My Sunday morning began and ended with a blessing. I mentioned one of them in both worship services yesterday, but the other one occurred at the end of our last service.
First, the one I mentioned in yesterday’s sermon. I followed my usual Sunday morning routine, which means I got up early, purchased coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, and headed to my office. The radio was tuned to 91.9 and they were playing Mandisa’s hit song “Stronger” as I pulled into the parking lot. Rather than turning the car off and getting out, I sat there and listened. The combination of meaningful lyrics and her incredible voice captured my attention. I found myself deeply moved and worshiping God. I even listened to the song again once inside my office.
The second blessing happened during the invitation in our last service and it was a blessing to everyone in that worship service. A man shared with the congregation that his ex-wife had invited him to church and he had been coming for a few weeks. He had wanted to get his life right, but he was having a hard time connecting with God. Then last Sunday he came to the altar during the invitation. When he knelt to pray, it was if God had grabbed his heart and soul. He was saved, and will be baptized soon.
After the service, I was speaking with him and his ex-wife in the parking lot. She told me that God had convicted her and made it clear to her that she was supposed to invite him to church. The problem was she didn’t want to. She didn’t want her ex-husband attending the same church she attended. But God didn’t give up and she finally obeyed. Now things are changing in both of their lives.
Obedience always brings blessings. Disobedience always robs us of blessings. That’s true of individuals and it’s also true of churches.
Worship before “church” always makes worship during “church” better. That’s true for me and it’s also true for you.
If we want our Sundays to overflow with blessings, then let’s place obedience and worship at the top of our Sunday priorities.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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