Embracing God's Greatness Through Service and Worship

 

Summary

In reflecting on our recent mission trip to Mexico, I am reminded of the profound impact that serving together as a community can have on our spiritual lives. It was a life-changing experience, one that stands out from the routine of our daily lives. Such experiences remind us of the importance of seizing opportunities that can transform our lives and deepen our faith. Life is too short to be lived in routine; we must actively seek out these moments that bring us closer to God and to each other.

Today, I want to focus on the greatness of God and how our understanding of His majesty shapes our lives. Our perception of God is the most crucial aspect of our spiritual journey. It is not about the size of our church or the reach of our message, but about how we perceive and understand the vastness and holiness of God. I pray that each of us seeks to expand our understanding of God, even if it means finding other voices that can help us see Him more clearly.

Psalm 8 beautifully captures the majesty of God, reminding us that His glory is set above the heavens. Even the praise of infants and children is ordained to silence the enemy, showcasing the power of pure, humble worship. This passage challenges us to approach God with childlike faith, recognizing that our strength lies in our dependence on Him.

As we consider the vastness of the universe, from the stars to the galaxies, we are humbled by the realization of our smallness and God's greatness. The universe declares His glory, and in this, we find our place—not as insignificant beings, but as cherished creations of a God who desires a relationship with us. This understanding should lead us to worship, the most logical response to the Creator of all things.

In this moment, let us focus on the value of God, recognizing that our identity is found in being known by Him. Let us worship with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude, understanding that the God who created the universe hears our prayers and desires our praise.

Key Takeaways:

- Life-changing experiences, like our mission trip, remind us of the importance of stepping out of routine to serve and grow in faith. These moments are rare and should be embraced as opportunities to deepen our relationship with God. [01:46]

- Our understanding of God's greatness is the most important aspect of our spiritual lives. We should seek to expand our view of God, even if it means listening to others who can help us see Him more clearly. [04:34]

- Psalm 8 highlights the majesty of God and the power of childlike faith. The praise of children is ordained to silence the enemy, reminding us of the strength found in humble worship. [12:32]

- The vastness of the universe declares the glory of God, humbling us and reminding us of our place in His creation. This understanding should lead us to worship and a deeper appreciation of our relationship with Him. [24:47]

- Our identity is found in being known by God, the Creator of the universe. This realization should lead us to worship with gratitude and awe, recognizing the significance of our relationship with Him. [39:04]

YouTube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Reflecting on the Mexico Mission Trip
- [01:01] - Life-Changing Experiences
- [02:27] - A High View of God
- [03:35] - Praying for a Bigger Picture
- [05:40] - Intimacy with God
- [06:58] - Desiring God Above All
- [08:01] - Explaining God's Greatness
- [11:01] - Psalm 8: Majesty of God
- [12:32] - Praise from Children
- [17:10] - Silencing the Enemy
- [19:47] - Considering the Heavens
- [24:47] - The Vastness of the Universe
- [29:09] - The Heavens Declare God's Glory
- [39:29] - Worship and Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 8:1-4

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 8:1-4 reveal about the majesty and glory of God? How is His greatness depicted in these verses?
2. According to the sermon, how does the praise of children and infants play a role in silencing the enemy? [12:32]
3. What life-changing experiences were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to stepping out of routine to deepen one's faith? [01:46]
4. How does the vastness of the universe, as described in the sermon, help us understand our place in God's creation? [24:47]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does having a high view of God influence our daily lives and spiritual journey, according to the sermon? [02:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our understanding of God's greatness is the most crucial aspect of our spiritual lives? [04:34]
3. How does the sermon interpret the significance of childlike faith and humble worship in our relationship with God? [12:32]
4. What does the sermon imply about our identity being found in being known by God, and how should this realization affect our worship? [39:04]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent experience that took you out of your routine. How did it impact your faith, and how can you seek more of these life-changing moments? [01:46]
2. Consider your current understanding of God's greatness. What steps can you take to expand your view of God, perhaps by listening to different voices or teachings? [04:34]
3. How can you cultivate a childlike faith in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to engage in humble worship? [12:32]
4. When you think about the vastness of the universe, how does it change your perspective on your relationship with God? How can this understanding lead you to worship? [24:47]
5. In what ways can you remind yourself that your identity is found in being known by God? How does this realization influence your daily actions and decisions? [39:04]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where routine has taken over. What can you do this week to break out of that routine and seek a deeper connection with God?
7. How can you incorporate moments of awe and gratitude into your worship, recognizing the significance of your relationship with the Creator of the universe? [39:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Life-Changing Opportunities
Life is filled with routines that can often lead to spiritual stagnation. However, stepping out of these routines to serve others can lead to profound spiritual growth. The mission trip to Mexico serves as a reminder of the transformative power of serving together as a community. Such experiences are rare and should be embraced as opportunities to deepen our relationship with God and each other. By actively seeking these moments, we allow ourselves to be open to the life-changing impact they can have on our faith journey. [01:46]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"

Reflection: What is one routine in your life that you can step out of this week to serve others and grow in your faith?


