WORSHIP: From Now On!

Matthew 4:10 CSB

Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

INTRO—

What is one song you really, really want to sing (hear sung) in heaven?

Amazing Grace…Victory in Jesus…In Christ Alone…You Put this Love in My Heart...

What about… (the Psalm we ended with last week)

Psalm 8.1 “Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with your majesty.”…or…

We have been created to glorify God…to praise his name…to worship him! To WORSHIP HIM…FROM NOW ON!!!

The FUTURE is NOW. [Matthew 4.10]

Matthew 4.10 “Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””

Context of Jesus’ response to the last temptation from Satan.

Deuteronomy 6.13 “Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.”

ALSO… the two main verbs—WORSHIP and SERVE—are future tense!

This reminder…this admonition…is imperative for us now and always.

Oh…and remember, we ‘worship and serve’ God…ONLY!

This verse—Matthew 4.10—is the consummate reminder that we MUST develop and strengthen this habit of worship for our lives now…and into the future. SOOOOO…

Here and NOW. [Romans 11.33-36]

Here is one of my favorite occasions of worship stirred in the heart of one of God’s people…in the here and now.

Romans 11.33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.”

REMEMBER—this response of worship…takes place in the context of Paul’s conclusion regarding the sovereign work of God in salvation of Gentiles and Jews.

Deep truth…especially regarding our Lord saving us…stirs our hearts and minds to respond in enthusiastic as well as solemn worship...

In the FUTURE. [Revelation 22.1-5]

Now…here is one of my favorite occasions of worship stirred in the hearts of God’s people…in the future.

Revelation 22.1-5 “Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

Context of the final scene in heaven in the final chapter of the Book of Revelation and The Bible.

I think it’s safe to call this THE bottom line…our whole lives—FOREVERMORE!!!

Question: What is the greatest worship service you’ve ever been in??

[The one when we hosted the City Union Mission CLP graduation; The one(s) led by the Gettys…]

Have you ever taken the time to think about the privilege of eternal worship??

CONCL—

Here’s a further glimpse of that incredible, awesome…AMAZING…picture.

Revelation 22.12-17 ““Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.”

And the most appropriate response from our hearts and minds to this wonderful picture…this important truth:

Revelation 22.20 “He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

Revelation 22:20 CSB

He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!