got no more precious time to waste I'm gonna give Him glory with all my things Cause there's no greater, stronger, higher name And that's who I praise

[00:14:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Amen.
[00:14:02] Hallelujah.
[00:14:03] We thank you, Lord Jesus, in this place, God.
[00:14:05] Lord, we do praise you.
[00:14:07] Hallelujah.
[00:14:08] We thank you, Jesus.

[00:14:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Hallelujah.
[00:14:20] We bless you, Lord.
[00:14:21] We bless you, Lord.
[00:14:23] There is evidence in our lives of all the blessings that God has poured out from
[00:14:30] The very beginning of our life.

[00:14:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
All throughout my history The faithfulness is long beside me The winter storms made way for spring
[00:15:10] All over my life, all over my life I see Your promises in fulfillment
[00:15:43] Fear may come, but fear will lead Lead my heart to victory You are my strength and You are my strength
[00:16:11] Oh thank you Jesus.
[00:16:41] All my sins rolled away because of you, O Jesus See the cross, the empty grave
[00:17:22] All over my life, all over my life Why should I fear?

[00:17:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
All the evidence is here Why should I fear?

[00:17:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh sing it out church!

[00:18:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I see the evidence of your goodness all over my life, all over my life.
[00:18:21] I see your promises in fulfillment all over my life.

[00:18:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Thank you for your goodness, Lord.
[00:18:39] We thank you for your promises, Lord.
[00:18:41] That's being fulfilled.

[00:18:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Hallelujah.
[00:18:48] Thank you, Jesus.

[00:19:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Until I lay my head all I will see of the goodness of God Cause all my life you have been faithful And all my life you have been so
[00:19:40] Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, of your pure voice.
[00:20:03] You have led me through the fire and darkest night.
[00:20:04] You are close like no other.
[00:20:04] I've known you as a father.
[00:20:12] All my life you have been faithful And all my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am made
[00:20:42] Your goodness is running after, it's running after me Your goodness is running after, it's running after me With my life laid down I surrender now
[00:21:13] And this is running after, it's running after me Oh I bless you Lord Cause all my life you have been faithful And all my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am able
[00:21:45] of the goodness of God.
[00:21:51] Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.
[00:21:58] Hallelujah.

[00:22:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Thank you, Jesus.
[00:22:03] Thank you for your goodness, Lord.
[00:22:04] We thank you for your grace and your mercy.

[00:22:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Thank you, Jesus.
[00:22:13] Because you deserve the glory

[00:22:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lord we lift our hands in worship As we lift your holy name You deserve the glory and the honor Lord we lift our hands in worship
[00:22:47] You do miracles so great There is no one else like You There is no one else like You You are great You do miracles so great There is no one else like You

[00:23:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, come on, let's praise Him.
[00:23:26] Oh, we lift those hands.

[00:23:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Lord, we lift our hands in worship as we lift our holy name.
[00:23:36] You deserve the glory.
[00:23:42] Lord, we lift our hands in worship as we lift your holy name You are great, you do miracles so great There is no one else like you

[00:24:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There is no one else like you.
[00:24:10] For you are great.
[00:24:13] You do miracles so great.
[00:24:17] There is no one else like you.

[00:24:33] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
There is no one else like you.
[00:24:34] Thank you Jesus.

[00:24:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There's no sweeter name than Jesus I have tasted, I have seen Nothing better than His presence A friend when I'm in need
[00:25:06] There's no sweeter name than Jesus He's the Savior of my life
[00:25:52] All that He is and what He's done All that He is and what He's done There's no greater name than Jesus And it's mentioned darkness
[00:26:18] All creation stands in wonder And heaven glorified I will declare His goodness

[00:27:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Sing this with all your heart.

[00:27:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There's no sweeter name than Jesus I have tasted, I have seen
[00:28:15] There's no sweeter name than Jesus A friend when I'm in need I will declare
[00:28:40] I will declare His goodness I will declare His love My life will testify forever All that He is and what He's done All that He is and what He
[00:29:07] Can we just lift our hands and do that again?
[00:29:10] And I will declare His goodness And I will declare
[00:29:20] My life will testify forever All that He is and what He's done All that He is and what He's done

[00:29:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, let's give the Lord a clap of praise this morning.

