Joyful Worship: Celebrating God's Mighty Deeds

Devotional

Day 1: Global Call to Worship

Worship is a universal response to God's greatness and faithfulness. Psalm 66 begins with a call for all the earth to worship God, emphasizing that worship is fitting for everyone because God is the Creator and Redeemer. This call is not superficial but deeply rooted in recognizing God's mighty works. Worship should be a natural response to God's greatness and faithfulness. Just as people express joy and excitement at sports events, our worship should be even more enthusiastic because it is directed towards the One who has redeemed us and brought us into His kingdom. This global call to worship reminds us that our praise is not just a personal act but a collective one, inviting all of creation to join in glorifying God. [08:42]

Psalm 66:1-4 (ESV): "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.'"

Reflection: Think of a moment when you felt immense joy and excitement. How can you channel that same energy into your worship of God today? What specific aspect of God's greatness can you praise Him for right now?

Day 2: Joy and God's Glory

Our joy and God's glory are not at odds; they are deeply intertwined. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This enjoyment of God is both a personal and corporate experience, where we gather to remind each other of God's greatness and faithfulness. When we find joy in God, we naturally bring glory to Him. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated contentment and delight in who God is and what He has done. It is a joy that sustains us through all circumstances and draws others to the beauty of a life lived in worship. [12:12]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced deep joy in God's presence. How can you cultivate that joy in your daily life and share it with others in your community?

Day 3: Vocabulary for Worship

Just as we search for the perfect words in a greeting card, the Psalms provide us with the perfect words to express our hearts to God. This is crucial for sincere and heartfelt worship. The Psalms give us the vocabulary to talk to God, express our gratitude, grief, joy, doubts, and fears. Having the right words helps us to articulate our deepest emotions and thoughts, making our worship more genuine and meaningful. The Psalms serve as a guide, helping us to navigate the complexities of our spiritual journey and to communicate with God in a way that is both honest and reverent. [19:37]

Psalm 19:14 (ESV): "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Reflection: Choose a Psalm that resonates with you and use it as a prayer today. How does this Psalm help you to express your current feelings and thoughts to God?

Day 4: Redemptive Acts of God

The psalmist recalls God's redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus, as a central theme in Israel's worship. For Christians, the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Worship involves sacrifice, not just in the Old Testament sense but in offering our lives as living sacrifices, as stated in Romans 12:1. Remembering God's redemptive acts helps us to stay grounded in the reality of His love and faithfulness. It reminds us that our worship is a response to His incredible acts of salvation and grace. This remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound acknowledgment of God's ongoing work in our lives and in the world. [30:03]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific instance where you experienced God's redemptive work in your life. How can you offer your life as a living sacrifice in response to His grace?

Day 5: Personal Testimony

The psalmist moves to a personal testimony, urging us to share what God has done for us. This personal experience of God's faithfulness and steadfast love should overflow into our worship and our witness to others. We are called to testify of His goodness, great power, and awesome works in our lives. Sharing our personal testimonies not only strengthens our faith but also encourages others to trust in God's faithfulness. It is a powerful way to glorify God and to spread the message of His love and redemption. [45:13]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone today to encourage them in their faith?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Psalm 66, a powerful call to worship and praise God for His awesome deeds. The Psalms have long been a source of spiritual nourishment, providing us with the vocabulary to engage with God in prayer and worship. Psalm 66 begins with a global call to worship, urging all the earth to shout for joy and sing praises to God. This call is not superficial but deeply rooted in the recognition of God's mighty works, both in creation and in redemption.

We explored how humanity is naturally wired to express joy and excitement, often seen in our reactions to sports events. If we can get so animated over a game, how much more should we express our joy and gratitude to God, who has redeemed us and brought us into His kingdom? The psalmist moves from a global perspective to a national and then a personal one, highlighting that worship is fitting for all because God is the Creator and Redeemer.

The sermon emphasized that our joy and God's glory are not at odds. In fact, they are deeply intertwined. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This enjoyment of God is not just a personal experience but a corporate one, where we gather to remind each other of God's greatness and faithfulness.

We also discussed the importance of having the right vocabulary for worship and prayer. Just as we search for the perfect words in a greeting card, the Psalms provide us with the perfect words to express our hearts to God. This is crucial for sincere and heartfelt worship.

