Welcoming the King: A Call to True Worship

Today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for God has given us another opportunity to gather in worship, to lift up His holy and righteous name, and to experience His presence together. We are reminded that God is our keeper, our shade, and our preserver—He watches over us day and night, never slumbering nor sleeping. As we come before Him, we do so with hearts full of gratitude, recognizing that every blessing—our waking, our provision, our peace, and our protection—flows from His unconditional love.

We are called not just to spectate but to participate in worship, to open our hearts, minds, and voices to the King of Glory. The invitation is clear: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates… and the King of glory shall come in.” This is not a passive act but a deliberate, premeditated reception of Jesus Christ into every area of our lives. Just as David celebrated the return of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God’s presence among His people, we too must prepare ourselves—mind, heart, and voice—to welcome the King.

The question resounds through history and into our own hearts: “Who is this King of Glory?” The answer is both profound and personal. He is the Lord, strong and mighty, mighty in battle. He is not a king of earthly power or fleeting prestige, but the eternal King who comes in humility, who sacrifices Himself for our salvation, and who reigns with unmatched authority and love. The world may look for kings in palaces or positions of influence, but our King comes to transform hearts, to grant eternal life, and to be present with us in every circumstance.

To truly receive the King, we must move beyond ritual and repetition. It is not enough to sing the songs or recite the words; we must allow Christ to take His rightful place in our lives. This means preparing our hearts, examining our motives, and surrendering our will to His. When we do, our lives become a declaration of praise, testifying to the power, strength, and faithfulness of Jesus. He is the King who conquered death, who provides for every need, who brings peace in the storm, and who invites us into a relationship that is both intimate and eternal.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Receptivity to the King Requires Preparation Welcoming Jesus as King is not a casual or automatic process. It demands intentional preparation of our minds, hearts, and voices. Just as the gates in Psalm 24 were lifted high to receive the King of Glory, we must elevate our thoughts, purify our hearts, and use our voices to honor Him, ensuring that we are truly open to His transformative presence. [55:33]
• 2. True Worship Moves Beyond Ritual to Relationship It is possible to sing the right songs and say the right words, yet still keep Christ at a distance. Authentic worship is not about outward performance but about inward surrender—allowing the truth of who Jesus is to penetrate our lives and shape our actions. We must move from mere participation to genuine invitation, letting the King of Glory rule in every area. [61:24]
• 3. The King We Serve Redefines Power and Glory Unlike earthly rulers who seek power for themselves, Jesus comes as a servant King, laying down His life for others. His glory is not found in political might or material wealth, but in sacrificial love and redemptive purpose. Our hope is not in the fleeting honors of this world, but in the eternal reign of Christ, who offers us a home and a future beyond what we can imagine. [66:32]
• 4. God’s Strength is Unstoppable and Unmatched The Lord is described as strong and mighty, mighty in battle—attributes that speak to His ability to overcome any obstacle or enemy. This strength is not just theoretical; it is active and available to us. No matter what we face—be it personal struggles, societal challenges, or spiritual battles—we can trust in the unstoppable power of our King, who prevails and brings victory. [72:11]
• 5. The Invitation is Personal and Ongoing Every person is called to respond to the question, “Who is this King?” The answer must move from head knowledge to heart conviction. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, desiring to enter and transform our lives. The invitation is not just for a moment of conversion, but for a lifetime of surrender, preparation, and praise, as we continually welcome the King of Glory into every aspect of our being. [76:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
• [03:30] - Responsive Reading & Mission Statement
• [06:36] - Praise and Worship
• [10:00] - Announcements & Upcoming Events
• [19:10] - Reflections on God’s Faithfulness
• [22:00] - Intercessory Prayer
• [26:25] - Names and Nature of God
• [29:11] - Trusting God in Every Situation
• [30:51] - Offering and Thanksgiving
• [33:56] - Musical Worship: “Hold On”
• [43:53] - Testimony and Encouragement
• [44:32] - Prayer for the Word
• [46:13] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 24
• [48:12] - The King’s Triumphal Entry
• [49:52] - Jesus: The King of Glory
• [50:38] - Psalm 24: The Call and Response
• [53:11] - Who Is the King?
• [55:33] - Premeditated Reception
• [58:36] - Preparing Mind, Heart, and Voice
• [61:24] - Moving Beyond Ritual
• [63:12] - Proper Preparation
• [66:32] - The King’s Sacrifice and Glory
• [70:48] - The Praise of Declaration
• [72:11] - God’s Unstoppable Strength
• [76:35] - Invitation to Receive the King
• [81:37] - Closing Invitation and Benediction
• [86:14] - Dismissal and Final Blessing

Bible Reading

Psalm 24:7-10 (ESV) — 7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 24:7-10, what is the repeated command given to the gates and doors, and what is the reason for it?
2. According to the sermon, what did the Ark of the Covenant represent for David and the people of Israel? ([55:33])
3. How does the sermon describe the way the people and priests responded to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? ([48:12])
4. What titles or descriptions are given to the King of Glory in this passage and in the sermon? ([46:13])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Welcoming Jesus as King is not a casual or automatic process. It demands intentional preparation of our minds, hearts, and voices.” Why do you think preparation is necessary to receive Jesus as King? ([55:33])
2. The question “Who is this King of Glory?” is asked twice in Psalm 24. Why is it important for us to answer this question personally, not just intellectually? ([53:11])
3. The sermon points out that many people “sing the song but don’t actually let Him in.” What does it look like to move from ritual to real relationship with Jesus? ([01:01:24])
4. The King we serve “redefines power and glory” by coming in humility and sacrifice. How does this challenge our ideas of what it means to be powerful or successful? ([01:06:32])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says we must prepare our minds, hearts, and voices to receive the King. What is one specific way you can prepare your mind this week to be more open to Jesus’ presence? ([55:33])
2. Is there an area of your life where you have been going through the motions—singing the songs, saying the words—but not truly letting Christ in? What would it look like to invite Him into that area? ([01:01:24])
3. The King of Glory comes not with earthly power, but with sacrificial love. Are there places in your life where you are seeking worldly recognition or control instead of following Jesus’ example of humility? ([01:06:32])
4. The sermon describes God as “unstoppable and unmatched” in strength. Is there a struggle or battle you are facing right now where you need to trust in God’s strength rather than your own? ([01:12:11])
5. The invitation to receive the King is “personal and ongoing.” What is one practical step you can take this week to make your relationship with Jesus more personal and less routine? ([01:16:35])
6. The sermon mentions that even the gates “assumed a posture of praise.” What would it look like for you to take on a posture of praise in your daily life, not just on Sundays? ([55:33])
7. When was the last time you examined your motives and surrendered your will to Jesus? Is there something you need to surrender today? ([55:33])