I'm Glad I Came To Church - Audio

Greater Life Church

Today's text was written by a man struggling with contradictions he observed in life. On the one hand, he had learned of the goodness and love of God, but he also saw the wicked prospering while he struggled. He wondered if living for God was worth it when he said, "I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency." This reflective psalm is written after his breakthrough, which comes in the final verse: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." He went to church. The word from the original text isn’t just "attended" or "went in the door." The original wording suggests participation, engagement, and intentionality. God doesn't receive glory when we bring our body to church. He gets glory when we bring our minds and attention to church to engage Him. This man did not accidentally go to the house of God; he went there with a purpose. He was engaging, and receiving what God had to offer changed his perspective. If we go to church to encounter God, we must leave changed. It changed the way he looked at the world. The ministry of His spirit will make clear the path to take. Rather than looking at others and comparing their success to our progress, we set ourselves up for failure. Almost any act of comparison will leave us ungrateful for our blessing and success. Come to church with expectancy and hope for change.