Testing Boundaries: The Essence of True Worship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the natural human inclination to test boundaries, a behavior evident from childhood and persisting into adulthood. This tendency to test limits is not just a social phenomenon but a spiritual one, as seen in the biblical narratives of Exodus 17 and Numbers 20. The Israelites, despite witnessing God's miracles, repeatedly tested Him, questioning His presence and provision. This testing led to significant consequences, including Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land due to his reliance on past actions rather than God's current word.
We then transitioned to Psalm 95, which calls us to worship God with joy and reverence. This Psalm emphasizes that worship is not about our feelings or circumstances but about God's unchanging nature and greatness. Worship involves physical acts like singing, shouting, and kneeling, reflecting our whole being's engagement in honoring God. The Psalm also highlights the dual nature of God: His transcendence as the Creator and His immanence as our personal Shepherd.
The sermon concluded with a reflection on the importance of worshiping God for who He is, not just for what He does for us. True worship recognizes God's majesty and responds with obedience and reverence. We are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our worship is not self-centered but God-centered, acknowledging His worthiness regardless of our circumstances.
### Key Takeaways
1. Human Nature and Testing Boundaries: From childhood, we have a natural inclination to test boundaries, a behavior that extends into our spiritual lives. This tendency to test God, as seen in the Israelites' journey, often leads to significant consequences. We must recognize that what comes naturally to us isn't always aligned with God's will. [31:35]
2. The Consequences of Disobedience: Moses' failure to trust God's new instruction in Numbers 20, relying instead on past actions, resulted in his exclusion from the Promised Land. This teaches us the importance of continually seeking and obeying God's current word rather than relying on past experiences. [39:42]
3. The Essence of Worship: Psalm 95 calls us to worship God with joy and reverence, not based on our feelings or circumstances but on God's unchanging nature. Worship involves physical acts like singing, shouting, and kneeling, reflecting our whole being's engagement in honoring God. [42:44]
4. God's Transcendence and Immanence: The Psalm highlights God's dual nature: His transcendence as the Creator of all things and His immanence as our personal Shepherd. This understanding should lead us to a deeper, more intimate worship, acknowledging both His greatness and His personal care for us. [51:20]
5. True Worship and Obedience: True worship is God-centered, recognizing His worthiness regardless of our circumstances. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our worship is not self-centered but focused on God's majesty. Obedience flows naturally from a heart that truly reveres and loves God. [59:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:35] - Human Nature and Testing Boundaries
[32:53] - Reading Exodus 17
[36:40] - The Israelites' Quarrel and God's Provision
[38:03] - Reading Numbers 20
[39:42] - Moses' Mistake and Its Consequences
[41:15] - Introduction to Psalm 95
[42:44] - The Essence of Worship
[45:12] - God's Transcendence and Immanence
[46:51] - Worship Beyond Feelings
[49:16] - Worship for God's Glory
[50:09] - The Purpose of Church
[51:20] - Personal Relationship with God
[52:58] - The Progression of Worship
[54:51] - Jesus as the Ultimate Display of God's Immanence
[56:39] - Consequences of Disobedience
[58:40] - Reflection Questions
[59:54] - True Worship and Obedience
[01:00:40] - Invitation to Praise
[01:02:13] - Reading Psalm 96
[01:05:07] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 17:1-7
2. Numbers 20:1-13
3. Psalm 95
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the Israelites' complaint in both Exodus 17 and Numbers 20, and how did Moses respond to their grumbling? ([32:53])
2. In Numbers 20, what specific instruction did God give Moses regarding the rock, and how did Moses deviate from it? ([38:03])
3. According to Psalm 95, what physical acts of worship are mentioned, and what do they signify about our engagement in worship? ([42:44])
4. How does Psalm 95 describe God's dual nature, and what are the implications of this for our worship? ([51:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Moses' reliance on past actions rather than God's current word in Numbers 20 teach us about the importance of seeking and obeying God's present instructions? ([39:42])
2. How does the Israelites' repeated testing of God reflect our own tendencies to question God's presence and provision in our lives? ([36:40])
3. Psalm 95 emphasizes worshiping God for who He is rather than what He does for us. How does this perspective shift our approach to worship? ([47:47])
4. What does the dual nature of God as both transcendent Creator and immanent Shepherd mean for our personal relationship with Him? ([51:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on past experiences rather than seeking God's current guidance. How did that impact your situation? What steps can you take to ensure you seek God's present word in the future? ([39:42])
2. The Israelites tested God despite witnessing His miracles. Are there areas in your life where you are testing God's presence or provision? How can you cultivate trust in God's faithfulness? ([36:40])
3. Psalm 95 calls us to worship God with joy and reverence, regardless of our circumstances. How can you incorporate this attitude into your daily worship practices? ([42:44])
4. Worship involves physical acts like singing, shouting, and kneeling. How can you engage your whole being in worship during church services and in your personal time with God? ([42:44])
5. True worship is God-centered and recognizes His worthiness. How can you examine and shift your heart's focus to ensure your worship is not self-centered but honors God's majesty? ([47:47])
6. The sermon mentioned that God's transcendence and immanence should lead us to a deeper, more intimate worship. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of these aspects of God in your personal worship? ([51:20])
7. Reflect on the statement, "If you love me, you will obey me" (John 14:15). How does your love for God translate into obedience in your daily life? What specific areas of obedience do you need to work on? ([59:54])
Devotional
Day 1: Testing Boundaries and Spiritual Consequences
Description: From childhood, humans have a natural inclination to test boundaries, a behavior that extends into our spiritual lives. This tendency to test God, as seen in the Israelites' journey, often leads to significant consequences. The Israelites, despite witnessing God's miracles, repeatedly tested Him, questioning His presence and provision. This testing led to significant consequences, including Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land due to his reliance on past actions rather than God's current word. We must recognize that what comes naturally to us isn't always aligned with God's will. [31:35]
Numbers 14:22-23 (ESV): "None of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you tested God's boundaries. How can you seek His guidance and align your actions with His will today?
