Worship: A Response to God's Character and Grace
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of worshiping God, stating that all of creation praises and brings glory to Him. The pastor references David's words in the Bible, encouraging his soul to bless the Lord. The pastor explains that when we remember all that God has done and who He is, we are compelled to worship Him. The pastor then invites the praise band to lead the congregation in worship, hoping that the sermon has reminded them of the goodness of God.
The pastor then leads the congregation in a prayer, acknowledging God as the one true God who sent His Son to save humanity. The pastor then asks the congregation a question: "Why do we worship?" The pastor encourages the congregation to take a moment to reflect on their own reasons for worshiping. The pastor then emphasizes the importance of worship and gathering together as a community, acknowledging that Christ died on the cross for us, which is a significant reason to worship.
The pastor then emphasizes that the benefits of God's love and grace apply to all believers in Jesus Christ. The pastor explains that David, in speaking to himself, encourages all those who fear the Lord to praise and worship God by listing all that God has done for him. The pastor then focuses on the idea that God not only acts on behalf of individuals but also for others throughout history. The pastor references verse six, where David states that the Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
The pastor reflects on the faithfulness and love of God that extends from generation to generation. The pastor acknowledges that standing in the sanctuary is not because of personal worthiness, but rather a result of God's grace and righteousness. The pastor then reflects on the history of the church and the faithfulness of previous generations. The pastor mentions a woman named Miss Mary Jane Burns, who had the privilege of breaking ground for the church they are currently sitting in. Her faithfulness and willingness to follow the Lord were passed down to her grandson, Mr. Warren Burns, who grew up in the church and served as a deacon.
The pastor begins by asking the congregation to describe God's character using one word. The congregation responds with various words such as loving, merciful, faithful, and just. The pastor then turns to the words of David in the Bible to further explore God's character. The pastor highlights that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love. The pastor concludes by emphasizing that God has not dealt with us according to our sins and has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, offering forgiveness and redemption through faith in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Worshiping God is a response to His character and actions. When we remember all that God has done and who He is, we are compelled to worship Him. This worship is not just an individual act but a communal one, reflecting the unity of believers in Christ. [12:45]
- God's love and grace apply to all believers in Jesus Christ. David encourages all those who fear the Lord to praise and worship God by listing all that God has done for him. This includes forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, redemption from brokenness, and renewal of youth. [24:30]
- God's faithfulness and love extend from generation to generation. This is evident in the history of the church and the faithfulness of previous generations. The pastor's own family history serves as a testament to this enduring faithfulness. [36:20]
- God's character is multifaceted and includes compassion, grace, patience, and abundant love. He does not deal with us according to our sins but offers forgiveness and redemption through faith in Christ. This understanding of God's character should inspire awe and reverence, leading to worship. [48:10]
- Worship is a response to who God is and what He has done. The pastor emphasizes the importance of not forgetting all the benefits that God has provided. These benefits are specifically applicable to those who fear the Lord, emphasizing the importance of reverence and faith in worship. [59:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 103:1-5: "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
2. Psalm 103:8-14: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."
3. Psalm 103:17-22: "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the benefits that the Psalmist is reminding his soul not to forget in Psalm 103:1-5?
2. How does the Psalmist describe God's character in Psalm 103:8-14?
3. What does Psalm 103:17-22 reveal about God's mercy and righteousness?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Psalmist's call to bless the Lord in Psalm 103:1-5 relate to the concept of worship?
2. In Psalm 103:8-14, how does the Psalmist's description of God's character influence our understanding of God's dealings with us?
3. What implications does the everlasting mercy of God in Psalm 103:17-22 have for those who fear Him and keep His covenant?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Psalm 103:1-5, what are some specific benefits from God that you need to remember and give thanks for in your prayer time this week?
2. Considering Psalm 103:8-14, how can you demonstrate God's mercy and grace in a difficult relationship or situation you are currently facing?
3. In light of Psalm 103:17-22, what is one way you can show faithfulness to God's covenant in your daily life this week?
4. How can you encourage others in your community to remember and worship God for His benefits, as described in Psalm 103?
5. How can the understanding of God's mercy and grace, as described in Psalm 103:8-14, influence your response to personal failures or sins this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Responding to God's Character and Actions
God's character and actions inspire us to worship Him. When we remember His deeds and who He is, we are moved to worship, not just individually, but as a community, reflecting the unity of believers in Christ. [12:45]
Psalm 95:6 - "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."
Reflection: Reflect on God's character and actions in your life. How do these inspire you to worship Him, and how can you encourage others to join you in this communal act of worship?
Day 2: Embracing God's Love and Grace
God's love and grace are available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. David encourages us to praise and worship God by remembering all that He has done for us, including forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, redemption from brokenness, and renewal of youth. [24:30]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: Consider the ways God's love and grace have manifested in your life. How can you express gratitude for these blessings through praise and worship?
Day 3: Recognizing God's Faithfulness Across Generations
God's faithfulness and love extend from generation to generation. This enduring faithfulness is evident in the history of the church and the faithfulness of previous generations. [36:20]
Psalm 100:5 - "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Reflection: Reflect on the faithfulness of God in your life and in the lives of those before you. How can you pass on this legacy of faithfulness to the next generation?
Day 4: Understanding God's Multifaceted Character
God's character is multifaceted, encompassing compassion, grace, patience, and abundant love. He does not deal with us according to our sins but offers forgiveness and redemption through faith in Christ. [48:10]
Psalm 103:8 - "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."
Reflection: Reflect on the different aspects of God's character. How do these attributes inspire awe and reverence in you, leading you to worship Him?
Day 5: Remembering God's Benefits in Worship
Worship is a response to who God is and what He has done. It's important to remember all the benefits that God has provided, especially for those who fear the Lord, emphasizing the importance of reverence and faith in worship. [59:30]
Psalm 103:2 - "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Reflection: Reflect on the benefits you have received from God. How can remembering these benefits enhance your worship and deepen your reverence for Him?
Quotes
"He forgives all your iniquity. He forgives all of our sins. He heals all your diseases." [36:36]
"He's forgiven my iniquity. He's healed my diseases. He's redeemed my life from the pit. He's crowned me with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies me with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle. If you like David trust in the Lord, all of these are also true for you." [37:53]
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious. He's slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. So if we're going to talk about the character of God, he's a compassionate God, right? He's a gracious God, giving us things that we don't deserve." [42:34]
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love towards those who fear him. It goes on and on and on forever. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. If you have put your faith in Christ, God has removed your sin from you. Not only the sin you've committed in the past, but every sin you will commit, he has removed as far as the east is from the west." [43:48]
"I come because of Christ. I come to worship the God who saved me." [31:45]
"If we remember all that he's done, if we all remember who he is, we are compelled to worship. We must worship. And so we worship because of who he is, because he is worthy of worship." [55:36]
"But let's not forget what he's done. Let's be reminded of the loving, kind, compassionate, gracious, merciful, almighty, powerful, sovereign God that we have. And then once we've reminded ourselves of that, let's worship him." [56:47]
"And because of his faithfulness and his trust in the Lord and because of his in all that God had called him to, now I get to stand before you. That's nothing to say special about me. Nothing to say special about my family. It's all about God's faithfulness." [49:56]
"The first reason we worship is this. It's because of who He is. The implication here is His holy name. God is holy. And part of the reason we come to worship is simply because that's who God is. He is one who is worthy of worship." [33:25]
"We worship because of who He is, and we also worship because of what He's done. Both are important, but the reality is, is we don't know who God is without Him revealing Himself to us through the things that He's done and what He's said, right? And so we worship because of both of these." [34:19]
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