Embracing God's Holiness: Words, Actions, and Worship

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the majesty and holiness of God. Imagining the moment we stand before Him, we might be rendered speechless, much like the heavenly beings described in Revelation 4, who ceaselessly proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." This eternal declaration of God's holiness reminds us of the profound reverence due to Him. As we gather in worship, our purpose is to stand in awe of this divine presence, recognizing that our words should be few and well-chosen, reflecting the depth of our worship and the sincerity of our hearts.

I encourage you to consider what you would say if you could only speak 16 words to God. This exercise challenges us to distill our thoughts and emotions into a concise expression of worship, much like the angels who repeat their praise. The essence of these words should capture our acknowledgment of God's holiness, power, patience, mercy, and love. It's a humbling reminder of our position before a holy God and the grace He extends to us.

Moreover, the scriptures urge us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. In a world filled with noise and haste, this principle calls us to pause, reflect, and truly listen to others. Our words should be thoughtful and intentional, aligning with the teachings of James 1:26-27, which emphasize the importance of controlling our tongues and living out our faith through actions, such as caring for orphans and widows.

True religion, as God values, is not about endless talk but about living a life of holiness and service. Our Bible studies and gatherings should lead to action, not just knowledge. The world is weary of empty words; it longs to see genuine faith in action. As we anticipate the return of Christ, we are reminded of the urgency to share the gospel, not just through words but through lives that reflect His love and mercy.

Key Takeaways:

- The holiness of God is beyond our comprehension, and our response should be one of awe and reverence. Like the heavenly beings, our worship should focus on His eternal nature and majesty, acknowledging that He is set apart and beyond us. [18:13]

- Limiting our words to God to just 16 forces us to consider what truly matters in our relationship with Him. This exercise encourages us to focus on His attributes and our response to His holiness, power, and love. [21:00]

- Being quick to listen and slow to speak is a biblical principle that challenges our fast-paced, talkative culture. It calls us to prioritize listening and thoughtful responses, ensuring our words align with God's truth. [27:51]

- True religion is demonstrated through action, not just words. Caring for the needy and living a holy life are the outward expressions of a faith that God values, as opposed to mere verbal declarations. [31:07]

- The return of Christ is imminent, and our responsibility is to share the gospel through both words and actions. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of God's love, offering hope and forgiveness to a world in need. [37:20]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:00] - The Awe of God's Presence
[17:55] - Heavenly Worship in Revelation
[19:13] - The Power of Few Words
[20:46] - Crafting Your 16 Words
[22:04] - Understanding Holiness
[23:15] - God's Attributes and Our Response
[24:23] - The Challenge of Listening
[27:11] - Slowing Down to Listen
[29:41] - The Value of True Religion
[31:34] - Action Over Words
[33:04] - Listening vs. Talking
[35:36] - The Return of Christ
[37:20] - Urgency of the Gospel
[39:58] - Invitation to Respond

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 4:8 - "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come."
2. James 1:26-27 - "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
3. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 - "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels."

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the heavenly beings in Revelation 4 repeating "Holy, holy, holy" continuously? [18:13]
2. According to James 1:26-27, what are the characteristics of religion that God values?
3. How does the sermon describe the urgency of sharing the gospel in light of Christ's return? [37:20]
4. What exercise does the pastor suggest to help us focus our worship and communication with God? [20:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the repetition of "Holy, holy, holy" by the heavenly beings be important for our understanding of God's nature? [18:13]
2. How does the principle of being "quick to listen and slow to speak" challenge our modern communication habits? [27:51]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true religion is demonstrated through action rather than words? [31:07]
4. How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence the way we live out our faith according to the sermon? [37:20]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the exercise of speaking only 16 words to God. What words would you choose, and why? How does this exercise help you focus on what truly matters in your relationship with God? [20:10]
2. Consider your daily interactions. How can you practice being "quick to listen and slow to speak" in a specific relationship or situation this week? [27:51]
3. Identify a way you can demonstrate true religion through action this week, such as caring for someone in need or living out your faith in a tangible way. [31:07]
4. How does the reality of Christ's imminent return affect your priorities and actions? What changes might you need to make to align your life with this truth? [37:20]
5. Think about a time when you were overwhelmed by God's holiness and majesty. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence in your daily worship and prayer life? [17:40]
6. In what ways can you ensure that your words and actions align with God's truth and reflect His love and mercy to those around you? [27:51]
7. How can you share the gospel through both words and actions in your community, offering hope and forgiveness to those in need? [37:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Awe and Reverence Before God's Holiness
In our journey of faith, we are often reminded of the incomprehensible holiness of God. This holiness is not just an attribute but the very essence of His being, setting Him apart from all creation. The heavenly beings in Revelation 4 continuously proclaim His holiness, emphasizing the eternal nature of God who was, is, and is to come. This calls us to approach Him with profound awe and reverence, recognizing that our words and actions should reflect the depth of our worship and the sincerity of our hearts. As we gather in worship, let us be mindful of the majesty of God, allowing His holiness to inspire a deeper devotion and respect in our lives. [18:13]

Isaiah 6:3-5 (ESV): "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence in your daily worship, acknowledging God's holiness in your thoughts, words, and actions?


