Worshp -Gve unto the Lord the glory due n the beauty of!'!"'h,.,nt- ~" aoh come, let us worshp and bow down; e us For He s our God, and we are the people of s UC"'l1U1 (Psalm 95.6-7) before the Lord 0 r Maker. and the sheep 0 Hs hand n L s By.: Rob arbson www.romchrst.com
Dd Man Create A God To Worsh? w«h men' hands as though He lfe, breath, and al/ thn e gves tp a dad anythng.! n (Acts 17:25) NTRO-Dd man create a god to worshp. or dd God cr~e because man needs secmty, ~ deep-seated fears. and l~es n a control, he nvented a superor, supernatural beng. Lke the "boge fears, "God" represents our confdence n the face ofthose fears,, to lvorsmp? Sgmund Fr ud sad that eatenng world whch s out ofhs an" represents all of0 deep-seated Does man really experence all ofthose anxetes? Does ttat mean man unquestonably needs God? t man nvented God, just that. GOD S WORTHY TO BE PRASED jl A. He Must Be The Only Object Of Man',Worsh* s there any other be' ' worthy to be worshpped? g that s Exodus 20:3-5 Psalm 115:1-8 Matthew 4:9-10- Revelaton 19:10; 22:8-9 8. God s Worthy To Be Prase Because Who Be" fwe have the prowr vew of God, then we cannot do anvthng but hon r and pra~ Hm (Hebrews 12:28). Paul establshed God as beng ~orthy ofpras becau~ ofp,vho He s. What dd Paul say about God n each ofthe followng verses? ' Acts 17:24a Acts 17:24b Acts 17:25b,28a Acts 17:29 Acts 17:31 C. God s Worthy To Be Prased Because OfWha God to be far superor to man or man-m~e gods. worthy ofprase because ofwhat He s. What dd followng verses? H s. Hs nature and c acter show auj also establshed as beng auj say about God n ea h ofthe 1 Worshppng God 2 Lessons by Rob Harbson
Acts 17:24 Acts 17:25 Acts 17:27b- Acts 17:29 Acts 17:30 D. Glmpses Of God's Glory. Read the foll~wng p sages whch attempt to scrbe God's mmaculate glory, then share some ofyour pressons about God th tare fonned from readng each passage. saah 6:1-13 Ezekel 1 : 1-28 Danel 7:9-10 Revelaton 4: 1-11 Revelaton 21:22-22:5 CONCLUSON-Freud sad that man n hs fears created G e Bble says that man n hs arrogance denes God (Romans 1: 18-32). Man does not wsh God nto exst ceo lfhe could. man wo d wsh God out ofexstence (Psalm 10:4; 14:1). 'Yorslppng God 3 Lessons oy Roo - mson
What s Worshp? "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul you, 0 God. My soul hrsls for God,, ("""1m 42:1-2) for tho lvng God. When rntco... appearbefore God?" NTRO-Do you ever get tred of ths world? Do you get tred of. e ~onotony of lfe and more exctng plane? Do you ever long to leave au the fltb. and det~ton behnd. for just Would you lke a break. sometme-to just get away from,'t all, an4 gq to a place where you t all behnd? That s what worshp does (Hebrews 4: 15-1 )! L WORSmPS... A. Bard To Defne. t s not really defned ~ Scrpnh-e-t s shown, but not,xplaned. The prmary Old Testament term tnms.,:..worsfp" means "10 bow dow~... 10 :rosl~~;;,;~;;;:;4;r;,m;~;~;],'.;;:::.. thanksgvng.., or by deed done T such ar:ledgment" (W.E. V~e) B. Sacred. Many people do not recognze the sanct of certan thngs. To thl holy thngs are common, How does such a cast, atttude tpward Go,d, cause us t.,ltlose sght of the aura of awe and. majesty that surrounr.hm (1ebtews 10:29; 12:28),' God seeks ntmate fellowshp wth, us. B1,1t what do we need to re'mber (Psalm 8:3-4; 89:7)?, c. A Sprtual E.en:se.1t s an exercse Jthe mn"an~ heart, more tbaojusj an acton of the body. How s each ofthe followng e~resso.,s otworshp an exercse,fthe nward man? (Remember that each of these can Qe done thout really worshppn God.) :. Ephesans 5:19 1 Cornthans 11:23-29 Hebrews 4:15-16 D. Man'. Lnk Wth God. Worshp frj.. -l.us ths earthly realm to l' beavenly. t conveys us nto the company of God. Jes~s. and 1e ~oly Sprt (Hebrews 15-16), n what manner can we now "drr near ' to pod (Hebrews 10: 19-2)? Wby do we come before m (1 ;eter 2:t? Worshppng God 4 Lessons by Rob H rbson
E. Man's Gft To God. God s the gver oflgok..tt (James : 17). Eve gwe' have receved already belongs to Hm (1 <Chroncles 29:14). How s worshp the one thng W~Ch come~ from us-whch we can gve back to God (Hebrews 13:15)1 :! F. Expresson Of An Adorng Heart. How. we worln'pgod. reflects our mprfsson ofgod (Psalm 98: 1-4). How we worshp God reflects our tb.a.nkfulness (Hebrews 1 : 15; Ephesans 5: 19-20; Phlppans 4:6-7). CONCLUSON-Worshp proclams our dependence o~god. W r rshp s always offered t+-. a greater beng from a lesser beng. God does not need our worshp (Acts 1 :24-25) but He does seekt as an expresson of our love and communon wth Hm (John 4:, 3-24).,. 'Worshppng God Lessons by Rob ~arbson
