worship « UnashamedSermons.com

Posts Tagged ‘worship’

The Price of Worship

Sunday, October 21st, 2007

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series The Heart of Worship

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

INTRODUCTION

For those of you who weren’t here last week I’d just like to take a few moments to make you aware of some of the background of what I talked about.Last week I started a series entitled, “The Heart of Worship”. I expressed my hope that the words spoken from the three messages on true worship would be more than inspiring, and more than challenging – that they would be life-changing, life giving and would instill in us a deep, ravenous hunger for the presence of God.

The Heart of Worship, the essence of worship – is exactly that: True worship flows out of a deep, wrenching, hunger and thirst desire to know God and not only to know Him but dwell in His presence. It goes beyond the ritual or habitual worship into true God-inspired worship.

We began our series last week by talking about the presence of worship. From the words of Jesus in John 4:23-24 and through the illustration of these words in Luke 7:36-50 we learned that true worship is not determined by place or posture but by the attitude of our hearts and the longing of our spirits after the heart of God.

You see, you can exhibit the form or display the acts of worship but it is not true worship unless it is in spirit and in truth.

True worship flows out of a heart that has reverence for who God is, that is humble and repentant, and that has a penetrating love for God. True worship also flows out of a heart that seeks the giver not the gift and is concerned more with ministry to God rather than ministry FROM or FOR God!

Last week we discovered that the presence of true worship is found among worshippers who worship Christ in Spirit and in Truth not necessarily people who “worship”. And as we’re going to discover today, there is a real difference between the two!

PRAY
Read Exodus 19:1-25

1 In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt–on the very day–they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. 9 The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said. 10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain.” 14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.” 16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. 20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” 24 The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Exodus 19:1-25 (NIV)

Then in verses 1-17 of chapter 20, God spoke the ten commandments.

18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:18-21 (KJV)

Folks, there is worship and then there is WORSHIP! True worship is much, much different from the worship that some people profess for God. The message today is entitled the price of worship and as we begin I want to draw your attention to a few things from the scripture passage that I just read.

It was God’s intention that Israel be a kingdom of priests (v. 6)

It was God’s desire from the moment He lead them out of Egypt that Israel, as His chosen nation, would become a kingdom of priests. I believe that the event that transpired at Mount Sinai was the first monumental turning point in the history of Israel. It was here that a crucial decision was made among the people of Israel. I believe that it was God’s intention that this band of rovers would be made into a kingdom of priests at this fabled mountain. Notice what the scriptures say:

First, Moses was told to consecrate the Israelites (v.10)
This action is remarkably similar to the process by which God instructed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons later while instituting the priesthood. The Israelites were being told to prepare themselves to be in the presence of God.

Second, it seemed as thought God expected the people to want to see Him. (v21-23)
It’s as if God said in verse 21, “Moses, you better go down and warn everyone not to come up here or they’ll die!” Notice what God said in verse 22, “Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.” It’s interesting that God would say this when the people are already gathered at the foot of the mountain. It’s as if God was saying, “If they’re going to approach any closer to me – even the priests must consecrate themselves or they’ll perish in my presence.” But then Moses seems to remind God and says, “Wait a minute Lord, the people cannot come up this mountain because you already warned us to make boundaries around the mountain where we’re not to cross!” Then God said to Moses, “Okay then, go get Aaron and bring him up with you…”

Third, Moses refers to the thundering display of God’s power as a way to ensure correct reverence for God that would keep them from sinning.(18:20)
God wanted this nation of priests to be convinced of his power and might!

It was Israel’s response that led to the priesthood.

When the people of Israel saw God’s power displayed the Bible says that they trembled with fear and withdrew from the mountain and stood at a distance. They said to Moses, “Hey Moses buddy, ummm…we know you and if you speak to us we’ll listen – but umm…we don’t want to go any closer to God and hear Him speak to us again or uh, we’ll die!” And then Moses said, “Don’t be scared guys, God just wants to keep you from sinning” But still the people chose to remain at a distance and sent Moses back into the close presence of God.

What is significant about this occasion is that it was here that the people of Israel chose to have someone represent them before God and be a go between rather than be in the presence of God themselves. Instead of fulfilling God’s intentions for them and be a nation of priests they chose to separate themselves from the presence of God and have someone else stand between them and God. I believe this choice at Mount Sinai had a far greater impact than the choice the Israelites made to not enter the Promise Land later at the River Jordan. You see, at Mount Sinai they saw God’s power, passed off the priesthood, but looked forward to the promised Land – at the River Jordan they forgot God’s power, ignored the priesthood, and passed off the promised Land.

As I said earlier, there is a difference between worship, and true Worship. At Mount Sinai, the Israelites were satisfied to worship God at a distance but were afraid to enter into True Worship up close. It’s ironic, but the Israelites recognized at Mount Sinai that there was a price to true worship that they weren’t prepared to pay. Moses recalled this incident when He wrote in Deuteronomy:

24 And you said, “The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. 25 But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. 26 For what mortal man has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? 27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey.” 28 The LORD heard you when you spoke to me and the LORD said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
Deuteronomy 5:24-29 (NIV)

God said to Moses, “Yes, I’ve heard what they said and you know what? They’re right! – For them to press on to Me will lead to their death – they can’t see me and live. Oh I wish they would desire to know me and worship me and obey me, so that they will experience my blessings forever!”

The price that the Israelites weren’t willing to pay to enter into true worship and experience the intimate presence of God was death. They were afraid of dying! Listen Moses, you go ahead, we’ll stay here and worship at a distance but you go ahead and then tell us what God says to you! Many people today really do want to experience the presence of God and enter into His presence but are afraid of getting too close and so they’ll settle for pseudo worship…

There’s a difference between worship and true Worship!

You know it’s interesting, in the light of this passage, that Paul writes to the Romans in 12:1,

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)

What is the price of worship? The price of true worship is ourselves. God wants us!

Remember when I talked about God’s intention for the nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests? We’ll never know what would have happened if the people of Israel had stayed at the foot of Mount Sinai that day but what I do know is that through the cross and Christ’s one and only sacrifice, God’s intention is being fulfilled through Christians.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father–to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:4-6 (NIV)

What is a priest – a priest is one who brings sacrifices to God, and represents people before God. In the Old Testament, a priest was permitted to enter into the presence of God and work in his temple. Friends, it’s time to proclaim in the church of Jesus Christ, “Arise priests, and enter into the presence of God, arise and worship Him, arise and bring your sacrifices of praise, and thanksgiving!”

And yet there are those, who like the Israelites, withdraw from the intimate presence of God and become content with a form of worship, rather than the Heart of Worship. Why? Because they don’t want to pay the price.

The price of true worship is ourselves and because of this true worship leads us to some uncomfortable places.

place of repentance

When you are in the presence of God you become aware of your sinfulness and are brought to your knees in repentance.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:5 (NIV)

There are many people who stand off in their worship because they are afraid of what may happen should they enter into the presence of God. Think of the Israelites! They had just heard the Ten Commandments spoken by God Himself. Can you imagine the frightening scene as God listed off one by one each of the commandments while there was lightning and thunder echoing around you and smoke spewing out of Mt. Sinai? I’m sure in the back of their minds the Israelites were going – Umm…I think I may have broken that commandment – I don’t feel very comfortable right now – I don’t think it would be safe to stay here much longer…

Too many people in churches aren’t worshipping God in Spirit and Truth because they start to enter into the place of repentance and feel uncomfortable and start thiinking, “Ummm… This isn’t a very good place to be right now…” WRONG! The place of repentance, while uncomfortable is the best place for you to be!! God can’t get rid of our sin until we confess it to Him! Are you hearing me? Jesus Christ has made it possible for the forgiveness of sins, but it’s up to us to confess those sins!! John wrote:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)

True worship takes you through the place of repentance and into the place of righteousness – but that I’ll leave for the next message when I speak on The Prize of Worship.

place of sacrifice

Paul wrote to the Romans, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” What does this mean? A sacrifice is something that is of immense value to you that you give freely without the thought of gain for yourself. Did you hear me? Some people like to think of sacrifice without that last part, “It’s an incredible sacrifice for me… but I’ll give you my treasured stereo in exchange for your new car…” Instead of sacrifice, many people approach worship as a bartering game.