Day 2: Expanding Our View of God
Understanding the greatness of God is the most crucial aspect of our spiritual lives. It is not about the size of our church or the reach of our message, but about how we perceive and understand the vastness and holiness of God. We are encouraged to seek a broader view of God, even if it means listening to others who can help us see Him more clearly. By expanding our understanding of God, we deepen our spiritual journey and draw closer to His majesty. [04:34]

Job 11:7-9 (ESV): "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can learn from to expand your understanding of God's greatness?


Day 3: The Power of Childlike Faith
Psalm 8 highlights the majesty of God and the power of childlike faith. The praise of children is ordained to silence the enemy, reminding us of the strength found in humble worship. This passage challenges us to approach God with childlike faith, recognizing that our strength lies in our dependence on Him. By embracing this pure and humble worship, we can experience the power of God's presence in our lives. [12:32]

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: How can you incorporate childlike faith into your worship and daily life this week?


Day 4: The Universe Declares God's Glory
The vastness of the universe declares the glory of God, humbling us and reminding us of our place in His creation. As we consider the stars and galaxies, we are reminded of our smallness and God's greatness. This understanding should lead us to worship and a deeper appreciation of our relationship with Him. By recognizing the majesty of God's creation, we find our place as cherished creations of a God who desires a relationship with us. [24:47]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Reflection: Spend time outside this week observing the night sky. How does the vastness of the universe impact your understanding of God's glory and your relationship with Him?


Day 5: Our Identity in Being Known by God
Our identity is found in being known by God, the Creator of the universe. This realization should lead us to worship with gratitude and awe, recognizing the significance of our relationship with Him. Understanding that the God who created the universe hears our prayers and desires our praise gives us a renewed sense of awe and gratitude. By embracing this identity, we can live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are cherished by God. [39:04]

Galatians 4:9 (ESV): "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?"

Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity as someone known by God this week, and how does this change your perspective on daily challenges?

Quotes


Life's Too Short you got to build in experiences like that in life and so if you have any opportunities during this season go don't just Live Another Day don't just have another routine guys life is way too short for that in fact I was even praying for this this morning. [00:01:56]

I was even praying for this this morning because I'm like God I don't want this to be lumped in with last weekend and the weekend before and just another bit of knowledge in our head and oh yeah we had service again at Cornerstone I'm like God I want this hour to be a lifechanging experience. [00:02:10]

What you think about God and your view your image of just how holy how great he is is the most important thing about you and in fact I was praying I was praying with Corey Corey uh kind of runs our whole media department and we're praying because now these video podcasts you know some what in the world is that. [00:02:51]

I pray that people don't listen to me and this message that we give here at Cornerstone if there's someone better that they could be listening to if there's someone else that'll expand their minds because we all relate to different types of people I said oh God if there's there are people that they could spend their time listening to someone that'll give them a bigger view of you. [00:03:49]

Whatever it takes to expand your mind to understand this God and understand his greatness understand his Holiness whatever it takes you got to do it because it's the most important thing in your life is to understand how big this God is that you worship. [00:04:47]

I want to love God like that but honestly I have all these other desires right now I'm pursuing all these things with all my heart and I'm not pursuing God like that but I want to get there how do I get there to which I say pray you see you don't have the power to pray to to to love God on your own. [00:07:09]

The greatest thing I can do for you today to help you to love God is just explain to you how great he is see because when you increase the value of something then it increases your desire for that object see because when I say okay you got to have this intimate relationship with God you go okay that's cool. [00:08:04]

Oh Lord our Lord How Majestic is your name in all the Earth you've set your glory above of the heavens from the lips of children and infants you've ordained praise because of your enemies to silence the Foe and the Avenger when I consider your Heavens the work of your fingers the moon and the stars which you've set in place. [00:10:59]

The Bible says that he's chosen the the weak to shame the strong and and it's interesting because you know that Jesus actually quotes this particular verse from Psalm 8 do you remember when he quotes it it it was in uh it's in it's in Matthew 21 um when the teachers of the law if you remember the scene it's it's it's during that you know the the end you know right right before he's going to be crucified. [00:13:41]

What would bring God more glory to destroy Satan now or leave a period of time where Satan can come and tempt all of us okay what what brings him more Glory wouldn't it be if he gave us time gave Satan some time to tempt us as his children for for Satan to say hey look what I can offer you everything in the world all the riches all the fame all the glory all the sin the pornography everything can be yours. [00:18:09]

When I consider the heavens okay I love this ver when I consider the heavens cuz when I look up in the sky and I see the work of your fingers you know the moon the stars what you've set in place then I go who am I what what is man that you would even care about me that you'd even think about me now those who have uh been around for a while you know that I've always been intrigued by the Stars right. [00:19:51]

God says I've set my glory above the heavens you fascinated by what I made you should see me the God who created all of this see and it blows me away how people will walk in here and think they're big are you kidding me you guys I I was praying for it today and I'm going you know Lord I I don't really have to say anything Psalm 19 says the heavens declare the glory of God. [00:28:46]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?