// Intro
Psalms 100:1-5
100:1
A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
100:2
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
100:3
Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are]
his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him,
[and] bless his name.
100:5
For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
// Simple Obedience
- I'm gonna make this part quick
- Because I want to get to the meat of this thing
- So, real quick, just a reminder...
- Obedience to God does not stop after salvation
- Obeying the Word of God absolutely matters, even now [etc.]
Luke 6:43-49 "Lord, Lord"
6:43
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.
6:44
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble
bush gather they grapes.
6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man
out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the
heart his mouth speaketh.
6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
6:47
Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
6:48
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when
the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was
founded upon a rock.
6:49
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the
earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that
house was great.
Matthew 7:21-23 Depart from me
7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- There are many other verses throughout the Bible stating the importance of simple obedience to God and His Word
- In fact, we'd likely be here all day if I endeavored to read them all to you
- Suffice it to say that it is VITALLY important that you do your best to obey God
- Now that that's clear, let's get into the main part of this...
// Rhetoric
- Let's talk about a term called "rhetoric"
- Rhetoric
- "Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content."
- "the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use
of figures of speech and other compositional techniques."
- In other words, rhetoric is what people say when they want to sound churchy
- And the best part is, they don't even have to know what they're saying even means!
1 Timothy 1:5-7
1:5
Now the end of the commandment [ or, the whole point ] is charity out
of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:
1:6
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling
[
also called "useless rhetoric" ];
1:7
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm
[ or WHY they say it ].
Job 38:1-2
38:1
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
38:2
Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel [ make the counsel dim and vain
] by words without knowledge?
- This is why I have a lesson stored away that covers the meanings of 'churchy' words
- Because it's important to know what we're talking about
- When we quote all the little sayings and phrases that we've heard countless times in
church
- We need to know what they mean
- "You've been SANCTIFIED, brother!"
- Great! But what does that mean?
- It sure sounds good! Well, it is! [etc.]
- What about something a little more simple?
- "We worship a HOLY God!"
- We sure do! But what does that mean?
- It's different than saying "We worship a good
God!"
- Both statements are true, of course...
- But they're two different statements that mean two different things.
- This is a form of rhetoric
- I am going somewhere with this, so stick with me...
// Throne of God
Protocol
- One of the places where rhetoric occurs most often... is in prayer.
- It's a sad thing when someone thinks they can come to God just any old way they
please
- That they can say whatever they want, however they want, and think God's just gonna
take it and smile
- Listen to their complaints, grant their wishes, and send them on their way...
Ecclesiastes 5:1-5 The Warning
5:1
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the
sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
5:2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for
God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
5:3
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of
words. Rhetoric
5:4
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that
which thou hast vowed.
5:5
Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
- You'd better remember who you're talking to when you're praying!
- James said something interesting that I think is VERY relevant...
James 2:19
2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
- The DEVILS know better than to talk to God just any way they please!
- It's kinda like the bratty child [etc.]
- Is that how we want to be with God?
- Thankfully, Jesus laid out for us a prayer structure to follow
- and He did so for VERY GOOD reason!
- For those that are present with us during our prayer services...
- you know that our pastor makes sure that we follow that structure
- NOT that he tells us exactly what to say
- But rather, that we remember the correct and propper PROTOCOL
- That Jesus, Himself, gave us!
Matthew 6:9-13 Lord's Prayer
6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.
- Protocol is important
- God cares about protocol
- He cares how you go before His throne
- Protocol
- The official procedure or system of rules
- A set of established rules, customs, and expected behaviors that govern how
people conduct themselves, communicate, and interact
- God has a system of rules for how to approach Him properly in prayer
- Praise - Thanksgiving - Petition - Forgiveness - Praise
- That's the protocol - you start and end with praise
- Now why is that, you think?
- Why does it matter?
- [Describe prayer manner with/without protocol]
Psalms 100:1-5
100:1
A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
100:2
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
100:3
Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are]
his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be
thankful unto him,
[and] bless his name.
100:5
For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
- How are we going to grow in our relationship with God if we can't even manage to
pray properly?
- If our prayers are filled with the repetative chanting of rhehtoric?
- If our prayers are mostly complaining and asking for stuff?
- God wants to commune with us!
// Closing
- We're going to end this like the beginning of a Wednesday night prayer service
- ...only not as long 😁
- Take a moment by yourselves and let's go before the throne of God, properly
- Leave out the rhetoric, adhere to the protocol, and commune with our Holy and Good
God.