Worship With Purpose: We Are In The Presence Of God

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” Acts 10:33

Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst.” (Matthew 18:20) This unconverted centurion who was seeking the God of heaven could sense the presence of God when Peter and the men traveling with him entered into his home. It was probably an overwhelming presence, but also too it was an inviting one as well. Cornelius is about to have a life changing experience because after he receives the message that Peter brings, the Holy Spirit would fall and take hold of his heart. This ought to be the pattern for every church service that we have.

When we survey the conditions surrounding this outpouring of God’s Spirit, we find there was a few basic ingredients in place. First there was an Atmosphere of expectancy. Cornelius is expecting to come to know the this God of whom he has been trying to serve but did not know by name. Second there was not only a message preached, but The message was heard and believed upon. Cornelius knew that this wasn’t some ordinary religious talk that was given but that it was the word of God and it demanded ones utmost attention. Third, and what I think is the most important ingredient is that they realized that They were in the presence of God! God was present with them and had a specific purpose that He wanted to accomplish. In this gathering it was the conversion of Cornelius.

When we come together in Christ name we should look for God to accomplish something in our midst. It may be that he wants to

· Save a soul

· Heal a body

· Deliver from some oppression

· Encourage the discouraged

But most of all he wants us to hear and receive the message that he has for us, give it our utmost attention, and go out and practice and proclaim it. All of this comes with expectation and acknowledging his presence among us.

All of these ingredients provide an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to fall. (v..44) The Greek word for fell is epipipto. It means to fall upon, press upon, light upon or come over. In this text it means to embrace or seize upon. In this case, when Cornelius heard and received the message the Holy Spirit come upon him, seized his heart, and he was saved.

The lesson for us is that when we come with expectancy, and are willing to hear and believe the message, and acknowledge God’s presence then it creates an good working environment for the Holy Spirit to come and fall upon us. When we embrace God, it is then that God seizes upon and embraces us! If we embrace God and he embraces us, then we are fully equipped to embrace the world for him.

Pastor Robby