Embracing the Power of Corporate Worship and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Corporate Worship

When we gather as a church family to worship, it is not just a personal act but a communal one that strengthens the faith of everyone present. Corporate worship creates an atmosphere where God's presence is uniquely manifested, encouraging and uplifting each other. This collective praise honors God and builds up the body of Christ, making our faith stronger and more resilient. As we sing and lift our voices together, we create a spiritual environment that allows us to experience God's presence in a profound way. [39:51]

Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt particularly uplifted during a church service. How did the collective worship of others around you impact your own experience of God's presence?

Day 2: A Foretaste of Heaven

Our worship services on earth are a glimpse of the eternal worship in heaven, where God is continuously praised by angels and saints. This heavenly perspective reminds us that our worship here is a preparation for the eternal worship we will experience in God's presence. Reflecting on the heavenly throne room, we are reminded that our earthly worship is a foretaste of the eternal joy and communion we will have with God. This understanding should deepen our appreciation and commitment to worshiping together as a church family. [40:37]

Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

Reflection: How does the vision of eternal worship in heaven influence your attitude and participation in worship services here on earth?

Day 3: God Inhabits Our Praise

Psalm 22 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we worship, we create a spiritual throne room for the Lord, experiencing His presence in a special way. This divine encounter strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God. In those moments of worship, we are not just singing songs; we are inviting God's presence into our midst, creating a space where He can move powerfully in our lives. This understanding should encourage us to engage in worship with all our hearts, knowing that God is present and active among us. [41:23]

Psalm 22:3-4 (ESV): "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them."

Reflection: During your next worship service, focus on the idea that God is inhabiting your praise. How does this change your approach to worship and your expectation of encountering God?

Day 4: The Worthiness of the Lamb

Revelation 5 reveals that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's plan for the end times. This vision reassures us of Jesus' victory and the eternal inheritance that awaits us, giving us hope and perspective in our current lives. Knowing that Jesus has already won the victory should fill us with confidence and hope, even in the midst of life's challenges. Our worship is a response to His worthiness and a declaration of our trust in His ultimate plan. [46:27]

Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV): "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'"

Reflection: How does the knowledge of Jesus' victory and worthiness influence your daily life and your approach to worship?

Day 5: Our Eternal Inheritance

As believers, our ultimate hope is not just for a better life now but for a future where we will reign with Christ in a new heaven and a new earth. This future promises a life free from sin, sickness, and pain, and it is a powerful reminder that this world is not our final home. Our worship and faith are anchored in this eternal hope, which gives us strength and perseverance in our current journey. Let us always remember that our ultimate home is in the glorious future that God has prepared for us. [47:44]

2 Peter 3:13 (ESV): "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your eternal inheritance and allow this hope to shape your actions and attitudes?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we gathered to worship the Lord together, and it was a powerful reminder of the significance of corporate worship. When we come together as a church family, our collective praise not only honors God but also strengthens the faith of those around us. Worship is not just a personal, vertical experience between us and God; it is also a communal act that builds up the body of Christ. As we sing and lift our voices, we create a spiritual atmosphere where God's presence is uniquely manifested.

Reflecting on the heavenly throne room, where God is continuously worshiped by angels and saints, we are reminded that our worship here on earth is a foretaste of heaven. Psalm 22 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people, and in those moments of worship, we experience a special touch from God. This communal worship is a glimpse of the eternal worship we will partake in heaven, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, as described in Hebrews 12.

We also delved into Revelation 5, where John the Apostle describes a vision of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who alone is worthy to open the scroll that signifies God's plan for the end times. This vision reassures us that Jesus has won the victory and that we have an eternal inheritance awaiting us. Our hope is not just for a better life now but for a future where we will reign with Christ in a new heaven and a new earth, free from sin, sickness, and pain.

As we concluded our time together, we were encouraged to hold on to this hope and to continue worshiping with all our hearts, knowing that our praise has a profound impact on our spiritual lives and the lives of those around us. Let us always remember that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the glorious future that God has prepared for us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Corporate Worship: Worshiping together as a church family is not just a personal act but a communal one that strengthens the faith of everyone present. When we sing and praise God collectively, we create an atmosphere where God's presence is uniquely manifested, encouraging and uplifting each other. [39:51]
2. A Foretaste of Heaven: Our worship services are a glimpse of the eternal worship in heaven, where God is continuously praised by angels and saints. This heavenly perspective reminds us that our worship here on earth is a preparation for the eternal worship we will experience in God's presence. [40:37]
3. God Inhabits Our Praise: Psalm 22 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we worship, we create a spiritual throne room for the Lord, experiencing His presence in a special way. This divine encounter strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God. [41:23]
4. The Worthiness of the Lamb: Revelation 5 reveals that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's plan for the end times. This vision reassures us of Jesus' victory and the eternal inheritance that awaits us, giving us hope and perspective in our current lives. [46:27]
5. Our Eternal Inheritance: As believers, our ultimate hope is not just for a better life now but for a future where we will reign with Christ in a new heaven and a new earth. This future promises a life free from sin, sickness, and pain, and it is a powerful reminder that this world is not our final home. [47:44]
### [47:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:04] - The Power of Corporate Worship
[39:51] - Encouragement Through Worship
[40:37] - A Foretaste of Heaven
[41:23] - God Inhabits Our Praise
[42:06] - The Cloud of Witnesses
[43:21] - Call and Response in Worship
[44:50] - Revelation 5: The Worthiness of the Lamb
[46:27] - Jesus' Victory and Our Inheritance
[47:44] - Our Eternal Hope
[71:20] - Closing Remarks and Encouragement
[71:56] - Ending on a High Note