The woman who came to Jesus in Bethany and anointed his head understood the concept of sacrifice. It is written in the scriptures that the perfume she poured on His head was worth a year’s wages and yet she willingly emptied the jar. True worship brings you into a place where you are willing to sacrifice anything to get closer to God and to honor Him! I believe Paul was a true worshipper! He was prepared to die for Christ (Acts 21:13).

True worship will not be entered into by curious people but by thirsty people.

There are many curious seekers in the kingdom of God. People who are content to stay in the distance and “watch” what God is doing, get the warm fuzzies, nod their heads and say Amen and then go home and carry on with their lives. Curious seekers can’t enter into true worship because they don’t want to give up anything! And yet they’ll sing the words, “Lord I give you my heart, I give you my soul, I live for you alone” And then they’ll leave church and do anything but “live for God!”.

True worship is entered into by people who are thirsty for God. That is they’re prepared to sacrifice anything that will bring them closer to God. In our country, in our society most of us don’t really know what it means to go thirsty or hungry for something. You only have to watch footage on TV or talk to people who have been involved in famine relief efforts overseas to understand what people will sacrifice to get food or water.

When people are thirsty for God they are prepared to sacrifice their…

PRIDE
- they won’t worry about what other people are thinking – they’ll only worry about what God is thinking.

WILL
- Not my will but yours Lord. Their prayer is, “Show me your will Lord – so that I can get in it”
- True worshippers are able to take God’s wants and make them their wants – even when the two conflict.
- People who are thirsty for God are prepared to sacrifice their plans for the plans of God.

TIME
- People who are thirsty for God aren’t looking at their watch to see if the service has broken the time – limit. People who are thirsty for God live the phrase, “wait on the Lord”.
- People who are thirsty for God are also prepared to sacrifice their own time in response to the will of God.

RESOURCES

- True worshippers are prepared to give up everything they have to God and I mean everything. Notice I didn’t say they give up everything – only that they are prepared to give up everything.

LIVES

- ultimately true worshippers are people who are so thirsty for more of God that they offer their bodies as living sacrifices to Him. “Take My Life and Let it Be…”

Let me make one thing clear. True worship is not birthed by sacrifice! As I said last week, worship is the heart-wrenching, hunger-thirst response to God’s presence and to know Him more. However, as we enter into true worship we will be brought to a place of sacrifice where we’re faced with the choice of giving up something to go further into God’s presence. God never forces us to sacrifice something. It is always our choice.

True worship takes you from a place of sacrifice to a place of blessing – again, I will leave this for the next message in the series when I talk about the prize of worship.

place of brokenness

Some of the most powerful worship moments are experienced by those who are broken-hearted, at the end of their rope – who are in the pits of despair. The truth is that those who are “all-together” will never experience true worship until they are broken.

People who are broken come to God because they need Him. When they are made aware of a God who loves and cares for them they want to be in His presence!

People who have it “all-together” will have trouble stepping in close to the presence of God because they’re afraid that some cracks may be revealed, or they really don’t see any need for God. Brokenness is an uncomfortable place. No one likes feeling broken-hearted, no one likes it when life throws us a bad curve. But, oh the wonderful things that happen when with broken hearts we come to God and worship Him!!

When we bring ourselves to God he does a wonderful work through our worship. The heart of a true worshipper begins to awaken to it’s need for God. The Spirit of a true worshipper begins to cry out for more of Him. Our joys, our pains, our failures, our successes all come to the surface and in the light of God’s presence the true worshipper realizes their unrighteousness before the tremendous glory of God. But then in the midst of their brokenness God casts the light of His love and His grace and carries the worshipper to the place of healing. Again, this I will save for the next message in this series!

CONCLUSION

The price of worship? Ourselves. The Israelites stood at the foot of Mount Sinai that day and became afraid of the price that would be paid should they stay in God’s presence. Many Christians today face the same choice daily as they feel the tug of true worship on their heart. You have a choice to stay and remain in God’s presence knowing that the price of your worship is great or you can be content and satisfied with standing in the distance. That’s not what God wants! That’s not what God sent His Son to Earth for! God wants us to be in His presence, He wants an intimate relationship with you – He wants us to stretch beyond what we think our “all” is and go into the “all” he wants us to give in order that He may share the “all” He wants us to have.

Tags: brokenness, drawing-close-to-God, intimacy-with-God, price-of-worship, repentence, sacrifice, surrender, The Heart of Worship, worship
Posted in Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

The Presence of Worship

Sunday, October 14th, 2007

Podcast: Download

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series The Heart of Worship

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

INTRODUCTION

Looking in Webster’s dictionary you’ll find this first definition for worship, “reverence, homage or honor paid to God” Then it goes on to say that the word is also used to refer to a place where this reverence, homage, etc. paid to God is given.

If you were to ask people what the word worship meant you would probably get a large variety of responses. Some might agree with Webster, some might say it is when you sing songs to God, some might say it is going to church, some might say it is when you place money in the offering plate. The reason why you would get such a large number of different answers is because the word “worship” is used in so many different contexts. While preparing this message I tried to think of all the ways in which I’ve used worship. I’ve said, “Let’s worship God together now” (in reference to singing praises); “Let’s worship God with our tithes and offerings”; “I worship you Lord”; “Why don’t you come and worship God with us” (while inviting someone to our church).

While looking closely at the contexts in which the word worship is often used I found that it often refers to an action we do – whether it is singing a chorus, going to church, placing money in an offering plate, raising our hands – etc. When I undertook to study this concept – this word, “worship” – I discovered that worship is much more than this. I’ve come to discover that you can be doing all these things and still not be entering into the place of worshipping God.

I like what Robert Webber wrote about worship,

We need to let go of our intellectual idea of worship and realize there is more to worship than a sermon; we have to let go of our evangelistic notion of worship and reckon with the fact that worship is not primarily directed toward the sinners who need to be converted; we must let go of our entertainment expectations and remind ourselves that we are not in church to watch a Christian variety show. We have gathered together in worship to be met by God the Almighty. God, the Creator of the universe, the One who sustains our lives, our Redeemer and King, is present through proclamation and remembrance. He wants to communicate to us, to penetrate our inner self, to take up residence within us. And, as we go through the experience of meeting with him in this mystical moment of public worship, we are to respond. But response is not just singing a hymn, not just saying a creed, not just saying a prayer. Response, from the very beginning of worship to the end, must be a powerful inner experience of actually being in the presence of God. When we sing a hymn or say a confession or prayer, we are not singing or saying words, but expressing a feeling, bringing our souls, truly responding and communicating to the living and active presence of a loving and merciful God. (Worship is a Verb, by Robert Webber, pg.114)

You see, I believe worship at its essence is the response of a heart that is earnestly, striving, and crying out after the heart of God! Worship flows out of the deep, wrenching, hunger and thirst desire to know God and not only to know Him but to dwell in Him – to dwell in His presence!

For the next few weeks, starting today, I’m going to be delivering a series of messages based on the Heart of Worship – the essence of worship. It is my hope that the words spoken will be more than inspiring, and more than challenging – I hope and pray that these words on worship will be life-changing, will be life-giving, and will instill in you a deep, ravenous hunger for the presence of God. I believe God is waiting, and anticipating the few who want His presence and will press on to dwell in Him! What we have seen, what we have experienced is but the crumbs of God’s glory. The three messages dealing the Heart of Worship are, The Presence of Worship, The Price of Worship, and The Prize of Worship.

