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.