[00:29:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Hallelujah.
[00:29:47] Thank you for being in the house of the Lord today.
[00:29:50] We appreciate you and we love you guys.
[00:29:53] And for those that are out this morning, we are praying for you and believing the Lord to touch you and bring healing to your body.
[00:30:00] It's that time of year when the enemy tries to fight us with everything, but we still know who our deliverer is and who our healer is.
[00:30:07] So we welcome you that are here today and those that are watching by...
[00:30:12] Facebook Live and also those that are listening at 102.5 WEZG here in Statesville.
[00:30:19] Thank you for listening.
[00:30:21] I had a sweet friend call me this week and said her son was out on the truck and said, I heard Tammy, I heard Tammy preaching.
[00:30:29] She's not too bad.
[00:30:30] And I said, well, come on in the house of God with us then.
[00:30:33] But it made me feel good that somebody has heard, is hearing us out there and knowing that we are here at 135 Village Point Drive here in Statesville and we truly invite you to come be part of us anytime you would love to.
[00:30:47] We'd love to have you.
[00:30:48] Well, as we're getting into Thanksgiving and we're in the month of November and we should be remembering everything that we're thankful for.
[00:30:57] And, you know, as Christians, that should be an everyday life for us.
[00:31:00] But as we get closer to the day of Thanksgiving, I pray that our messages this month has been opening to our heart and what being thankful is.
[00:31:12] Being thankful is not just what God requires of us, but it's also beneficial for us to be thankful.
[00:31:18] If you have a thankful heart, you appreciate what you have.
[00:31:22] And so many people don't appreciate what they already have.
[00:31:27] Well, Pastor Tammy, I don't have this and I don't have that.
[00:31:30] Well, be thankful for what you do have and watch God provide more for you.
[00:31:36] And if you have a thankful heart, that means you are appreciative.
[00:31:40] You know, if you have a thankful heart, that means that you can be grateful in the good times and you can be grateful in the hard times.
[00:31:49] Because everybody in life has hard times.
[00:31:52] Life is like a roller coaster sometimes.
[00:31:55] Sometimes we're way up and sometimes we're way low.
[00:31:58] But everything in between, we've still got to be thankful to God and we've still got to trust Him.
[00:32:05] If you'll remain thankful, you'll see the results in your relationship with God.
[00:32:11] Being thankful opens up a spiritual realm that is very different than what most people have experienced.
[00:32:20] We tend to think and we get in a routine or I'm even going to say we tend to get in a rut sometimes when we just do things out of the norm.
[00:32:32] But I want us to know that if you have a true thankful heart, it will spiral up.
[00:32:38] and it'll move you to start praising God for what you do have and as you are showing him praise and honor for everything that he has done for you that sort of spirals on up and as we become more appreciative as we become more thankful as all of that is starting to roll into one it leads us into a place called worship
[00:33:05] Well, Pastor Tammy, why does it take all those steps?
[00:33:09] Well, if you think about it, we have to motivate ourselves into being thankful.
[00:33:15] We have to motivate ourselves into giving praise to God, because I want to tell you, sometimes it's not easy to praise God.
[00:33:23] Even though you know what you should do, this physical body don't want you to.
[00:33:28] So sometimes there's a struggle.
[00:33:30] So when you break through of being thankful, and then you have a breakthrough of being, and you praise Him, then that automatically starts stirring your spirit, and it leads you to a place of worship.
[00:33:46] If I'd ask each one of you today what worship is, I'd probably get a different answer from every one of you.
[00:33:55] Worship means something different to different people.
[00:34:00] One reason is it was the way we've been raised.
[00:34:04] We have some that believes that worship is the music we sing.
[00:34:08] Some music is from the hymn books.
[00:34:10] Others is called praise and worship music.
[00:34:13] Some are choruses, and we try to do all three.
[00:34:16] But there are some that also thinks worship time is the 11 o'clock hour where we come together.
[00:34:23] Oh, that's worship time.
[00:34:26] The primary reason that there's so many different thoughts on worship really depends on your foundation and beliefs that really your congregation talks about and makes you a part of.
[00:34:40] So we can say that worship means different things to different people, but some of us have the misconception that worship is for us.
[00:34:51] When I go to worship and it's good, then I got something out of worship.
