Worship: A Joyful Encounter with God’s Presence

Worship is at the very heart of our relationship with God. Gathering together in a place dedicated to His name, like Solomon and the Israelites did at the temple, is not just a tradition but a vital act that shapes our faith, our character, and our witness to the world. The Old Testament, with its stories and covenants, reminds us that we are part of a long, unbroken line of people called to honor God, and our worship is a continuation of that sacred calling. When we come together, we are not simply going through the motions; we are entering into a living encounter with the living God, who is present among us, ready to meet us in our praise, our prayers, and our fellowship.

Worship has many layers of value. Devotionally, it is our opportunity to look at Jesus and know that He is looking at us, inviting us into deeper relationship. Morally, our presence in worship is a public declaration of whose side we are on in a world where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred. Our gathering is a visible sign to others and a reminder to ourselves that we belong to Christ. Experiencing the presence of God together—sometimes even tangibly, as the Israelites did when the glory of the Lord filled the temple—should fill us with awe and wonder, rekindling our passion and joy.

Corporate worship is not just about what we receive, but also about what we give. We offer God our praise, our love, and our fellowship with one another. In doing so, we encourage and strengthen each other, sharing both our joys and our sorrows. Just as a coal removed from the fire grows cold, so too does our faith when we separate ourselves from the community of believers. Worship is our weekly “date” with God, a time to celebrate, to be filled anew with the Holy Spirit, and to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ. It is a time to remember that our faith is joyful, our God is awesome, and our calling is to share His love with the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Worship is a living encounter with God, not a ritual to be performed by rote. When we gather, we are invited to look at Jesus and allow Him to look at us, deepening our relationship and reminding us that He is always present and ready to be involved in our lives. This awareness transforms our worship from obligation to joyful communion. [47:38]
• 2. Our presence in worship is a public declaration of allegiance in a world where moral lines are often blurred. By gathering together, we visibly align ourselves with Christ and righteousness, offering a powerful testimony to others and reinforcing our own commitment to God’s ways. This act of showing up is itself a stroke for righteousness in a corrupt world. [49:15]
• 3. Experiencing the presence of God should fill us with awe and wonder, preventing us from allowing the extraordinary to become ordinary. The Israelites’ reaction to the glory of the Lord filling the temple challenges us to recapture our sense of amazement and reverence, recognizing that God’s presence is never something to take lightly. [51:41]
• 4. Corporate worship is essential for spiritual vitality. Just as a coal grows cold when removed from the fire, so our faith can grow cold when we neglect gathering with other believers. Worship together strengthens, encourages, and multiplies our joy, while also providing support in times of sorrow. [58:48]
• 5. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that empowers our worship, testimony, and service. As we yield more of ourselves to God, we are transformed and our worship becomes more powerful and joyful. This continual filling is both a gift and a choice, inviting us to deeper surrender and greater joy in Christ. [61:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [23:02] - Opening Hymn and Children’s March
• [45:11] - Greetings and Introduction
• [45:24] - The Value of the Old Testament
• [45:37] - Solomon’s Temple Dedication
• [46:24] - The Purpose and Value of Worship
• [47:14] - The Devotional Worth of Worship
• [48:25] - The Moral Value of Worship
• [49:38] - Songs of Worship and Their Meaning
• [50:14] - Sensing God’s Presence
• [51:04] - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple
• [52:44] - Worship Fuels Ministry
• [53:34] - The Majesty and Exaltation of God
• [54:10] - The Necessity of Corporate Worship
• [56:22] - The Cloud of Witnesses and All Saints
• [57:47] - Sacrifice of Praise and Fellowship
• [58:48] - The Power of Shared Worship
• [59:49] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
• [60:23] - Being Filled with the Spirit
• [62:37] - The Joy of Worship and Sharing the Good News
• [63:50] - Closing Hymn and Benediction
• [69:03] - Sending Forth and Blessing

Bible Reading

1 Kings 8:10-13 (ESV) — > And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

2. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
> And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

3. Psalm 66:1-2 (ESV)
> Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!

Observation Questions

1. In the story of Solomon’s temple dedication, what was the visible sign that God’s presence had filled the temple? (1 Kings 8:10-11)
2. According to Hebrews 10:24-25, what are believers encouraged to do when they gather together?
3. The sermon described a man who sat in a chapel during lunch just to “look at Jesus and have Jesus look at him.” What does this simple act say about the personal side of worship? [47:38]
4. The sermon compared a coal removed from a fire to a believer separated from the church. What happens to the coal, and what is the point of this illustration? [58:48]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that “the glory of the Lord filled the temple”? How might this shape our expectations for worship today? [51:16]
2. The sermon said that attending worship is a public declaration of “whose side we are on.” Why is this important in a world where moral lines are blurred? [49:15]
3. Why do you think the writer of Hebrews warns against “neglecting to meet together”? What are some consequences of neglecting corporate worship? (Hebrews 10:25; [58:24])
4. The sermon mentioned that being filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process. How does this ongoing filling affect our worship and our daily lives? [01:00:36]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us not to let worship become a routine or something we do “by rote.” Are there ways in which your own worship has become routine? What is one thing you could do this week to make your worship more heartfelt? [47:02]
2. The story of the man who simply “looked at Jesus and let Jesus look at him” was described as a beautiful expression of worship. How can you create space in your week for this kind of simple, honest encounter with God? [47:38]
3. The sermon said that showing up for worship is a way to declare “whose side we are on.” Have you ever felt hesitant to be public about your faith? What would it look like for you to make your allegiance to Christ more visible in your daily life? [49:15]
4. When was the last time you felt a sense of awe or wonder in worship? If it’s been a while, what might be getting in the way? How can you recapture that sense of amazement at God’s presence? [51:41]
5. The illustration of the coal growing cold outside the fire was used to show the importance of community. Are there ways you have been “drifting” from Christian community? What steps could you take to reconnect or encourage someone else who may be drifting? [58:48]
6. The sermon said that worship is not just about what we receive, but also about what we give—praise, love, and encouragement. What is one practical way you can encourage or support someone else in your church family this week? [58:11]
7. The ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit was described as a choice and a gift. What is one area of your life where you need to yield more to the Holy Spirit? How can you invite God to fill you afresh this week? [01:01:13]