Today we are going to uncover the Presence of Worship.

The story that was read as this morning’s scripture tells of a wonderful display of worship by a woman towards Jesus. (Retell the story if it seems appropriate). This morning I will be referring to this worshipful experience so I invite you to keep Luke 7:36-50 open or book marked in your Bibles. However, the text for this morning is taken from John 4:23-24. I would like to read for you starting at verse 1-26 to help give us the context of this particular passage.

1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:1-26 (NIV)

(the mount that the Samaritan woman is referring to is Mount Ebal, Joshua 8:30-35)

There are many lessons that have been given and can be taken from this particular experience Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. But this morning I would like to focus on the particular words that Jesus spoke in reply to her statement in verse 19. You see the woman said something that is very revealing not only of the understanding of worship in her time but also in some ways is echoed by many people in our day -the understanding that worship is confined to a place and particular actions. You see the Samaritans and the Jews disputed about where the worship of God was supposed to take place. Not only that – but they often disputed the way in which this worship was to take place. Now, I don’t think we have any of those problems today do we? There isn’t any conflict among Christian churches about the best place to worship God and the best ways to worship God is there?

Jesus addressed this perception of worship and declared that the Father’s ideal of worship is a lot different than hers. Indeed I believe his ideal of worship is a lot different than many Christians in our churches today.

Jesus said, “…a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” I’m sure some of you have probably heard this particular passage before but do you really grasp the meaning of it – do you really understand what Jesus is saying?

Jesus is saying that Worship is not determined by place or posture BUT by the attitude of your heart and the longing of your spirit.

This was nothing new – David wrote in Psalm 51:16-17,

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

God responds to worshippers who worship him with hearts that are truthful and spirits that are broken and longing for His presence! This determines worship! The act of worship will flow naturally out of the heartfelt, spiritual desire to KNOW GOD and dwell in his presence. When people determine worship by place and posture you get what God describes to Isaiah:

13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
Isaiah 29:13 (NIV)

How much of our worship is made up of “rules taught by men”? That is, we follow what others do, we subscribe to traditions and the accepted and proper ways of worship, we order our services to perfection so as to make sure we’re “pleasing God”?

Don’t get me wrong, the place of worship and acts of worship are very important BUT more important to God, in fact what He responds to – what He delights in – is the heart and spirit behind our worship!

Now let’s return to the worship experience in Luke 7:36-50 and look at it through the window of Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman in John 4.

WORSHIP IS DETERMINED BY THE ATTITUDE OF OUR HEARTS

attitude of reverence for who God is (vs38,44-46)

First, we need to observe that this woman washed Jesus feet.

Simon had invited Jesus to his house and yet by his actions made it very clear his attitude towards Jesus. In the time period of this story,

… open sandals were the most common footwear, and it was customary for guests to leave their sandals at the door when they entered a house. Since most travelers in Israel shared the main roads with camels, horses, and donkeys, it was impossible to completely avoid the droppings of these animals all day long. Sandals provided some protection to travelers, and it was unthinkable to wear them into a person’s house. Nevertheless, it was certain that the residue of the day’s journey (including the odor of the animal droppings) was still deposited on a guest’s unprotected feet. For this reason, the dirty job of washing the animal droppings off of everyone’s feet was reserved for the most insignificant servant of the household…
…If you really wanted to dishonor and humiliate a person who entered your home, all you had to do was make sure that your servants didn’t bother to wash his feet. This was especially true in a Pharisee’s house where outward cleanliness meant everything. Jesus clearly says that when He entered Simon’s house, no one washed His feet (Luke 7:44). It is almost like Simon wanted Jesus there, but he didn’t want to honor Him. (The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenney, p. 130)

I believe that the woman recognized the measure of disrespect that had been shown to Jesus and sought to honor him by washing his feet. Her worship was characterized by reverence for who Jesus is.

It is important that we have the attitude of reverence for God in our hearts when we worship Him! Are you seeking to honor God in your worship? Or are you striving to bring honor to men, to yourself, or to another, or to the service itself? We often come to church asking God to be “present” in our services – but it is important to give Him the place of honor in our services. Do give Him room to “interrupt” the service as He sees fit. When you come to church is it more important to you for you to say “Oh, that was good. I enjoyed that” or for God to say, “Oh that was good. I enjoyed that?”

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

We’ll be touching on this attitude of worship more next week when I talk about the price of worship.

attitude of humility and repentance (vs. 37-38)

Not only did the woman display an attitude of reverence in her worship but she also displayed humility and repentance. We need to understand the significance of her washing Jesus’ feet with her hair. The Bible says that a woman’s hair is her glory.

but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:15 (NIV)

Middle Eastern women in Jesus’ day generally wore their hair “up,” and it was often wrapped in a turban or veil when they left their homes for public places. So the woman probably had to unwrap her hair to wipe the Lord’s feet. Tommy Tenney in his book, “The God Chasers” called this “dismantling her glory”. In essence when this woman wiped the feet of Jesus’ she was not only humbling herself because this was a job generally reserved for the most lowly of servants but also because she was removing every evidence of Jesus’ public rejection with her beautiful hair and taking it as her own.

This woman had come to Simon’s house because she knew Jesus’ was there – with tears of repentance (she acknowledged her sinfulness) she humbly bowed before Him in worship. If you want to see the face of God you’ve got to start at his feet.

Does pride govern your worship? Or does humility? You know that the attitude of pride is determining your worship when you are more concerned with what men are thinking than on what God is receiving! Again Simon wanted Jesus in his house but his attitude drew a rebuke from Jesus because he was more concerned about pleasing man then pleasing God.

Another aspect of this woman’s worship is she didn’t try to hide who she was or what she had done from Jesus. She didn’t wait until Jesus came to her and confronted her with her sin. No, not only did she go to Jesus – but she went to Jesus in the presence of the Pharisee who knew about her sinfulness! True worship is characterized by the attitude of repentance – that is not trying to hide what we’ve done or who we are (the fact of the matter is God already knows) but worshipping in truth!

attitude of love (v40-47)

Lastly, but perhaps more obviously, is the love that this woman displayed toward Jesus by her act of worship. Remember, I said earlier that with true worship the act or form of worship flows naturally out of the substance of worship in your heart & your spirit! What greater thing for this woman to do in love than to bow in tenderness at Jesus feet and with her own tears wash away the scum and animal dung and then to finish the job with her own hair. And yet, she wasn’t done yet. She poured almost a year’s salary worth of expensive perfume onto his feet and gently rubbed it in.

The love that this woman had for Jesus was birthed out of a genuine deep gratitude for the hope and promise Jesus presented for the forgiveness of sins.

Here, on the other side of the cross – we as Christians have seen the ultimate evidence of God’s love for us in the death and resurrection of his only son. He has forgiven much! But the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was intended for more than the mere forgiveness of our sins! God’s hope – his aim was to restore an intimate relationship with mankind. He longs to share his love for you and for you to share your love for him. True worship is born out of a deep abiding love in the heart for God, for Jesus, for the Holy Spirit.

WORSHIP IS DETERMINED BY THE LONGING OF OUR SPIRIT

Trued worshippers long for God – it is an intense, hunger and thirsting to be in the presence of God. Why? Without taking the time to explain this in detail (it would require another message) I want to recall to those of you who are Christians the moment you first became a Christian…The time you first realized what Jesus Christ had done for you and made him Lord and Saviour of your life. Do you remember the joy of that moment – do you remember the love you felt from God – do your remember the clarity with which you started to witness your life around you and how everything seemed a little different? At that moment, God had brought life to your spirit and your spirit began to thrive on the presence of God. Our spirit’s long after God because He is our life-giver!

