Vision#1

   I'm going to start a series on; you could call it, "T Vision of t  Church," or you could call it, "What this Church is all about." We need to be reminded why we're here. What is t reason for us coming to church? Is it just because God said in (HEB 10:25) That we should not be  forsaking the assembling of ourselves together? If that's t only reason for us to come to church, we're missing a great deal of why God's has ordained t church.

   I. I've said it before that t church is like God's protective umbrella for us. ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ 1PE 2:25

       A. Mat 16:15‑18

            1. Do you know what t word "Church" means?

                a. According to t Strong's concordance it means, "a  calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious  congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): ‑assembly, church.

                b. Every time it's used it means t same thing.

            2. It means a group of people who are saved coming together in meetings.

                a. 1CO 1:1‑2

                b. This gives us a little understanding of t church.

                     i. They our those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called {to be} saints, & have called upon the name of Jesus Christ.

       B. T word "assembling" in (HEB 10:25) means, "a complete  collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship): ‑assembling  (gathering) together."

   II. I think we have established that God has ordained t church & that we all are to collectively gather together & that there's protection in that.   But what is t purpose of t church & what are we to do when we are in church.   Well that's what our vision is.

       A. There's a number of things that I want to talk about 1st I want to talk about praise & worship.

            1. What is t reason for us to worship?

                a. 1st of all He desires us to.

                     i. JOHN 4:23‑24

                b. 2nd it's for our benefit.

                     i. PSA 22:3

                     ii. God's going to inhabit t praises of His people.

                c. 3rd It's a weapon against Satan.

                                  i. PSA 8:2 ii. T (NIV) make that a little clearer, (PSA 8:2)  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

                          a. Did you get that, praise will silence t  enemy.

                d. T 4th reason why we should worship God is because he is worthy.

                     i. REV 4:11

   III. Let go over some examples of praise & worship.

       A. EXO 15:19‑21

            1. Can you imagine t celebration they must of had worshiping t Lord.

       B. 2CH 5:13‑14

            1. I'm expecting that to happen here in this fullness, we've already seen that happen to some extent.

            2. But I'm believing God for His presence to fill this place in such a way that we wont even be able to see.

            3. We all remember in (2CHRON 20) how Jehoshaphat sent praisers in front of his army. ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

            4. What about Paul & Silas in (ACTS 16:25) when they we're in there darkest hour?

                a. They sang praises unto God & God set everyone free.

   IV. How are we to worship God?

       A. One way we already read in (JOH 4:24) which says, "God {is} a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship {him} in spirit and in truth." (KJV)

            1. Your flesh doesn't worship God. You've got to worship Him

from your heart.

       B. PSA 95:2‑6

            1. Kneeling & bowing down

       C. PSA 68:32_

            1. One of t ways of worshiping t Lord is in singing, singing praise unto Him.

       D. PSA 47:1‑9

            1. Again V 1 says, (read)

                a. This is all being done in praise.

                b. How is this V telling us to praise t Lord?

                     i. To shout our praises unto Him.

                     ii. It also says to clap our hands.

       E. Psa 150 :1‑6

            1. Praise Him w/ our voices, praise Him w/ all kinds of instruments.

            2. (PSA 66:8) Says, "O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:" (KJV)

       F. In (PSA 149:3) it says, "Let them praise his name in the DANCE."

            1. Dancing unto t Lord when we're in t spirit is fine.

                a. David danced before t Lord.

       G. In (ACT 10:46) it says, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."

   V. These are just some of t ways that they worshiped & praised t Lord.

       A. We can see it throughout t Word of God.

       B. Seeing people Praising & worshiping t Lord is part of t Vision of t Tabernacle Family Church.

            1. In t next few weeks we're going to look at some of t others areas of t Churches Vision, like prayer, getting t Word of God in  our hearts, fellowship, witnessing or t ministry of reconciliation.

                         5:54PM  5/12/1990