' 1m rtance OfWorsh the house ofthe Lord' (Psalm 122:1) ~ NTRO-When Chrstans assemble together to worshp, e com ntp the very presence 0 God l ' God.. THE MPORTANCE OF WORSHP (Hebrews 4: 1,6), ~s nvolves more tban just "gong n c. c\", J~..d be a perod ofdev ted worshp to God. n keepng wth Chrst's command (Matthew 4: 1O~, we sh~dlregularly and fathful y worshp A. Why Worshp s mportant. Actually, 0 atttu toward worshp s an d ntfyng Worshp does not take the place : fath ard oj:,edence (Psalm 51:1-17; cf. Mcah 6:6-8), Can falh and obe enee take he place ofworshp e cr, for dtose :::'::::::_(Hebrews :2+25) What grearer bo'st n our fath can there be than to worshp God wl others who love Hmj t as much? o What s the prmary c0"tand ofdus [passage (Hebrews 10: 4a)? o n what three ways do w4 accompfsh ths (Hebrews 1O:24>L25)? o Who benefts when we c~me toge~er to worshp God? B. The mp.. ortance Jesus Attached To w~'rshp. ~etl, we read ofjesus preachng and worshppng n the synagogues througho.t JUdead Oallee. What was H custom, despte much travelng (Luke 4: 16)?! Jesus frequented the synagogues (Matthe, 4:?3; Luke 4: 15-38). ere could the people have found Hm at any tme when seelng Hm (John 18:20? Jesus frequented the temple (Lukl2:41-4~1 ; Mark 12:35-13: 1). Whejfe could the people have found Hm when Herwas n J alem (Mark 14:49)? Has Jesus qut assemblng wth s folo ers+-even today (Matthe 18:20)? C. The mportance The Dscples Attach*'To wjrs~p. We fnd them tog er often, worshpp ng God and edfyng one anoth r n goof tuf,es and bad tmes. Th. y never saw a good r agon not to worshp God. den' the se. ngs n whch they wors. pped God n the followng passages.! ' r 'vyorshppng God U Lessons by Rob H!'bson
Acts 2:46-47 Acts4:23-31 Acts 12:5,12 Acts 16:25 Acts20:7-12 CONCLUSON-Man s God's masterpece of creaton, ~d m more than anythng else should ascrbe glory and honor t(> God and worshp Hm (1 Peter 2:5,9). t jrnportant for the cre e to worshp the Creator (Revelaton 15:3-4)?! One day every knee shall bow before Jesus Chrst-we can humbl worshp Hm now to 0 salvaton or we wll worshp Hm at the judgment to our condemnator (Phlp ~ 2:9-11). Whch wll t be for you? Worshppng God 7 Lessons by Rob H rbson
Assembln To Worsh Waf forsakng the assemblng ofourselves loget r, s s the manner ofsam one another, and so much the more as you the Day approachngn (,but exhotfng brews 10:25) NTRO--The New Tes_ollen mentons sants asse blng ujge~1or for worshp and edfcaton (Acts 2:46: :26; 20:7: 1 Cornthans 16:1-2; tc.). Even j death. they made great sacrfces to meet together to wors 'p. th~ shadow ofper L ASSEMBLNGWm me SANTS TO WO A. Comma..d Or Prvlege? Wby not both? t s so 'et~es hard for us to ma command as anythng other than somethtltg we m ;t4~ rather than some. do (Psalm 29:2; 122:1)! How are each ofthe follo. gboth a command an. e a g we ~ to a prvlege? Psalm 95:1-7 Psalm 96:1-9- B. Focusng On God. Worshp s an exercs whch ports us from ths m dane world to the very presence ofgod (Hebrews 4: 6). We ate owed nto Hs prese ce to worshp,' but where s our proper place st (Psalm 995; 132:7)? Note how ch ofthe followng acts of worshp are focused on od. ' Acts 12:5 Colossans 3: 16 Ephesans 5: 19 2 Cornthans 8:4-5 1 Cornthans 11:26 C. Comng Together For Edfcaton. WOJ1;hp also ba4 secondary benefts. 0 else benefts!fro,m our assemblng together (H brews 1", :~25)? Edfcaton b. ds up and promote~ sprtual growth. Note the mpo ce ofe caton when Cbrst$s assemble together(even though durng an age of' rtual gfts ) n the followng verses. Cornthans 14:3-5, ~ Cornthans 14:12-17 ~ Cornthans 14:26 Worshppng God 8 Lessons by Rob H roson
D. mportance Of Personal Contact. We c never bv emphasze the mpo ce of personal Contact among brethren. t s far ore than re socalzng. What eneft do you see n the personal contact between b ethren ll e h ofthe followng embles? Acts 11:19-24 Acts 14:26-28 2 Cornthans 8:16-24 Phlppans 2:25-30; 4:16-18!! E. Decently And n Order. Confuson exsthd n the assembles at Cornth, an that was much ofthe reason for Paul wrtng hs frst epstl to them (1 Cornthans 1 :33,40). There s no dvne order n whch we are tp carry t God's prescrbed acts fworshp, but there: are at least two thngs we need t avod' 0* worshp. 1 Cornthans 14:40 Matthew 15:8-9 ' CONCLUSON-Wors\rp expressed n an assembly of e sants!cmj be a delght to God, lur brethren, and ourselves, but only fwe consder the desres ofthe C eator, and <>ply fwe are therel : Worshppng God 9 Lessons by Rob H rbson