Do you remember the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman? Jesus talked about a living water, a spring that he will give, that will satisfy the thirst of those who drink it, that will well up into eternal life. Notice the response of the woman – She longed after that water, she wanted it – in Jesus she recognized the source of this life-giving water. Are your spirits thirsty? Do you long for the presence of Christ? This longing determines our worship!

You know your spirit is longing for God when…

you’re seeking the giver not merely the gifts! (v. 37)

A man told a story about the time his son’s sixth birthday was approaching. He had mentioned he wouldn’t mind a party, and as his son usually was very specific about the kind of presents he liked the dad asked him what he could get him. Bill expected a well-planned reply, such as “I’d like a baseball glove; you can find it at Toys ‘R ‘Us, aisle 6, below the batting helmets, or a video game; the games are in alphabetical order in electronics.” But his son’s request was a bit different. He said, “Dad, I’d like a ball to play with for my birthday.” Bill said “Great, what kind of ball?” “Oh, I want don’t know, either a football or a soccer ball.” “Well, which would you want more?” He said, “Well,” and thought about it. Then he said. “If you have some time to play ball with me this year, I’d really like a football so we could throw it back and forth in the back yard. But if you’re gonna be real busy this year, maybe you just better get me a soccer ball, because I can play soccer with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood.” The dad thought about this and said, “Let me surprise you. How does that sound?” And the little boy smiled and said, “Oh that would be great Dad. I really love you.” Then Bill went in and shared this little encounter with his wife and together they agreed, their son was not so much interested in the gift. He was interested in the giver. (Autoillustrator.com, “WORSHIP”)

When the woman heard that Jesus was in town she went to him, despite the fact that he was at a “holy man’s” house and she probably wasn’t worthy to be there. She didn’t go to receive Jesus’ blessing, she didn’t go to make a claim, she didn’t go to get something from him! How do I know? She didn’t say a word. This woman simply went to be in the presence of Jesus. She just wanted to be with Him.

King David was a true worshipper, listen to his words…

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Psalms 27:4 (NIV)

1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Psalms 63:1-2 (NIV)

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young– a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah
Psalms 84:1-4 (NIV)

Do you hear the words of David? David wasn’t satisfied with the gifts and blessings that God had to offer, he sought after God himself. He desired to know God, not just about Him.

Now I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me – the gifts of God are important, there is a necessary purpose and plan for God’s blessings – after all Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:1 that would should eagerly desire the spiritual gifts of God,

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)

However, I am a firm believer that the spiritual gifts flow out of our worship of the giver of the gifts. True worship flows out of a hunger and thirst for God – not just his handouts.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Acts 17:24-28 (NIV)

When you come to church are your looking for the giver or the gifts?

I seek the giver not the gifts,
My heart’s desire, is to lift you up,
High above all earthly kings,
To bring you pleasure Lord.
(“I Bow My Knee Before your Throne”, Deuschle ©1990, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)

You know your spirit is longing for God when…

You’re concerned more with ministry to God rather than ministry from God.

“We used to think that the chief end of man was to glorify God. Now we’re tempted to say the chief end of God is to gratify man” Oswald Sanders

The last time I read it, David wrote in Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” NOT “Bless my soul, O my Lord, and all that is within me receives the blessings of your Holy name”! Yet isn’t that the way we tend to approach worship? I’ve been guilty of this, I know there are times I’ve even prayed, “Bless us Lord”. Yes we want to receive the blessings of the Lord but what about blessing Him? Worship, is not about receiving God’s blessing but giving our blessings, our praises, our attention, our lives to Him!

The danger is that when you are concerned with ministry from God more than ministry to God, your worship becomes displaced:

Many years ago, Thomas K. Beecher once substituted for his famous brother, Henry Ward Beecher, at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Many curiosity seekers had come to hear the renowned Henry Beecher speak. Therefore, when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, some people got up and started for the doors. Sensing that they were disappointed because he was substituting for his brother, Thomas raised his hand for silence and announced, “All those who came here this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may withdraw from the church; all who came to worship God may remain.” The example of godly leaders is helpful, but only the Savior is worthy of our worship and devotion.

Back to the woman at Simon’s house. When she went to Jesus everything she did was a blessing to him. She didn’t do those things to receive his blessing (even though she did receive His blessing – and I’ll talk more on this in the message, the prize of worship) she did those things to bless Him! I am reminded of the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was busy making supper and doing things for the Lord and was frustrated because Mary was merely sitting at his feet and listening to Him. In response to Martha’s frustration Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” The question is, how do we bless God? How about by bringing to Him His desire? You!

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

God wants your love more than anything else, He wants your worship – in spirit and in truth.
{show SermonSpice.com Video “The Gift of Worship“}

Tags: heart-of-worship, presence-of-God, worship
Posted in Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

No Common Act

Sunday, July 10th, 2005

Read at beginning of service:

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)

23 “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake– 29 the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God– 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

INTRODUCTION

What I?m speaking to you about today has been inspired in part by a particular chapter in a book I?ve been reading by A.W. Tozer called “The Pursuit of God” ? I highly recommend it to you for your own reading.

What I want to talk to you today comes out of the comments made by AW. Tozer in his chapter entitled “The Sacrament of Living”, from observations I have seen and experienced myself and from the scripture passage that was read to you at the beginning of the service this morning. I?d like to just repeat one particular verse from that passage,

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

AW Tozer writes,

One of the greatest hindrances to internal peace which the Christian encounters is the common habit of dividing our lives into two areas ? the sacred and the secular. (p. 111, The Pursuit of God)

I want you to let that sink in for a moment. I remember when I was growing up I understood God to be very real but for the most part he was talked about or thought about mostly on Sundays ? oh and around the table at dinner time and before going to bed at night (prayers). I mean, the concept that God could actually be a part of every activity of my life was a rather distant one. Even as I became more involved in church in my later high school years ? committing my life to Christ and then going off to Bible College certainly Jesus became much more a part of my life but in all honesty he remained just that, a part a significant part maybe but still a part.

There is the continual struggle with the thinking that the secular and the sacred are morally and spiritually incompatible, and as we are driven by the necessities of living to be always crossing back and forth from the one to the other, our inner lives tend to break up so that we live a divided instead of unified life.

I?m convinced that it is exactly this that causes unrest in many professing Christians and at the same time drives many a seeker away because of the seeming hypocrisy of it all. I?m also convinced that it is this that keeps many people from experiencing the full depths of a enriching and exciting life that God wants everyone to experience. I choose my words carefully there because life will never be free of pain and the Christian that is fulfilled by there existence on this world has lost sight of the wonder of the world to come ? for friends that is the world that will bring fulfillment.

Here and now, however God would have us experience His presence in a real and tangible way every day. So, are so many of us missing this?

The trouble?

Our trouble springs from the fact that we who follow Christ inhabit at once two worlds ? the spiritual and the natural. As children of Adam we go about our lives here on earth subject to the limitations of our bodies and the weaknesses and bad things that human nature inherits. Just living requires years of toil and care and attention to the things of this world.

In sharp contrast to this is our life in the Spirit. Spiritually we enjoy another and higher kind of life ? we are children of God; we possess heavenly status and enjoy intimate fellowship with Christ.

This contrast tends to divide our total life into two compartments. Without thinking about it we start to recognize two sets of actions. The first are performed with a feeling of satisfaction and a firm assurance that they are pleasing to God. These are the sacred acts such as prayer, Bible reading, hymn singing, church attendance and such other acts as spring directly from faith. These kinds of acts are recognized by the distinction that they have no direct relation to this world, and would have no meaning at all except as faith shows us another world,

2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV)

1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

On the other hand there are also secular acts that everyone partakes in. They include all of the ordinary activities of life: eating, sleeping, working, looking after the needs of the body and performing our at times dull and prosaic duties here on earth. For many Christians we often do many of these things reluctantly and with many misgivings, often apologizing to God for what we consider a waste of time and strength. Or at the other extreme feel perhaps that we are enjoying the secular things too much and neglecting the sacred acts and so spend much time apologizing to God for not spending near enough time in the sacred.

