HEAD 1 + Title: The Priority of Worship

Text: Selected

Tracing: Preached December 29, 1991 AM at SDCC.

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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!


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