Real Worship

9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.

15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Introduction:

A- Illustrations:

1- Quote:

●Gordon Dahl once observed, "Our problem is that we worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship."

* LifeWalk, May/June, 1991; Worship, p. 2

●"If worship does not change us, it has not been worship."

--Richard Foster

B- The Apostle Paul defined what a life of worship should look like:

(Romans 12:1-2)

Romans 12:1–2 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

C- You and I have been called to experience real SPIRITUAL worship.

(see also John 4:23-24)

John 4:23–24 (NLT)

23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

I. WORSHIPPING MUST BE DONE WITH THE PROPER ATTITUDE (Rev. 1:9-10) .

Revelation 1:9–10 (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

A- I must recognize who I am. (Rev. 1:9).

Revelation 1:9 (NLT)

1- I am a family member (vs. 9a).

a- I am a member of the family of God if I have been born into God's Family.

➔I have recognized that I have a sin problem. (Romans 3:23).

Romans 3:23 (NLT)

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

➔I have reconciled myself to the fact that my sin has a penalty. (Romans 6:23).

Romans 6:23 (NLT)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

➔I have realized that Jesus paid the price for my sin on the cross. (Romans 5:8).

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

➔I have received the free gift that Jesus offers me through repentance and faith.

(Romans 10:9-13).

Romans 10:9–13 (NLT)

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

2- I am a companion with other Christians who are in persecution (Rev. 1:9b).

Revelation 1:9b (NLT)

a- Allowing the trials and tribulations of life to help me become more like Jesus

(Romans 5:1-5)

Romans 5:1–5 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

B- I must remember whose I am. (Rev. 1:9c-d)

Revelation 1:9c–d (NLT)

1- I am a citizen of the Kingdom where Christ is Lord (vs. 9c).

(Philippians 3:20)

Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

2- I am committed to follow Christ, no matter what it costs (Rev. 1:9d).

Revelation 1:9d (NLT)

(Luke 9:23)

Luke 9:23 (NLT)

23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

C- I must realize where I am. (Revelation 1:9-10).

Revelation 1:9–10 (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

1- I am in a world where I and my Lord are misunderstood and rejected (Revelation 1:9e).

Revelation 1:9 (NLT)

(John 15:18)

John 15:18 (NLT)

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

2- I am in this world for specific reasons. (Revelation 1:10).

To know God and make Him Known.

Revelation 1:10b (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

(Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

a) I am here to aid in the spreading of the Word of God.

b) I am here to bear testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ, His will and His ways.

II. REAL WORSHIP MEANS THAT I AM TUNED-IN TO CHRIST (Rev. 1:10-16) .

Revelation 1:10–16 (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.

15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

A- I must be attentive to who He is. (REVELATION 1:13-16).

1- He is our High Priest and Mediator (Rev. 1:13).

Revelation 1:13 (NLT)

13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.

(1 Tim. 2:5)

1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

(Heb 4:14)

Hebrews 4:14 (NLT)

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

2- He is the Holy One (Rev. 1:14).

Revelation 1:14 (NLT)

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.

(Isa. 6:3)

Isaiah 6:3 (NLT)

3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

3- He is the one who knows all about me. (Revelation 1:14b).

Revelation 1:14b (NLT)

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.

(Matt. 10:30)

Matthew 10:30 (NLT)

30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

4- He is the one who will judge me (Revelation 1:15).

Revelation 1:15 (NLT)

15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

5- He is the all-powerful one. (Revelation 1:15b, 16b).

Revelation 1:15b (NLT)

15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

Revelation 1:16b (NLT)

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

(Matthew 28:18a)

Matthew 28:18a (NLT)

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

6- He is the one who upholds those who serve Him.

(Revelation 1:16a).

Revelation 1:16a (NLT)

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

(Heb. 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

B- I must be attentive to what He says. (Revelation 1:11-12).

Revelation 1:11–12 (NLT)

11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

1- Adequate preparation must be made so that His voice can be heard (Revelation 1:10a).

Revelation 1:10a (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

a- Personal worship is a prerequisite for public and corporate worship.

b- Repentance and confession of sin must take place in order to clear the way to hear fro God.

(Ps 66:18)

Psalm 66:18 (NLT)

18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

c- Seek to be tuned in to the Holy Spirit... under His control..

(Eph. 5:18)

Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)

18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

2- Always be listening expectantly for the Lord to speak (Revelation 1:10b)

Revelation 1:10b (NLT)

10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.

3- All attention must be focused upon Him when He speaks. (Revelation 1:12).

Revelation 1:12 (NLT)

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

III. REAL WORSHIP LEADS TO THE PROPER ACTION (Rev. 1:17-20) .

Revelation 1:17–20 (NLT)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

A- I must humble myself before the Lord. (Revelation 1:17a).

Revelation 1:17a (NLT)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

1- I must be willing to put away all forms of pride.

(Jas 4:6)

James 4:6 (NLT)

6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

2- I must be willing to lay myself at his feet in total surrender and yieldedness.

(Rom. 6:13)

Romans 6:13 (NLT)

13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

B- I must respond in faith to Christ and move in His assurance. (Revelation 1:17b-18).

1- I must allow His strength to become my own (Revelation 1:17b).

Revelation 1:17b (NLT)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

2- I must accept His comfort to overcome fear (Revelation 1:17c).

Revelation 1:17c (NLT)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

3- I must appropriate His victory as my own (Revelation 1: 18).

Revelation 1:18 (NLT)

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

C- I must obey what He shows me to do (Revelation 1:19-20).

Revelation 1:19–20 (NLT)

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

1- Obedience means doing whatever Jesus says I should do. (Revelation 1: 19a).

Revelation 1:19a NLT

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

(John 14:15)

John 14:15 (NLT)

15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.

(Luke 6:46)

Luke 6:46 (NLT)

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

2- Obedience means doing things in the way and in the timing that Jesus says (Revelation 1:19b).

Revelation 1:19b (NLT)

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

a- Partial obedience is disobedience!

3- Obedience is made possible because of Jesus' power, not my own (Revelation 1:20).

Revelation 1:20 (NLT)

(Zech. 4:6)

Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)

6 Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.