Embracing True Worship: A Journey to God's Majesty
Summary
In today's gathering, we come together with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging the abundant life God has granted us. We seek forgiveness for our sins and express our thankfulness, recognizing that even in difficult situations, God's grace has sustained us. We stand in the gap for those who are struggling, affirming that God is ever-present and capable of delivering us from our trials. Our worship today is a testament to our love for God, as we lift our hands and voices in praise, acknowledging His presence and power in our lives.
We delve into the book of Revelation, exploring the vision of John on the Isle of Patmos. This vision reveals the majesty of God, seated on His throne, surrounded by heavenly beings. It is a reminder that worship is not about us, but about God. It transcends our current circumstances and points us to the eternal reality of God's kingdom. Worship is a response to God's holiness, calling us to engage with Him in spirit and truth.
We are reminded that worship is not confined to a specific place or time. It is an ongoing, transformative experience that draws us closer to God. As we reflect on the heavenly scene described in Revelation, we are encouraged to use our spiritual imagination to envision the glory of God and the worship that takes place in His presence. This vision challenges us to examine our own worship practices, ensuring that they are centered on God and not on worldly distractions.
As we anticipate the future, we are called to live as true worshipers, honoring God with our lives. We are reminded of the importance of praise and worship, recognizing that praise acknowledges God's deeds, while worship honors His character. Our worship is a rehearsal for the eternal worship we will experience in heaven, where we will join the heavenly hosts in declaring God's holiness.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is a profound act of love and gratitude towards God, acknowledging His presence and power in our lives. It is not about us, but about Him, and it calls us to respond with every dimension of who we are. [18:39]
- The vision of John in Revelation invites us to use our spiritual imagination to grasp the majesty of God and the worship that takes place in His presence. This vision challenges us to focus our worship on God, rather than on worldly distractions. [21:07]
- True worship transcends time and place, drawing us into a deeper relationship with God. It is an ongoing, transformative experience that calls us to engage with God in spirit and truth. [24:51]
- Praise and worship are distinct yet complementary acts. Praise acknowledges God's deeds, while worship honors His character. Both are essential in our relationship with God, as they draw us closer to Him and prepare us for eternal worship. [30:13]
- As we anticipate the future, we are called to live as true worshipers, honoring God with our lives. Our worship is a rehearsal for the eternal worship we will experience in heaven, where we will join the heavenly hosts in declaring God's holiness. [32:45]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:22] - Expressions of Love and Praise
[03:59] - Engaging in Worship
[07:33] - Welcoming Guests and Celebrations
[14:54] - Preparing for the Word
[16:15] - Revelation and Vision
[17:41] - The Throne Room of Heaven
[18:39] - Signs of the Time
[21:07] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[24:51] - True Worshipers
[26:27] - The Majesty of God
[27:58] - Heavenly Worship
[30:13] - Praise vs. Worship
[32:45] - Anticipating Eternal Worship
[34:06] - Invitation to Salvation
[35:51] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Revelation 4:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What does John see when he is taken up in the spirit according to Revelation 4:1-8? How is the throne room of heaven described? [17:41]
2. In the sermon, what is emphasized as the primary focus of worship? How does this relate to the vision John had in Revelation? [21:07]
3. What are the distinct roles of praise and worship as described in the sermon? [30:13]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the description of the heavenly throne room in Revelation 4:1-8 challenge our understanding of worship? What elements of this vision can we incorporate into our worship practices today? [17:41]
2. The sermon mentions that worship is not about us but about God. How does this perspective shift the way we approach worship in our daily lives? [21:07]
3. The sermon differentiates between praise and worship. How can understanding this distinction deepen our relationship with God? [30:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current worship practices. Are there any worldly distractions that might be hindering your focus on God during worship? How can you address these distractions? [24:51]
2. The sermon encourages us to use our spiritual imagination to envision the glory of God. How can you cultivate a habit of spiritual imagination in your personal devotion time? [21:07]
3. Consider the statement that worship is a response to God's holiness. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life, beyond just Sunday services? [24:51]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of living as true worshipers. What specific actions can you take this week to honor God with your life? [32:45]
5. How can you balance the acts of praise and worship in your spiritual life to ensure both are present and meaningful? [30:13]
6. The sermon mentions that worship is a rehearsal for eternal worship in heaven. How does this perspective influence your attitude towards worship now? [32:45]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can express gratitude to God, even in difficult situations. How can this act of gratitude transform your perspective? [02:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Response to God's Presence
Worship is a profound act of love and gratitude towards God, acknowledging His presence and power in our lives. It is not about us, but about Him, and it calls us to respond with every dimension of who we are. Worship is an expression of our love for God, a recognition of His grace, and a testament to His sustaining power in our lives. It is a time to lift our hands and voices in praise, acknowledging that God is ever-present and capable of delivering us from our trials. Worship transcends our current circumstances and points us to the eternal reality of God's kingdom. It is a response to God's holiness, calling us to engage with Him in spirit and truth. [18:39]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally make your worship more about God and less about your own circumstances today?