Worsh As A Wa Of Lfe " be~ )'OU therefore, brethren, by the (Terces 0 G,that you present your sacrfce, holy, acceptable to G~, whch'.ur reasonable servce" NTR~We are prone t~ thnk of worshp as somethng t can on occm n a meetng h Chrstans. But wors~p ~ a broader concept than that. Th e.acts ofw shb we partcpate' assembles' are really an overflow ofa worshppng lfe-a lfe of s~cr ce and servce to Go 12:1). Everythng we do $ an offerng that we lay at the M ter's f~t r Hs approval.. A LVNG SAdnFCE A. Sacrfces Were Always Offered As An Act Of onhp. They conssted f somethng that was gven back to God, or somethng brought eat to God for Hs appro at and for man to ~ accepted (Exodus 23: 15b; 34:2qd; Deut onomy 16:16-17).. How does one become ft to stand!before od (2 Tmothy 2: 19-21)? B. Lves Ar~ To Be An Act OfWorshp. nthe sam se~se as the sacrfces d scrbed above (Rpmans 12: 1; Hebrews 12:28). Th New T...[.ent promnently use. two words for worslup-proskuneo whch means "to kss toward, "to kss the hand",. "to bow down", ab.d latreuo whch suggests "to pa homage" "'do the servce". Th s, worshp s anythng we offer toward God. What ar some of th thngs we should do as an offerng ()r act ofhomage to Hm?. Peter 2: B $phesans 6: Ephesans 6:7 Colossans 3:23 Cornthans 10:31 Colossans 3:17 C. Worshp n Three Dmensons. A key ught n thelnew Testament that escrbes proper a~ts ofworsbp n (taly lvng s th. word "(1c<fptahle" Ths carres he same thought ~ sacrfcal offerngs or acts of orshp tc> G. : ~tward dmenson. What acto xpre~se on behalf of others are receved ~y God as acceptable servce (Ro s 14:18; 15: 16; Phlppans 4: 8)? fuward dmenson. What knd of ersonal vor s accepted by GOd as rbasonable servce (Ephesans 5:8~10; 1 T' 0 Y 2:1-3)1 Worshppng God 10 Lessons by Rob Hs son
ljpward dmenson. How are the glorfy God (Hebrews 13:15-16)1. ons ~t : neft others also sa. ces whch CONCLUSON-Worshlp s not just a specfc setofact ns n wbc we publcly engage, ut also a seres of actons that over$ow from a dedcated heart, and worshpp' lfe (James 5:13; P lppans 4:6-7; Hebrews 13:15). T4at s notto say that we can just b conten~ to orshp God by the ay we lve, and not assemble wth the sants for worshp. That very att de shows at we do not have the worshppng heart that we, clam.. Worshppng God 11 Lessons by Rob Ha..son
Develo Wth God And Enoch walked wth G NTRO-n the frantc p~ce ofmodern lvng, t s very p<jlssble ~t y ofus are relatv y relgous, but not very sortua1. Th(tte s a dfference. One s more o1lttward e ther more nward. W may know mu~h about God, but Slrugge to really know God (Phlppans 3(1 ;. ohn 5:20).. DEVELOPNG JNT!MACY WTH GOD A. God Des~res.Communo~. Do~'t l~ the ~atness and awesome majesty of God ~ool you-heldesrres commumon Wth Hs ere ton. N.te b.ow He has sought conunumon wth man at varous tmes. <*eness 3: 8-9 Exodus 25:8-9 lkngs 6:11-13 Matthew 1:23 Fjphesans 2: 19-22 Ffhesans 3: 17 John 4: 12-16-- B. Communon Through Medtaton. Medtaton all~w for a tme whle we consder thngs ofa sphtua1 "medtat~n" help us to do?. us to suspend the wo d around us (Psalm 4:4). What d es p$alm 5: 1-3 P~alm 19: 14 P~alm 46:10 P*alm49:3 Psalm 63 :6-8 Psalm 143:5-6-! 'Worshppng Goa 12 Lessons by Rob ra. son
c. commu;oon Through Worshp. Worsh lfts us 0 ~ hgher sprtual plane where we come n ntact wth the Lord Hmself (H brews 4 16 How does each ofth F' followng brng us 0 communon wth God and Cl~t? ~semblng for worshp (Matthew 18:20) Pttayer (Phlppans 4:6}- r4rd's Supper ( Cornthans 10: 1 ( -17; 11:! +~ Sfgng (Hebrews 13:15}-! CONCLUSON-There ~.greatjoy and rch blessngs n " mowng Go~" and sharng that nt mate relatonshp wth Hm (Jere 'a 9:23-24; John 17:3). Such ~ the kn 0 men God seeks (Hose a 6:6). The man who sets out to know od and Hs Son, never arrves-he keeps on arrvng all the tme. 1e never fully comprehends-but he keeps on comprehendng. He ne er knows Gpd completely, but eac h day he knows Hm better.! Worshppng God 13 L ssons by Rob Harbson
ressons Of Oh come let us worshp and bow down; let u kneel be. and we are the people ofh. pasture, n. the sheep of Hs hand" Psalm 95:8-7) :. lth NTRO-The book of PE' s preserved to mpress us the st!rl of true worshp (Ro s 15:4). t examnes the dentbs ofth human heart that uses noetlv as la means of xp essruz nrase and orshpto God. Thus, the PsaJrns n 'cate how we should w~rshp Gqd, and sve fs'deas about the p se, plan, and expressons Ofworshr to God They are a call to worsr' andrrple ofhow to wo hp. J. NSPRED EXPRESSONS OF WORSHP ' A. What AS! The Psalms? The Hebrews en ted ths ~o~on of Scrpture Teh m whch means "P ases." PsaJrns are expressons 0 adoratfn and reverence to God, ppeals to God to. wer prayers, and songs about m?st all ofmar's lfe experences.,. B. nspratan Of The Psalms. The Psalms ~e just as\ ~red as any other of e wrtngs ofthe Old Testament-but lke the others, they are ~ot law for us to lve by ( olossans 2:14; Ro~ans 7:14).!. 