Sunday Sermon
KNOWING GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND WORSHIP
Date: August 13, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: JOHN 4:23-24 & LUKE 19:37-40
Listen to Audio Sermon

John 4:23-24 (Amplified Bible)
23A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.
24God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

WORSHIPING HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH IS SPOKEN TWICE BY JESUS AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS IN THE BIBLE, ITS TELLS US TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE JUST SAID.
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE LED BY THEIR SPIRIT AS GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. HOWEVER, MOST PEOPLE IN CHURCHES ARE LED BY THEIR FLESH AND MIND. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ALL THEIR LIFE, THE FIVE SENSES.
EVERYTHING YOU RECEIVE FROM GOD YOU NEED TO RECEIVE WITH YOUR SPIRIT.
OK, PASTOR, HOW CAN WE GET THERE AND DO THAT.

BESIDES MEDITATING IN GOD?S WORD, ANOTHER WAY WE CAN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD IS THROUGH PRAYER. LETS LOOK AT PRAYER FIRST:
EPHESIANS 6:18 ?
Ephesians 6:18 (Amplified Bible)
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

PRAYER IS OUR COMMUNICATION LINE WITH THE FATHER. OUR WALK IS AND CAN BE A BATTLEFIELD AT TIMES AND GOD IS OUR HEADQUARTERS. WE STAY IN CONTACT HIM SO HE KNOWS WHAT WE ARE THINKING AND WE CAN CALL IN AIR OR ANGEL SUPPORT WHEN THE ENEMY ATTACKS. LISTEN FOLKS, WE ARE AT WAR! THAT IS WHY WE ARE TO PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER AND COVER EACH OTHER?S BACKS.
PRAYER IS NOT COMPLICATED, WE DON?T NEED FANCY WORDS. TALK TO THE LORD AS YOU WOULD TALK TO YOUR BEST FRIEND, BECAUSE HE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

YOU CAN PRAY IN YOUR NORMAL LANGUAGE OR YOU CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES. LET?S LOOK AT 1 COR 14:2 ?
1 Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified Bible)
2For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
THIS TYPE OF PRAYER BUILDS OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES. IT?S A REFRESHING FOR US. LETS LOOK AT HOW PAUL PRAYED. ---
1COR 14:14-15 ?
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the [a]Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].
15Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the [b]Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.
YOUR SPIRITUAL PRAYER LANGUAGE BYPASSES THE DEVIL, HE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE PRAYING.
ITS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO PRAY IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE AS DIRECTED BY GOD.

THE ONLY THING THE APOSTLES ASKED THE LORD TO TEACH THEM WAS HOW TO PRAY. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? LOOK AT LUKE 5:16 AND LUKE 6:12 ?
Luke 5:16 (Amplified Bible)
16But He Himself withdrew [in retirement] to the wilderness (desert) and prayed.
Luke 6:12 (Amplified Bible)
12Now in those days it occurred that He went up into a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.
WHEN THEY WITNESSED HIS LIFESTYLE, THEY THEN ASKED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION TO JESUS IN: LUKE 11:1
Luke 11:1 (Amplified Bible)
1THEN HE was praying in a certain place; and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, [just] as John taught his disciples
THEY SAW THAT EVERY TIME JESUS WAS INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE, MIRACLES AND WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPENED.
THEY KNEW THAT THERE WAS A CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HIS TIMES WITH THE FATHER AND THE SUPER NATURAL OCCURRENCES. HE SET THE EXAMPLE FOR THEM BY WHAT HE DID AND WHAT HE SAID. BECAUSE HE LISTENED TO HIS FATHER?S VOICE, HE KNEW WHERE TO GO, WHO TO SEE, AND WHAT TO SAY AND DO.