Some go about their common tasks with a feeling of deep frustration, telling themselves pensively that there?s a better day coming when we shall shrug of this earthly shell and be bothered no more with the affairs of this world.

This is the old sacred-secular paradox. Most Christians are caught in its trap and most non-Christians recognize it and never consider Christianity because why would they want to add a bunch of baggage to their already overburdened life?

For Christians it becomes a tightrope walk between two kingdoms and they find no peace in either. Their strength is reduced, their outlook confused and their joy taken from them.

Folks, here?s the thing ? all this is really unnecessary. This is a tough dilemma, true, but the dilemma is not real. You see, the sacred-secular paradox has no foundation in the New Testament. Let?s look closer at some important truths that will deliver us from this way of thinking.

THE SOLUTION

Look at the example of Jesus! He knew no divided life!

In the presence of His Father He lived on earth without strain from babyhood to His death on the cross. God accepted the offering of His total life, and made no distinction between all the things He did. What did Jesus say?

John 8:29 (NIV)

29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

As Jesus walked this earth everything he did was done with poise and restfulness. The pressure and suffering He did endure grew out of His position as the world?s sin bearer; they were never the result of moral uncertainty or spiritual maladjustment.

Paul?s exhortation to “do all to the glory of God”

This writing to the Corinthian church is not wishful thinking or religious idealism. It is a very important part of what God has revealed to the church of Christ and is to be accepted as the very Word of Truth. What this statement does is open up before us the incredible possibility of making every act of our lives contribute to the glory of God! And in case your afraid to include absolutely everything, Paul mentions specifically eating and drinking ? a privilege we share with the animals of the earth. If these lowly beastly acts can be so performed as to honor God, then it becomes difficult to conceive of one that cannot.

I remember in Bible college reading and studying about certain Christian sects that would speak of the evils of the body and how one must hate every aspect of it?s earthly functions. But the works of certain early devotional writers of this mindset has no support in the Word of God. Yes, you can learn about common modesty and treating the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit but there is never teachings about a false sense of shame. In the New Testament it is an assumed understanding that in his incarnation our Lord took upon Him a real human body, and no effort is made to steer around the downright implications of that fact! He lived in that body here among men and never once performed a non-sacred act. Jesus? presence in the human flesh sweeps away forever the evil notion that there is about the human body something innately offensive to God.

Listen folks! God created our bodies ? and we do not offend Him by placing the responsibility where it belongs! He is not ashamed of the work of His own hands.

However, misuse and abuse of what He has created should give us cause to be ashamed. Bodily acts done in sin and contrary to nature can never honor God. Whenever humans by their choices and actions introduce moral evil we have no longer our innocent and harmless abilities/talents/skills as God made them; we have instead an abused and twisted thing which can never bring glory to its Creator.

Yet, if such misuse and abuse is not present ? if we consider a Christian believer in whose life the twin wonders of repentance and salvation have been wrought ? one who is now living according to the will of God as he understands it from the written Word ? then we could say of this person that every act of his life is or can be as truly sacred as prayer or baptism or the Lord?s Supper. Now in saying this I?m not bringing all acts down to one dead level but instead lifting every act up into a living kingdom and turn the person?s whole life into a sacred offering to God!

And friends this is truly possible! By once act of commitment of our total selves to God we can make every subsequent act express that commitment. We don?t have to be ashamed of our body anymore ? those ordinary actions that everyone carries out can become extraordinary in bringing glory to God! If Christ dwells in us, we may bear about the Lord of glory as the humble donkey did carrying Jesus into Jerusalem and give reason for people to cry, “Hosanna in the highest!”

But friends, seeing or hearing this truth is not enough! I could talk about it until my face is blue (and the sanctuary is empty) but if we are really going to escape from the snare of the sacred-secular paradox, the truth must permeate our lies and direct our thoughts.

THE APPLICATION

We must practice living to the glory of God, in thought and deeds. Throughout our waking hours as we go through our day to day activities meditate on this though, talk to God about it when you pray, recall it in your mind frequently ? “Every thing I do today brings glory to God”. As you do this you will begin to comprehend the incredible impact this truth has for your life! The struggle between the secular and sacred will begin to dissipate as the knowledge that we are all God?s, that He has received all and rejected nothing, will unify our inner lives and make everything sacred to us.

But don?t misunderstand me ? this is not a simple thing. And by simple I mean it?s not easy. Long-held habits will not die easily. It will be difficult for most Christians to get a hold of the idea that their daily labors can be performed as acts of worship acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. The thought will keep creeping up that the ordinary acts of life cannot bring glory to Him. Not only that, but Satan will not take all this lying down ? He will be there in the office, at the desk, or in the field, or in your home to remind the Christian that he is giving the better part of his day to the things of this world and allotting to his religious duties only a small portion of his time. If we?re not careful, this will create confusion and bring discouragement and heaviness of heart.

How do we deal with these difficulties? Aggressively!

We must offer ALL our acts to God and BELIEVE that He accepts them.

Then hold firmly to that position and keep insisting that every act of every hour of the day and night be included in that commitment! Every time you pray remind God that you mean every act for His glory; then supplement those times by a thousand thought-prayers as you go about the job of living.

Friends I encourage you ? let?s practice the fine art of making everything we do an offering to God! Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.

When we do this what will happen?

THE RESULT

No longer will we confine God to the “sacred” places.

One of the things people tend to believe when trapped by the sacred-secular paradox is that God is only found in certain places or that only certain places are sacred. It?s interesting that in the face of every New Testament teaching to the contrary this idea has been said and sung throughout the centuries and accepted as part of the Christian message when it?s really not.

Let?s look at what God?s word says?

For 400 years Israel had dwelt in Egypt surrounded by many immoral and oppressive people and religions. By the hand of God through Moses they were brought out at last and set out towards the land of Promise. The very idea of holiness had been lost to them. To correct this, God began at the beginning: first, he manifested himself in the cloud and fire, and later when the tabernacle (place of worship) had been build He dwelt in a fiery manifestation in the Holy of Holies. By a number of distinctions God taught Israel the difference between holy and unholy. There were holy days, holy vessels, holy garments. There were washings, sacrifices, offerings of many kinds. Indeed a read through Deuteronomy and Leviticus can be intimidating with the description of all the things that are holy and unholy. But here?s the important point ? by these means God was teaching them, not the holiness of things or places but that HE IS HOLY! The holiness of God was the lesson that they were to learn (and through them the world to learn as well).
Then came the great day when Christ appeared. As Jesus began teaching he said,

Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV)21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago?. 22 But I tell you

The Old Testament schooling was fulfilled in Christ. When Christ died on the cross, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. The Holy of Holies was opened to everyone who would enter in faith. Christ?s words spoken at an earlier occasion gained new significance,

John 4:21-24 (NIV)21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Shortly after, the apostle Paul took up the cry of liberty and declared all meats clean, every day holy, all places sacred and every act acceptable to God! The sacredness of times and places, a half-light necessary to the education of the race, passed away in the full light of spiritual worship.

Friends this truth remained the possession of the church of Christ until it was slowly lost with the passing of years. Then the natural legality of the fallen hearts of men began to introduce the old distinctions ? the church came to observe again days and seasons and times ? Certain places were chosen and marked out as holy in a special sense ? differences were observed between one and another day or place or person. As the distinctions became more numerous and varied through the centuries it introduced a complete separation between God and life!

There have been attempts to refute this trap but there is a trend back toward that bondage again. It is said that a horse, after it has been led out of a burning building, will sometimes, strangely, break loose from its rescuer and dash back into the building again to perish in the flame.