2~amue123:1-3- \..!. Matthew 22:4345 L~e24:44-! Acts 1: 16,20-.\. '! : ' c. The Purpbse And Nature Of The Psalms, Frst~y us' the Jewsh people..l a hymnal for temple and synagogue worshp, then by~st cen : Chrstans (EPhes;.J. 5: 19; Colossan~ 3: 16), now we can beneft from -e wr' gstoo (Romans 15:34).1 PsaJrns wjs. a favorte book ofnew Testamrnt Chr$~--Of the 283 drect totatons from the ~ld Testament n the New Testamfnt, 116 e rom the PsaJrns. Tley furnsh us wth models of dejpton, sj-ce :they are Sprt-nspre.!..! y mpress us wth God's exstl'ce, grearesr' glory, and majesty. n rther books God speaks to man n the ~s, man speaks to Go. fpoetry s an expresson of a man'~~eart, ~d l.avd was "0 man aft, r God's n heart" (Acts 13:22), what can re leamlfrf Davd's psalms? 1 Norsnppng God 14 Lessons by Rob HarD ~on
D. Exalted Ex~reSSons Of Worshp. Notce how the P;ab~s elevate the level of~orshp to God, and se fthey don't nspre you towan more htfart. felt expressons ofw( shp (Psam30:4 57:9-10; 59:16-17; 135:3; cf. H brews U:2 ).! Bea~ty ofholness (29:2; 96:7-9) Wh~leness ofheart (86:12; 111:1) J~ (95:1-2; 100:1-2), ~(69:30; 92:1; 107:1-2) Reverence (5:7; 89:7) C+OUS (34:1; 104:33)! CONCLUSON_By studyn}the Psabns, more than any othe secton pf ~ crpture, we can actw tlly "tarte andsee that the Lords vod" (Psalm 34:8). Through ts poetc e ''" ssons, we can learn h~w ro gve even greater prase and gl ry to God n our own worshp ( ebrews 3: 5). Worshppng God..,. J Le so s oy Roo Harbson
True Worsh the hours comng, and now s, sprt and truth; for the Fa rshppers Wll worshp he Father n such to worshp Hm... (John 4:23) lntro-s God just a pe~,, arrogant beng who demands orshp d rase to feed Hs ego, r s there a more noble reason for H desrng worshp? Does God sek extra _ t entertanng, ou d expressons ofworshp, orj st smple, heart-felt e1<pressons t sp. om deep wthn (Phl pan., artculates 3:3)? Man tself glores n n worshp. omwa" y mpressve dsplays, whereas od glo es the nward DOvem t that!. TRUE WORSHP A, Fve Knds JrWorshp. Among relgous ac.vtes, e s e many dfferent exp of worshp torard God-descrbe each ofthe. Self.. t (Acts 17:23) atthew 15:8-9) teous (Luke 18:9-14) (Colossans 2:23) (John 4:23-24) SSlOns B. Worshp n Sp 't And Truth (John 4:19-24). at s J s fellng US about the ofwol5hp? The common explanaton s that Wor hp s to nc ude the rght sprt to rght ths actons. woman Bu at the notce well Jesus (John s 4:21). makng a contras betwee 0 expressons ofwor 'p, Dd Old Testament worshp requre the r 6; saah ~:1O-15; Malach 1:6-14)? Does Net Testament worshp requre the 15:7-9)? What s th and New (JGM 1:17 : ght sp t contrast then? What would be estament worshp--between W CGGss.uJ.5 2:14,16-17; ~b"~w 8:4-6; rght actons (Psalm 4:3 T= e dff:r c belween Old t and Jesus bro What s ne Would t b Testament essruy for us to be true worshp ers (J0 rght, wrong, or ndfferent fw went b w (Hebrews 9:9-15; Romans 7: -6; Gal the worshp ofthe M s 5:1-4)? Worshppng God 16 Rob Harbson
CONCLUSON-t s very mportant that our expressons of worshp to God be consstent wth Hs wll and be from the depths of our hearts. God despses worshp that s done only for show. True worshp has graduated from the outward aspects ofthe Old Testamentlaw to t: e nward expresson of tb New Testament law. Let!S ;-eep t on tb..a! hgh sprtm!l phme.... 'Norshrppng God 11 Lessons by Rob H Jl'bson
"Gve od n Worshp lves to exalt God. The now, and relshng n t of lfe through eyes that. HOW WE GL+RFY GOD N WORSHP A. Glory 0 God. "Prase, honor, exaltato "-all d f e the word "glory," b t there s an obvous struggle n tryng to adequately efne t. The wo d "glory" s found 379 tmes an thng s ertan about "glory" thougb vng For God's Glory Elmna es Hypo rs ypocrte tryng to steal for hms f? vng For God's Glory Means - sell"glorfy God n self-sac - would Peter Wll Share n t (Ph. ppans do (Romans 8:18)? B. nothng ft s not a. ve and Chrstanty s that e have g more than sttng uetly, onfesson Of Sn (Nehemah 1: -6; D lorfy God n our confesson of ns? onfess our sns? ayer (John 14: 13). What does y the Lord, say about God? :3-19). How can we e we sayng about CONCLUSON-We t brng glory and honor to od by m re followng the presc bed acts of wu.-shp. Wt; gve:: lft; tu wun.hp am glufy Gud by uh thugs tlt; DWDt; u wruc' Wt; ~lfullll worshp, the heart whc we pour out n devoton, and th majesty of od whch we uphold n those acts. Worshppng God 18 lessons by Rob H rbson