[00:34:55] While that will happen, we need to understand that worship is something you give to God.
[00:35:03] You give it back.
[00:35:04] But the blessings of us lifting up our hands, worshiping Him, being thankful, the part of that is a byproduct of what comes back to us where God blesses us.
[00:35:18] I've said this for the last few months and I hope we're getting this into our spirit and we need to really understand that.
[00:35:27] That worship is the only time during our service together that is truly for God.
[00:35:36] So think about it.
[00:35:38] Sunday school is for us.
[00:35:40] Tithes and offerings is for us.
[00:35:42] Prayer time is for us.
[00:35:44] And the sermon is for us.
[00:35:47] So when you look at it, when you are singing praises and honor, when you're giving him thanks with the raising of the hands or the tears that sometimes flow or the waving of the banners, whatever it may be, that is your time to truly worship God.
[00:36:05] So if that's the case, when it comes to us blessing God and giving Him back our adoration and giving Him back everything that we have, I want to ask you, what are you doing to worship God?
[00:36:22] You know, that's a short window of time that we can bring heaven down because heaven will come down when you get in one mind, one accord, and when we come with a thankful heart, praise is ready, and we worship God in unity and love.
[00:36:40] First scripture I want to read this morning is in Malachi chapter 1 and verse 10.
[00:36:47] Malachi chapter 1 verse 10.
[00:36:52] Who is there even among you that should shut the doors for naught?
[00:36:58] Neither do you kindle fire on my altar for naught.
[00:37:02] I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
[00:37:09] Now another version reads it like this.
[00:37:13] Oh, that someone would shut the temple doors so that my people would not light unless fires, useless light, fires on my altar.
[00:37:25] I am not pleased with you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept an offering from your hands.
[00:37:32] Perhaps the contributing factor to the common misunderstanding is our expectations of what worship truly is.
[00:37:42] Sometimes I think if I go to church and I sit through a 45-minute message and I've sung a few songs, then I've been to worship.
[00:37:52] Some think, oh, the music was good today and they was on beat and they was on target and it sounded good, and I worship today.
[00:38:00] Some think if I bring my tithes and offerings and I give it to the Lord, I've worshiped today.
[00:38:08] If I just make it through the door, I've worshiped today.
[00:38:13] But what we must understand this morning that worship is not about obligations.
[00:38:19] Worship is not about entertainment.
[00:38:22] Worship is not about the songs we sing or the clothes we wear or the movements that we do.
[00:38:30] Worship is about having an encounter with God.
[00:38:34] He wants to communicate with us.
[00:38:38] He wants to commune with us.
[00:38:40] He wants to reside in us.
[00:38:42] That is worship.
[00:38:44] It is not going through the routines.
[00:38:46] It's not just showing up.
[00:38:48] It's not doing this or doing that.
[00:38:51] It's coming together in one mind, one accord, with thanksgiving on our hearts, praise on our lips, and when we gather together, we explode with this worship of God.
[00:39:05] Then he will show up.
[00:39:08] This admiration that we have for God involves thanking him for everything he's done for me.
[00:39:17] You know, me and Juanita was talking before church of things that we had experienced in our youth and we were talking about that and it just come to me, you know, I thank you God for everything you took me through when I was growing up.
[00:39:32] I thank you for every scar that you have healed in my heart that I had to endure.
[00:39:38] The things that I thought I never would, but I'm standing today because I give you things that you brought me through it.
[00:39:45] You know, our praise,
[00:39:48] Thanksgiving in our hearts turns to praise and when we get so involved in giving him Thanksgiving that Thanksgiving turns into admiration you know what God if it had not been for you on my side I could not have made it through what I've been through if it had not been Lord for you helping me through everything I praise you for but now I'm adoring you because I know it was your hand that guided me it was your hand that helped me through
[00:40:17] This admiration is not just for what he's done, but for who he is.
[00:40:22] God, it is you who is almighty.
[00:40:25] God, it is you who is all-knowing.
[00:40:27] Lord, you knew what I was going to go through, and you see where you brought me through, and I am standing here today.
[00:40:35] But listen, it is for who he is.
[00:40:38] We adore you, we worship you, we glorify you, for you are the maker of all things.