JOHN WESLEY, THE FOUNDER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH ONCE SAID: ?GIVE ME ONE HUNDRED PREACHERS WHO FEAR NOTHING BUT SIN AND DESIRE NOTHING BUT GOD, AND I CARE NOT A STRAW WHETHER THEY BE CLERGYMEN OR LAYMEN, SUCH ALONE WILL SHAKE THE GATES OF HELL AND SET UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ON EARTH, GOD DOES NOTHING BUT IN ANSWER TO PRAYER.? LISTEN REAL CLOSE: PRAYER FULFILLS GOD?S PURPOSES !!. JESUS GAVE HIS DISCIPLES A MODEL PRAYER, WHICH WE CALL ?THE LORD?S PRAYER?. HIS PURPOSE IN SO DOING WAS TO TEACH US TO PRAY. IS IT NECESSARY TO PRAY THOSE EXACT WORDS ALL THE TIME ? I DON?T THINK SO. LOOK AT MT 6:9-13 ?
Matthew 6:9-13 (Amplified Bible)
9Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.
10Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven ([a]left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have [b]given up resentment against) our debtors.
13And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
V.9 RECOGNIZE WHO GOD IS IN YOUR LIFE.
V.10 CALL DOWN HIS WILL ON EARTH AND IN YOUR LIFE, FAMILY, WORKPLACE, CHURCH, SCHOOL, COMMUNITIES, GOD?S WILL BE DONE IN THEM ALL.
V.11 MEET OUR DAILY NEEDS.
V.12HELP US TO FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE FORGIVEN US.
V.13PROTECT US AS WE WALK IN THIS LIFE, HELP US WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED, KEEP THE DESTROYER AWAY. IT?S YOUR KINGDOM AND POWER THAT WE REALLY WANT TO CONTROL OUR LIVES.
THIS VERSE IS ALSO TELLING US TO STAND AGAINST THE EVIL ONE. LOOK AT JAMES 4:7 ?
James 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

WE ARE TO TELL HIM TO FLEE AND HE MUST OBEY IF, YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE THAT AUTHORITY. THAT PRAYER BEGINS AND ENDS WITH PRAISING AND WORSHIPING GOD. SURROUND GOD?S WORD WITH PRAISE CONSTANTLY.

LOOK AT 1THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 ?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Amplified Bible)
16Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);
17Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
18Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
ARE YOU GETTING THIS? DON?T STOP PRAYING, BE HAPPY, REJOICING AND THANKSGIVING IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
A CONSISTENT ATTITUDE OF PRAYER. LOOK AT LUKE 11:9-10
THIS IS JESUS? GUARANTEE ---
Luke 11:9-10 (Amplified Bible)

9So I say to you, Ask and [a]keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and [b]keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and [c]keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
10For everyone who asks and [d]keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and [e]keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and [f]keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
THERE HAS GOT TO BE A TENACITY IN YOUR PRAYERS, A NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE.

GOD MAY ANSWER ?YES,? ?NO?,OR ?WAIT?
NEW CHRISTIANS SEEM TO GET THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED QUICKLY WHEN THEY CRY. AS WE GROW UP, WE DON?T ALWAYS GET OUR WAY. GOD GIVES US WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND NOT WHAT WE WANT.

THE LORD TELLS US TO REFUSE ANXIETY WHEN WE SPEAK TO HIM. CHECK OUT PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 ?
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)

6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
GOD IS MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK THE SUPERNATURAL IN OUR LIVES I F WE STAY CONNECTED.

LOOK AT LUKE 19:37-40 ?HOW MUCH DOES GOD WANT PRAISE? ?
Luke 19:37-40 (Amplified Bible)
37As He was approaching [the city], at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to rejoice and to praise God [extolling Him exultantly and] loudly for all the mighty miracles and works of power that they had witnessed,
38Crying, Blessed (celebrated with praises) is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven [[a]freedom there from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin] and glory (majesty and splendor) in the highest [heaven]!(A)
39And some of the Pharisees from the throng said to Jesus, Teacher, reprove Your disciples!
40He replied, I tell you that if these keep silent, the very stones will cry out.(B)

LETS NOW LOOK AT PRAISE AND WORSHIP AS A MEANS OF FELLOWSHIPPING WITH GOD.
TO PRAISE GOD MEANS TO RESPOND TO GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE. PRAISE HIM FOR SPECIFIC THINGS, LIFE, WIFE, CAR, HOUSE, PEACE, SPIRITUAL GIFTS ETC.

