HEAD 1 + Title: The Priority of Worship
Text: Selected
Tracing: Preached December 29, 1991 AM at SDCC.
********************************************************************************
HEAD 1 + INTRO
Have you enjoyed the Christmas season? I have -- Kid's Musical, Cantata,
both went great, our family celebration went well (despite flu!). This has been
a good Christmas for us. But it was hectic! I'm ready for a change of gears --
ready for things to move at a slower pace!
One of the risks we face in times of hectic activity like Christmas is the
tendency to lose sight of what we really are here for. Illus. -- Wedding party
with wallflower bride.
In order to counteract that tendency, we are going to shift gears and spend
several weeks on a study of a topic so fundamental that we tend to take it for
granted -- WORSHIP!
The word "worship" simply means "to ascribe worth to someone". Worship is
affirming the supreme value of God, acknowledging His superiority. It takes
place in many ways: verbal expressions to God, verbal expressions to others,
the demonstration of our actions, etc.
Consider -- by choosing to be here today (when you could have been doing
any of a multitude of other things) you have demonstrated the value you place on
God. When you speak of Christ to a friend, even though it makes you
uncomfortable, you have ascribed worth to Him. When you spend time in God's
Word...
But also vice versa! When you choose other activities, when you choose
your own comfort, etc., you also worship -- those other things!
When viewed broadly -- worship is the most important thing we do! And it
incorporates all of the rest of the Christian life!
HEAD 1 + BODY
HEAD 2 + We Worship because we were created for it.
Ne 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest
heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas
and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of
heaven worship you.
Gen 1-3
HEAD 2 + We Worship because we were set apart for it
(Both Israel and the church were called out to worship!)
Ex. 3:12 4:22-23 Lu 19:10 Jo 4:23
God is seeking people to be worshippers! It is for that purpose that Paul says
he preached!
HEAD 2 + We Worship in response to the Incarnation
Ps 22 (esp. v.22-26) Worship is the prophesied response to the crucifixion.
The Magi, those seeking healing, witnesses to His miracles, the apostles: All
worshipped Jesus -- it is an appropriate response!
Rev. 5:13 -- everyone worships Jesus!
How, with all this worship being offered to Jesus and accepted by Him,
can some still say that He never taught that He was Divine?
HEAD 2 + We Worship in preparation for Heaven
Rev. 21:1-5a 22:1-5
Our presence there will be because we have acknowledged His Supreme
Worth, our every action will testify to the fact that there is no one else
like Him. But our worship there will not be in contradiction to our
lifestyle here!
HEAD 1 + CONCLUSION
Ps 24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an
idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and
vindication from God his Saviour.
HEAD 1 + COMMENTS
HEAD 1 +
Prepared by Scott L. Purcell
Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church
1501 Stokelan Drive
Malden, MO 63863
(314) 276-2343
Reproduce, modify, and use freely
for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!
If these outlines are of some benefit to you,
a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
These documents are free from BelieversCafe.com, the complete christian resource site with more than 5000 webpages.