[00:40:45] and when we reach that place of worship when we reach that place there is something that will take over in our lives that I cannot explain in countless churches today congregations are struggling with the same question
[00:41:04] Committees are established.
[00:41:06] Task teams are appointed in effort to discover what worship truly is right.
[00:41:12] What style of worship really is right.
[00:41:16] The younger folks, they want contemporary.
[00:41:19] While us older folks, we like traditional.
[00:41:22] But Gary Barge says what we need to understand is this.
[00:41:27] Neither synthesizers nor the 18th century hymns guarantee genuine worship that will engage the Spirit of God.
[00:41:39] We are in a place that we need to engage ourselves with the Spirit of God that He will come and commune with us.
[00:41:49] It is so much more than the songs we sing.
[00:41:52] It is so much more than the actions we bring.
[00:41:55] It comes from a thankful heart and we want God to accept our worship.
[00:42:05] Tony Evans said this, if you limit your worship to where you are, think about this, if you limit your worship to where you are, the minute you leave that place, you leave your attitude of worship behind like a crumpled up church bulletin.
[00:42:28] See, you need to understand, you can take worship with you wherever you are.
[00:42:34] When you leave this sanctuary today, you can take your worship with you.
[00:42:41] It's no longer associated with a place.
[00:42:44] It is a lifestyle, and when you come together with like-minded people, your daily worship joins with theirs, and in the presence of God will show up when we get His attention.
[00:42:59] We say we long for a move of God.
[00:43:02] We desire you Almighty God.
[00:43:04] Come to this place, stir our hearts, turn us into fire for you God.
[00:43:09] And you know what the key to open that door is?
[00:43:13] It's our worship.
[00:43:14] It's our worship that comes from the praise that started from being thankful for who you are and what you have.
[00:43:24] First of all, worship is giving worth or value, whether it's an object or person or even an idea.
[00:43:33] Worship is valuing one thing above all else.
[00:43:38] It's literally worth-ship.
[00:43:42] So when we sing praises to God, we are worshiping because we're proclaiming the greatness of His worth.
[00:43:50] His value is more than gold.
[00:43:53] His value is more than silver.
[00:43:55] His value is more than jewels or houses or land.
[00:44:00] Those things are nice and we thank Him for providing for us, but God is so much more than that.
[00:44:07] We are testifying that His power exceeds every king, every president, every dictator.
[00:44:16] We declare that the glory of His holiness outshines the billions of suns in every galaxy.
[00:44:22] When we worship God, we're saying nothing compares to Him.
[00:44:27] He is above all.
[00:44:28] He's greater than all.
[00:44:30] Everything in creation is insignificant next to the sovereign Lord of the universe.
[00:44:37] Listen to what the scripture tells us in Revelations 4 and 1.
[00:44:42] Can you read it with me as you can tell my voice is going out?
[00:44:45] In Revelations 4 and 1, read it loud.
[00:44:49] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor
[00:44:55] and Power.
[00:44:56] For thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
[00:45:04] Revelations 15 and 12 says, Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings.
[00:45:27] God alone is sublimely worthy of all our praise, all of our love, all our devotion, and our service.
[00:45:37] Do you know what?
[00:45:38] We serve because He is worthy of it.
[00:45:41] We serve and we do things for Him because He deserves the glory that we are even able to do it.
[00:45:49] Listen, we serve God and give Him everything we have.
[00:45:55] Why?
[00:45:55] Because He's worthy of it all.
[00:46:00] But second, worship is not just making one thing a direction to God.
[00:46:06] It's actively desiring and seeking after Him.
[00:46:11] To worship something is to make us pursue an enjoyment of the overriding goal of your life.
[00:46:18] That's what Jesus said when he says, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength.
[00:46:25] He means every part of you.
[00:46:28] That is what he wants.
[00:46:31] Matthew 13, 44 through 46 says, And again, the kingdom of heaven is likened to the treasure hid in a field.
[00:46:44] The witch, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof gloweth, and selleth all that he had, and he buyeth that field.
[00:46:54] And again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking godly pearls.
[00:47:02] Who, when he hath found one pearl at a great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
[00:47:12] Worship is treasuring the things of God, listen, so highly that we'll give everything we have in exchange for it.
[00:47:24] It is an attitude that says whatever it takes for me to know God, whatever it takes for me to have an encounter with God, whatever it takes for me to have an experience with God, I'm gonna do it.
