Joyful Worship: Embracing Divine Election and Humility

Sermon Summary

In the passage from 2 Samuel 6:20-22, we witness a profound moment in King David's life as he dances before the Ark of the Lord, an act of worship that draws scorn from his wife, Michal. This moment is a powerful illustration of the joy and freedom found in worshiping God with abandon, regardless of human opinion. David's response to Michal's criticism is rooted in his understanding of God's election and choice of him as king, which fuels his worship and devotion.

David's experience teaches us that true worship is not about external appearances or the approval of others but about a heart fully surrendered to God. His willingness to humble himself and dance before the Lord, even at the risk of ridicule, demonstrates a profound disregard for human opinion when it comes to worship. This is a reminder that our worship should be directed solely towards God, who sees and knows our hearts.

The doctrine of divine election, as seen in David's life, brings about a deep sense of humility and gratitude. Recognizing that we are chosen by God not because of our merit but because of His grace, leads us to a low opinion of ourselves and a high regard for God. This understanding fosters a sense of holy brotherhood among believers, as we are all equal recipients of God's grace.

Moreover, being chosen by God stirs a desire for personal and joyful service. David's actions in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem were marked by gladness and sacrifice, reflecting his deep love for God. This service is not only personal but also practical, as it extends to blessing others, including one's household.

Finally, a sense of divine election ignites a sacred enthusiasm for God. David's joy in the Lord was so overwhelming that it spilled over into physical expressions of worship. This enthusiasm is not just for personal edification but also fuels a missionary spirit, as seen in David's desire to declare God's glory among the nations.

Key Takeaways

1. True Worship and Divine Election: Worship should be an expression of our relationship with God, not influenced by human opinion. David's dance before the Ark exemplifies worship that is rooted in the joy of being chosen by God, leading to a life of devotion and praise. [05:06]
2. Humility Through Election: Understanding God's choice of us fosters humility. David's acknowledgment of his unworthiness before God reminds us that our election is not based on merit but on God's grace, leading us to a low opinion of ourselves and a high regard for God. [23:47]
3. Holy Brotherhood: The doctrine of grace creates a sense of unity among believers, transcending social and economic barriers. David's willingness to associate with the common people as a fellow servant of God highlights the democratic nature of grace. [30:52]
4. Joyful and Personal Service: Being chosen by God inspires us to serve Him with joy and enthusiasm. David's actions in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem were marked by gladness and sacrifice, reflecting his deep love for God and desire to honor Him personally. [34:58]
5. Sacred Enthusiasm and Missionary Spirit: A sense of divine election ignites a passion for God that fuels both personal worship and a desire to share His glory with others. David's joy in the Lord was so overwhelming that it spilled over into physical expressions of worship and a missionary spirit. [41:04]
** [41:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - David's Dance Before the Ark
[00:57] - The Joy of Worship
[01:43] - Michal's Scorn
[02:30] - The Danger of Delight
[03:34] - David's Faith Affirmed
[04:19] - The Power of Election
[05:22] - Faith as a Mark of Election
[06:13] - God as the Leading Thought
[07:02] - Seeing God's Hand in Everything
[08:37] - Worshiping in Spirit and Truth
[10:12] - Worshiping the Lord Alone
[11:19] - Recognizing God's Sovereignty
[12:43] - Living for the Lord
[13:32] - The Doctrines of Grace
[15:25] - Disregard for Human Opinion
[17:47] - Humility Before God
[19:54] - Standing Firm in God's Truth
[23:28] - A Low Opinion of Self
[30:52] - Holy Brotherhood
[33:36] - Desire for Service
[39:34] - Sacred Enthusiasm
[43:37] - Missionary Spirit

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was King David's response to Michal's criticism of his dancing before the Ark of the Lord? ([00:26])
How did David justify his actions of dancing and worshiping before the Ark? ([04:19])
What was Michal's reaction to David's act of worship, and how did it contrast with David's feelings? ([01:59])
How does the sermon describe the impact of divine election on David's worship and service? ([05:54])

Interpretation Questions

How does David's understanding of being chosen by God influence his response to Michal's scorn? ([04:19])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that divine election fosters humility and a low opinion of self? ([23:47])
How does the concept of divine election create a sense of unity and holy brotherhood among believers, according to the sermon? ([30:52])
What role does personal and joyful service play in the life of someone who understands their divine election, as illustrated by David's actions? ([34:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt judged or criticized for your expression of faith. How did you respond, and what might you learn from David's example? ([00:26])
How can you cultivate a heart of worship that is focused solely on God, regardless of others' opinions? What practical steps can you take this week? ([09:21])
In what ways can you demonstrate humility in your daily life, acknowledging that your worth comes from God's grace rather than personal merit? ([23:47])
How can you foster a sense of unity and brotherhood within your church community, especially among those who may be different from you? ([30:52])
Identify a specific area in your life where you can serve God with joy and enthusiasm. What actions will you take to serve Him this week? ([34:58])
Consider how the doctrine of divine election might inspire you to share God's glory with others. What is one way you can engage in evangelism or mission work in your community? ([43:37])
Reflect on the role of sacred enthusiasm in your spiritual life. How can you rekindle a passionate love for God that overflows into your worship and daily actions? ([41:04])