Day 2: The Power of Few Words in Worship
Limiting our words to God to just 16 forces us to consider what truly matters in our relationship with Him. This exercise encourages us to focus on His attributes and our response to His holiness, power, and love. By distilling our thoughts and emotions into a concise expression of worship, we mirror the heavenly beings who ceaselessly proclaim God's holiness. This practice not only deepens our understanding of God's nature but also humbles us, reminding us of our position before a holy God and the grace He extends to us. [21:00]

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (ESV): "Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

Reflection: If you could only speak 16 words to God today, what would they be? How do these words reflect your understanding of His attributes and your relationship with Him?


Day 3: Listening Over Speaking in a Noisy World
Being quick to listen and slow to speak is a biblical principle that challenges our fast-paced, talkative culture. It calls us to prioritize listening and thoughtful responses, ensuring our words align with God's truth. In a world filled with noise and haste, this principle encourages us to pause, reflect, and truly listen to others. By doing so, we not only honor God but also build deeper, more meaningful relationships with those around us. This practice aligns with the teachings of James 1:26-27, which emphasize the importance of controlling our tongues and living out our faith through actions. [27:51]

Proverbs 17:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice being quick to listen and slow to speak today, especially in conversations that challenge your patience or understanding?


Day 4: True Religion Through Action, Not Just Words
True religion, as God values, is not about endless talk but about living a life of holiness and service. Our Bible studies and gatherings should lead to action, not just knowledge. The world is weary of empty words; it longs to see genuine faith in action. Caring for the needy and living a holy life are the outward expressions of a faith that God values, as opposed to mere verbal declarations. As we live out our faith, let us remember that our actions speak louder than words, demonstrating the love and mercy of Christ to those around us. [31:07]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith through service to others. How can this action reflect the love and mercy of Christ?


Day 5: Urgency of the Gospel in Anticipation of Christ's Return
The return of Christ is imminent, and our responsibility is to share the gospel through both words and actions. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of God's love, offering hope and forgiveness to a world in need. As we anticipate His return, we are reminded of the urgency to live out our faith, not just in words but in deeds that reflect His love and mercy. This call to action is not just for our benefit but for the salvation of others, as we share the hope of the gospel with those around us. [37:20]

2 Peter 3:10-12 (ESV): "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God."

Reflection: How can you actively share the gospel with someone in your life this week, both through your words and your actions? What steps can you take to prepare for Christ's return?

Quotes


I don't think we're going to be able to say anything that's my guess as we're going to see this being and just go and that's probably all I'll say for who knows how long as stunned as we are by his love you know when we thought about the passion it just imagine coming before a holy God that's what we're here to do. [00:16:48]

Day and night they never stop saying holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. This morning when you got up those same Angels were saying the same thing holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. [00:18:04]

I want you to think if this morning you could come before God and only speak 16 words you were able to say 16 words to him it could be a sentence could be two sentences but a maximum of 16 words. I just think about that phrase let your Words Be Few. [00:20:00]

I thought okay what if we all came next weekend with 16 words that we thought through during the week and said God here's my act of worship here are these words I really want to say to you and just just came with those. I tried this myself and I just sat there thinking what what encapsulates everything I'd want to say. [00:21:31]

Honestly one of one of my thoughts when I read this verse was I don't have time for that you know what I mean how can I be slow to speak quick to listen how do you do that when you've got a hundred emails in your inbox what do you do slow to speak. [00:26:33]

I changed my email address and uh and I just thought no because I have to be obedient to scripture and I got to slow down and I got to listen to the people who are speaking to me and if that means fewer of them at least I'm being obedient to listen and think through my response. [00:28:10]

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rain on his tongue he deceives himself and his religion is worthless okay so so we we establish that if anyone considers himself in this room religious like you're doing all these outward acts of religiosity he goes but you can't control you can't sorry you can't control your mouth. [00:29:54]

True Religion that God accepts is when you go out and you care for widows and orphans and then you just keep yourself unstained by the world just live a holy life doesn't matter what the rest of the world is doing you live the way that I want you to live you go out and you care for the needy. [00:31:02]

Look if your Bible studies don't lead you to action to doing something then quit I don't think we'd really need to talk that much more we talk too much we've learned too much we know too much we just don't do it. [00:31:56]

I think the world's tired of us talking it doesn't mean we stop sharing the gospel and telling people the good news cuz people listen but I'm just saying there are a lot of people in the world of whom you will not get their attention by your words until they see True Religion coming out of the church. [00:34:47]

The Bible says that Christ is coming back in BL blazing fire not as a humble servant but as this amazing being who comes back and for any here who would say there is no God I don't need his forgiveness I haven't sinned against him he says you're going you're you're waiting Everlasting punishment. [00:37:17]

I got to tell you that this is what I need to use my words for is to tell you that that that God loves you and he offers you he honestly says you can be forgiven this morning you can be forgiven for all of that cuz Jesus paid for all of your crimes on the cross and if you Embrace and you recognize your need for forgiveness he'll forgive you. [00:38:40]

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Transcript
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