Endless Greatness

Introduction

Dr. King said, “Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

According to Miriam-Webster dictionary: painstaking means done with or employing great care and thoroughness.

So when we consider the Works of God we ought see the LORDS painstaking excellence on display:

Work of Making Man After His Own Likeness

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Finishing The LORD’s Work & Resting

Genesis 2:1–3 ESV

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

The Father & Jesus Have Been Working

John 5:17 ESV

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Doing Work of God by Believing in Jesus

John 6:27–29 ESV

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Working His Great Might in raising Christ from the dead and seated him in ...

Ephesians 1:18–21 ESV

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The Church, the Saints, are God’s Workmanship- Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Transition To Body- The Psalms are Praises of the LORD for His Works

Psalm 66:1–4 CSB

1 Let the whole earth shout joyfully to God! 2 Sing about the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are your works! Your enemies will cringe before you because of your great strength. 4 The whole earth will worship you and sing praise to you. They will sing praise to your name.” Selah

Psalm 74:12 CSB

12 God my King is from ancient times, performing saving acts on the earth.

Psalm 105:1–3 (CSB)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works!

3 Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Psalm 111:1 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

A

n individual teaching Israel to praise the LORD with him.

Body- When I praise (worship) the LORD I…

Personally Identify With the Congregation of the Upright (Ps. 111:1)

Psalm 111:1 NIV

1 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

In the assembly of the upright

Circle of the upright

Circle of the chosen ones

Confidential discussion

Circle of confidants

Upright- “be right in the eyes of someone”

Describes something straight, linear, or flat

Congregation- swarm, flock, throng, gang, or community

Swarm- move somewhere in large numbers.

Throng- a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.

Matthew 7:6 ESV

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

In the congregation

Whom and/or what does does your praise identify?

Who is the audience of your praise?

Illustrate: Home-field advantage vs. playing on the road as the visiting team

NFL Reveals Neutral Site Location for Potential Bills-Chiefs AFC Championship Game

If KC and Buffalo meet later this postseason, the NFL has confirmed where it'll take place.

Heading into the final week of the NFL regular season, there was still plenty to sort out in regard to seeding in the AFC. That not only included home-field advantage rights, but also potential neutral site locations factored in due to the cancellation of Week 17's Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs cashed in along their path to securing the conference's one-seed, also ensuring at least one home playoff game.

Should Kansas City advance to the AFC Championship Game, however, things were set to get a bit murky if the Buffalo Bills did the same. The NFL determined that in that event, the two teams would play in a neutral location and neither team would have the advantage of a home field. On Thursday, the league revealed that site. A potential Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship contest would be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

We are heartened by the continued improvement and progress of Damar Hamlin and his recovery, and Damar and his family remain top of mind for the entire NFL community.

Those who have season tickets for the Chiefs or Bills will get first priority in purchasing tickets for a potential AFC Championship matchup. Should it take place, the game will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Joyfully Recollect the greatness of the LORD’s works (Ps. 111:2-9)

Psalm 111:2–9 CSB

2 The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them. 3 All that he does is splendid and majestic; his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has provided food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works by giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his instructions are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, enacted in truth and in uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring.

Desire (joy/willing):

Fire & Desire by Teena Marie & Rick James off of Street Songs album:

Wow

It's really good to see you again, baby

And I must admit you're looking very, very, very nice these days

I guess life must be treating you well

Oh, me?

Well, I've just been doin' the same ol' thing I've always been doin', you know

I've got a new lady now

And it's a little different then it was when I was with you

You know, I think back to when we met

The way I used to be and the cold way I used to act

But more than that, I think of how you changed me with your love and sensitivity

Remember when I used to

Definition of recollect:

to bring back to the level of conscious awareness : REMEMBER

trying to recollect the name

: to remind (oneself) o

Definition of recollection-

tranquility of mind

: religious contemplation

: the action or power of recalling to mind

: something recalled to the mind

Through the process of enumeration- recollecting the works of the LORD

Enumerate- to specify one after another

Psalm 111:3 ESV

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

Splendor- Weight, power, splendor, & majesty

great brightness or luster : BRILLIANCY

Majesty- adornment, splendor, & majesty

sovereign power, authority, or dignity

Endures-

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Caused His Wondrous Works to be remembered:

Psalm 111:4 ESV

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

Gracious- kind

merciful- sympathy & compassion

Works of his hands are truth & justice

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Trustworthiness of the LORD’s instructions

Psalm 111:7 ESV

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

James 1:16–18 ESV

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Romans 3:1–4 ESV

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Reverently Respond to the LORD’s Instruction through Obedience ( Ps. 111:10)

True Wisdom which Glorifies the LORD is demonstrated by obeying or following the LORD’s instructions

His praise endures forever?

Matthew 5:13–16 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Tony Evans once gave this illustration of reverence & fear of the LORD God:

THE REVERENCE and fear of God is the starting place for wisdom. If a driver is going 80 mph and notices a police car parked up ahead on the side of the road, they will slow down. In fact, a whole series of things goes into motion. First the driver’s heart starts beating a little more heavily. His brain tells his leg to get off of the accelerator and ease down on the brake, being careful not to slam on it. His eyes look down at the speedometer to ensure the speed is shifting to lower and then they move to the rearview mirror to see if he has been caught or not. The policeman’s presence has produced a healthy respect for the law. When an officer is present, drivers adjust to the law because of respect for the officer’s authority. A driver may not like his authority, may not want his authority, or might even be rebellious against his authority—but he still respects it. What would most people think about a person who speeds up to 90 mph when they see a policeman? They would call him a fool. Why? Because that driver is showing no reverence for the law. Many Christians live their lives according to their own set of laws because they do not respect God or acknowledge His rule over every area of their lives. Just as a driver should fear the authority of a police officer whether they see him or not, a Christian shows true fear of God by how they acknowledge His authority. Truly fearing God means that God is the reference point wherever the Christian goes or whatever they are involved in.

Luke 12:4–7 ESV

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 7:24–29 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Transition To Close- His Praise Endures Forever

Psalm 111:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Endures

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 6641 עָמַד

present, i.e., stand in front of a superior as an offering, or for evaluation

Endure- go up before; stand in position, stand respectfully before; remain standing, be motionless; bring to a halt, put down; set in position, set up; cause something to stand, cause to exist; set forth, arrange; erect, establish

Psalm 112:1–10 CSB

1 Hallelujah! Happy is the person who fears the Lord, taking great delight in his commands. 2 His descendants will be powerful in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good will come to the one who lends generously and conducts his business fairly. 6 He will never be shaken. The righteous one will be remembered forever. 7 He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes. 9 He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted in honor. 10 The wicked one will see it and be angry; he will gnash his teeth in despair. The desire of the wicked leads to ruin.

Close- God Great God!

God Great God by Kurt Carr

Glory and honor dominion and power

Now and forever the Lord God omnipotent

Reineth with power forever with power

Greater than all you are sovereign God

God great God

Worthy of honor and glory

We stand here in reverence

Blessed in your presence

Jehovah Forever and ever our God

Honor vs Fear

1 John 4:18 ESV

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 87.8 τιμάω; δοξάζω

to attribute high status to someone by honoring—‘to honor, to respect

1 Peter 2:17 ESV

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Matthew 15:4 ESV

4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’

John 5:23 ESV

23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

Jude 24–25 (CSB)

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy,

25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.