Worship - Bring Your Best!

We find ourselves now just three Sundays from Bring Your Best Sunday. We have spoken in recent weeks about this challenge, the history of our church, and the nature of stewardship. For just a few minutes, I want to engage your heart on the worship level as we prepare for Bring Your Best.

Many of you will readily recognize Genesis 4 as the narrative of when Cain killed his brother Abel, the first physical manifestation of the curse given in Genesis 3 after Adam ate the forbidden fruit. What leads to this murder is a worship scene. Crazy, I know, but stick with me for just a few minutes. How does a worship scene end up in murder in that day? Let us look at 3 things from Abel’s worship to direct our hearts towards that which God desires from us.

1. Abel brought the first portion. In Genesis 4.4 it states that Abel brought “of the firstborn animals from his flock” (God’s Word Translation). He didn’t wait to see what else was going to be available, he presented to God what was His first. Cain, on the other hand, in v. 3 only brings “some” of his produce. There is a big difference in bringing God what is first and bringing God what is left.
2. Abel brought the best. The other statement about Abel’s offering in v. 4 is that he brought “their fat portions” (NASB). In our health-conscious society, we trim the fat. Time and time again in the Old Testament, the best parts that God requires in sacrifice were of the fat. God didn’t want leftovers or spare parts, Abel brought Him the best parts. There is a striking correlation to what is first and what is best when it comes to how we give to God.
3. Abel’s offering was accepted. Because Abel brought God what was best and first, God “had regard for” it (ESV). Cain’s offering, by contrast, was not regarded by God. It is a statement of rejection.

But, what does this have to do with worship? In each case, these men were bringing a sacrifice to God in order to worship Him. But, worship is not exactly what you bring, but how you bring it. That is what we find in Cain and Abel. It’s not that God hates vegetables (see Daniel 1.12) and is only a meat eater. It is how both Cain and Able approached their worship experience. When Cain was rejected, we see the self-serving manner by which he approached worship. He was concerned with himself, so he took it personally when his offering was not accepted and responded with violence. He did not look at his own heart and his own motive, he looked at his brother as being the issue. If only Abel were not around to give an offering, God would accept mine.

As we prepare for Bring Your Best, let’s consider this together:

1. Am I more prone to give first? This question is more relevant today than any other time. It is easy to give to the church when there is some leftover. We want to spend at restaurants, for our kids, on our homes, we have to pay for healthcare, and no one ever knows what gas is going to cost. Worshiping God in giving places the priority on giving to Him first.
2. Do I give what is best? Very similar to giving first, but it takes on a different meaning when we see it in light of Cain and Abel. We can easily give that little bit from our pay check, but is it the fat portion? I’m not asking anyone to go to extremes, only to consider the portion. Is it best? Is it given in faith?
3. Do I give for me? The center of the heart here is directed to the motivation of our giving and our worship. Cain brought an offering, but it was given for him. Does your heart rejoice at giving? Or does your heart expect because you have given? The difference in these two questions helps us see for whom we are giving.
4. What adjustments should I make to truly Bring My Best? Pray over this one. Seek the Lord and He will guide you in the paths of His righteousness.

Keep in mind, there is no room for guilt, only growth. As you begin to worship God in giving, you will find yourself growing in your appreciation of all that He has given to you. You will see your life becoming more of what He called you to be. I love worshiping God at First Baptist Church of Fairburn. I love seeing how God has brought us together as a congregation bent on reaching Fairburn and beyond with the Gospel. This is a reaction in our worship. As you seek God’s face in preparation for Bring Your Best on Oct 1, I am praying for the Holy Spirit to guide us all. I know God will provide for our church and for our families well beyond anything we could possibly imagine. Seek Him. Worship Him. Follow His lead. I love you all!