Who is God?

Reverencing God Series

2005021

Topic # 1642

Introduction

A.     Why a series on worship?

1.      Moved into an era where there is a more casual attitude toward worship.

2.      some worship only 1 time/wk. Others habitually tardy to worship.

3.      When we come to worship – there are issues in how we fail to focus on what is about to take place; who we’re about to worship.

4.      Acts of worship can be done out of repetition – some get in a rut.

B.      We need to develop

1.      A deeper understanding of who God is.

2.      A reverence toward God as we worship Him.

3.      a deeper appreciation of His holiness

4.      An understanding of what true worship is.

C.     If we can better understand WHO God is; how HOLY He is – I believe it will go a very long way in creating a spirit of reverence in worship.

D.    Who is God?

1.      How does finite man grasp the infinite God?

a)      How does mortal man have a full understanding of immortality?

2.      Yes…we’ve been given a measure of intelligence.  BUT.

3.      1 Cor. 1:25 – doesn’t compare w/the knowledge of God.

4.      There has only been so much reveal to us & that’s why we’re left to trust in God more than we can explain about Him.

E.      Pro. 3:5 – God wants us to trust & obey.

 

I.  Isa. 55:8-9 – Scripture reveals God is on His level – we are on our level.

A.     Everything man knows about God comes through creation or revelation.

1.      Existence & power of God is seen in creation – Psa. 19:1-6. 

2.      Creation reminds us & humbles us w/the power of God.

3.      Look around- someone did this. Someone created the world in which we live.

a)      19:2-4 – it is a silent declaration – but an awesome declaration.

b)      How can anyone view awesome beauty & fail to embrace the truth of a living; all powerful God?

B.      Think of what has been revealed to us in scripture.

1.      How can one study the authenticity, survivability, and uniqueness of the Bible and come away w/o knowing it is from God?

2.      Law has been revealed by God – it is God’s message to us.  Psa. 19:7-9; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21

C.     When we begin to ponder the power & majesty of God – it is a most humbling experience.

1.      Everything we have & are is due to Him. Everything.

2.      Man has always had a tendency to forget this.

a)      Deut. 8:6, 10-14; 17-18 Israel did. So do we.

b)      God is the wind beneath our wings.  We’re not as powerful as we think!

D.    As His creation – we are totally dependent on Him for everything!

 

II. God wants us to live for Him

A.     We struggle with this concept.

1.      Psa. 8:1, 3-4a – Been said: God is unimaginably awesome!

2.      Yet He seeks to have a close, personal, intimate relationship with each one of us.

3.      We have been created for a high purpose for God – but fall short w/our lack of faith & sin – Rom. 3:23.

4.      We’ve been conquered by sin & its devices.  It is a stain on the soul.

B.      It is the awesome, mighty God who gave His son to die – to carry the load for us.

1.      Through this act – God has proven for all time that He loves us.

2.      We must embrace the one who stood in our place! Heb. 2:9

3.      God loved us enough to provide us w/the means of being set free!

a)      It is through God that we find meaning, purpose, and significance.  We live for God!  We serve Him. We are grateful to Him!

C.     Psa. 8:9 – when we come to worship God – the thought that His favor has shown down us should move us to profound reverence.  See also Psa. 9:1-2

 

III. What is worship?

A.     Psa. 34:1-3 – worship is the natural response to God’s amazing grace.

1.      It is in worship that God is magnified.

2.      Worship should magnify and expand our view of God.

3.      We need to keep God in view so that we remain humble

B.      Our view of God is magnified when we:

1.      Sing; partake of the LS; pray

2.      Worship is our response to everything about Him.

C.     And yet, the worship we offer should be according to what God wants – not what we want!

1.      This fact largely forgotten today.

2.      God will not accept anything, everything we offer to Him as acceptable worship!

D.    Daniel Walker comment:

E.      We must worship God in a way that brings glory to the Creator rather than the created!

1.      If God did not reveal it; apostles did not write it; and we can’t read it – Then God must not want it!

2.      1 Cor. 2:9-13

 

IV. Is your spirit responding to God?

A.     Psa. 113:3; 34:1

1.      Real worship happens when your spirit responds to God.

2.      Are you worshipping God from the heart?

B.      God wants your head & your heart!  John 4:23-24

1.      Wilson Adams: God pleasing worship is BOTH deeply doctrinal and deeply emotional; accurate and authentic.  If we fail in either, we have failed in all!

2.      God seeks true hearts to worship Him!  Mt. 15:8

3.      The desire of the heart must go along w/a desire for truth!

C.     Mt. 23:23-24 – religious leaders of the day practiced a lifeless religion of obligation & routine.

1.      Abandoned a desire to know God & replaced it w/a quest for knowledge about God.

2.      Fear that some could be headed that way today.

D.    Knowledge w/o heart is a clear danger we must avoid!

1.      Wilson Adams: the whole point of worship is not activity – even right activity – but intimacy with God!

 

V.  We must respond with reverence and passion!

A.     We must possess a high respect for the divine.

B.      Our worship must reflect an attitude of awareness & respect for who He is.

1.      Reverence is seen by the way we approach worship.

a)      Bring bible?  Open Bible? Reading passages?  Come to bible class? Do your lesson?

b)      Worship a time for respect/honor to be shown to God – not just a social hour.

c)      It is seen in the way we prepare for worship – even the night before.

d)      By teaching children it’s not playtime – or allowing them to get up & run to bathroom/water fountain every 10 minutes.

e)      Worship is a time for submission & honor!

2.      Reverence is seen in the way we dress for worship!

a)      What you’re wearing today – appropriate for wedding/funeral? 

b)      Does it reverence God?

c)      It’s not all about your comfort and tastes! 

3.      Assembling with the people of God in reverence is not a casual occasion!

4.      It should take us to a higher level - & reflect in the way we dress.

C.     He wants our passion.

1.      Psa. 122:1 – can you say this?

2.      Is the joy felt/seen in this room today?

a)      Not embracing charismatic worship – emotion over reason…

3.      But are we moving w/passion and emotion?

a)      Emotion is not a bad thing.

b)      Needs to be seen in our prayer; preaching; and singing.

D.    Does worship capture our heart?

1.      Are we fully into our worship?  Minds engaged?

2.      Watching clock?  Using outline as a progress report?

E.      What are others seeing & learning about the nature of God as they observe your worship?

Conclusion:

A.     When we come to worship – we come before the Almighty God.

1.      We approach our creator. We pay homage to Him.

2.      It is a serious occasion.

B.      May God help us gain a deeper appreciation for who He is & what He has done!

1.      God wants to get below the surface & reach your heart.  Touch the innermost part of your being.

2.      He wants you to reach back.

C.     Rev. 3:20 – is God knocking on the door of your heart?

1.      Open the door and let Him in!

D. I N V I T A T I O N