Worship: Being Aware of God
Notes
Transcript
Scriptural Text: 1 Cor 11:27-30
Scriptural Text: 1 Cor 11:27-30
Worship: Being Aware of God
Worship: Being Aware of God
Being Aware of God
While visiting an Indian surgeon friend named Dayal Sukhnandan, in Mungeli, I was impressed with this inscription prominently placed on the wall in the stark operating room: “Thou, God, Seest Me.”
Have an altar where you work!
We must be mindful not to be wayward with God, that is, turning away from what is right or proper; willful; disobedient.
In Jeremiah 2:5,7,8, God said that Israel had become wayward. They had become what they worshipped. They gave their imagination and personalities to idols, and became idolaters. They were Irreverence:
A complete absence of the proper sense of awe, respect and wonder that is inspired and demanded by the character and activity of the living God. Irreverence involves disrespect for the character, deeds, words, law and ministers of God. As such, it brings judgment upon those who behave in this way.
Irreverence as the root of sin (Ro 3:10, See also Ps 36:1; Ps 10:4–5; Ps 55:19; Ro 1:21)
Irreverence as the root of sin (Ro 3:10, See also Ps 36:1; Ps 10:4–5; Ps 55:19; Ro 1:21)
Romans 1:21 (ESV) 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Irreverence brings condemnation and judgment (Dt 17:12–13; Ps 55:19, See also Nu 14:23; 2 Ch 26:5; 2 Ch 26:16; 2 Ch 36:15–16; Pr 1:29–31; Pr 3:34; Pr 28:14; Ho 10:3; Ho 12:14; Heb 10:29; Jud 15)
Irreverence brings condemnation and judgment (Dt 17:12–13; Ps 55:19, See also Nu 14:23; 2 Ch 26:5; 2 Ch 26:16; 2 Ch 36:15–16; Pr 1:29–31; Pr 3:34; Pr 28:14; Ho 10:3; Ho 12:14; Heb 10:29; Jud 15)
Hebrews 10:29 (ESV) 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
God said in Jer 2:19, (NKJV) "Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you.”... Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts.
God doesn’t have to do a thing. There are circumstances that come into our lives because of choices we have made. Evil has its own impact upon us. Our natural instinct is to blame someone else. (Jeremiah 2:19, The Preachers Commentary)
Chapter 11-14 of 1 Corinthian is Paul teaching on worship:
Definition: Worship has been defined as a personal, devout, reverential encounter with Divinity. To worship is to experience an awareness of God, recognizing his holiness and greatness and to respond in obedience to his leadership.
Worship is to be directed to God. Worship is the heart of the church. All that the church does should begin, proceed and end in worship.
To worship is a divine command (Mt 4:10 pp Lk 4:8 See also Dt 6:13; Ex 23:25; 2Ki 17:36; 1Ch 16:29; Ps 22:23; 29:2; 68:26; 113:1; 117:1; 148:11-13; 150:6; 1Ti 2:8; Rev 14:7)
To worship is a divine command (Mt 4:10 pp Lk 4:8 See also Dt 6:13; Ex 23:25; 2Ki 17:36; 1Ch 16:29; Ps 22:23; 29:2; 68:26; 113:1; 117:1; 148:11-13; 150:6; 1Ti 2:8; Rev 14:7)
Psalm 150:6 (ESV) 6Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV) 8I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
therefore,
1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV) 40But all things should be done decently and in order.
if done so, “As the worshiper gives himself to God, God gives himself to the worshiper.”
(11:17–34) Introduction: the Lord’s Supper is one of the ordinances of the church. It is crucial for believers to understand how it is and is not to be observed. This passage is a thorough study on the subject.
1. Paul rebuked the way the Corinthians were celebrating the Lord’s Supper (v. 17).
2. The corruption of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 18–22).
3. The real meaning of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 23–26).
5. The right approach to the Lord’s Supper (vv. 31–34).
The severe consequences of partaking unworthily of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 27–30).
The severe consequences of partaking unworthily of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 27–30).
James 4:8 (ESV) — 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
hindrances to worship: Worship that is merely formal is unacceptable (1Sa 15:22 See also Isa 1:13; Eze 33:31; Hos 6:6; Mt 6:5; 2Ti 3:5)
hindrances to worship: Worship that is merely formal is unacceptable (1Sa 15:22 See also Isa 1:13; Eze 33:31; Hos 6:6; Mt 6:5; 2Ti 3:5)
Hosea 6:6 (ESV) 6For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
2 Timothy 3:5 (ESV) 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
True worship goes beyond mere form and can therefore be hindered by a wrong relationship to God or to others.
Worship is hindered by wrong relationships: To God (Ps 66:18; Mt 15:7-9 pp Mk 7:6-7 See also Isa 29:13; Ps 32:5-6; Isa 59:2; 64:7; Jas 4:3) To others (Isa 1:11-17; Mt 5:23-24 See also Am 5:21-24
Worship is hindered by wrong relationships: To God (Ps 66:18; Mt 15:7-9 pp Mk 7:6-7 See also Isa 29:13; Ps 32:5-6; Isa 59:2; 64:7; Jas 4:3) To others (Isa 1:11-17; Mt 5:23-24 See also Am 5:21-24
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV) the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV) 23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Conclusion: Results of true worship
Worship not only gives God what is due to him but also results in many benefits for his people.
True worship brings benefits for God’s people Blessing Ex 23:25-26 See also Dt 11:13-15 Guidance Ac 13:2-3 See also Isa 58:6-11; Nu 7:89
True worship brings benefits for God’s people Blessing Ex 23:25-26 See also Dt 11:13-15 Guidance Ac 13:2-3 See also Isa 58:6-11; Nu 7:89
Deliverance Ac 16:25-26 See also Ps 50:14-15 Joy 1Ch 29:21-22 See also 2Ch 29:30; Ps 43:4; Isa 56:7; Lk 24:52
Deliverance Ac 16:25-26 See also Ps 50:14-15 Joy 1Ch 29:21-22 See also 2Ch 29:30; Ps 43:4; Isa 56:7; Lk 24:52
A sense of God’s presence 2Ch 5:13-14 pp 1Ki 8:10-11 See also Ex 40:35 A deeper sense of Jesus Christ’s lordship Php 2:9-11 See also Rev 1:10-18
A sense of God’s presence 2Ch 5:13-14 pp 1Ki 8:10-11 See also Ex 40:35 A deeper sense of Jesus Christ’s lordship Php 2:9-11 See also Rev 1:10-18
Boldness to witness Ac 4:31 See also Ps 57:9; Ac 18:9-10 True worship convicts sinners 1Co 14:24-25
Boldness to witness Ac 4:31 See also Ps 57:9; Ac 18:9-10 True worship convicts sinners 1Co 14:24-25
Psalm 57:9 (ESV) 9I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV) 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.