To be wholly obsessed tth the gloly ofgod s the cons to exalt God.. g pa~so~ ofthe true worshp.! r who lves Worshppng God 19 Lessons by Rob H rbson
NTRO--There s one. g Chrstans can do today wh h wll h lp wth our problems, rovde us wth everythng we nee. strengthen us, draw us closer to ether. e ce om lves. buld us and br.ng us to hgher sprtual p es and to communon wth God prayer! power ofprayer s ally untapped, yet ts resourc s are lmtless. We cannot wear t out or se t up! Yet, part ofpra er's power s dependent upon us (Mar 11:22-24). fwe don't b.eleve, e wll ever see the full extent 0 ts power!. THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH A. The Na ure Of Prayer. Prayer s a very owerful ex rcse. As an act ofw shp, t express our dependence on God, and 0 reco ton ofrs unlmted po er. Notce the ext t ofts mpact. rconnecton Wth The Sprt ebrews 4: 16; 10: 19-22) rur Confdence n God's Wo. g (1 Jo 5:14-15) yer Stalls Heaven (Revelaton 8: 1-4) B. Strong mphass On Congregatonal ayer T"e Early Church. The unmstakable conclus n from readng the book ofact s that payer was a vtal exercse not just a worn ou rtual. We see everyone from n conve s 1P seasoned Chrstans dependent on t. Notc some ofthe stuatons that brou t bre en!together to pray. Worshppng God 20 lessons by Rob H rbson
c. Prayer as Enjoned n Other Places 00. Th etr,re, t must have trem benefts of some knd (cf. James 5: 16b). at be ef can prayer brng, as passage? Why dd Paul personally requ st t for elfl Tmothy 2: 1-3,8 fthessalonans 3:1-2 romans 15:30-32 hlppans 1:19 ndous een n these CONCLUSON-Pra. g together s one ofthe most n te ac v1!es brethren can share wth one anotber_ We enter th~ de th!t of 0!1~ jjnoth~!'!t hp~rt!t jjnd h~r~ OU! jn!')e!!!ll)!tt n.e~d!t ~nd!tpl tm!l d~!tre!t_ When we pray together, e enter a sprtual realm togeth r, co dlrectly to the base of od's throne through the ntercesson fjesus Chrst (Hebrews 4:14-1 ). One an leads our group n 0 pettons to God and we add our he Amen to establsh our agre nt to w at ~e sad (1 Cornthans 14:15-16). Such prayer needs to be constant exercse (1 Thessalon 5: 17. Worshppng God 21 Lessons by Rob H rbson
"For the eyes ofthe LOd are on the rgh ou and hs ears are open 0 ther prayers; but the face ofthe La ;s ganst those who do e", n (1 Peter 3:12) NTRO-Prayer s our ~rtuallfelne.lt connects us toltbe sour e ~four sprtuallfe-g overemphasze the mpo~ ofprayer, We need to ensj;e that 0 hearng them, because CJk,d does not acknowledge the prayers of grayers are effectve men (1 Peter 3:12; cf. L OFFERNG ACCEPTABLE PRAYER.. A.. precedf By Fatbful And Rghteous 'vng (1. et~r 3:1()"12), Prayer s not a substtu for rghteous lvng but a rend rcement.. t 10es not requre snles ness (Luke 18: 13-1 ; James 5: 16), but note the mpo ce of havng a rghteous lfe p cede t. rroverbs 15:29 overbs 28:9 John 3:21-22 B. Offered nclude medato n The Name OfChrst (John 4:13-14). ore than just a prope tlje end of our prayers; ths s a recogntjon ~hat Jelms s our only between us and God. Why mus we come to God through Jesus? closng to vocate and phesans 2:18 Hebrews 8:1-2 1 John 2:,, Co Offered Consstently Wth God's Wll ~1 John when w, comply wth Hs condtons for recevn ~t do we pray (Luke 11 :3)? What must we do (2 Thessalonans 3: 10)? ~at do we pray (Matthew 6: 12)? What must we do (Matthew 6: 14l-15)? "., at dd Jesus pray (Luke 23:34? t dd they have to do (Acts 2 37-38)? :14-15). God answers 0 thbse thngs. prayers D. Offered Sncerely (psalm 17: 1). God g s no btde t from memorzed pr4yers that are rected r Hs hearng. t s better to hav the herujt thout the words than fte words Worshppng God 22 Lessons by Rob H rbson
wthout the heart! What does Jesus warn us about' qur prayers? Matthew 6:7-8 Matthew 15:8 E. Offered Fervendy (James 5:16-18~ Jers mu of.,be one-tme reque, ofgod, but dlgent,earnest, contnual pleas. Why m st oar e treres be so fervent? uke 11:5-13 t uke 18:1-8 CONCLUSON-Pray s really an act offath (Matth 21 :21-22)~ Doubts make those prayers vod (James 1 :5-8). Perhaps at s one reason many ofour pra ers are nev~ answered. fprayer ~s not an act offath, t s an exercse futlty. fgod s not hearng s, t may be ~at we are hnderng bur own prayers. Worshppng God lessons by Rob H mson
