Worshipping The Lord

Introduction:

I came across an article called “Justin Martyr On Worship” and it reads as followed;

“Justin the Martyr was executed for his faith around A.D. 165. His writings and leadership helped shape and influence countless believers. He has given the oldest non-biblical description of Christian worship we have. He wrote, “On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits. Then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these goods things.” The “writings of the prophets” is a reference to the Old Testament, and the “memoirs of the apostles” refers to the New Testament. True worship will invariably lead us "to the imitation of these good things” we have heard from God's Word.”

Last week, in small groups, we went through Exodus 14, and saw how the Lord saved Moses and his people one last time from the destructive forces of Pharaoh and his army. Tonight, we will be going through a portion of scripture, where we will see the people worship the Lord. My hope and prayer for tonight is that all of us receive wisdom and understanding about what worship is and why we are commanded to worship only the Living God.

Exodus 15:1–21 CSB

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said: I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; he has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. He threw Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea; the elite of his officers were drowned in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. Lord, your right hand is glorious in power. Lord, your right hand shattered the enemy. You overthrew your adversaries by your great majesty. You unleashed your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble. The water heaped up at the blast from your nostrils; the currents stood firm like a dam. The watery depths congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said: “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My desire will be gratified at their expense. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.” But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Lord, who is like you among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them. With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength. When the peoples hear, they will shudder; anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan will panic; terror and dread will fall on them. They will be as still as a stone because of your powerful arm until your people pass by, Lord, until the people whom you purchased pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your possession; Lord, you have prepared the place for your dwelling; Lord, your hands have established the sanctuary. The Lord will reign forever and ever! When Pharaoh’s horses with his chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the water of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then the prophetess Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women came out following her with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; he has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.

(Prayer)

What is Worship?

Worship: “The practice of expressing praise, thanksgiving, and adoration to a deity or perhaps to someone with “power”.

Examples of Religions:

Islam: Allah

Buddhist-Buddha

Hindus-Multiple gods and goddess

Examples of People in Power That Were/Currently Worshipped:

Egypt-Pharaoh

Germany-Adolf Hitler

North Korea-Kim Jong-un

China-Xi Jinping

America-Republican or Democratic Party, Celebrities, Sports Stars, etc.

“We all worship something, we just need to ask ourselves who or what we are worshipping.”

False Worship: Forms of worship that are not worthy of God.

True Worship: Recognizing God for his attributes and express this through adoration, praise, thanksgiving, service, and living holy lives.

How Do We Worship?

1.) Reading and Sharing the Word.

2.) Living Holy Lives.

3.) Prayer.

4.) Serving.

5.) Song.

Why Do We Worship The Living God?

1.) He is exalted (verses 1-2, 21)

Exalt: An increase in rank or importance. Can include a person being made a ruler or a human becoming a supernatural being.

“We worship what is important in our lives.”

2.) His Strength (verses 2-10, 14-16)

3.) His Holiness (verse 11)

Holiness: The quality of God that sets him utterly apart from his world, especially in terms of his purity and sanctity. The holiness of God is also manifested in the persons and work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

“Believers are called upon to become like God in his holiness.”

4.) His Deliverance (verse 19)

5.) His Faithful Love (Verses 13, 17-18)