The psalmist recalls God's redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus, as a central theme in Israel's worship. Similarly, for Christians, the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Worship involves sacrifice, not just in the Old Testament sense but in offering our lives as living sacrifices, as stated in Romans 12:1.

Finally, the psalmist moves to a personal testimony, urging us to share what God has done for us. This personal experience of God's faithfulness and steadfast love should overflow into our worship and our witness to others.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Global Call to Worship: Psalm 66 begins with a call for all the earth to worship God, emphasizing that worship is fitting for everyone because God is the Creator and Redeemer. This call is not superficial but deeply rooted in recognizing God's mighty works. Worship should be a natural response to God's greatness and faithfulness. [08:42]
2. Joy and God's Glory: Our joy and God's glory are not at odds; they are deeply intertwined. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This enjoyment of God is both a personal and corporate experience, where we gather to remind each other of God's greatness and faithfulness. [12:12]
3. Vocabulary for Worship: Just as we search for the perfect words in a greeting card, the Psalms provide us with the perfect words to express our hearts to God. This is crucial for sincere and heartfelt worship. The Psalms give us the vocabulary to talk to God, express our gratitude, grief, joy, doubts, and fears. [19:37]
4. Redemptive Acts of God: The psalmist recalls God's redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus, as a central theme in Israel's worship. For Christians, the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Worship involves sacrifice, not just in the Old Testament sense but in offering our lives as living sacrifices, as stated in Romans 12:1. [30:03]
5. Personal Testimony: The psalmist moves to a personal testimony, urging us to share what God has done for us. This personal experience of God's faithfulness and steadfast love should overflow into our worship and our witness to others. We are called to testify of His goodness, great power, and awesome works in our lives. [45:13]
### [45:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[02:50] - Call to Worship
[03:34] - God's Redemptive Works
[04:19] - Personal Testimony
[04:57] - Big Idea: Songs of Loudest Praise
[05:41] - Expressing Joy in Worship
[07:27] - Biblical Worship: Inside Out
[08:42] - Global Call to Worship
[09:52] - Idolatry and True Worship
[10:57] - Corporate Worship and God's Glory
[12:12] - Joy and God's Glory
[13:56] - Finding Joy in God
[15:30] - Glorious Praise
[17:03] - Content for Worship
[17:56] - Vocabulary for Worship
[18:42] - The Lord's Prayer
[19:37] - Psalms as Vocabulary
[20:40] - Finding the Perfect Words
[21:27] - Personalizing Worship
[23:05] - Future Worship
[24:44] - Every Knee Will Bow
[25:38] - Surrendering to God
[26:51] - God's Awesome Deeds
[28:06] - Remembering Redemptive History
[30:03] - Weekly Communion
[31:12] - Corporate Worship and Redemption
[32:17] - Corporate and Personal Focus
[32:55] - God's Sustaining Power
[33:42] - God's Deliverance
[34:23] - Gift of Life
[35:00] - Praise and Worship
[35:41] - God's Sovereignty in Hardships
[36:24] - Refining Through Trials
[37:04] - Conformity to Christ
[37:45] - God's Presence in Trials
[38:17] - Ultimate Deliverance
[38:53] - The End of the Story
[39:22] - God's Grace in Hardships
[39:58] - Sacrificial Worship
[40:30] - New Covenant Sacrifice
[41:28] - Living Sacrifices
[42:01] - Spiritual Sacrifices
[42:55] - Sacrifice of Praise
[43:21] - Sharing Resources
[43:57] - Offering Our Lives
[44:45] - Responding to God's Sacrifice
[45:13] - Personal Testimony
[45:37] - Fear of God
[46:05] - Praise and Prayer
[46:28] - Sincere Worship
[47:29] - God Hears Our Prayers
[48:01] - Sincerity in Prayer
[49:02] - Access to God's Throne
[49:30] - God's Grace in Answered Prayers
[50:02] - Steadfast Love of God
[51:03] - God's Faithfulness
[51:36] - Reflecting on God's Deeds
[52:28] - Eternal Activities of God
[52:48] - Expecting Great Things
[53:09] - Cultivating Sincerity and Joy
[53:35] - Testifying of God's Goodness
[54:24] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the different groups of people the psalmist calls to worship in Psalm 66? How does the call to worship progress from global to personal? ([08:42])
According to the sermon, what are some examples of how people naturally express joy and excitement? How does this relate to our worship of God? ([05:41])
What does the psalmist recall about God's redemptive acts, and how are these acts central to Israel's worship? ([26:51])
How does the psalmist describe his personal experience with God in Psalm 66? What does he urge others to do? ([45:13])

