East End

6-1-08

Text: Nehemiah 8:5-8

Have you ever wondered why we stand at the reading of God’s word before the sermon starts? Believe it or not, it is in Scripture. Have you ever wondered why some people lift their hands when they are worshipping during a song or so? Believe it or not, it is in Scripture. Have you ever wondered why some people say, “Amen” in the middle of a sermon? Believe it or not, it is in Scripture. All three of these things are in our text today. We stand to give honor to God and His word. We lift our hands up to show that we are dependant upon God for our needs and to show that He is above us physically and spiritually. We say “Amen” because we agree with what God is saying through His servant. I bring these things up for a reason. When it comes to our life especially our worship of God, we should do what is in Scripture. The Bible is God’s word, inspired by Him to give us an instruction manual for the way we should live our life on earth as we prepare for eternity. As a Christian we are to become more like Christ as stated in Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be CONFORMED to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” We are to conform our life to the life of Jesus Christ. We will never be perfect until we get to heaven, but that should not stop of from striving to be the best Christian God has called us to be. If we ever wonder what we should do in our life or in our worship of God, all we have to do follow the instruction manual. Be careful though that we never add or take away anything in God’s word. My prayer is that the next worship service you attend will be the best you have ever had and that each one after that will get just a little better as you worship God in Spirit and in truth!