During the month of October we will be looking more in depth on the subject of “Worship.”  Why focus the preaching on this subject?  First of all, because God commands worship and we should desire to learn what God expects from His children as they gather together each week at what is called the “worship service.”  Second, we should focus on the subject of worship because the Scriptures have much to say about it.  As we claim the Bible as our only source and guide for life, what it says about worship is paramount to our understanding of it.  Third, giving to God His worth is the best way for us to find true satisfaction and joy.  If Jesus is truly our Supreme Treasure, nothing should give us greater pleasure than to make much of Him.

One of the most practical and informative books I’ve read on the subject of worship is by well know author and teacher, Warren Wiersbe.  I’d like to share a portion of his book, Real Worship, where he explores the “Invitation to Worship”[i]:

• We worship God because He is worthy and not because we as worshippers get something out of it.  If we look upon worship only as a means of getting something from God, rather than giving something to God, then we make god our servant instead of our Lord, and the elements of worship become a cheap formula for selfish gratification. . . . Worshiping God with a wrong motive can be as deadening as worshiping a false god with a sincere motive.  Both are wrong, but certainly the enlightened Christian faces a greater judgment than the sincere pagan.  After all, we know the God we worship! We know that we live in His world and that we bear His image; and as believers, we know that we belong to His family.  We have His revelation in His Word and the personal instruction of His Spirit.  Believers who have a commercial approach to worship have certainly forgotten these truths and have turned God into a celestial Servant who rewards them for faithful worship.  Satan accused Job of being that kind of worshiper.

• We worship God because He is worthy and because He has commanded us to worship Him. . . . “Through worship man comes to God at first hand, has an immediate experience with God, and goes forth transformed and stimulated to new levels of endeavor.”[ii]

May we all commit ourselves afresh to worshiping God with our whole heart, mind, and strength.  And may our greatest joy and satisfaction be found in Him alone.

Worshiping our Great God with you,

Pastor Leslie

[ii] Albert W. Palmer in Paths to the Presence of God, quoted in Thomas S. Kepler, comp., The Fellowship of the Saints (New York: Abington-cokesbury, 1948), p. 680.

Our Senior Luncheon for December 9 has been canceled, but we have since added a very special event for that evening.  On December 9, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Lakeside Baptist Church will host B. J. Johnston in his one-man dramatic performance on the life of John Wesley, titled “The Man from Aldersgate”.  This spectacular production brings to life the journals of John Wesley, and helps us gain a glimpse into the life of one of the most significant and inspiring figures in church history.  The event is free and open to the public, but a free-will love offering will be accepted after the performance.  Please make every effort not to miss this exciting and inspiring presentation!