Certain days are marked as more sacred (Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Pentecost). Now I?m not against the observation of those days but let us not assign to them improper value ? for those days are significant only in the work accomplished that every day may bring glory to God in the life of the believer! Certain places are marked as more holy ? the thought that only in the church can truly spiritual things happen!

So friends the first result of this change of thought is the understanding and practice of the sacredness of every day and of every place!

Your life becomes a more vibrant light of the love of God.

When you believe that everything you do brings glory to God what do you think happens with “everything you do”? Every action, every thought, every speech begins to become more demonstrative of the power and work of God in your life. The tension between is no longer their to perform more spiritual acts as you recognize that actions you already do have spiritual significance. The worker in his place of work gains notice for the joy and excellence he achieves, the parent at home with their children understand their task to be holy and pleasing to God.

The light shines purer and brighter as the fruits of this commitment such as gratefulness, joy, peace, compassion, generosity, and every good work come more and more naturally to your endeavors.

CONCLUSION

Before concluding I want to make sure I?m not misunderstood. I want to point out against the practical outcomes of this truth what I don?t mean.

I don?t mean, that everything we do is of equal importance with everything else we do or may do.

Once act of a good person?s life may differ widely from another in importance. Paul?s tent-making was not equal to his writing of a letter to the Romans, BUT both were accepted of God and both were true acts of worship. Of course, it?s more important to lead a person to Christ than to plant a garden, BUT the planting of the garden can be as holy an act as the winning of a soul!

b. I don?t mean that every man is as useful as every other man.

Gifts differ in the body of Christ. A Darren Ethier is not to be compared with a Billy Graham or Max Lucado for sheer usefulness to the church and to the world; BUT the service of the less gifted person IS AS PURE AS THAT of the more gifted ? and hear me ? God accepts BOTH with EQUAL pleasure.

In light of that statement?

I don?t mean that the “lay person” should think of what he does as being inferior to that of the pastor.

Every person should rejoice in the “calling” where God has placed them and the work they do will be as sacred as the work of the pastor! Listen carefully, it is not what a person does that determines whether their work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it! The motive is everything.

LET A PERSON COMMIT EVERY WORK TO THE LORD JESUS IN HIS HEART AND HE CAN THEREAFTER DO NO COMMON ACT! All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. As he performs his never-so-simple task, he will hear the voice of the seraphim saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3)

Tags: choices, common, faith, glory, God, heart, Inspire, passion, relationship, sacred, spiritual, thirst, worship
Posted in Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

“But” Worship

Sunday, June 2nd, 2002

Read at beginning of service:

Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

INTRODUCTION

- Give background to text from 2 Kings 17:1-23

In 2 Kings 17:1-6 we have the account of the last king of Israel named Hoshea), he reigned nine years.

Verse 2 describes him as doing evil in the eyes of the Lord but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him ? nevertheless we learn that Shalmaneser (the king of Assyria) discovered Hoshea was a traitor, had him seized and put in prison.

Shalmaneser laid siege to Samaria (capital of Israel) for 3 years and then captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. These Israelites were divided and settled in various cities and towns of the empire of Assyria.

In 2 Kings 17:7-23 we are given the reason for Israel?s capture and exile by the Assyrians.

The main reason given for this is they had sinned against the Lord their God (v7-8) The nature of their sin was:

They worshipped other gods

They followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.

They secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right (v9)

They built high places in all their towns.

They built idols and burned incense and “sacred” places to other Gods on every high hill and under every spreading tree.

They did wicked things that provoked the Lord to anger.

They ignored the warnings to Israel and Judah made by all of God?s prophets and seers (v13)

The people are described as stiff-necked because they would not listen. Stiff-necked is a condition described as not trusting in the Lord their God (v14)

They rejected the decrees God had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them.

They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.

They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do,” and they did the things the Lord had forbidden them to do.

They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole.

They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshipped Baal.

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire.

They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord provoking Him to anger (v. 17)

The result? “So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence” (vs 18)

“Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.” (vs. 20)

- Then we come to our text for this morning. The Israelites are in captivity in Assyria and the king replaces them with imported captives from other countries. He settles these people into Samaria, the main province of Israel at that time.

(Read 2 Kings 17:24-41)

In this passage there is one thing that really stood out the first time I read it:

2 Kings 17:32-33 (NIV)

32 They worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. 33 They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

They worshiped the Lord, but?

Here we have in these verses of chapter 17 a description of the worship of these newly settled people and I believe that there are several characteristics of this worship that we must take note of. In light of the particular emphasis placed on verse 32 and 33 I would ask you the question, “How might the Samaritan?s worship compare with our worship of God today?” In some cases, the comparisons may be a little too close for comfort!
How much of our worship includes the word “but”? “I?ll worship the Lord but in my way, in my time, and when it?s convenient?”

What is it that leads to “but” worship??

Looking at the Samaritans we find that?

THEIR WORSHIP WAS RESTRICTED BY SELF SEEKING PURPOSES

2 Kings 17:25-26 (NIV)25 When they first lived there, they did not worship the LORD; so he sent lions among them and they killed some of the people. 26 It was reported to the king of Assyria: “The people you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know what the god of that country requires. He has sent lions among them, which are killing them off, because the people do not know what he requires.”

Talk about a welcoming party to your new home!!
These freshly settled people were anxious to know how to appease the god of the country they lived in ? they were afraid that they would die!
They would never have thought of God, had it not been for the lions. The lion “crisis” awakened them to the presence of the LORD and produced in them a desire to find out what He requires. This was good?
The problem is that they viewed their worship as a way to get rid of the lions rather than an invitation for the presence of God. They sought a way to appease God so that they could get out of their crisis.
Friends the purpose for worship is not to get rid of the lions but to welcome the presence of the lion-tamer! Yet how many people today think only of God: When they are ill, forgetting Him when they are well; During their calamities, but not during their joys; When faced with problems, but not when enjoying prosperity. How many people are like some sailors who in a storm pray fervently to God for deliverance, making promises but then get drunk or engage in immorality as soon as they get to land!
If we turn to God only in the midst of crisis, our worship will be no different than the Samaritans!

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: Saul and his “sacrifice” ? (1 Samuel 13:1-15) contrast with David?s “worship” in 2 Samuel 6:12-23

2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NIV)

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel–I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

THEIR WORSHIP WAS LIMITED TO FORM WITHOUT SUBSTANCE.

Their hearts were not in their service to the Lord?

As evident by the fact that they continued to serve their “carved images” (vs 33)
What service they rendered to the Lord possessed “form”, but not “substance”

Such worship is often common today?

Where there is “form”, but not substance”
Now, there is a need for “form” in worship?

Possessing both a physical and spiritual nature, man needs physical ways to express his spiritual devotion.

So God has provided physical expressions even in the New Testament worship, even though it is much more spiritual than that found in the Old Testament.

The Lord?s Supper, singing, prayer, giving, etc., they all have “form”

But to go through the “form” without the “substance” (a right spirit and attitude) is “hypocritical”.

Matthew 15:7-8 (NIV)7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

As Christians we?re guilty of such worship if we?
- Sing “Trust and Obey”, but do neither
- Sing “I?ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”, but aren?t willing to go or do.
- Sing “Amazing Grace” with bored expressions on our faces and in our hearts.
Worship that is both “form” and “substance” will follow the example of David when he said?

Psalms 138:1 (NIV) I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; ?”

Psalms 146:1-2 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalms 147:1 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Is our worship simply consist of form? Is there any substance?

Is it simply going through the motions or playing out a part?
If that is all we have, then our worship is no more pleasing to God than that of the Samaritans!
Isaiah has this to say to us:

Isaiah 29:13-14 (NIV)13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. 14 Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

BIBLICAL STORY: Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19) EMPHASIZE “SACRIFICE” Worship with substance is worship with sacrifice!