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 22:3, what does it mean that God inhabits the praises of His people? How does this relate to our experience of worship? [41:23]
In Hebrews 12:1, who are the "great cloud of witnesses" and what is their significance in the context of worship? [42:06]
What is the significance of the scroll in Revelation 5, and why is Jesus the only one worthy to open it? [44:50]
How does corporate worship strengthen the faith of those present, according to the sermon? [39:51]

Interpretation Questions

How does the idea that God inhabits our praises (Psalm 22:3) change the way we approach worship? What does it mean for our personal and communal worship experiences? [41:23]
Reflect on the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. How does this imagery encourage believers to persevere in their faith? [42:06]
In Revelation 5, what does the vision of Jesus as the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll teach us about His role in God's plan for the end times? [44:50]
The sermon mentioned that our worship on earth is a foretaste of heaven. How does this perspective influence the way we worship now? [40:37]

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt particularly encouraged by the worship of others around you. How can you be intentional about encouraging others through your own worship? [39:51]
How can you create a "spiritual throne room" for God in your daily life, knowing that He inhabits the praises of His people? What practical steps can you take to make worship a regular part of your routine? [41:23]
The sermon emphasized that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the future reign with Christ. How does this eternal perspective affect your daily decisions and priorities? [47:44]
Reflect on the vision of the Lamb in Revelation 5. How does understanding Jesus' worthiness and victory impact your faith and trust in God's plan for your life? [46:27]
The sermon mentioned that worship is both a personal and communal act. How can you balance these two aspects in your own worship practices? What can you do to foster a sense of community in your church's worship services? [39:04]
How can you remind yourself and others of the hope of a new heaven and a new earth, especially during difficult times? What specific actions can you take to keep this hope alive in your heart and in your community? [47:44]
The sermon encouraged us to worship with all our hearts, regardless of our current emotions or circumstances. How can you prepare your heart and mind to worship God fully, even when you don't feel like it? [39:51]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "When you come to church, regardless of what's going on in your life, regardless of the emotions you feel, sing to the Lord with the praise that He is deserving of. Give Him your best praise. Sing with all your heart, because you don't know who in that room, that day, that night, like tonight, who needs to see and be encouraged by your praise." [40:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we worship Him in spirit and in truth, we bring heaven, we pull heaven down into our lives. And our spirits get kind of pulled up, into the throne room of heaven. This is why we read in Psalm 22, it says, the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Other translations say He's enthroned on the praises of His people. And that's us when we worship Him." [41:23] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I wanted to remind someone today that Jesus didn't save you just to give you a slightly more tolerable life. He is going to help you through this life for sure. He's going to come for you, but you have an inheritance waiting for you. That's what we ultimately are looking forward to when evil is punished when we receive our glorified bodies and the rewards for faithfulness to the Lord in this life." [47:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have heaven to look forward to we have times like this where we worship together to be reminded of what we have to look forward to someone invite you to stand to your feet. The worship team is going to lead us in this new song and it's a little different. It's not a power ballad like a lot of the songs we sing, but it encourages us and it builds up our faith." [47:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "When I sometimes stand in the front of the room, as a pastor, I'll turn, and I'll look at the room, worshiping, I'm not doing that just because I'm worshiping, worried about what's going on in the back of the room, but because I need to see your worship for my own faith to be built up. You realize that that's actually one of the purposes of corporate church gatherings, gathering with God's people, and we have this time of singing praise to God and worshiping Him, and it's not just a vertical experience between you and the Lord, but it's also a communal experience between you and God's people, and as you sing to the Lord, and as you worship Him, it builds up the faith of those around you." [39:51] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I love this scene because as the scroll is opened by the lamb of God, who is Jesus the Messiah, it signals the beginning of the end times God's judgment on the wicked and restoration of all that has been broken. And those of us who are believers in Jesus receiving the promise of the king or inheritance, which is before us." [46:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I know that we need that reminder sometimes that man this world as it is today is not my home. There's a better new Earth that's coming and you're going to have a physical body. You're going to have things to do. It's going to be amazing. We're going to be in the presence of God and there will be weeping. No more tears. No more sickness or pain or death. Those things will have passed away." [47:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want you to know, I want you to know as your pastor that this does not count as your church for the weekend. You've still got to come to church on Sunday. Praise God. Amen. Amen." [01:11:56] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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