SERIES: Where Lives Are Changed MESSAGE: We Pursue God...Through Worship SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Acts 2; Revelation 4-5

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1 SERIES: Where Lives Are Changed MESSAGE: We Pursue God...Through Worship SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Acts 2; Revelation 4-5 MESSAGE SUMMARY We live in a world of narcissism "It's all about me!" To offset our self-worship, we need sovereign worship "It's all about Him!" As we look at both the early church and the eternal church, we discover the cure for our self-centered culture. STUDY GUIDE Connect Group Recap: November 1, 2015 Teacher: Skip Heitzig Teaching: We Pursue God...Through Worship Text: Acts 2; Revelation 4-5 Path We live in a world of narcissism, where it s all about me! To offset our self-worship, we need sovereign worship theism. In this message, Pastor Skip shows us the cure for our self-centered culture. Points I. Worship Is Fundamental II. Worship Is Intellectual III. Worship Is Physical IV. Worship Is Musical V. Worship Is Vocal VI. Worship Is Emotional Worship Is Fundamental Acts 2:47 is a summary statement of verses It shows us that the early church s activity was both vertical ( praising God ) and horizontal ( favor with all the people ). Worship is foundational to the mission of the church; it s the number one activity done on earth that will continue in heaven. In a culture that says, It s all about me, a culture of worship says, It s all about Him. Worship Is Intellectual Page 1

2 In Revelation 4 verses 8 and 11, the apostle John showed us worship based on who God is and what He has done. Worship is an intelligent response to God; it involves our mind. Our theology should form our hymnology, acting as a praise-prompter (a term from Randy Alcorn). Worship Is Physical In heaven, the elders responded to God with physical worship: they fell down before Him, awestruck (see Revelation 4:10; 5:8). In the Old Testament, the most common word used for worship is shachah to fall and bow down, to stoop and do obeisance to. There are several physical acts of worship demonstrated in Scripture: lifting hands (see 1 Timothy 2:8), standing (see Psalm 135), lifting eyes (see Psalm 123), and even dancing (see Psalm 149:3). Worship Is Musical Notice the word harp in Revelation 5:8. The harp was an ancient instrument that was strummed or plucked. Music has always been part of worship, from the Old Testament to the New. Martin Luther said, Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honor. Music is the art of the prophets, the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. Worship Is Vocal Notice that those in heaven sang a new song (Revelation 5:9). One researcher said that singing improves posture, circulation, and mental alertness. As a Christian, it also improves your faith. When we sing, we obey the clear teaching of Scripture, we implant truth, and we testify. Throughout the ages, the church has always sung songs, including new songs, new expressions of what God is doing now. Truly, the church has something to sing about the risen Lord! Worship Is Emotional Notice the term loud voice (Revelation 5:12). This implies intensity and emotion. When revival comes to the human heart, renewal comes to the human voice. Jesus said we re to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Notice spirit is lower case, referring to the human spirit the mental and emotional component of the human life. Think of all the things we are enthusiastic about weddings, sports, financial blessings. Why do so many Christians think enthusiasm for the most worthy subject in the universe must be constrained? Page 2

3 Practice Connect Up: How does worship draw you close to God? What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? Connect In: Like an orchestra of many instruments, when the church worships together, we convey a message of hope to one another. Read Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19. How does worship bring the body of Christ together? Connect Out: Pastor Skip shared a story of how his singing at home caused his neighbors to ask about the lyrics. How can worship be a tool for evangelism? Have you experienced an instance where music helped bring someone to Christ? DETAILED NOTES I. Introduction A. We live in a very narcissistic culture 1. Selfies 2. "It's all about me!" B. The cure for narcissism is worship 1. Worship is about shifting the focus from ourselves onto another 2. A worship culture says, "It's all about Him" 3. Theism II. Worship Is Fundamental A. It is at the core of who we are and what we express B. Acts 2:47 1. Summary of the life of the early church 2. Vertical: "praising God" 3. Horizontal: "having favor with all the people" C. Revelation 4:2-6, Worship is one activity we do now that we'll also do in heaven 2. Worship is fundamental to who we are historically and fundamentally III. Worship Is Intellectual (see Revelation 4:8, 11) A. Involves the mind 1. God's character is eternal 2. He created and sustains all things B. Worship is not working yourself into an emotional frenzy (see Romans 12:1) 1. Our theology should inform and form our hymnology 2. What we know should influence what we say C. "The world is full of praise-prompters the New Earth will overflow with them" Randy Alcorn 1. God's action is what prompts our reaction in praise 2. Mark 12:30 IV. Worship Is Physical (see Revelation 4:10-11; 5:8) A. God wants you to use the body He gave you to praise Him B. Shachah = to bow down 1. Psalm 95:6 Page 3

4 2. God is supremely worth it C. Forms of physical worship 1. Bowing down 2. Raising hands (see 1 Timothy 2:8) a. "Draw me close to You" b. "Pick me up" 3. Lifting eyes in worship expectation is from heaven 4. Dancing (see Psalm 149:3) V. Worship Is Musical (see Revelation 5:8) A. Instruments B. Music has always been part of God's people (see Psalm 150:4-5) C. Martin Luther wanted to bring fresh music into the church VI. Worship Is Vocal (see Revelation 5:9-10) A. God's people sing B. Physical benefits to singing 1. Posture 2. Circulation 3. Mental alertness C. Spiritual benefits 1. When you sing, you obey 2. When you sing, you implant truth 3. When you sing, you testify D. New songs 1. Fresh expressions 2. God is still alive, still at work, and still moving 3. When the old hymns were first written, they were new songs VII. Worship Is Emotional (see Revelation 5:11-14) A. They sang with a loud voice 1. Phóné = a voice, sound 2. Megalē = loud B. When revival comes to the human heart, renewal comes to the human voice 1. When you love the Lord, you cannot help but sing 2. When you sing, sing like you mean it: with all your strength (see Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) VIII. Closing A. We are rehearsing for heaven B. Worship does not mean just singing songs C. It means being obedient to God Figures referenced: Randy Alcorn, Martin Luther Greek/Hebrew words: megalē, phóné, shachah Cross references: Deuteronomy 6:5; Psalm 95:6; 149:3; 150:4-5; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; Acts 2:47; Romans 12:1; 1 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 4:2-6, 8-11; 5:8-14 Page 4

5 Topic: Worship Keywords: narcissism, theism, expression, heaven, God's character, emotional, theology, hymnology, praise, dancing, instruments Page 5