THEIR WORSHIP WAS DILUTED BY COMPROMISE

In the Case of the Samaritans?.

They had God and they had “gods”; they liked the latter best

2 Kings 17:41a (NIV)41 Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.

They gave God lip service, but their hearts were not his because their worship was diluted

Such can happen to Christians today?

When they seek to serve God, while also try to serve the world. When we worship God but dilute it with our heart?s attachment to the things of the world.
But this is impossible according to Jesus.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

(this passage is located at the end of Jesus? discourse on “Treasures in Heaven” it might be worthwhile to read from this passage ? Matthew 6:19-24)

you worship what you treasure?

When people try to serve both, the world always wins.

It shows up in how their jobs, their recreation, etc., takes precedence over their service to God.

It shows up in how they seek to rationalize their conduct.

But God cannot tolerate “compromise”

He requires total commitment to Him, no matter the price.

As taught in the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (NIV)

14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.

As taught by Jesus Himself:

Luke 14:33 (NIV)33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

To compromise with the world is to commit “spiritual adultery”!

James 4:4 (NIV)4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Thus we need to heed Jesus? admonition

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-30)

Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

CONCLUSION

In looking at what is written about the Samaritans and their “worship” of God we?ve noticed that their worship is restricted by self seeking purposes, limited to form without substance, and diluted by compromise. But in doing so is there anything that seems a bit familiar to your worship of God? If we?re not careful we can let our worship be like the Samaritans. If we?re not careful a writer could look at us and say, “They worshipped the Lord, but?” The sad thing is that in a great part of the Western World today that would be an accurate description – Worship that is prompted more by what we can get from God then birthed from a recognition of who He is, worship that has more emphasis on the method than the heart, worship that part of a list rather than defining your life!

Let Elijah challenge us to stop letting our worship be diluted by compromise

1 Kings 18:21 (NIV)

21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Let Paul challenge us to a worship of form AND substance?

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Let the example and words of David challenge us to a worship birthed out of love for God and who He is rather than what we can get from Him…

Psalms 29:2 (NIV)2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalms 95:6 (NIV)

6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

Tags: praise, worship
Posted in Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

Laying out the Welcome Mat for God

Sunday, May 20th, 2001

Read at beginning of service:

1 John 1:1-10 (NIV)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

INTRODUCTION

Acts 2:38-47 (NIV)38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I want to ask you a question this morning. Have you ever found yourself somewhere where you don?t feel welcome? You know, maybe you walk into a room filled with strangers and there?s this invisible yet perceptible barrier that makes you squirm and gives you the urge to run. Or maybe it?s when you walk over to a group of people talking and it seems that you?re invisible. No one even acknowledges that you are there. Maybe some of you have never had this feeling ? I know I have.

There were times growing up where I would find myself in situations where I felt very unwelcome. I remember when I was on a Grade Eight trip to Ottawa. This was a trip that I had been looking forward to all year long. I was going on an adventure with friends. Sure, it?s supposed to be educational ?but there would be time for fun. But something happened on the bus trip down. To be honest, to this day I don?t know why (or maybe I can?t remember why) but I do remember that as I went to sit with my friends and “fit in” with the group I suddenly felt “unwelcome”. All of a sudden I was the butt of jokes and when I went to join them in the different fun antics they did in the hotel and on our educational experiences it was obvious that they didn?t want me hanging around. The feeling at that time was horrible. The feeling that I was unwelcome ? not strangers, but friends! Needless to say, the trip to Ottawa went down as one of the worst experiences of my life. But as I look back now, I laugh at some of the things that happened to me and I?m thankful for the lesson I learned through it. The lesson I learned was just how awful it is to feel unwelcome, not wanted.

Now I?d like to change tact a little bit. How welcome is God in this church, in your life, in your family. You know, I think sometimes, we often emphasize how much we want God to be with us ? healing us, protecting us, giving us warm fuzzies, blessing us financially, answering prayer ? but we can forget sometimes how much God wants us to be with Him!

We lay out the welcome mat at church (homes, lives) for God ? but are we laying it out for his blessings, his power, his grace, his mercy, his majesty alone? Or are we laying out the welcome for God, for Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit ? for His presence? Is God welcome or just the blessings? Or is anything to do with God welcome at all?

The book of Acts, written by Luke, is a history book of the early church. By the time we get to our text, Jesus has been crucified and resurrected. He has appeared to the disciples in the upper room. A group of 120 people form the nucleus of the church, Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost and three thousand are saved and baptized.

It is often talked about how important it is to be friendly and welcome newcomers to church. We want to make the right impression. And I?m not going to knock that this morning. But what I?d like to point out is that if we?re more concerned with making the right impression and welcoming newcomers than we are with God then we?ve got things backwards. Those who lay out the welcome mat for God will soon find that the newcomers are coming to your church not because it?s super friendly ? but because God has found a place where He is welcome and has decided to drop in. And when God drops in ? as you see in the book of Acts ? there are signs and wonders, there are healings, there are miracles, not because they were sought after but because God was sought after!

Let me ask you a question. Do you want to be a part of a church that welcome?s God, that welcomes Jesus, that welcomes the Holy Spirit? This morning let us examine the text and discover how the church of Christ lays out the welcome mat for God and experiences his blessings.

a love for God?s Word

The beginning of verse 42 tells us that the early church was “devoted to the apostle?s teaching”. In other words they were listening to what the apostles were saying and soaking it in.

What was the teaching of the apostles?

Let?s remember that the New Testament was not written at this time. The apostles taught from the Old Testament Scriptures and showed how they pointed to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They also taught from the teachings of Jesus that they had learned first hand.

The majority of these new believers were Jewish by birth. Now that God opened their eyes they saw the scriptures as something more than just a set of rules and regulations, more than a history book about their people, but a living and relevant book that could transform their lives.

In a book called, When God Builds A Church, by Bob Russell, pastor of the Southeast Church in Louisville, Ky., he tells about a special staff meeting that he called as they prepared to move into their new church building.

He asked his staff to meet him at the new building. When everyone arrived, hard hats, magic markers, and Bibles were passed out. He then instructed his staff to go to the classrooms and offices in the building where they would be working and write scripture verses on the concrete floors.

Pastor Russell told them, “Someday soon the scriptures will be covered with carpet. But I hope you will always remember what you have written today. And what we do today will be a visible reminder that we are always to stand on God?s Word.”

The staff really got into it. Some of them found some spray paint and began using it so the words would show up better.

Those in the children?s ministry wrote things like, “Let the little children come unto me?for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

In the education wing, the adult education ministers wrote, “Study to show yourself approved unto God?”

In the music practice rooms the music minister wrote, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

In the pastor?s offices they wrote: “Preach the word in season and out of season.”

One single lady in the children?s ministry wrote her favorite verse on the floor of her office, “It is not good for a man to be alone.”

The scriptures-on-the-floor idea caught on and soon hundreds of church members followed suit. In a matter of weeks, there were scriptures all over the concrete floors-down the hallways, on the stairways, and on the steps leading up to the pulpit.

Pastor Russell went on to comment: “I believe the greatest reason God has chosen to bless Southeast Church and thousands of other churches around the world is that we have been serious about upholding the absolute truth of God?s Word.” (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

Friends, when a church is devoted to learning, teaching, preaching and sharing the scriptures ? the church is laying out the welcome mat for Him. Why, because in doing so, people are saying, “I want to know you God.”

fellowship

Verse 42 not only says that the early church were devoted to the apostle?s teaching but also to the “fellowship”.

Verse 42 says that they continued steadfastly in? “fellowship.”

The term “fellowship” comes from the Greek word “koinonia.” It literally means to “share something in common.”

In the church there are old and young, wealthy and poor, healthy and disabled, black and white, baby Christians and mature believers. In spite of all of that diversity God?s people can enjoy the rich fellowship.

