KEEPING YOUR FAMILY IN THE HOUSE OF GOD---Psalms 84

1-vs. 10 “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

2-At this time, David is running from Saul and longs to be in God’s house.

3-A real child of God loves the house of God—Psa. 26:8 “Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

I.                   LOVE THE CHURCH—vs. 1.

A-David Loved It—Psalms 122: 1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

1-Hezekiah found it a refuge in times of trouble.

2-Anna (age 84) found it to be a comfort in old age.

      B-Many Do not Love It—

1-Because They Have The Wrong View.

a-The House of God is not a Picture Gallery where we show off our religious garments.

b-The House of God is a School in which we get an education. It is a Hospital in which we find a cure.

                        2-Because They Think They Are As Good As Its Members

a-They compare themselves to some old lame and dwarfed member—good as them.

b-Why not pick out a good member—They’d look like a poodle beside an elephant.

                        3-Because They Are Not What They Used To Be.

a-Matt. 21:13 “My house shall be called a House of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

            1-The church will be what you make of it.

            2-If you come once a month, give a nickel,

never pray, never say amen. How dare you say the church is not what it used to be.

II.                LIVE THE CHURCH---vs. 3 You just can’t play the role. Your children have to see it work.

A-The Altar was David’s Place of Rest. ”Even thine altars.”

B-David wanted to be Faithful in Attendance

      1-We can rest in the fact that the Church is going to stand.

      2-Matt. 16:18 “…upon this rock, I will build my church.”

C-Can’t I be a Christian without Attending Church?

1-Can’t you be a student without a school? A soldier without an army? A citizen without a country? A salesman without customers? A Captain without a crew?

2-You can even jump out of an airplane without a parachute, but it sure would help to have one.

D-An empty pew is a weight to hinder the Church while an  

occupied pew is a wing to lift it to greater heights.

III.             LINK THE CHURCH—vs. 4

A-Saved people are called the Sons of God (John 1:12) My church is closer to me than my family.

B-Home is where you enjoy going--“No place like home.”

      1-When I die, I want to be carried to the Church House. I 

want the choir to sing some good old Camp Meeting Songs. I want some old fashioned singing and preaching.

      2-I LOVE THE CHURCH.

C-If the church has lost its appeal—It’s because you’ve been absent.

      1-You belong to the board of absentees.

      2-They meet everytime the Church meets. They do this to

decrease attendance and offerings, weaken the preaching

and hinder revival.

      3-The Members are: Mr. Unconcerned, Mrs. Slept to

Late, Mr. U. R. Lazy, Mr. and Mrs. Don’t like the

Preacher, Mr. Do Little, and Mrs. Every Other Sunday.

                  a-Their desire & aim is to close the church doors.

                  b-If you need an excuse, see them!

IV.              LIGHT THE CHURCH---vs. 5--Magnify the benefits of the church not the disadvantages.

A-The Church is a Place to build Strong Men and Women. No Sissies allowed—If you can’t take the grease you’d better not get into the kitchen.

B-The Church is a Place of Determination—A Negro preacher preached “We Christians ought to wake up, sing up, preach up, pray up, pay up, stay up, and never give up, let up, back up, or shut up until Christ and His church is built up.

C-Preacher, I’m not growing---It’s because you are a member of the Bones’ Family.

      1-Wishbones—Wish but never pray or work.

      2-Jawbones—Always talking about it but never doing it.

      3-Funnybone—So sensitive, always getting hurt. They’re

full of self-pity, wanting people to pet and pamper them.

      4-Dry Bones—So Dead and Dry they freeze the Spirit out.

      5-Tail Bones-Always behind in tithes, and work for God.

V.                 LEARN THE CHURCH—vs. 6

A-Only the Church can change Weeping into a Well.

B-“God never helps me at Church with My Problems.”

1-It’s because you come to church with something on your mind, and you don’t hear the message.

2-You bring your work, hobby, and habits to church and leave your Bible at home.