Worship Provides Security (Copy)

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. After that, they presented the regular burnt offering, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred feasts of the Lord, as well as those brought as freewill offering to the Lord.” (Ezra 3:4-5)
  Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

          A joke is told of a small church where the pastor invited prayer requests during the service. A visitor was there and raised his hand. The pastor asked what they could pray for him about. He replied, “I’m a spendthrift and I throw money around like it was growing on trees.” The pastor answered, “We’re going to pray for you, brother, as soon as we have passed the offering plate.” Giving is essential for the on going ministries of any church, but the best motivation for giving is not paying expenses for the budget. The best motivation is worship.
        Worship promotes generosity, because worship is loving God and putting Him first.  When loving God is your priority, you will find that giving is a joy that comes out a heart of gratitude and recognition that God has provided all you have. Giving allows you to participate in His Kingdom work and giving comes with the promise that God will bless and take care of you. Giving flowed from the hands of those who returned from Babylonian exile, and it will flow from the hands of those who worship well.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)