SUNDAY THOUGHT- 24

SUNDAY THOUGHT-24 WHAT WORSHIP IS AN OCCASION FOR? TEXT: LUKE 2:8-20   God sent His son into the world to culminate His redemption plan for humanity. The birth of Jesus was therefore to make a new way for people to worship God. After Jesus was born the news was announced to a group of shepherds. They were asked to go and see the child. They went and saw Him. They praised and glorified God. What the shepherds had done, gives us a model for what should happen in our worship and a reminder of what worship an occasion is for.     1.       Worship is an occasion to acknowledge God's Revelation (Lk. 2:8-15). Worship becomes true when it is based on what God himself has revealed. This is the cardinal difference between the worship of the people of God and others. Many worship God but not based on His revelation. The shepherds went to Bethlehem. They saw Jesus. They praised God and glorified Him. Their worship of God was due to what God has revealed to them (v. 10-12). We know God truly because of His revelation. We are privileged to have His true revelation. We are blessed in that we are given the grace to respond to that revelation. When we worship God, let us acknowledge God's revelation which came to us through His son and His word. Let us remember that when God was sending his son to this world He was revealing Himself and His plans to us. Therefore His revelation should be acknowledged at worship.   2.       Worship is an occasion to appreciate God's gift (Lk. 2:16). "… There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…" (v. 11). They were told about the gracious gift God had given them. They felt compelled to go to Bethlehem and see the child –the gift of God. They went and saw him. Some commentators opine that these shepherds were keeping the flocks that were for temple sacrifices. If so, the announcement about the Messiah to them became very appropriate. They were told about the savior, the gift of God. In genuine appreciation to that, though they did not understand the full worth of this gift by then, they went and saw the child and praised God.  The gift God gave us is so valuable. But we have not known its value fully yet.  But when we worship we need to appreciate God's indescribable gift- His son, His salvation and all his inheritance.   3.       Worship is an occasion to Declare God' Marvelous works (Lk. 2:17-18).  The shepherds went and saw the baby in the manger. Then they started declaring to all they met about this child and what they were told by the heavenly angels.  They in fact became the first evangelists! All those heard them marveled. When we come to worship god, which is the appropriate time to declare God's marvelous works. This has got constructive effect in the lives of the people. When we declare what God had done in saving us and how his sanctifying work is being continuing in us, that brings edification, repentance, motivation or correction to the congregation (1Cor. 14:4,24-25).The psalms repeatedly call for declaring the works of God while praising Him (cf. Ps.92:2;96:2etc.).   4.       Worship is an occasion to express our Joy in the Lord (Lk. 2:20). This we do by praising and glorifying God. We can't praise God in bitterness. We can't glorify Him without a gratitude filled heart. Our genuine worship reflects our Joy. The shepherds were gripped with a feeling of amazement awe and wonder. Though they did not understand everything which God planned with the child at that point, they definitely knew the LORD is at something. They were filled with joy, no, rather the joy of the angels (v.10, 13-14) were passed on to them.  The birth of the child had the potential to bring glory to God. Not only the shepherds, the birth of this child occasioned others to offer joyful praises to God. Mary his mother (Lk.1:46-55); Elisabeth (Lk.1:41-45) and Zacharias (Lk. 1:67-79) Simeon and Hannah (Lk. 2:25-32; 36-38) and the heavenly host ((2:13,14) are the other people  we see glorifying and praising God at His birth. When the church comes together for worship, there should be joy. This should be  expressed in our praises and  Thanksgiving.     As we prepare to worship God this week, let us recall the value of the special revelation God had given us. Let us appreciate the gift and the gifts we received from God.  Let us declare his marvelous works. Let us praise and glorify God expressing our joy in the Lord.   Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham