Embracing God's Majesty: A Call to Obedience and Giving
Summary
In today's gathering, we immersed ourselves in the presence of God, acknowledging His majesty and expressing our gratitude for His continuous blessings. We began by exalting God as the King of Kings, recognizing His wonderful nature and welcoming His presence among us. Our worship was a declaration of His greatness, a reminder that everything we have and are is because of Him. We sought forgiveness for our shortcomings and asked for strength to walk in obedience, understanding that to obey is better than sacrifice. We prayed for God to have His way in our lives, to heal, deliver, and restore us, ensuring that we leave this place having encountered Him.
We reflected on Psalm 24, which reminds us that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. This scripture calls us to ascend to His holy place with clean hands and pure hearts, emphasizing the importance of seeking God earnestly. We celebrated the King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty, and committed to lifting our heads and opening our hearts to His presence.
Our time together also included a call to action in our giving, recognizing that everything we have is from God. We were encouraged to trust Him with our resources, knowing that He is our provider. We are embarking on a campaign to raise funds for a new roof for our church building, trusting that God will provide what we need, whether through financial gifts or divine intervention.
As we concluded, we were reminded of the importance of holding on to God and His promises, just as Ruth did. We prayed for the strength and tenacity to follow His lead, trusting that He will guide us and provide for us. We left with a renewed commitment to share the good news of His love and to be a blessing to others.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Majesty of God: We are reminded of God's sovereignty and His wonderful nature. Our worship is a declaration of His greatness, and we are called to live in a way that honors Him, recognizing that everything we have is because of Him. [08:12]
2. The Call to Obedience: Obedience to God is more valuable than sacrifice. We are encouraged to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings and to walk in obedience, trusting that God will guide us and provide the strength we need. [31:25]
3. The Importance of Giving: Our giving is an expression of our trust in God as our provider. We are challenged to give generously, knowing that God will meet our needs and bless us abundantly. [38:58]
4. Holding on to God's Promises: Like Ruth, we are called to hold on to God and His promises, trusting that He will lead us and provide for us. Our faithfulness in following Him will lead to blessings and provision. [01:20:50]
5. The Power of Community: We are reminded of the importance of coming together as a community to worship, support one another, and work towards common goals, such as our building fund campaign. Together, we can achieve great things for God's glory. [42:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:12] - Exalting the King of Kings
[31:25] - Call to Obedience
[32:33] - Worship and Gratitude
[34:45] - The Gift of Salvation
[35:43] - Celebrating Our Savior
[38:58] - The Importance of Giving
[42:06] - Building Fund Campaign
[48:15] - Holding on to God's Promises
[01:20:50] - The Tenacity of Ruth
[01:25:42] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 24:1-10 (NRSV)
Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 24, what are the characteristics of those who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place?
2. In the sermon, what was emphasized as more valuable than sacrifice? [31:25]
3. How did the sermon describe the role of community in achieving common goals, such as the building fund campaign? [42:06]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have "clean hands and a pure heart" in the context of Psalm 24, and how does this relate to our daily lives?
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of obedience over sacrifice. How can this principle be applied in modern Christian living? [31:25]
3. How does the concept of God as our provider influence our approach to giving and generosity, as discussed in the sermon? [38:58]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's majesty in your life. How did it impact your faith and actions? [08:12]
2. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to walk in obedience to God? What steps can you take to seek His guidance and strength? [31:25]
3. How can you contribute to your church community's goals, such as the building fund campaign, even if you feel your resources are limited? [42:06]
4. Like Ruth, how can you hold on to God's promises in difficult times? Identify a specific promise from Scripture that you can cling to this week. [01:20:50]
5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your giving reflects your trust in God as your provider? [38:58]
6. How can you actively participate in your church community to support and uplift others, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose? [42:06]
7. Identify one way you can share the good news of God's love with someone in your life this week. What specific action will you take to be a blessing to them? [08:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Sovereignty
In our daily lives, it is crucial to acknowledge the sovereignty of God, understanding that everything we have and are is because of Him. This recognition is not just a passive acknowledgment but an active declaration of His greatness. By exalting God as the King of Kings, we align our hearts with His majesty and open ourselves to His presence. This act of worship is a reminder of His wonderful nature and our dependence on His continuous blessings. As we immerse ourselves in His presence, we are called to live in a way that honors Him, reflecting His glory in our actions and attitudes. [08:12]
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you acknowledge God's sovereignty in your daily routine today, and how might this change your perspective on your current circumstances?