Interpretation Questions

How does the global call to worship in Psalm 66 reflect the universal nature of God's sovereignty and redemption? ([08:42])
In what ways are our joy and God's glory intertwined, according to the sermon? How does this understanding affect our approach to worship? ([12:12])
Why is having the right vocabulary for worship and prayer important, as discussed in the sermon? How do the Psalms help us in this regard? ([19:37])
How does the concept of offering our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) relate to the idea of worship involving sacrifice in Psalm 66? ([30:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt immense joy or excitement. How can you channel that same level of enthusiasm into your worship of God? ([05:41])
The sermon mentioned that our joy and God's glory are not at odds. How can you cultivate a deeper enjoyment of God in both your personal and corporate worship? ([12:12])
Think about the vocabulary you use in your prayers and worship. How can you incorporate more of the language from the Psalms to express your heart to God more sincerely? ([19:37])
The psalmist recalls God's redemptive acts as a central theme in worship. How can you make remembering God's past faithfulness a regular part of your worship routine? ([26:51])
The sermon emphasized the importance of personal testimony in worship. What is one specific way you can share what God has done for you with others this week? ([45:13])
Romans 12:1 calls us to offer our lives as living sacrifices. What is one area of your life that you can more fully surrender to God as an act of worship? ([30:03])
How can you ensure that your worship is sincere and not superficial? What steps can you take to avoid harboring sin in your heart, which can hinder your prayers? ([48:01])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God has wired humanity. He's wired each of us with the capacity to express value and importance to things that we consider valuable and important. And when it comes to worship. Worship of the one true God. This is the most fitting time for you and I who have been redeemed and saved and brought into the kingdom of God. This is the most fitting time for us to shout for joy." [07:27] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It's fitting. It's fitting. It's fitting. For all the earth to worship God, because he created us. He's worthy of it all. For from him and to him and through him be all things to God be the glory forever." [09:52] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want the nations to know the joy of knowing Jesus. And so we want to spread that word. We want to call them to behold him, to worship him, to know him. We want them to love him." [10:57] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One day, every tongue will confess you are God. One day, every knee will bow. Still, the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now. Is that true of you, saints? Yes. Are you bowing the knee to King Jesus now? Are you gladly bowing the knee to King Jesus now?" [25:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We must never take for granted the gift of life and the One who gives it to us. He gives us breath and life and food. In Him we live and we move and we have our being. We must never take for granted and presume upon tomorrow and act as if, Well, we'll be able to do that tomorrow. We don't know. Our life's the paper." [34:23] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "God's awesome redemptive works. Call for songs of loudest praise. If I can borrow from that old hymn. Come thou fount. Streams of mercy. Never ceasing. Call for songs. Call for songs of loudest praise. God's awesome deeds. His awesome redemptive works. Call for songs of loudest praise." [04:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we gather every week here in corporate worship, we are to remind one another how our God, how great our God is, and declare his goodness to each other. We gather to testify that he has been faithful to us. We gather to seek his face and express our dependence upon him corporately. We gather to meet with him. We gather in his presence and we delight in his person and we celebrate his victory, what he has done for us." [10:57] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Biblical worship is a call to respond to who God is and what he's done from the inside out. And if we can get excited about many other things in this world, like ball games, and express that delight and that pleasure over those things, how much more should we do so when we are talking? When we are talking to and about the creator of the universe, when we are praising to directing our praise to the almighty, to our redeemer." [08:42] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God is refining us and He's making something beautiful out of our lives. And you know what that is? He has planned to confirm, to form us into the image of Jesus. Know that the refining that you've experienced and you are experiencing and you will experience in the fire or through the water is for your development, for your conformity into Christlikeness." [37:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Tell others what God has done for you with joy and enthusiasm. Don't be ashamed to testify of His goodness, of His great power, His awesome works in your life. Do that today. Do that this week. Tell somebody. The same heart that overflows with praise to God, gratitude and praise to God should be the same heart that overflows with praise to declare about God, to testify about God to others who don't know Him." [53:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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