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Psalm 95:1-11 by Joseph "Mike" Willmouth Application: Calvin Miller teaches preaching at Southwestern Seminary. Before his professorship he pastored in Omaha, Nebraska. During that pastorate he talked with a new Christian about the glory of heaven. The man asked, "What are we going to do all day long for eternity?" Dr. Miller said, "We'll praise the Lord." The new disciple responded, "Forever--for ten million years--we're going to stand around and praise the Lord?" The pastor affirmed this truth, to which the young man replied, "Couldn't we just stop now and then and mess around a while?" The worship of heaven seems uninviting for many because we tend to compare it with the worship we experience at church each week. Multiply a typical worship service by eternity, and you've created a nightmare for the most righteous of us all (Leadership Journal, Fall 1988). Why is it that we fall so short of being able to worship God the way we should? Some would argue that they cannot worship because of the music, its to old fashion or its to contemporary. The issue of music has led to many churches going to multiple services -- thus creating two congregations in one church. Other churches just end up splitting, with the "losers" fleeing to churches who have their music of choice. Some Christians would argue that they can't worship because of the preacher; his sermons are to long, or he doesn't preach on the subject that we think that he should be preaching -- some argue that the preacher should only preach the gospel, others argue that he preaches too much of the gospel. Then others would argue that they are not able to worship because of other people who come to church -- maybe the way they dress, or maybe the way their sing, or maybe even because past memories in the church. In America we seem to approach church or worship like a spectator sport, attending with an expectation of being entertained or worked up into some level of worship -- and when our expectations are not met, tend to go away thinking that we got nothing from church. While some of this issues may have some validity, its doesn't explain why some people leave church feeling like they have worshiped and others don't. So what is the real issue here? The real reason why we don't get anything out of worship isn't because of someone else, it is always because of a problem within! It is because we forget what worship is supposed to be. With this in mind lets look at what God's Word tells us about what true worship is like. . . I. Worship Is A Personal And Corporate Act (v.1a). 1a Oh come, let us . . 1. Personal in the invitation to come and worship (Rom.12:1-2). A. The call to "come" is our call to worship God on a personal level, a time of fellowship one-on-one.Transition: But true worship doesn't stop there, it is also to be. . . 2. Corporate in the coming together to worship (Heb.10:24-25; Acts 2:41-47). A. "Let us" -- It's not enough to worship the Lord on your own, but we are to do so corporately.Application: Christ gave His life for His church, it was special to Him, and it should be a special place for believers too. It should be a sanctuary where we can come to get of out of the world to recharge our spiritual batteries so our light will continue to shine bright throughout the whole week. I used to work with a group of individuals who were not saved, and they acted like it too. If fact, we used to refer to our break area at work, as the "snake pit." I really looked forward to Sundays and Wednesdays because it was like taking a spiritual shower, that helped to get the dirt of the world off of me -- it was refreshing and rejuvenating. Why? Because when I came to church, I came for the Lord and not for any other reason. A man named Al Maxey told of an experience that taught him about the importance of going to church and how we shouldn't take it for granted and treat it as something that is common, "There is a brother in Christ in Nigeria who is badly deformed; his legs are withered. Unable to walk or afford transportation, he crawls to the worship assemblies! In order to bring his Bible, he either balances it on his head or pushes it on the ground in front of him! Here is a man who knows the value of commitment to the Lord. When the saints assemble he is there!" (Stories for Preachers). Does Christ mean enough to you, that you would being willing to put forth this much effort to come and worship your Lord? Transition: Next, we will see that. . . II. Worship Is A Participant Act
(1b-11). A. Through our singing (v.1b; Eph.5:19; Col.3:16).Application: True worship isn't seeing how quiet we can be, but it should be vocal, vibrant, and active. If we can't get as excited about worshiping God as we do watching a sports game or some activity that we love, then we didn't come prepared to worship God -- because true worship is something that is exciting! I'm not talking about making church into some three-ring-circus either, because that's not worship either because individuals are trying to draw the attention off of God and on to themselves.1b . . .sing to the LORD!B. Through our rejoicing and thanksgiving (vv.1c-2; Eph.5:20; Col.3:15, 17; Rev.19:1-9). One of the reasons why I like studying the book of Revelation is because of the worship that we will be doing someday in heaven. Chapter 19 gives us one such picture, "After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 'For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.' Again they said, 'Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!' And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, 'Amen! Alleluia!' Then a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!' And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 'Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, 'Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' 'And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:1-9). Did you catch the "Hallelujahs" and "Amens" and the praises, rejoicing and the gladness during this time of worship? You and I had better start practicing now, so we won't feel out of place when we get to heaven someday! Transition: Now lets look at the focus of our worship. . . 2. It is God/Christ-centered act (vv.1d, 3-5, 6b). A. He is the provider of all salvation (v.1d; John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph.1:3-5, 11; 2Thes.2:13-14; 1Pet.1:2-5).Application: Now we get to the real reason why people can come to church and leave saying they didn't get anything out of it. The reason isn't the music director, or the preacher, or the ushers, or the little baby who fusses, the reason is us! When we come and fail to make God the focus of our worship, then we will also leave nothing feeling like we worshiped either! Don't blame everyone else if you didn't worship God, because only you can keep your own focus upon God.1d . . . the Rock of our salvation.B. He alone is Sovereign (v.3; 33:10-14; 46:6; 86:8-10; Isa.46:9; 2Sam.7:28; 2Chr.20:6). If we don't make God the center of our worship, then we cannot truly worship Him. Transition: There is another important aspect of worship and that is. . . 3. It is an humbling act (vv.7b-11). A. We are called to respond to God (v.7b; Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).Application: When we come to worship God, it includes a time of quietly listening to what God has to say to you, and taking that opportunity to respond. When we fail to respond to God, then leaves God no choice but to take action against our rebellion. We see this truth in our own lives as parents; I don't know of any parents who take great joy in having to punish their child. It usually only happens because that child refuses to listen and obey as they should -- which leaves the parent with no other recourse but to take corrective actions; Hebrews 12:6-8, "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."7b . . .Today, if you will hear His voice:B. We are warned against hardening our hearts (vv.8-11; 1Pet.4:17; Heb.12:6-8). Worship should be a time to responding to God's leading and correction, by responding to Him with a humble heart of repentance and obedience. A proud heart will refuse to respond God and will rob us of our joyful worship of Him. It is better to run to your heavenly Father and than to have Him chase after you! Invitation: A. Our best singing.2. There can be no true worship of God, until you come to know the God of worship. - This is because it is only when we understand who He is and what He has done for us, can we truly appreciate God enough to offer up our spiritual sacrifices of worship.3. God is the given and sustainer of all that we have, and all that we are. A. Apart from Him, we could not and would not exist. |