Day 2: The Consequences of Disobedience
Description: Moses' failure to trust God's new instruction in Numbers 20, relying instead on past actions, resulted in his exclusion from the Promised Land. This teaches us the importance of continually seeking and obeying God's current word rather than relying on past experiences. Moses' mistake serves as a powerful reminder that our past successes in following God do not guarantee future obedience. We must remain attentive to God's present guidance and be willing to adapt our actions accordingly. [39:42]
Deuteronomy 32:51-52 (ESV): "Because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you relied on past experiences instead of seeking God's current guidance. How can you practice listening to His voice today?
Day 3: The Essence of Worship
Description: Psalm 95 calls us to worship God with joy and reverence, not based on our feelings or circumstances but on God's unchanging nature. Worship involves physical acts like singing, shouting, and kneeling, reflecting our whole being's engagement in honoring God. This Psalm emphasizes that worship is not about our feelings or circumstances but about God's unchanging nature and greatness. True worship recognizes God's majesty and responds with obedience and reverence. [42:44]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice."
Reflection: How can you incorporate physical acts of worship, like singing or kneeling, into your daily routine to honor God regardless of your circumstances?
Day 4: God's Transcendence and Immanence
Description: The Psalm highlights God's dual nature: His transcendence as the Creator of all things and His immanence as our personal Shepherd. This understanding should lead us to a deeper, more intimate worship, acknowledging both His greatness and His personal care for us. Recognizing God's transcendence and immanence helps us appreciate His majesty and His closeness, fostering a more profound and personal relationship with Him. [51:20]
Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge both God's greatness and His personal care for you in your prayers and worship today?
Day 5: True Worship and Obedience
Description: True worship is God-centered, recognizing His worthiness regardless of our circumstances. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our worship is not self-centered but focused on God's majesty. Obedience flows naturally from a heart that truly reveres and loves God. We are called to worship God for who He is, not just for what He does for us, and to respond with obedience and reverence. [59:54]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Examine your heart today. Is your worship focused on God's majesty, or is it self-centered? How can you shift your focus to truly honor God in your worship and actions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What comes naturally isn't necessarily God's will. And indeed we see Noah now is testing all of these things. How far... I do a lot of maybe what you'd call risky play or rough play with Noah and so I got hit well with, you know, the die cast models. They're metal tractors, the 1/16th scale. Got a 40/20 to the face, just a good whack. And that's this. So we had a moment of where to go from there." [31:35] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Worship, what is happening here, isn't something to be observed or to be even enjoyed, but it is a leading of us all participatory in worship. That's the idea here, that we all are giving our worship to God. We are singing and shouting and giving thanks and playing music and songs. You'll notice also in the Psalms, dance is a common form of worship. All kinds of different things that we can do to worship God." [42:44] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's redeeming this world. He's redeeming your body, and there will be physical resurrection, and He created physical bodies. And so we recognize that these aren't two divorced topics, that you are one whole human. And when we talk about the spiritual disciplines and all different things about following Jesus, it includes this old thing, or younger, I mean, okay. Yeah, okay, whatever that makes yours, I'm not sure." [43:58] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Come to church for God. And we need to orient. There's onus on the church to orient our services around God's glory. So that we don't get sidetracked with that this is kind of like a conference that helps you feel better about yourself. And so we have actually cultivated an attitude that church is about me. And so the church has fueled this. We haven't arrived there by accident. But indeed we need to course correct in some ways that God is worthy of our worship." [50:09] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A meme was circulated where a congregation member tells the worship leader after a service, You know, I didn't really like the worship today. And the worship leader responds, Well, that's okay. We weren't worshiping you. I hope our music is pleasing to your ear. But it's actually not about your ear. It's about His. It's about God's ear hearing our worship. So that's this upward relationship. Worshiping God for His transcendent attributes." [50:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Moses makes a fateful mistake here. He can blame him for sure, but you'll notice with the Exodus 17 narrative we kind of see some more context as to why he hit this rock with that staff. But see this mistake barred Moses and his generation from inheriting the promised land that he brought them out of Israel Egypt for and he trusted Moses trusted in his own actions more than the action of the Lord." [39:42] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "His experience was elevated above the word of God, where he trusted in what had worked for him more than he trusted in the one who had made it work for him. Just a word he was given, just to speak to the rock, for it to gush forth with water. It was going to be an even more incredible power display of God." [58:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you ignoring God's voice today in your life? Is there an area of your life that, as I just said, that you don't want to go with with God? You're in good company, if your answer is yes to this. Many of us bar God access in an area. Are you making your own way out in that area? Have you seen what's worked in the past or what's worked for an influencer online or whatever, and so therefore you are striking the rock on your own. You're going out on your own, making your own way." [59:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you love me, Jesus says, if you love me, you will obey me. And so we put first God's love who loved us first and we fall in love with the God who desires what's right for us. And in that posture, kneeling before that God, indeed, indeed, obedience follows." [59:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I'll read it to you. But I'd encourage you to allow, as elsewhere in the psalms, God to search your heart and to see if your relationship with him has actually become all about you. And your worship is a mechanism of getting something from God. That it's actually all become engrossed in on itself. Where your relationship with God is all about you. And we see in this psalm it is. But not only about you. It's about him. And his majesty. And that he's worth it." [01:01:35] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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