IMPACT: Worship
Worship
I. Introduction
A. Why do we do what we do?
B. Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not man. When this age is over and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever
II. Worship is the pinnacle of our purpose
A. Shorter catechism – What is the chief end of man – To glorify God and enjoy Him forever
B. It is that for which we were created
1. Isaiah 43:7 - Isaiah 43:7 (NASB95)7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.
2. Ephesians 1:11-12 (NASB95)11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
C. He is sovereign - He is in over and above all things – Romans 11:36 - For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
D. It is what we will do for all eternity
1. Revelation 4:8-11: Revelation 4:8-11 (NASB95)8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
E. It is the ultimate purpose of all creation – Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB95)9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
III. Worship is acknowledging God for who He is
A. He is our creator - Revelation 4:11 (NASB95)11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
B. He is omnipotent
C. Omniscient
D. He is omnipresent
E. He is unchangeable
F. He is eternal
G. God is perfectly Holy
H. God is completely self-sufficient – Does not need us. Acts 17:24-25 (NASB95)24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
I. Yet He loves us –
1. John 3:16
IV. Ephesians 1:3-4 (NASB95)3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
V. Worship flows from grateful hearts, not obligation
A. Worship begins with a broken heart
1. For sin
2. For salvation
3. Psalm 51:17 (NASB95)17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
B. It is the over flow of our relationship to Him
C. It is the correct response to His goodness
VI. Conclusion – How to worship God
A. Worship is empowered y the Holy spirit
B. Worship begins by seeing God as He is and then responding to His presence
C. Leading a pure life of obedience –
1. Matthew 5:8 (NASB95)8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
2. James 4:8 (NASB95)8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
3. Isaiah 1:10-17