Day 2: Envisioning the Majesty of God
The vision of John in Revelation invites us to use our spiritual imagination to grasp the majesty of God and the worship that takes place in His presence. This vision challenges us to focus our worship on God, rather than on worldly distractions. As we reflect on the heavenly scene described in Revelation, we are encouraged to envision the glory of God and the worship that takes place in His presence. This vision serves as a reminder that worship is not confined to a specific place or time, but is an ongoing, transformative experience that draws us closer to God. [21:07]
"And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" (Revelation 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What worldly distractions are hindering your ability to focus on God's majesty during worship, and how can you address them?
Day 3: Worship Beyond Time and Place
True worship transcends time and place, drawing us into a deeper relationship with God. It is an ongoing, transformative experience that calls us to engage with God in spirit and truth. Worship is not limited to a Sunday service or a specific location; it is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives. As we engage in worship, we are invited to experience the presence of God in a way that transforms us from the inside out. This ongoing engagement with God challenges us to live as true worshipers, honoring Him with our lives. [24:51]
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, making it a continuous part of your life rather than a once-a-week event?
Day 4: Distinction Between Praise and Worship
Praise and worship are distinct yet complementary acts. Praise acknowledges God's deeds, while worship honors His character. Both are essential in our relationship with God, as they draw us closer to Him and prepare us for eternal worship. Praise is an expression of gratitude for what God has done, while worship is an acknowledgment of who God is. Together, they create a holistic approach to engaging with God, allowing us to experience His presence in a deeper way. As we engage in both praise and worship, we are reminded of the importance of honoring God with our lives. [30:13]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you balance praise and worship in your spiritual practice to ensure both are present and meaningful?
Day 5: Living as True Worshipers
As we anticipate the future, we are called to live as true worshipers, honoring God with our lives. Our worship is a rehearsal for the eternal worship we will experience in heaven, where we will join the heavenly hosts in declaring God's holiness. Living as true worshipers means aligning our lives with God's will and purpose, allowing His presence to guide our actions and decisions. It is a call to live with integrity and authenticity, reflecting God's character in all that we do. As we live as true worshipers, we prepare ourselves for the eternal worship that awaits us in heaven. [32:45]
"Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your life more closely with God's will, living as a true worshiper in anticipation of eternal worship?
Quotes
"Love the Lord Right where you are today Father, we come in the name of Jesus And how grateful we are That you've allowed us to witness Another day A day we have never seen before Words cannot describe How grateful we are That you've allowed us not just to live But to live life more abundantly As we come today, God We ask that everything might get out the way Every spirit that's not of you might flee We come even Now asking you to forgive us For every one of our sins Everything that we've thought about That we've moved ahead on Everything we've plotted We come asking even now, God That you, by way of the blood of Jesus Might clean the slate And then we come to say thank you All things may not be the way we think they ought to be But we thank you For everything the Bible says And everything to give thanks to you Thanks" [00:00:48] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Much like your favorite next flick movie, let's recap. Last week, we talked about the judgment seat of Christ, a place where believers would be judged. The issue would not be salvation. It is about our service unto the Lord. And at the judgment seat of Christ, we would be judged based on the good and the bad. Can you say good and bad? I've done some good." [00:19:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"folks say, well, what kind of what is worship? It places us before a true and living God and calls us to respond with every dimension of who we are. Worship can take place right now in this setting." [00:20:27] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Worship can take place in your devotional time. Ever prayed and while you were praying, worship broke out in your devotion? You had church right where you were? I know some of y 'all got prayer closets and places that you go to spend time with the Lord. And while you may come in with your agenda, worship will break out within that space." [00:20:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It says, blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take it to heart what is written in it. And that's what we're talking about. And that's what we're talking about. Because the time is near. So Revelation takes place as written at the Isle of Patmos. John has been put there because of his preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And while he is there, God speaks to him and say, here are the things that I want you to say to the churches, the seven churches we talk about often. And even John helps us out today. John, the brother of James." [00:21:12] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"is not about