Why, because of what we share in common.

We share a common commitment to Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and Lord.

We share a common lifestyle. We walk in the light and have fellowship one with another?

1 John 1:3-7 (NIV)3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

We share a common goal?. To magnify and glorify Jesus in all that we do.

We share a common sacrifice. We chosen not to love the world and we have decided to please our Savior.

The Lord?s twelve disciples were quite a diverse bunch. Simon the Zealot was a patriot, a redneck of sorts that hated the Roman government. Matthew was a tax collector, a co-conspirator with the Roman government. (That would be kind of like having Day and Jean Chretien on the same committee!) Thomas and Peter were opposites too. Peter was impulsive and often fickle. Thomas was a thinker, slow to respond, but deeply committed.

I am sure that the different personalities clashed, but there was a fellowship. Jesus united them. They eventually would learn to check their egos and serve one another.

Fellowship is intended to bind us together in love.

Look back again at our text and note how that fellowship was expressed.

Acts 2:44-45 (NIV)

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

True fellowship fulfills the great expectation of Jesus for his disciples.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

There is nothing that makes God feel more welcome than when this kind of love, this kind of unity, this kind of fellowship exists among people. So we are laying out the welcome mat for God when we love His Word found in the Scriptures, when we promote fellowship amongst each other and thirdly when we?

worship

Our text says that the early church devoted themselves to the “breaking of bread”. Later on Verses 46-47a expand upon this observation,

Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

The reference to them “breaking bread” tells us that their times of worship included the celebration of the Lord?s Supper. They gathered together to focus their attention upon the Lord and what He had done for them in providing salvation.

The 21^st century church I fear has lost sight of what worship is to be about. We are often guilty of evaluating a worship service as if it were a performance that needs to be rated. In our minds are thoughts like: “I don?t think I like that son so and so sang. I thought the sermon today was about a six on a scale of ten.” If fear that we see those who are up front as the ones who are worshiping and the rest of us are watching them worship.

If you?re curious about catching a peak at what worship is about. Take a glimpse at a pep rally for a sports team?

Several years ago, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks did a comedy skit called the “2013 Year Old Man”. In the skit, Reiner interviews Brooks, who is the old gentleman. At one point, Reiner asks the old man, “Did you always believe in the Lord?”

Brooks replied: “No. We had a guy in our village named Phil, and for a time we worshiped him.”

Reiner: You worshiped a guy named Phil? Why?

Brooks: Because he was big, and mean, and he could break you in two with his bare hands!

Riener: Did you have prayers?

Brooks: Yes, would you like to hear one? “O Phil, please don?t be mean, and hurt us, or break us in two with your bare hands.”

Reiner: So when did you start worshiping the Lord?

Brooks: Well, one day a big thunderstorm came up, and a lightning bolt hit Phil. We gathered around and saw that he was dead. Then we said to one another, “There?s somethin? bigger than Phil!” (quoted on SermonIllustrations.com HUMOR: FALSE PROPHETS AND MESSIAHS)

Everybody in the world worships something ? or someone. Even those who claim they don?t are probably only saying that because they worship themselves! The point is. There is someone bigger. And God deserves, demands, and desires our worship! He desires the hearts of men turned to Him with the cry of, “Glory to God in the Highest! Who is worthy of our worship!” The purpose of worship is not to please us! But to please God!!!!

The scriptures urge us to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name?” and friends when you do that, when you begin to focus on showing appreciation and love to God, you are worshipping Him.

I firmly believe that it is true worship that not only sets out the welcome mat for God but opens the doors of heaven to usher in His glory. For worship is the best way of saying “God, Jesus, Holy Spirit ? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE ? PLEASE DO COME IN!!”

prayer

Last but not least, verse 42 tells us that the first church was marked by a devotion to prayer.

A businessman in a small town that had historically been “dry” revealed his plans to open a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. Shortly thereafter lightening struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner brought a law suit against the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible. The church hired an attorney to argue in court that they were not responsible for the man?s propery being destroyed.

The presiding judge after his initial review of the case stated, “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

The early church believed in prayer.

Prayer was a critical component in the health of the church in Jerusalem. They gathered together each day to seek the will and direction of the Lord.

If any church wants to set out the welcome mat for God it must prioritize prayer.

In the last couple of weeks the state of California has been facing a crisis. Power outages and blackouts have been daily occurrences leaving hundreds of thousands of residences, factories and offices without electricity. In fact, if you are following the news you will notice that the United States is entering into an energy crisis and if nothing is done soon to alleviate the growing demand for hydro, all of America could begin facing rotating blackouts. Just this week I was reminded of the dependence we have on power when the power went out for about 21/2 hours on Thursday (I think) morning.

The problem however is not that the power does not exist. The problem is that the Power Companies do not have the financial resources to access that power.

Friend there need never be a power outage in the church.

Through prayer we can touch heaven and access all that we need.

Ephesians 2:20-21 reminds us that our Lord is able to do more for us than what we could ask or think?.

Ephesians 2:20-21 (NIV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

James Montgomery Boice tells of Lawrence of Arabia visiting Paris after World War I with some Arab friends. He showed them around Paris, but what fascinated them most was the faucet in their hotel room. They spent hours turning it on and off; they thought it was wonderful. All they had to do was turn the handle, and they could get all the water they wanted. When time came to leave, Lawrence found them in the bathroom trying to detach the faucet. They explained, “It is very dry in Arabia. What we need are faucets. If we have them, we will have all the water we want.” Lawrence had to explain that the effectiveness of the faucets lay in their connection to the pipeline. (quoted in “The Church God Will Bless“, a sermon by Tom Dooley)

Friend there is a pipeline of power. It is available through prayer. Are you connected? You see when you pray you open the channels of communication ? of power between you and God ? in effect you?re not only laying out the welcome mat and opening the door but you are also embracing God!! There is nothing I love more than when I come home from work and my son meets me at the door and gives me a great big hug and begins to tell me about his day in his grammatically incorrect childish sentences! Why ? because I sense the love just flowing from Him and I know that I am welcome home!

CONCLUSION

The verse that stuck out in my mind in this whole passage is found in the last part of verse 47,

Acts 2:47b (NIV)?And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

God brought people to the fledgling church where they were saved. Why did he do this? I believe it was because He knew that He was welcome! Where God is welcomed, there will be an outpouring of His love, his grace, his mercy, his miracles, his majesty that will simply capture the hearts of those witnessing it.

Friends, We need to make God welcome in our church, in our homes, in our lives. I believe that He is just waiting for those who not only will lay out the welcome mat but open the doors of heaven and be reaching for Him with open arms.

Lay out the welcome mat for God.

(Talk about those who feel unwelcomed by God)

(Talk about those who feel unwelcomed by the church)

(Talk about what we can do ? Devote to the scriptures, fellowship, worship, and prayer)

Tags: believe, commitment, desires, focus, God, praise, prayer, thirst, welcome, worship
Posted in Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

UnashamedSermons.com

Posts Tagged ‘worship’

The Price of Worship

INTRODUCTION

It was God’s intention that Israel be a kingdom of priests (v. 6)

It was Israel’s response that led to the priesthood.

place of repentance

place of sacrifice

place of brokenness

CONCLUSION

The Presence of Worship

INTRODUCTION

WORSHIP IS DETERMINED BY THE ATTITUDE OF OUR HEARTS

attitude of reverence for who God is (vs38,44-46)

attitude of humility and repentance (vs. 37-38)

attitude of love (v40-47)

WORSHIP IS DETERMINED BY THE LONGING OF OUR SPIRIT

you’re seeking the giver not merely the gifts! (v. 37)

You’re concerned more with ministry to God rather than ministry from God.

No Common Act

“But” Worship

Laying out the Welcome Mat for God

Categories

Series

Archives

Views