HowToS elves prayng for the same thn s over a,ld ~ver? Sometmes we,prayers learned by memory an uttered r~()ut much thought ggle to fthose common expres ons help us express ourselves, at s not'. n~essarly bad, because '.,the power of prayer les more n what we are that what we ~ (Ro s 8:26-27). he heart that expresses them-not the words themselves- e the key to acceptable prayer. s possble to dsguse the heart wth eloquent ' words and, at the same e, to dsdan a sncere heart be ause t l.c artculate expresson'!,. HOW SHOULD WE SPEAK TO GOD? A. Reverence (Hebrews 12:28). God despses rrev Althoug)l we can address Hm as our F~er, wh "'-..1 ( -.J.~-1. C.r!.O \\? '' 'Uvu l><j.a:t1 JJ.o-7J.,,' ence n worshp to Hm do!we always need to re Psalm 89:7). ember about B. AdOratln And Prase (/ude 14-15). ~ prayer nolceably lack ths q over the. ntroductons and get rght to the pont- e thngs we want or n m~t to express such adoraton and prase to 04 n prayer (1 Chronc,. Why s t s 29: 10-15)? C. Thanks ng (Colossans 4:2). Some' t. es we =:0,much askng and not enough thankn. What should be our frst react n after rece'. g God's blessngs ~f. Luke 17:15-1 )1 s there a place for selfshnes n a th heart (Phlppans 4r-7)?!, D. Confess on (1 John 1 :9). Confesson c only co~e*'om a humble heart-4h. e proud, wll not dmt hs sn or turn away from. Prayer w out confesson s vod ofhumlty, (cf. D e19:3-19). What else must prece e that conf1 sson of sns (Acts 8:~2)? : E. Petton, (1 John 5:15). Ths s merely " g Go to fulfll our needs. By e tme we ge~ to ths ~nt though. we are so thankful fqr all Go ~ gven, and realze 0 own unworthness, that we are not askng for qute so uch. What are some of ose thngs fof: whchwecanpettongod(matthew6:ll;lames 1:5,5:13-16; 1 Tmothy :)?. HOW SHOUL~ WE NOT SPEAK TO GOD A. Not As A Last-Dtch Effort. Many problems ars exhaustt\d all our abltes, and now decde to turn 0 'ch we cannot handl. We have ayer. Everythng els has faled, "what wve we got to lose?" Rght? Wrong! (Jam s :1-2) What would ha happened had we 'rayed n the frrst place (Matthe 7:7-8; 110 5: 14-15)1 Worshppng God 24
B. c. Not As Self.sh Gesture. Prayer s not ust a meplo~ of askng for the. gs we want or need. What S God's response to selfs prayer~ (lres 4:3)? Not Jus Wshful Thnkng. Many ehr. ans don't~.leve God answers ayer today because ey don't beleve He acts drec y n ths wo ld-prayer s just w. thnkng. : Does G dhear and answer prayer (Jame 5:16; Jobo 4: 13-14)? s there a' e when. God. suppress an answer to our pray (James 1: -8)? CONCLUSON-Ptay.lr s not just psychologcal thera. s n tj'l'" aspr1ual pck-me p. Prayer s good therapy though-~pt for the beneft t has on our mnds and mqtons, but because t ows God to brng us freedom from fqar (Psalm 118:5-6), strength of s~ul (ps 1~8:3), satsfacton (s. ah 58:9-11), fullness ofjoy (John 16:~3-24), freedom from anxety (1 peter 5:7, a1ld peace ofmnd (P..ppans 4:6-7). Why would we possbly gnore t?. VVorshppng Goo 25 lessons by Rob' son
The Lord's Su dar -...Jesus took bread, ble$sed t and bloke t, and gave t to the dscple He took the cup, ~nd gave thanks, and gave l to them, sayng, NTRO-Man has eree d many memorals and monwn nts to reme ber great men and e uvramds. Statue ofl. Washnlll:on Monument Ln oln Mon nt God has also 1eft wth temorals as tokens of. portant ev~nts and covenants anbow ( ess 9: 11-17), pot 0 manna (Exodus 16:32-34), ston s from Jordan Rver (Joshua 4: 1 9), Passc!)V (Exodus 12: 1-14). T e Lord's Supper s the world's gr test monument commemoratn the world'1 greatest event (1 Co 11:26).. THE PASSOvta AND THE LORD'S SUPpJR A. Sgnfc~nce Of The Passover. When w~ the Pa soter frst nsttuted (Ex dus 11-12)? What da t celebrate? How does 1esus Hlmself re te'to ths specal event d present Hmselfas the key to the real meanng ofthe Old estament offerngs (M ew 5: 17 18)?,, ~soversacrfce (Luke 22:15-1' ; 1 C~81S 5:7} n Offerng (Levtcus 6:24-30; atthew,26~8}-- : ovenant Sacrfce (Exodus 24:48; Luke 22:M}- B. Relato shp Between The Two Meals., egos slrecord that "the Last upper" was a Passovet Meal (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12,1 ; LUke 22:15). Usng the emblems ' and representatons, He nsttuted a new Supper to remnd them of an even etter sacrfce r c. nsttuton Of Lord's Supper. When1e~ nst edths Supper, He cho the emblems! for ther ~onvenence and sgnfcance. W,e have u rft to substtute some g else. nleavened Bread. Why «unleav ed" bread f'matthew 26: 17; cf. E!lC.odus 2: 15-20)? What does t symbol' (Luke 22: 9)? mt OfThe Vne. What does t ll. QUESTONS OUT THE LORD'S SUPPE A. Who s t Desgned For? s t a memor~ for all e or s t desgned wth certan people n mnd? Doe "open" f "closed"? What does each of~e follo bolzt (~atthew 26:27-28; L! os who are ntereste church decde to wh assages ndcate? e 22:20)?, n sharng t, m t wll be Worshppng God 32 Lessons by Rob H son