Day 2: The Value of Obedience
Obedience to God is more valuable than sacrifice, as it reflects a heart aligned with His will. Seeking forgiveness for our shortcomings and striving to walk in obedience is a journey that requires humility and strength. By trusting in God's guidance, we can find the courage to follow His path, knowing that He will provide the strength we need. This call to obedience is a reminder that our actions should reflect our faith, and that true worship is found in living a life that honors God. [31:25]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience. What steps can you take today to align your actions with God's will in this area?
Day 3: Trusting God with Our Resources
Our giving is an expression of our trust in God as our provider. Recognizing that everything we have is from Him, we are challenged to give generously, knowing that He will meet our needs and bless us abundantly. This act of giving is not just about financial contributions but also about offering our time, talents, and resources for His glory. As we embark on initiatives like the building fund campaign, we are reminded of the power of community and the impact of collective generosity. [38:58]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current approach to giving. How can you intentionally trust God with your resources today, and what specific action can you take to demonstrate this trust?
Day 4: Holding on to God's Promises
Like Ruth, we are called to hold on to God and His promises, trusting that He will lead us and provide for us. This tenacity in faith requires us to remain steadfast, even when circumstances seem uncertain. By following His lead, we can experience the blessings and provision that come from a faithful relationship with Him. This journey of faith is not just about receiving but also about sharing the good news of His love and being a blessing to others. [01:20:50]
"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.'" (Ruth 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you actively demonstrate your trust in this promise today, and who can you share this journey of faith with?
Day 5: The Power of Community
Coming together as a community to worship, support one another, and work towards common goals is a powerful expression of faith. As we unite in initiatives like the building fund campaign, we are reminded that together, we can achieve great things for God's glory. This sense of community is not just about collective action but also about fostering relationships that encourage spiritual growth and mutual support. By lifting our heads and opening our hearts to His presence, we create an environment where God's love can flourish. [42:06]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your community of faith today, and what specific steps can you take to encourage and support someone within your community?
Quotes
1. "And yet again, standing with full confidence, yet again, that God, You are truly wonderful. You are the Lord, and You are our God, and we crown You on today, King. We crown You on today, Wonderful. We crown You on today, Lord. We crown You on today, Healer. God, and we welcome You into this place. Father God, we thank You, Lord, that there is no other place that we'd rather be but in Your presence. And so, God, we thank You on today for meeting us here. We thank You, O God, for Your ear that always hears us when we pray." [00:02:56] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Father God, we don't want to miss our opportunity, O God, to pour our love out on You. For, God, Your Word declares, let everything that hath breath, let everything that hath breath praise ye the Lord. And so, God, it's an honor to be able to walk. Let's walk ourselves into this building. It's an honor, O God, to have the activity of our limbs so that god if we want to wave our hands in your presence oh god lift our hands in total surrender worshiping you oh god declaring even with our bodies oh god that lord you are worthy you are wonderful and god you are glorious god it's an honor to be able to do just that." [00:04:28] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We thank you now, oh God, that hearers will become doers. And doers, oh God, will only do what they hear you tell them to do. Father God, we pray now that you would anoint our ears, anoint them to hear you, anoint them to block out, oh God, what the evil one is saying. Anoint them, God, anoint them now, God. Father, you created these ears. You created every lobe. You created every eardrum. God, now hear us. Heal the ear of your people, oh God. Cause us to hear you when you speak to us." [00:07:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Cause us to take the good news. The good news that you are wonderful. The good news that you are Lord. The good news that will be shared, oh God, from your manservant on today. The prophet of this house. The pastor of this house. The teacher of this house. God, we thank you today that you and only you, God, you would have your way. Oh, have your way. Oh, God, have your way." [00:08:32] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God, we bless your name on today hallelujah hallelujah we declare it and it is so that he is wonderful and we bless the wonderful name of jesus god we bless you on today hallelujah hallelujah we bless your name oh we bless you god thank you god thank you god thank you god meet me in your bibles on today for a very familiar text of scripture in psalm number 24 psalm number 24 where i'll read in your hearing beginning at verse number one from the new revised standard verse psalm number 24 psalm number 24 version hallelujah hallelujah psalm number 24 i'll be reading from the new revised standard version and beginning at verse number one it reads the earth is the lord's and all that is in it the world and all those who live in it for he has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers who shall ascend the hill of the lord and who shall stand in his holy place those who have clean hands and pure hearts who do not lift up their souls to what is false and do not swear deceitfully they will receive blessing from the lord and vindication from the god of