Introduction: Do you like ________? Be honest!

Why Church?

Do you know why some people dislike church, while others love the Church? I think these two words can explain why:

How we can move from being mere RELIGIOUS, to developing a living RELATIONSHIP with God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I. Go to the ________ of God – v. 1a

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God;

The words, “walk prudently” can also be translated:

Why do we go to Church?

I submit to you that these two examples were about ___________, and had nothing to do with RELIGION.

Are you aware that throughout the Bible God has always had a place where He assembled with His chosen people? There are five places mentioned in the Bible. They are:

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Hebrews 10:25 - “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It’s ________ religious to attend Church, it’s all about a RELATIONSHIP.

II. Draw near to ________ – v. 1b

and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

Emphasis upon the word “hear”. I might add that the Hebrew idea of hearing means, to bend _______.

Why is it important to “hear” today? We need to “hear” so that we can discern the __________ of God for our lives.

Dr. Charles Swindoll has written, “The ______ zone is for learning and listening and changing only. No parking.”

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “It takes two to ______ truth, one to speak and another to listen.”

The warning in this verse is against…

III. Let your words be _______ – v. 2-3

Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.

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Do not be rash with your mouth – hasty, or too ______ words. Let not your heart utter anything hastily before God – _______ or

flippant praying. Therefore let your words be few – keep your _______ shut. A fool’s voice is known by his many words – constant _______.

James 1:19 - “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

When we come to church we should make it our ______ to come to hear. We should be asking ourselves, “What is God saying to ____ today, and what does He want me to do about it?”

IV. _______ what you have vowed – v. 4-5

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed-- Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

RELIGION is always making _______ to God, and breaking them over and over again. Not true with RELATIONSHIP. Real REALTIONSHIP ______ the vow!

Fools make vows that they either can’t ______, or never intended to keep.

The word “pay” is used _____ times in this verse alone.

Illustration: Credit Card Purchase

The Preacher states, “Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” 3

V. Don’t set yourself up to ________ – v. 6

Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?

Here are some examples:

Salvation – A come to _______ moment. Baptism – ___________ with Christ. Marriage – __________ relationship. Church ___________ – Identify with the _______ Church.

What is the lesson we learn from verse 6?

VI. But ________ God – v. 7

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

RELIGION is into many words…

To fear God here means that we understand who has the last word – God does! “But fear God” also means that we understand that He is our EVERYTHING! We are NOTHING without God. NOTHING!

The word RESPECT:

Conclusion:

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