Cornthans 10: 16-17 1 Cornthans 10:21 atthew 26:29 ~ Cornthans 11 :28 B. When Should t Be Observed? fwe had no nstructon regardng a day 0 tme, then t would be up to our judgment. But what dpes the Ebl~ ndcate about... The day (Acts 20:7) rhe frequency (Acts 20:7; cf ExMus 20:$H CONCLUSON-The ord's Supper s a wonderful ch el for,e W~hP' t s not to be the only tme of our busy weeks that we emember the Lord's death and s ek co~,on wth Hm though. ~ctually, t s desgned to be a memor of the communon that we sh e wth rd each day. 'Worshppng Goa 33
e t, and gave t to them s n remembrance of sayng, 7hs. n (Luke 22:19 NTRO-ReadMatthe~27:1l-54. Thosewordsmeanm chtow! 'rhearngthem. The and lfelke n our mnds, But what happens after a couple of days pas? cene s vvd. Jesus wanted Hs dscples to never forget what He had d~ne. He ofpeople over 2000 yeats-whch stll has not lost ts sghfcan a memoral-share artcpants. by mllons. PROPER l~.r""l" R OF OBSERVNG LO A. B. Not n onfuson (1 Cornthans 11:17 26,33-3,). What caused all the co son n the Cornth church's observance ofthe L rd's Supper? What was God's res onse to ther ; of the Lord's Supper (1 Corn. s llf27432)?,! Observe Worthly (1 Cornthans 11:27-30). The L~'SSupper s a sacr d exercse. He doesnot say we must "be worthy" bu~ must 'e n "a worthy manne -what s the dfferenre? What would be an "unworthy manner' to e oft (11 :29b) What are the consequences ofpartakng unworthly (ll:27,29). n. C. A. Observ n Peace And Harmony Wth rethre (! Cornthans 10:17).! e Lord's Supper a rtualstc farce fthere s btt mess be, een brethren who are phtakng. What d s the Lord's Supper sgnfy abo t the rehtto.. ofthe brethren who hare n t? OF THE LORD'S SUPPER! : : : ; Undersu>od Only By ts Partcpants. ~ s a sm e ~ct. What would you. about t. fyou h~d never come n contact wth Chtstanty. Hpw can ts partcpant apprecate t so much~ when others cannot even comprehend t cf. l Cornthans 2:14; R mans 8:5-9)?.. B. Memor ) (1 Cornthans 11:24-25). t s on ofthe worst reactons w ' could have to the L rd's death and sufferng? Why as the Lord's Supper nsttuted? C. proc~aton (1 Cornthans 11:26). What knd bf. gs are we tellng th when we partake ofthe Lord's Supper? world about: D. Antcp!don ( Cornthan. 11:26). N 1 only do s e Lord's Supper pon a remnder, but t also ponts forward. ~at knd f. s does t look fo backward as ' d to? Worshppng God 34 Lessons by Rob H 'son
E. ntrosp makes on (1 Cornthans 11:28). A much~. Js memoral ponts to look at ourselves. What are we xamntg fthn ourselves? esus, t also F. Comm non (1 Cornthans 10:14-21). "comm.on'"? n what way s the Lord' bhrst (1 Cornthans 10: 16} tethren (1 Cornthans 10: 17 at s 1he rgnfcance of som Supper tcmmunon wth.... g beng a CONCLUSON-The' e greatest event n hstory. kened e sk at noon, but the wa our lves move n fast forward mojon, we have a hard tme rememberng at happened last week, uch less wbatl happened 2000 years ago. The Lord's Supper s a specal tnemor whch takes us out of th manstream ' oflfe for a short tme tohave sprtual fellowshp wth our Lord d our brethren. Don't fo et! Worshppng Goa Lessons by Rob Ha~son
Before We Gve 'On the frst day ofthe week lef each he may prosper, that fhekt be no NTRO-Televangelst$ have corrupted the Lord's com$uds fo gvng. Lkewse, churc knds ofprograms for. Some people thnk that r lgon has become a leech on so ety, dng off the good wll of But t s our free-wll 0. gs, gven as an act of devoto and ad )radoo, whch are a true God. God seeks free-. offerngs because they are such good ltdqaton of the devoton (Exodus 35:4-29; 36:6-7.. rfce to f the gver. CONSDERA. ONS BEFORE WE GVE. A. What s Gvng Really About? fwe arcf not cardfu1~we can look at gvn selfsh vjewpont, and see t only as a loss wthout an gan. from a. Gvng s About Us And God (Malach 1:,13; 3:8-10) (Jvng s Not About Dollars (L e 12:31 34) ~vng s About Sacrfce (2 S! t od (John 3:16) B. The Gf1 orsacrfce. ft doesn't cost s somethn~ then t s not gvng. sacrfce then t s not a gft. Consder teach 0fthf followng has sa..., Jesus (John 15: 13; 2 Cornthans ~:9)- How dojs God expect us to respond to thbse sac 2:5-8)? What have others sacrfced for H~?! there s no ed. ce. (Luke 14:27-33; P. 'ppans oor Wdow (Mark 12:41-44) arly Church (Acts 2:44-45; 4:3 tephen (Acts 7:54-60) aul (Phlppans 3:7-11; 4:12) 37) C. Steward~hp. A steward s one who has been gv n c~tody of somethng t at belongs to another, and s expected to use t as the owner nst uc* (1 Cornthans 4:2). Worshppng God 36 Lessons by Rob Harbson