their salvation such is the company of those who seek him who seek the face of the god of jacob say lie lift up your heads oh gates and be lifted up your heads oh gates and be lifted up oh ancient doors that the king of glory may come in who is the king of glory the lord strong and mighty the lord mighty in battle lift up your heads oh gates and be lifted up oh ancient doors that the king of glory may come in again who is the king of glory the lord of hosts he is the king of glory say lie come on and put your hands together for your king for he is the king of glory and he shall come in hallelujah we bless the name of the lord all right you know what to do now come on let's stand to our feet let's prepare our hearts and minds to go before the lord and praise and worship on today" [00:09:00] (161 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "On today, we have welcomed God, our Savior, in our worship and with our love. On today, we want to take just a moment and bless God for each and every one of you. Thank you for making your way here on this morning. No matter how you got here, whether you got here in a car, a bus, a train, whether you walked here, whether somebody dropped you off here, we just want to say thank you. We truly, we understand. We understand that there are so many other places that you could have been today. But the fact that you made your way here to worship with us, it is an honor to have you here today." [00:36:50] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "He is the reason why on today, we have everything that we need. And so we bless the name of the Lord on today in our giving. On today, it is also the first Sunday of this brand new month. The first Sunday. And so on this Sunday, this is our opportunity to be able to, Brother Donald is smiling now, to be able to love on our bishop, the founder of this ablaze church. That's right. That's right. I love to see the joy that comes over Brother Donald's face every first Sunday and every Sunday that we just think about us loving on our bishop." [00:39:01] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so I just believe God, I am crazy enough to believe God that it won't take us long. We're not going to be here with a thermometer for 15 years, trying to get this $30,000. God is either going to bless us with somebody that'll come in here and take the old roof off, do whatever the roof thing is they do and replace it at no charge at all. To us, or he'll give us every dollar that we need to be able to pay somebody to get it done. Can the church say, amen, amen." [00:42:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so we are we are confident come on i need you to say that we are confident we are confident that whatever it is that we need jehovah jireh our provider will see to it that we have just what we need and so we want you all to help us help us in sharing this news with family members and with friends and ask them will you help us in being a blessing to this ministry and whatever it is there is no seed too small so if they say oh all i have is a hundred dollars don't don't tell them to hold on to it until they get a thousand don't don't do that get get the hundred and let's let's let's bless god for every single dollar that we get until the goal is met and again if god wants to send us somebody that is able to replace this roof at not a dollar charge to us let the church say amen and so this is why we've got to share the news because we have not because we've asked not and so there just might be somebody while you're talking about this building fund that is in the room and it's like i was looking for somebody to bless by the end of this year i might as well go ahead and do a four blaze church and so don't we're not hiding the fact that we need help we're not hiding that listen so so tell the world we need this done and we need it done soon in jesus name and we need it done soon in jesus name and we need it done soon in jesus name and so we bless god for each and every one of you in your giving and in your help as we move forward with this building fund amen amen amen amen amen we bless the name of the lord now let us bless and pray over these seeds father we thank you for every sower and we thank you god for every seed that has been done those oh god that have sowed oh god out of their labor those oh god that are sowing on today simply oh god out of their obedience to trust you father we ask you now to bless not just these seeds that god it would meet every need of this ablaze church but god bless every sower bless oh god those that wanted to give bless those that wanted to give more and god they did not have it to give father god cause us oh god to be a 100 % tithing church cause us oh god to be a blessed church cause us oh god to be 100 % debt free cause us so god to owe no man anything at all but love God calls us to become a storehouse for Highland Park that God whatever it is that our community needs that God we would be the one to be able to say how can we help and then be able to give the help father we thank you now for how you are transforming a blaze church how you are doing a new thing in a blaze church and God we thank you now that it starts with us and so God we thank you now for the seed we thank you for the sower and so now we say God we thank you for the harvest God let it come and multiply it God let it come and never stop flowing father God let there be Oh God in open heaven over us that God if we just think of thing God and it aligns with your will that God you would cause men and women Oh God boys and girls corporations Oh God and big and small to find us Oh God that Lord God We would have just what it is you said we would have. And so, God, it's in your wonderful name that we do pray. And we believe that there's nothing impossible for you. And we all say together, amen. Amen and amen." [00:42:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You can make it. If you just hold on. Yes. Yes. Yes. If you just hold on. Yes. Yes, God. Yes, God. Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus." [00:48:15] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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