Worthy Of Our Worship

Aim: In all seasons of our lives we must remain focused on Jesus because He alone is worthy of our worship.

Introduction:

Henry Ford: A weakness of all human beings, " Henry Ford said, "is trying to do too many things at once. That scatters effort and destroys direction. It makes for haste, and haste makes waste. So we do things all the wrong ways possible before we come to the right one. Then we think it is the best way because it works, and it was the only way left that we could see. Every now and then I wake up in the morning headed toward that finality, with a dozen things I want to do. I know I can't do them all at once." When asked what he did about that, Ford replied, "I go out and trot around the house. While I'm running off the excess energy that wants to do too much, my mind clears and I see what can be done and should be done first."

A weakness of all human beings, " Henry Ford said, "is trying to do too many things at once. That scatters effort and destroys direction. It makes for haste, and haste makes waste. So we do things all the wrong ways possible before we come to the right one. Then we think it is the best way because it works, and it was the only way left that we could see. Every now and then I wake up in the morning headed toward that finality, with a dozen things I want to do. I know I can't do them all at once." When asked what he did about that, Ford replied, "I go out and trot around the house. While I'm running off the excess energy that wants to do too much, my mind clears and I see what can be done and should be done first."

What is worship? (We see worship most often as the services we have…True but Incomplete)

Definition of Worship

A.W. Tozer

What is worship? Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder and overpowering love in the presence of that most ancient Mystery, that Majesty which philosophers call the First Cause, but which we call Our Father Which Are in Heaven.

J.I. Packer

To worship God is to recognize his worth or worthiness; to look God-ward, and to acknowledge in all appropriate ways the value of what we see. The Bible calls this activity "glorifying God" or "giving glory to God," and views it as the ultimate end, and from one point of view, the whole duty of man (; ; ).

Worship is a declaration of who God is. ( - Heavens declare glory of God…Don’t know any different)

Worship is a reaction to who God is. ( - Ezra read the law and people understood…Worshiped)

Worship is an experience with who God is. ( - Inner experience changes outward action)

What interferes with worship? (Worship is our greatest goal and what God desires most…Not easy)

Idolatry (Everyone worships something… - Cut down idols and groves that hide them)

Ignorance ( - Paul introduces them to the unknown God…People still need to know)

Context:

Background to (Family that Jesus is well acquainted with…Visits and cares for…Two Sisters)

Sermon:

Mary’s Devotion. (v. 39) (What you devote yourself to you worship-Time/Money/Effort-Apostle vs. Pharisee)

Mary sat at the Lord’s feet. (One day this will be true for us all - - Sit as son or enemy?)

Posture of submission. (Pride is the enemy of worship…We must wholly submit to Jesus Lordship)

Illustration: At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestra perceived each other. The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical. Interesting findings, to say the least! With such widely divergent personalities and perceptions, how could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how those musicians view each other, they subordinate their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play beautiful music. Today in the Word, June 22, 1992

At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestra perceived each other. The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical. Interesting findings, to say the least! With such widely divergent personalities and perceptions, how could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how those musicians view each other, they subordinate their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play beautiful music. Today in the Word, June 22, 1992

Posture of reverence. (Proper understanding of who God is will lead to proper worship-Gen. 1; )

B. Mary gave the Lord her attention. (What you pay attention to you worship-Idols focus on needs…)

Spend time in prayer. ( - Jesus modeled as He go up early and alone…War Room)

ii. Spend time in scripture.

Spend time in scripture. ( - Word of God is living and active…Piper “It comes to life...”)

iii. Spend time

Spend time in meditation. ( - Peter was meditating when vision was given…Just listen)

Mary focused on the Lord’s teaching. ( - Jesus is teaching them the narrow way here)

Martha’s Distraction. (v. 40) (distracted=periespato…to be pulled away - - Distraction to Drifting)

Martha was concerned with image. (Wanting it to look good… - Ananias and Sapphria)

Tradition (It was women’s responsibility to manage the house and show hospitality…Tradition Today)

Responsibility (Not a license to be lazy…Responsibilities that don’t honor God become sinful)

B. Martha was concerned with the insignificant. ( - Heaven/Earth shall pass - My word stands)

C. Martha was filled with indignation. (Upset at Jesus and Mary…Blaming others for her strife…Typical)

Results from forgetting God’s care. ( - Knows # of hairs on our head…150,000 x 7.5 billion!!)

Results from focusing on self. ( - Those in the flesh can not please God…Selfish=In the Flesh)

Illustration: An ambitious farmer, unhappy about the yield of his crops, heard of a highly recommended new seed corn. He bought some and produced a crop that was so abundant his astonished neighbors asked him to sell them a portion of the new seed. But the farmer, afraid that he would lose a profitable competitive advantage, refused. The second year the new seed did not produce as good a crop, and when the third-year crop was still worse it dawned upon the farmer that his prize corn was being pollinated by the inferior grade of corn from his neighbors' fields.

An ambitious farmer, unhappy about the yield of his crops, heard of a highly recommended new seed corn. He bought some and produced a crop that was so abundant his astonished neighbors asked him to sell them a portion of the new seed. But the farmer, afraid that he would lose a profitable competitive advantage, refused.

The second year the new seed did not produce as good a crop, and when the third-year crop was still worse it dawned upon the farmer that his prize corn was being pollinated by the inferior grade of corn from his neighbors' fields.

Jesus’ Distinction. (v. 41-42) (Jesus gives an answer to the situation here…Shows the real difference)

Note the reaction. (Gentle Rebuke…Give attention when Jesus rebukes - - Sea; - Peter)

Note the reason. (Problem was not activity…Problem was attitude - - Uncircumcised hearts)

Note the reward. ( - Crown that lasts forever - What are you investing in today that lasts forever)

Application

Make a choice to enjoy the presence of Jesus.

Make a choice to not get caught up in what doesn’t matter.

Make a choice to worship Jesus because He is worthy of it.