Reviving Intimacy: The Power of Exuberant Worship

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy Through Worship

Intimacy with God is mirrored in the act of worship, much like the deep connection between a bride and groom. Worship is not just an outward display of emotion but a genuine spiritual encounter that renews our first love for God. By engaging in heartfelt worship, believers can reignite their passion for God and experience His presence in a profound way. [01:16:17]

Song of Solomon 2:4 - "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."
Reflection: How does your current worship reflect the depth of your relationship with God? Can you identify ways to deepen this expression of love?

Day 2: Praise as Strength

In moments of weakness, praise becomes a believer's strength. The pandemic has taught us that human efforts are limited, but God's desire is for us to seek His presence through praise. Like David, who praised God fervently, believers are called to worship with all their might, especially when facing their own limitations. [01:14:28]

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 - "After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
Reflection: When have you felt your strength fail, and how can you incorporate more praise into your life to experience God's power in those times?

Day 3: Embrace Divine Eccentricity

God is preparing His church for a baptism of joy, confidence, and passion in the end times. This divine empowerment will set believers apart, and they should not fear being perceived as "weird" by the world. Embracing this unique identity is essential for displaying true biblical joy and being a beacon of light in the darkness. [47:55]

1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: In what ways might you be holding back from fully embracing the joy and confidence God offers because of fear of what others may think?

Day 4: Crafting Personal Psalms

The Book of Psalms provided the Israelites with a way to connect with God during their captivity, and today, believers can create their own "Psalms" to worship and find solace. This personal act of worship prepares hearts for the coming revival, uniting and bringing joy to the community of faith. [45:43]

Psalm 102:1-2 - "Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly."
Reflection: Can you commit to writing your own Psalm this week, expressing your current joys, struggles, and prayers to God?

Day 5: Heaven Notices Our Worship

True worship transcends the physical and is recognized in Heaven. The story of an angel appearing to a lone worshiper in a church illustrates the significance of our praise and the impact it has in the spiritual realm. Such intimate worship is vital for the church to influence Heaven and fulfill its divine purpose. [01:26:55]

Hebrews 12:28-29 - "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship that is authentic and pleasing to God, knowing that it has the power to move Heaven?

Sermon Summary

The sermon begins with a reflection on the importance of exuberant worship and the intimacy it represents between the believer and God, likening it to the closeness shared between a bride and groom. The speaker shares a personal encounter with someone who questioned the necessity of such expressive worship, which led the speaker to explore God's perspective on the matter. The speaker emphasizes the need for a revival of intimacy with God, urging the congregation to return to their first love and seek a restoration of that closeness. They suggest that a lack of praise could indicate a deeper issue of lost intimacy with God.

The speaker then delves into the limitations of human strength and the humbling lessons of the pandemic, which showed that our efforts are not what God desires. Instead, the importance of praise is highlighted as the means to experience God's presence, as exemplified by David, who praised God with all his might to ensure His presence followed him. The speaker concludes that when our strength fails, it is through praise that we can prevail.

Addressing the different perspectives within the church, the speaker shares a prophetic insight that God intends to baptize His church with joy, confidence, and passion in the end times. This baptism will make God's people stand out to the world, and the speaker encourages the congregation to embrace being "weird" for the sake of true biblical joy and being a light to others.

The origins and purpose of the Book of Psalms are discussed, highlighting their compilation during the Israelites' captivity in Babylon. The Psalms allowed the Israelites to mentally connect with God's presence despite their physical circumstances. The speaker encourages the congregation to compile their own Psalms to find solace and worship God, expressing belief in an upcoming revival that will bring joy and unity.

The speaker shares a personal story of a friend who, during the pandemic, had a profound experience while worshiping alone in a church. An angel appeared to him, questioning the whereabouts of the praisers, indicating that true praise is recognized in Heaven. This story underscores the significance of the church and the impact of intimate worship.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Samuel 6:13-15 (ESV) — > "And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn."

2. Psalm 22:3 (ESV)
> "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."

3. Revelation 5:9 (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.'"

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Observation Questions

What actions did David take as he brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem? ([50:10])
How does Psalm 22:3 describe God's relationship with the praises of His people?
What is the significance of the new song sung in Revelation 5:9?

Interpretation Questions

Why did David dance with all his might before the Lord, and what does this reveal about his relationship with God? ([50:47])
How does the concept of God being "enthroned on the praises of Israel" in Psalm 22:3 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the power of praise?
What does the new song in Revelation 5:9 signify about the role of worship in the heavenly realm, and how does this connect to the sermon’s message about the importance of worship on earth? ([24:44])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How might engaging in exuberant worship help restore that intimacy? ([16:17])
The sermon suggests that human strength and ingenuity are insufficient in pursuing God's presence. How can you shift your reliance from your own efforts to the power of praise in your daily life? ([12:39])
The speaker mentioned a prophetic insight about God baptizing His church with joy, confidence, and passion. How can you embrace this joy and confidence in your interactions with others, even if it means appearing "weird"? ([46:46])
The Book of Psalms was compiled to help the Israelites connect with God during captivity. How can you create your own "Psalms" or expressions of worship to maintain a worshipful heart in challenging times? ([45:07])
The story of the angel asking "where are the praisers" during the pandemic highlights the importance of genuine worship. How can you ensure that your worship is recognized in Heaven and not just a routine? ([26:55])
David's dance before the Lord was a profound expression of his love and reverence for God. What are some practical ways you can express your love for God in your daily life, even if it feels uncomfortable or unconventional? ([50:47])
The sermon emphasized the need for a revival of intimacy with God. What steps can you take this week to rekindle your first love for God and seek a deeper connection with Him? ([16:53])

Sermon Clips

"I've got a Blessed Assurance I know who I am I know who God is and I know any day now he's coming back for me" [47:55]

"The only thing that can prevail when strength fails is somebody's praise." [01:13:52 ]

"I believe a Dance Revolution is getting ready to sweep North American churches" [53:02 ]

"there are two Dimensions to God's presence it's the deep and the high yes I feel that you know how to get to the Deep yes my question is do you have a book of Psalms in the midst of captivity the Earth is not getting better the world is not in our favor anymore and the people of God have got to learn how to compile the Psalms to where you stop and say nothing's been going my way nothing is working out the way I expected it to" [45:07]

"they and Morgan said who he said where are the praisers we've missed them he said they've gone home and they've been telling you that they've been praising but we can't find them Heaven moves when the people of God start moving there's something about the church that when she starts feeling it when she starts showing the intimacy the Angels come down and they say that church is convinced that church is" [01:26:55]

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