We Are Made to Worship

INTRO:

Avengers: Endgame

One of the most expensive films to make, budget of $356 Million

Highest grossing movie of all time - $2,795,486,053

Avengers Assemble Crowd Reaction

What was shown in that clip?

Anticipation

Joy

Excitement

Worship!

What is Worship?

worship - to kiss the hand to one, a token of reverence (a dog licking its masters hand)

My dog Belle

A joy, hope, and desire in something greater than yourself

Isn’t worship just singing songs to God? Why do we need to know about worship?

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

- If Christianity is the transformation of rebels into worshipers of God, then it is imperative for the Christian to know and understand what constitutes biblical worship

If Christianity is the transformation of rebels into worshipers of God, then it is imperative for the Christian to know and understand what constitutes biblical worship

If we are changing from haters of God to worshippers we need to know what worship is and what it means to worship God.

The Samaritan Woman

Backdrop of the Samaritan woman

Gathering water in the middle of the day alone

hottest part of the day

dangerous to be alone

avoiding shame

Encounters Jesus at the well

Jesus arrived at the hottest part of the day

speaks to the woman

He’s Jewish - She’s a Samaritan

cultures didn’t mix

men did not address women in public

Jesus offers salvation and reveals her shame to her

offers living water

reveals she has had many husbands

Gets into a religious debate with Christ

John 4:19–24 ESV

19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:19-

summarize

vs. 23-24 key passage

Worship is imparted by the Holy Spirit

it is a complete pouring out of oneself in adoration of something greater

Revelation 5 ESV

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

No one could open the scroll

John told not to weep anymore the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had conquered and able to open the scroll

Revelation 5:8–14 ESV

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:8

The joy that people felt when the avengers come back is puny compared to this celebration of the conquering messiah

STOP

Why is it important for us to know what worship really is?

How does the Gospel allow us to worship in spirit and in truth

How can we ensure that our worship is directed towards God and not in the things of this world?

What does true worship look like in your life? where have you traded worshipping Jesus for the treasures of this world?