## What To Bring To Church

## Psalm 100:1-5

People bring all kinds of things to church. Some bring snack, candy and toys to entertain the kids. I have even seen people read books or the Tribune while the sermon is being preached! Some think this is the time and place to balance their checkbook. Others bring their nail clippers and trim their fingernails. Some things should just be left at the house!

Of course, in a positive sense, many bring their Bibles, (Hold them up!). An evangelist who had a bit of notoriety a number of years ago, used to say that only Baptists bring their Bibles to church, and that only because they don't trust their preacher! Well, there are some things everyone should bring to church.

Psalm 100 is a Psalm of the future millennial kingdom it describes what worship will be like in the day when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns in glory and power upon the earth. We are not in that glorious day right now, but we are in the family of God and we are commanded to gather ourselves together and worship Him in His church, Heb. 10:25. With that in mind, let it be said that this Psalm tells us exactly what everyone ought to bring to church when they come. Let's look at that together this morning.

I. Bring The Right Spirit v1-2

A. Shouting Spirit v1

1. We are told to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD."

2. Let's break this down and see what He is commanding us to do.

a. First, there is the word "Make" - This word means to "Make music" It is used to refer to singing and to the Psalms.

b. Then, there is the word "Joyful". This word means "to give a public confession of the attributes and works of God."

c. Thirdly, there is the word "Noise". This word means "to raise a shout." It refers to a "ringing cry" A cry that pierces the eardrum!

3. When all these things are put together, we can see that the Psalmist is calling on the people of the Lord to raise an anthem of praise from their hearts to the Lord.

4. This is a challenge to participate in the public praise of God's Person and works.

5. You say, "But Pastor, I can't sing!" Realize that singing is not contingent upon having ability; it is only contingent upon having a song!

Ps 40:2-3 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

B. Serving Spirit v2

1. The word "serve", means "to be in bondage to".

2. It refers to doing whatever the master tells the slave to do.

3. It means "to be at his beck and call."

4. When we got saved, we became the Lord's property.

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

5. Therefore, we are to do what He tells us to do without question or hesitation.

a. Some folks don't like that already.

b. They don't like anyone telling them what to do.

c. Well, if you didn't like that, then you ain't gonna like this either!

d. He tells us that we are to serve Him with "gladness".

e. This verse is telling us that we are to serve the Lord with laughter!

f. We are to be so filled with love for Him that regardless of what He asks us to do, we are tickled to death to do it!

Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

II. Bring The Right Submission v3

A. Submit To The Person Of God

1. We are told to "know" that the Lord is God.

2. This word means "to make a distinction"

3. We are to know that He and He alone is God!

4. To whom do we give the most of our time, attention and money?

5. Whatever answers that question is your God!

B. Submit To The Purpose Of God

1. We are reminded that we are what we are because He has "made" us.

2. This word simply means "to take some material and fashion something new out of it!"

3. God took the clay that was us and formed a new creature out of it by His power.

4. Regardless of what we are this evening, we are what we are by the power of God.

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

5. Without Him, not only can we do nothing, we are nothing!

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6. We need to realize that God saved us for a purpose.

7. He didn't just redeem us to keep us out of Hell.

8. He saved us so that we might serve Him, and He has a plan for our life.

9. He will use us if we will submit to His purpose in our lives!

C. Submit To The Promise Of God

1. We are "the sheep of His pasture".

2. This statement simply reminds us that we belong to Him.

3. If we can get a hold of this truth, it will forever transform us.

4. We will realize that we never have to worry about a need being met.

5. We never have to fear anything that arises in life.

6. We are His promises and His guarantee that all is in His control.

7. If we are saved, we belong to the Chief Shepherd and He will take care of the needs that arise in our life.

Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

8. The problem we have is that too often don't trust Him, as we should!

III. Bring The Right Sacrifice v4-5

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

A. Praise God For His Goodness

1. We are told that the Lord is "good."

2. Everything God does is an expression of His goodness!

3. We can praise our God because He is good!

4. Regardless of what happens in life, God is good!

5. No matter how things turn out, God is still good!

6. Therefore, praise Him for His goodness!

B. Praise God For His Grace

1. Next we are told that God's "mercy is everlasting."

2. We can praise God because He is constantly extending His mercy to us as we go through life.

3. As you know mercy is defined as "not getting what you deserve."

4. We live in a time when everyone wants what's coming to them.

5. Not me! If I got what was coming to me, I would get Hell.

6. His mercy will never be exhausted!

La 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

7. That is a good reason to praise the Lord!

C. Praise God For His Guarantee.

1. We are told that God's "truth endureth to all generations."

2. Simply stated, while the years pile up, not a single promise of God's Word will fail!

3. You see, God cannot lie, and what He has promised will be as good in 10,000 years as it was the instant He promised it!

4. When He tells us He loves us, we can count on it.

5. When He tells us He'll save us if you come to Him, we can count on it.

6. If He tells us that He'll take care of us, we can count on it.

7. If He tells us He is coming back to get us, we can count on it.

8. If He tells us He'll keep us saved, we can count on it.

9. Suffice it to say that if the Lord tells us anything at all, we can count on it.

What are we bringing to church? Do we come before Him with thanksgiving, praise, and blessing? Are we bringing the right spirit, the right submission, and the right sacrifice? Whatever the need, you come as we prepare our hearts for the invitation.