us it's about him worship is not about here it's about there worship is not about now it's about then let's unpack these worship is not about us i know we think it is sometimes but it's all about him john looks up and he sees the door of heaven open john is transported in the spirit and sees these things you know god can still show you things in the spirit you may call it a dream but he still speaks in dreams and visions have god ever taken you some place that you say well my god never been here before has god shown you some things that have blown your mind you say wow and he'll do it in living color amen so john sees god sitting on the throne in this vision but it's not so much what he sees but what does he hear he hears the voice of god that sounds like a trumpet and he says come up here and i'll show you what must take place after this he gets a sneak peek into heaven how powerful is that i want you to use your spiritual imagination today he said okay john no i want you to put some john shoes on today and say listen john excuse me can i see too because god wants to show us all something and he speaks by way of his word amen not just chatter but the word of god is real how many believe the word of god speaks amen that when you read it it comes alive and so john talks about you" [00:22:27] (121 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Later on, we talk about God is a spirit, and those who worship him, worship him in spirit and in truth. Let me talk just for a second about idol worship. You say, well, I can't see God. I know he's a spirit, but we worship other things. We worship people. We worship money. We worship material things. We worship our jobs. We worship our status. We worship how we look. You look good. Today, we worship entertainment. We worship sex. We worship comfort. We worship technology. And if you're not careful, you'll start worshiping something else other than God. Amen?" [00:24:56] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Blessed be the God today. Now, I'm just talking about myself always got something on the truck. So, you know. Wasn't talking about me. But this sense of worshiping God, bringing yourself into the presence of him, knowing that it's not about us, it is all about him. He is the one who deserves all praise." [00:25:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He's the one who deserves all honor. He's the one who deserves all glory. And then, worship. Worship is not about here." [00:26:16] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Ever been in the spirit? He was in the spirit and there is when he sees the throne. And he describes, he said, the one who sat there had the appearance of Jasper and Ruby, a rainbow that shone like an emerald and circled the throne. He was in the spirit and he talks about this sense of Jasper, a stone." [00:26:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"These elders are believed to be the patriarchs, accounts of angelic beings. These four living creatures that sound kind of wow. Let's talk about it. The first living creature was like a lion, which talks about kingship." [00:29:18] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The second was like an ox, a symbol of redemption and life through sacrifice. The third had the face like a man, which is Jesus Christ, the perfect man. The fourth was like a flying eagle, which represents freedom and strength and power. And John gives us an idea. Wow. Wow. Why we need to worship Jesus Christ. He writes, Holy, Holy, Holy. It's like choir rehearsal. Amen. That you ought to start rehearsing right now. Don't wait till you get the glory, but begin to say to him even now, Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God, you are holy. Amen." [00:29:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"In the presence of God. Praise applauds God for what he has done. Worship honors God for who he is. Aren't you glad about that? And you know what? Why not both? Amen. All I know is that the God that I serve, he's awesome. Can I do my ABCs this morning?" [00:30:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He's caring, and he's also dependable. He's ever -present, but he's faithful. Is he a faithful God to you? He's good. He's holy. He's the great I am. He's just. He's kind. He's loving. He's mighty. He's nearby. He's our only God. Amen. Can I talk about God this morning? He's patient. He's quick to forgive. He's righteous. He's strong. He's trustworthy. He's unchanging. He's victorious. He's wise, and he's excellent. And he's yearning for us. He's a zealous God. Now, can I go down home and just tell you, I'm glad that the God that sits high and looks low is the one who saved me. I don't care what you call him or who you call him, but Jesus is on the main line. And just tell him what you want. If you need more power, tell him what you want. If you need more joy, tell him what you want. I dare you to pick up and call 911 and say, Lord, I'm in a tight spot right now. Has he ever come through for you? And all of a sudden you realize you were in the line and you were giving God some praise and you were worshiping him right there because you realize that, God, you've been too good to me for me to be ashamed of you. And that's why I glorify the Lord. And that's why I give him praise. And that's why I worship him every chance I get. And my worship is not worthy. But aren't you glad today that he made you to worship? He made you to give him glory. He made you. And so don't wait till you get the glory. But right now you ought to be rehearsing what great things God has done for you. I'm glad about it today." [00:30:51] (108 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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