Awaken: Drawing Near To God Through Worship, January 19th, 2013

TEXT

James 4:6-8 (NIV84) — 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you...

John 4:23 (NIV84) — 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Revelation 7:9–17 (NIV84) — 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Introduction

Both the O.T. and N.T. words for worship mean the same thing, literally, “to bow down” or “to prostrate oneself.”

In both the Old and the New Testaments, worship is depicted as being far more than an event or a form, it is clearly intended to be a lifestyle, one that submits to God and seeks to honor Him in every way.

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV84)-1,” Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” 2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. “

In the modern era, our worship involves many forms (instruments, singing, prayer, etc.).

In one sense, worship is the ultimate outcome of all history.

Philippians 2:8–11 (NIV84)-8, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” 9, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Worship is a key to salvation. Demons believe in Jesus, yet they do not  worship Jesus.

James 2:18–19 (NIV84)-18,”But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” 19, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

Big Idea

Worshipping God brings us into a fresh encounter with Him. Through worship, we draw near to Him and He draws near to us.

Four Keys to Drawing Near to God Through Worship:

1.     Humility - True worship is God-focused.

N.T. gives virtually no detail about the form of worship (service components, schedule, music style, etc.), even those these are the things many “worship wars” are fought over today. Why? We can only suppose that the Holy Spirit intentionally gave tremendous latitude to the church so that it can most effectively build a communicative bridge to people in a wide variety of surrounding cultures.

2.     Vulnerability - True worship involves surrender.

In O.T., worship involved a sacrifice that was slain by the worshipper!

3.     Propriety - True worship respects biblical principles.

·      Involves all of life - worship as a life-style; holiness of life

·      Old Testament forms vs. New Testament forms; place vs. person (John 4)

·      Decently and in order (1 Cor. 14)

·      In spirit and in truth

·      Personal vs. congregational

·      Secret place vs. public place

·      Response vs. manifestation

Four Key Questions to Ask Ourselves During Public Worship:

·      Is what I am about to do in response to the person leading?

·      Is what I am about to do going to draw attention to God or to myself?

·      Is what I am about to do going to cause the unbelievers to want to come back to our next service?

·      Is what I am about to do going to lead the unbeliever to Jesus?

4.     Spirituality - True worship is a pathway into God's manifest presence. 

     Not just physical, but also spiritual.

     Not just mechanical, logistical, or liturgical, but also supernatural.

     In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore.

   

Awaken-Drawing Near To God Through Prayer, January 13, 2013

TEXT

James 4:6–8 (NIV84) — 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

THE “BIG IDEA”

Prayer is simply a conversation with God, one that profoundly impacts our lives and the lives of others. God is listening, but also speaking, especially about His heart for those who do not know Him. 

VISION

·      As an Antioch Church, God wants us to bring multitudes of people to Jesus!

This is the first thing mentioned as a consequence of the founding of the church at Antioch in the New Testament!

Acts 11:19–21 (NIV84) — 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

·      As followers of Jesus, God wants to use us to bring people to Jesus!

PERSONAL APPLICATION

God wants to use every one of us to help others come to Him. There is something unique and powerful about the story of our faith journey that will touch the hearts of those we share it with. Prayer is the starting point for us to be used of God in this way.

INTRODUCTION

Prayer is simply a conversation with God. It profoundly impacts our lives and the lives of others.

Here are two simple, yet very important questions to ask ourselves as we consider that statement.

·      He is listening. Are we speaking?

·      He is speaking. Are we listening?

Engaging in this conversation with God brings tremendous blessings to us and through us to others.

James 5:16 (NIV84) — 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

As we draw near to God, we sense the heart of God for those who do not know Him and He moves us to pray on their behalf.

As followers of Jesus, the most important prayer we can pray is for opportunities to share the Good News about Him with those who do not know Him!

The Book of James not only tells us that sometimes we have not because we ask not, it also tells us that in order to receive, we must ask according to the will of God (i.e., according to what God wants to do).

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV84) — 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

·      Prayer for the lost is never a matter of trying to convince God to do something He doesn’t want to do.

·      It is never a matter of trying to convince God to make someone else do what they do not want to do!

God’s attitude toward those who do not know Him is like that of a young man toward a young woman he wants to marry.

Prayer for the lost is not a matter of obligation but of cooperation  and participation with God in creating an environment conducive to their choosing to give their hearts to Him.

How should we pray for those who are not followers of Jesus?

1.     Pray for “doors” (opportunities).

Colossians 4:2–4 (NIV84) — 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Opportunities to speak, not just act.

Romans 10:14–17 (NIV84) — 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:14 (The Message) — 14 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?

How can they hear unless someone speaks…!

Neither salvation nor witnessing are merely a matter of acting, both require speaking…!

The word of faith is in your mouth…with the heart man believes and is made righteous…with the mouth confession is made which brings salvation…!

We often hear it said, “Preach always, when necessary, use words.” Taken at face value, that statement is completely unbiblical…!

Now, I understand why like that statement and I understand what it is that prompted that statement, namely, that nothing is worse for the Gospel than for someone to profess Christianity without possessing Christianity or to try to win unbelieves to Jesus by talking the talk without walking the walk. But, nowhere does the Bible give us the right to just walk the walk and not talk the talk!

2.     Pray for sensitivity and boldness.

Ephesians 6:19–20 (NIV84) — 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

·      Pray for sensitivity to recognize opportunities.

·      Pray for boldness to seize opportunities.

Ø  Honeymoon - witnessing to night vendor at fruit  market.

3.     Pray for the right words.

Ephesians 6:19–20 (NIV84) — 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Pray that God will help you say the right thing during the opportunity.

4.     Pray for confirmation.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV84) — 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

Pray that God would supernaturally attest to what you say through the sovereign working of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:5–8 (NIV84) — 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

INVITATION

1.     Do you want to know this Jesus who so desperately wants you to know Him?

2.     Are you wiling to pray for God to use you to tell others about Jesus?