WORSHIP FOCUSES MORE ON WHOM GOD IS, ON HIS PERSON AND FOR HIS HEART. EVERYONE WORSHIPS SOMETHING, IT CAN BE A PERSON OR A POSSESSION.
THE WORD WORSHIP COMES FROM THE ANGLO SAXON WORD SPELLED WEORTHSCEIPE, WHICH MEANS TO ASCRIBE WORTH TO OUR GOD.
THAT?S THE REASON FOR JOHN 4:23-24. WORSHIP CANNOT BE MERELY FORM, IT MUST BE DONE FROM YOUR HEART AND SPIRIT. WORSHIP HAS TO BE REAL(AND TRUTH). DON?T WORSHIP BECAUSE YOUR TRYING TO IMPRESS GOD WITH YOUR TALENT. WE MAY NOT FEEL LIKE WORSHIPING GOD, BUT WE ARE NOT TO BE DEPENDENT ON OUR EMOTIONS. INSTEAD, IT?S A DISCISION WE HAVE TO MAKE. HEBREWS 13:15 ?
Hebrews 13:15 (Amplified Bible)
15Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.(A)
YOU SEE, IT CAN BE A SACRIFICE BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT FEEL LIKE IT, BUT YOU HAVE MADE A DISCISION TO DO IT REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU?RE IN, EVEN IF YOUR PRAYER HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED.

THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS KNOWN AS A PLACE OF FREEDOM IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP. GOD IS GOING TO BUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID AGAIN IN THE LAST DAYS. LOOK AT ACTS 15:16 -18
Acts 15:15-18 (Amplified Bible)
15And with this the predictions of the prophets agree, as it is written,
16After this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its [very] ruins, and I will set it up again,

17So that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked,
18Says the Lord, Who has been making these things known from the beginning of the world.(A)
THAT IS WHY THE LORD IS BRINGING THE FREEDOM TO HIS CHURCH IN WORSHIP DURING THESE DAYS.

MUSIC IS A BASIC FORM OF WORSHIP. MUSIC WAS SO IMPORTANT IN DAVID?S DAY THAT HE APPOINTED PEOPLE WITH INSTRUMENTS TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD. LOOK AT 1 CHRON 15:16;AND 16:5-6 ?
1 Chronicles 15:16 (Amplified Bible)
16David told the chief Levites to appoint their brethren the singers with instruments of music--harps, lyres, and cymbals--to play loudly and lift up their voices with joy.

1 Chronicles 16:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
5Asaph was the chief, next to him Zechariah, Jeiel (Jaaziel), Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, and Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals;
6Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

GOD IS RESTORING REAL PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO HIS CHURCH IN THESE DAYS AND THAT IS WHY WE CANNOT HAVE FLY BY NIGHTS ON OUR WORSHIP TEAM. HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW. THESE MUST BE PEOPLE WITH CLEAN HEARTS WHO IN THEIR OWN LIVES KNOW HOW TO GET INTO GOD?S PRESENCE. AFTER ALL, THEIR DUTY IS TO LEAD GOD?S PEOPLE INTO GOD?S PRESENCE. THEY MUST HAVE THE HEART OF GOD AND BE SOLD OUT TO JESUS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LORD WANTS TO DO IN OUR CHURCH.

WHEN THAT IS UNDERSTOOD AND NOT BEFORE THAN ,WE WILL REVERT BACK TO GOD?S ORIGINAL INTENTION OF UNBRIDLED PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN HIS CHURCH.
WE ALL NEED TO BE INVOLVED PRIVATELY IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO OUR GOD IN OUR TIME ALONE WITH HIM. IN THE SAME WAY THE MOON REFLECTS THE SUN, WE NEED TO REFLECT THE GLORY OF GOD IN OUR LIVES AS WE SPEND TIME WORSHIPING HIM. BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE A BOOK OF THE PSALMS AND BEGIN TO SING THOSE PSALMS. MAKE UP YOUR OWN SONG AND USE IT TO WORSHIP OUR GOD. LETS GO TO REV 5:11-14 ----( CATALINA?S EXAMPLE)
Revelation 5:11-14 (Amplified Bible)
11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels on every side of the throne and of the living creatures and the elders [[a]of the heavenly Sanhedrin], and they numbered ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands,(A)
12Saying in a loud voice, Deserving is the Lamb, Who was sacrificed, to receive all the power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and majesty (glory, splendor) and blessing!
13And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth [in Hades, the place of departed spirits] and on the sea and all that is in it, crying out together, To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)!(B)
14Then the four living creatures (beings) said, Amen (so be it)! And the elders [[b]of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves and worshiped Him Who lives forever and ever.
THERE IS PRAISE GOING ON IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW AND VERSE 12 SAYS IT WILL BE ?LOUD?. SO IF YOU DON?T LIKE LOUD PRAISE AND WORSHIP, IF POSSIBLE, YOU MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN HEAVEN. SO START PRACTICING NOW AND GET USE TO IT, AMEN?