Sermon Clips

David had been soaring Up On Eagle's Wings perhaps never in his life before had he so enjoyed the public worship of God he had forgotten everything in the Delight of bringing the Ark of the Lord home to his own City where he had prepared a tabernacle for its resting place he had thrown himself into the gladsome service of the Lord that day nor had he been alone in joyful adoration for all the people had been unanimously with him in honoring Jehovah the God of their fathers it had been a high day a day of days such a day as the nation had not enjoyed in all its history. [00:57:04]

Dear Brethren there is a great power in the truth of election when a man can grasp it when he knows for himself truthfully and by indisputable evidence that the Lord has chosen him then he breaks forth in songs of divine adoration and praise then is his heart lifted up and he pays a homage to God which others would not think think of paying the Lord Jesus has manifested himself to him as he does not unto the world and therefore he acts towards the Lord Jesus as the world can never act and does what the world can never understand. [04:34:52]

Faith is the sure Mark of election if you believe in Jesus and are resting in him this is the token that God has chosen you from before the foundation of the world for no man yet ever had a true faith in Christ without receiving it from God and that gift from God is the token that he will give all other saving gifts and that he has chosen that man to Eternal salvation. [05:19:36]

Has the Lord chosen me to be his own then I see that the hand of the Lord in my parentage in my birth in my bringing up I see the hand of the Lord in my calling out from the world and in my conversion I see the Lord in his Providence in his preservation of me from the paths of the destroyer in fact everywhere I see the Lord. [07:00:18]

David that day worshiped God in spirit and in truth a great many people when they go up to the assembly are very particular about their bonnets or their garments somebody might perhaps notice their Bonnets and this thought weighs heavily on their hearts I've known people say that they could not go to a place of worship because they had not proper things to go in their clothes being evidently a great consideration what a turning aside from God to the tailor. [08:34:39]

The man who believes that the Lord has chosen him unto himself Will Worship the Lord alone and will neither idolize the creature nor even cast a side look upon him when he is adoring his maker it is ours to worship always and to worship none but Jehovah I adore Jehovah I take his book in my hand I read it believing it to be inspired and while so doing I do not sit as a judge but as a disciple I do not criticize but I adore. [10:12:48]

A sense of election causes a low opinion of self David said I will yet be more vile than thus and will be base in my own sight David would more and more abase himself before the Lord he felt that whatever mikel's opinion of him might be it could not be more humbling than his own view of himself brother brother if any man thinks ill of you do not be angry with him for you are worse than he thinks you to be. [23:39:16]

David honored the humblest of the Lord's chosen for when Mikel talked about what the handmaids of his servants would say he answered of the maid servants which thou has spoken of of them shall I be had in honor to be esteemed by them was a cheer to him I would rather have the esteem of the maid servant who loves the Lord than the respect of her mistress who is a stranger to the Divine Life. [31:44:32]

David went went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of OED Edom into the city of David with gladness who should be so glad as God's elect if the Lord has chosen me he has put a chime of bells into the belfrey of my soul let the slaves who are earning their salvation serve him with Gloom and Terror as for me to whom salvation has been freely given I must come into His presence with Thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. [34:58:39]

David served God by offering sacrifices all along the way by which he brought the ark he left a track of blood the blood of appointed burnt offerings and peace offerings if you serve God a right you will be forever remembering the cross and the substitutionary death there accomplished for our Redemption you will only hope to be accepted in your work of Faith through the one great sacrifice for sin we need more of Jesus in all that we do for our God. [36:07:16]

David had an inward delight in God God was his exceeding Joy personally I have overflowing joy in the doctrines of eternal etal unchanging love it is blessed to know that the Lord has chosen me when I am down very low in spirit I crave for those old books which like the Lord Jesus are full of grace and truth you who are at ease in Zion can do with the chaffy modern theology but when your heart is heavy and especially when your conscience is under a sense of sin you will want these two dishes on the table free grave and dying love and you cannot do without them. [41:04:56]

David felt so exalted that he wished everybody to know of his joy in God he told all the crowd around of his delight in God and he sang that day declare his glory among the Heathen his wonders among all people they speak of the narrow selfish Spirit of the Hebrews why David had a missionary spirit and often does it flame out in his Psalms they say that those of us who believe that we are the chosen of God are narrow and selfish we will prove the contrary by our Evangelistic Zeal. [43:37:00]

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