[00:47:43] Is it possible to worship someone or something other than God?
[00:47:50] Absolutely.
[00:47:52] In fact, everyone worships something because God created us with DNA to worship.
[00:47:59] It is hardwired into us.
[00:48:01] It is part of us of what it means to be human beings that is made in God's image.
[00:48:07] If we refuse to worship God, then we will be driven to find something else to worship.
[00:48:14] And so it's not a matter of whether we will worship, it's a matter of who we will worship.
[00:48:22] What does that mean?
[00:48:23] It means that God doesn't care about where you worship.
[00:48:27] or what kind of building you're in that you worship in or what you're wearing.
[00:48:34] And listen, God's not fooled by our outward appearances when you smile and you're sad inside.
[00:48:42] He sees us.
[00:48:44] He knows who we are.
[00:48:46] You may appear to be devout and sincere.
[00:48:49] You may sing the songs.
[00:48:51] You may even teach a class or serve on the praise team or help clean up or play an instrument.
[00:48:59] But if your religion is external, you're just going through the motions.
[00:49:06] If you're not worshiping God from your heart, then it hasn't accomplished anything.
[00:49:11] It's empty motion.
[00:49:14] God isn't interested in that kind of worship.
[00:49:18] He wants the real thing.
[00:49:20] He wants you.
[00:49:21] In Isaiah 29, the prophet Isaiah said,
[00:49:33] Wherefore the Lord said, Who said this?
[00:49:36] The Lord said this, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me,
[00:49:52] and their feet toward me is taught by precepts of men.
[00:49:58] That's not what he wants.
[00:50:00] He wants you.
[00:50:02] He wants your heart.
[00:50:04] He wants your praise.
[00:50:05] He wants your worship.
[00:50:08] The only kind of worshipers God has any use for are those that worship from the heart.
[00:50:15] If God doesn't have your heart this morning, then nothing else matters.
[00:50:23] If you're singing praise songs but your heart's just saying the words, you're lukewarm.
[00:50:29] If you're just singing the song and it doesn't even stir you, you're singing a song.
[00:50:35] Do you know what I call it?
[00:50:37] Call it spiritual lip syncing.
[00:50:41] It looks real.
[00:50:42] It sounds real.
[00:50:44] But is it real?
[00:50:45] Is it coming from your heart?
[00:50:48] What do you do when you find yourself going through the motions?
[00:50:51] I found myself going through the motions.
[00:50:54] Many times have I done that.
[00:50:57] But let me tell you, when you realize it, that's when you've got to snap yourself and say, Lord, I'm giving you thanks.
[00:51:04] Change it.
[00:51:05] Start with thanksgiving.
[00:51:07] Lord, I thank you that you made a way for me this week.
[00:51:10] I thank you, Lord, I was able to do my job.
[00:51:12] I thank you that you woke me up this morning.
[00:51:14] I thank you, Lord, you put a desire in my heart to be in the house of God.
[00:51:19] You know, there's sometimes we're clapping our hands, and you know what we're clapping it to?
[00:51:23] We're clapping it to the beat of the music.
[00:51:26] God, help us to realize that when we're clapping our hands, we're saying, Lord, these hands are praising you.
[00:51:31] They're giving you glory.
[00:51:33] They're honoring you, Lord.
[00:51:34] The words might be coming from your lungs, your throat, your vocal cords, and your mouth, but it's gotta come from the heart.
[00:51:44] You are doing what the Scripture says, but it's got to begin from a thankful heart.
[00:51:50] Listen, that thankful heart spirals up to praise, and praise spirals up to worship.
[00:51:57] But it's not something you just do on Sundays.
[00:52:00] Don't wait until 10.30 on Sunday morning to get ready for worship.
[00:52:05] Unless you are usually receptive spiritually, it probably takes you half an hour just to get warmed up.
[00:52:12] Get your mind off your bills.
[00:52:14] Get your mind off of what you need to pay and what you need to go.
[00:52:19] Hey, it may take you 30 minutes to get your attitude right.
[00:52:24] You might have to get adjusted from stewing over something you and your husband said or you and your wife said last night or this morning.
[00:52:31] Might take you 30 minutes to get over what somebody made you mad last week.
[00:52:36] and that fog is in your brain in your mind and by that time you may be here but the singing's over and I'm halfway through my message so here's what we need to do don't wait till you arrive to church to start preparing for worship live it every day by having a thankful heart you know you're going down the road
[00:53:01] You can look and say, thank you Jesus for this day.
[00:53:05] Put that hand right back down.
[00:53:06] That's alright.
[00:53:07] Get practicing it.
[00:53:08] Get practicing it.
[00:53:10] You're in the kitchen and you're cooking.
[00:53:13] Thank you Jesus, I got food to cook.