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT WORSHIP SHOULD BE QUITE AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS TIME FOR QUIETLY WORSHIPING THE LORD. BUT LOOK AT WHAT PSALM 47:1 ENCOURAGES US TO DO.----
Psalm 47:1 (Amplified Bible)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1O CLAP your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!
PEOPLE GET EXCITED OVER SPORTS GAMES, THEY HOLLER AND SHOUT AND CHEER, BUT WHEN THEY COME TO CHURCH, THEY ARE LIKE THE LITTLE CHURCH MOUSE. JESUS IS MORE EXCITING THAN ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORT. WHEN JESUS WENT TO THE CROSS, HE WENT THERE FOR YOU AND DIED FOR YOU AND RESURRECTED FOR YOU. THAT TOUCHDOWN, BASKET, HOME RUN OR GOAL DID NOT PROFIT YOU ONE BIT, UNLESS YOU BET ON THE GAME. BUT, WHAT JESUS DID WAS ONLY TO GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE, GLORY TO GOD!!!!
THAT?S WHY WE SHOUT UNTO THE LORD AND PRAISE AND WORSHIP HIM. HE IS OUR LORD AND WORTHY OF ALL OUR PRAISE. THE DEAD CAN?T PRAISE HIM AS IT SAYS IN PSALM 115:11-15

Psalm 118:11-15 (Amplified Bible)
11They compassed me about, yes, they surrounded me on every side; but in the name of the Lord I will cut them off!
12They swarmed about me like bees, they blaze up and are extinguished like a fire of thorns; in the name of the Lord I will cut them off!(A) 13You [my adversary] thrust sorely at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.
14The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents and private dwellings of the [uncompromisingly] righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength!
YOU BIND THE ENEMY WITH WORSHIP AND PRAISE.

Psalm 149:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands,(A) 7To wreak vengeance upon the nations and chastisement upon the peoples,
8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
DEMONS TREMBLE WHEN GOD?S PEOPLE WORSHIP AND PRAISE GOD.
GOD LIVES IN YOUR PRAISES.

Psalm 22:3 (Amplified Bible)
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
I WILL CLOSE BY GIVING YOU SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW YOU HOW TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

Psalm 95:6 (Amplified Bible)
6 O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker [in reverent praise and supplication].
BOWING DOWN REV 7:9-10

Revelation 7:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
10In loud voice they cried, saying, [Our] salvation is due to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [to Them we owe our deliverance]!
STANDING WITH LOUD VOICES. 1 TIM 2:8

1 Timothy 2:8 (Amplified Bible)
8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands.
LIFTING HOLY HANDS .PSALM 46:10
Psalm 46:10 (Amplified Bible)
10Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
BE STILL BEFORE HIM. PSALM 150:3
Psalm 150:3 (Amplified Bible)
3Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!
WITH INSTRUMENTS. ? PSALM 149:3
Psalm 149:3 (Amplified Bible)
3Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
WITH DANCE AND SONG.------ PSALM 47:1
Psalm 47:1 (Amplified Bible)

Psalm 47
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1O CLAP your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!
WITH HANDS AND A SHOUT.
WHEN COUPLES GETS MARRIED, THE GREATEST DESIRE THEY HAVE IS TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER, TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER ALONE. THIS INVOLVES BOTH SPEAKING AND LISTENING.

OUR GOD WANTS US TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH HIM AND A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. SOMETIMES WE EXPRESS THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH QUIETNESS. AND A LISTENING EAR. SOMETIMES WE SHOUT UNTO OUR LORD. OTHER TIMES WE CRY AND WEEP, ITS ALL GOOD!!!

WE WERE CREATED TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP OUR WONDERFUL LORD. TO US HE IS DADDY GOD AND HE REALLY LOVES HIS KIDS AND DESIRES ONGOING COMMUNICATION.