[00:53:15] Put that hand back down.
[00:53:16] Practice it.
[00:53:18] Listen, you can praise Him anywhere.
[00:53:22] Matter of fact, in your bedroom, in your bathroom.
[00:53:26] You can have time to praise Him and thank Him for what He's done for you.
[00:53:32] Ask God, Lord, I want to know you.
[00:53:35] I want an experience with you.
[00:53:38] Show me what I need to do.
[00:53:41] Get up earlier and start praying.
[00:53:45] You know, we like our oldies but goodies, goodies but oldies, whatever.
[00:53:49] We like our beach music.
[00:53:50] We like all our country music.
[00:53:52] Won't you just turn that off and put some praise and worship on this week and say, Lord, I'm just going to give you praise all week.
[00:53:58] And during that time, start praising him.
[00:54:02] Listen to what God wants you to do.
[00:54:04] You know, and then your heart is ready.
[00:54:08] Your heart is prepared.
[00:54:11] You've lived a life, a week of thankfulness.
[00:54:15] You've thought and gave Him praise every day for what He's done for you.
[00:54:19] You've even practiced worshiping just a little bit.
[00:54:23] And do you know what will happen?
[00:54:25] When we come together in one mind, one accord, and experience the move of God, we're going to be ready to explode in the presence of God.
[00:54:36] Listen, you need to be praying and reading.
[00:54:40] You need to be worshiping.
[00:54:41] You need to be thankful.
[00:54:44] Well, Pastor Tammy, I am thankful.
[00:54:46] I appreciate that, and I'm happy to hear that.
[00:54:49] But you know what?
[00:54:50] We all could be more thankful.
[00:54:52] Our worship will spiral upwards, starting with that thankful heart.
[00:54:57] A thankful heart will praise, and a praise leads to worship.
[00:55:00] Let me mention one more thing.
[00:55:03] Something that may be hindering your worship
[00:55:07] If you find that, yes, you're working at it, you're being more thankful, you're practicing praising, and you're practicing your worship, and you still just can't quite get it, let me tell you something.
[00:55:23] It might be time that we evaluate our lives.
[00:55:26] There might be some underbrush that we need to clear away.
[00:55:30] You know, we may be going through emotions instead of true worship.
[00:55:38] We may be going through the emotions of it instead of true praise.
[00:55:44] We may be having lip service of saying thank you, but we really don't mean it.
[00:55:50] See, we need to say, God, is there sin in my life that I've not confessed before you?
[00:55:57] Is there something in my life that's blocking my ability to worship you?
[00:56:04] Is there unthankfulness in my heart?
[00:56:06] Is there sin in my life?
[00:56:08] Is my praise just routine?
[00:56:12] See,
[00:56:14] God, you can change me.
[00:56:17] I'm willing to have a thankful heart.
[00:56:21] I'm willing to praise you, and I'm willing to worship.
[00:56:25] So change me and mold me to where I can.
[00:56:30] You know, we've all had times we felt blocked, and we felt like our prayers, I don't know that, I felt like my prayers weren't even going higher than the ceiling that I could reach.
[00:56:41] I'm saying, God, where are you?
[00:56:43] And then I have to examine my life and say, Lord, forgive me.
[00:56:47] Forgive me.
[00:56:49] You know, God will forgive us.
[00:56:51] He says, I'll forgive you of all your sins.
[00:56:53] All you got to do is ask, repent, and I'm there for you.
[00:56:56] But we've got to determine what is the hindrance in our lives that's separating us from giving God the thankfulness of our heart, the praise of our lips, and our worship of all of us.
[00:57:09] Our goal is to give God the worship He deserves.
[00:57:13] Worship is so much more than praise, but yet it's got to start with a thankful heart.
[00:57:20] I pray this morning that we as The Wave Church will have a desire to worship God like never before.
[00:57:27] I pray that we will be more thankful than we've ever been.
[00:57:32] Church, our closeness to God is depending on our hearts towards Him.
[00:57:38] I said this and I'll say it again.
[00:57:41] There is so much of God we have never seen.
[00:57:44] And so much of God that we can experience.
[00:57:49] Examine your heart.
[00:57:51] Work on being more thankful.
[00:57:54] Work on being more praiseful.
[00:57:59] Work on stepping out of your comfort zone and worshiping with all that you are.
[00:58:05] Let it pour out of your life.
[00:58:08] and allow everything that you have to lift his name up and be presented to him as a sweet incense.
[00:58:18] I pray as we go through the next weeks of Thanksgiving it'll be a time that we can reflect on the goodness of God but I want to encourage you this morning to be thankful every day.
[00:58:33] Praise Him every day.
[00:58:36] Worship Him and let's come together with one focus and that is lifting up the name of the Lord in Jesus' name.
[00:58:44] Let's stand to our feet.