)W1tydo we gve to God (1 Cbro 'cles 29:,14), ~o benefts from our gvng (Ak:;ts 20:3 ; Phlppans 4: 17-19)? How does God detennne our dedcaton Hm (Matthew 25: 14-3 )7! D. Lay Up Treasu res n Heaven. One whq heaps u trctasures wll enjoy the short t.llrte. but one who uses hs resources for go Wll beneft throughout Matthew 6:19-21 f Tmothy 6:17-19 ralanans 6:7-8 CONCLUSON-Our eeldy gvng s a good ndcato of our de ' aton to God and a g od test of our commtnent-especall n a day and tme when money the rulng orce n the world! G ' g must be done generously. not as oblgaton. Oblgatons hurt enerosty n er hurts (Proverbs 1 :25; 13:7). Generosty always come back to bless us (Luke 6:38).. Worshppng God... :" Lessons by Rob He rbson
NTRO-Although gvpg s a personal act that sgnfes the devo '0 of the gver, t s al God ('rvng n general. ~s an acton that shows a true ]ov~ (1 John 3: US-S) and a lvng fa! 2:14-17). Such gfts plea~e God (Hebrews 13:16) and nsl"e Hs b esslngs (Acts 20:35).. A. Regula y (1 Cornthans 16:1-2). t s devoto to accomplsh much of Hs wor B. Proport onately (1 Cornthans 16:2). are don how should we determne the ot a sporadf thng. God reles on ruch gfts of n ths worjd. stead of co:+tparng our gvng wth what others xtent of ourlown gvng? C. Lberall~ (Romans 12:8). Why s t that ~e mot we can afford to gve, th proportonately? What do we learn from the poor aqedonans (2 Cornth How were they able to gve so generousl]. (2 Cor thjs 8:5)7 less we gve 8: 1-4)7 D. Readness (2 Cornthans 8:11-12). Th. refers t the hearts ofthese gver. t was a desre and yearnng to actually partcpate n the vng. ow much does God expect us t gve (2 Co. thans 8: 12b)? E. ully (2 Cornthans 9:7). Ths enotes afx plan or budget. When you are your fnances, do you nclude our weekly ontrbuton? was the purpose for Barn,.. : g What was the purpose for Anan~' and S PP~'s gvng (Acts 5: -11)? F. Volunta~1Y (2 Cornthans 9:7). Our o~erngs d n'~ beneft God. He does 't need our money, Me needs our hearts. Consder ho{v a vol (2 Cornthans 8:7-10).. )\'hat does t prove (2 Cornthan 8:8)7. offerng benefts the gver at advantage was t for them t compl~e er gvng (2 Corn s 8:10-11)7. Worshppng God 38 Lessons by Rob H 'son
G. cbeerrluy (1 Cornthan. 9:7). Whethl rch or odr, there must frst be wllng mnd (2 Cornthans 8: 12). He who gves only when he s 8$ked wats too long. H. Confd~ntly (2 Cornthans 9:8). We c~ gve a un4antly and reman co dent that our blessng~ wll be multp~ed for gvng. Gpd sees What aq does God provde for us? 2 Cornthans 9: loa 2 Cornthans 9: lob d tewards generosty ( overbs 13:7). fcornthans 9: 10c ' CONCLUSON-How uch should we gve back to G each wee? fyou wll be mn ofthe great sacrfces made by JeSlL'> and early dscples.. > fyou wtt emember at you are a steward f God's ' possessqns... fyqu w remember that lberal gvng s ayng up tr ures for yourself n eaven... f you wll be thankful fqr hat GQd has done... then you s Qud be abl to answer that quest n yqurself. But fyou cannot grasp ese thngs, t s possble that yo wll nerer ow! Worshppng God Lessons by Rob Hslrbson
. PREPARNG A. J. g The Heart. The preparaton each dual worshpper s th most mpo t thng before enterng worshp.. ccepta e. orshp does not happ n spontan ously. What knd of preparaton does Go ext>ect from Hs people., hebrews 1O:22a Hebrews 1O:22b- Hebrews 1O:22c Hebrews 1O:22d B. KnOWn~ God. Sometmes we are l.jl'01l"'d fo w~p because we do at adequately know G<fd. Understandng God, we begrt to see y J[len act a certan way before Hm (Hebre",s 12:28)... God s PF SOnal and allows men to come before manner whch we present ow'selves before Hm ( o.qans 1 :21). What ms followng characters make when they approached.? s of the es dd the Can (Geness 4:3-7), moo (2 Chroncles 26: 16-21 anas and Sapphra (Acts 5: 1-1) C. Revere ce n God's House. When we c me toge~ (Matthe 18:20; Ephesans 2: 19-22). So e condubt not. We must remember why we are her (Hebrets as God's house, He wth us fts our worshp and orne does :12; Romans 15:9-11 Worshppng God 40 Lessons by Rob H.. on
Old Testament prests had to approach G a sutable manner (E odus 28:31-43), How does that prncple relate to us 'stan prests ( Pet 2:5,9)1 l ~ s needed when entern the pre. entl e of God (Ecclesas 5: 1-7). ~ sthe wse man warn us ag' t? er completng the walls ofj salem, the ople of srael called for Ezra the rbe to read God's law to them. What knd f atttude dd they e 'bt when ey came before God (Nehem 8: 1-12)~ esus has opened a greater, more excellen w y for us than before (ebrews : 0: 19-22). s t possble for us to rofane ho, sanctfed thngs by eatng them : ke they were common (Hebre 10:28-2.9; 2: 16-17)1 CONCLUSON-ACCEble worshp takes place n the eart, as lt f~cuses on God n eac ofthe ways t expresses worshp-pra er s offered "unto God" (Acts 2:5), so s ~e sung "to the Lord' (Colossans. 3:16), gvng s possble ause we frst gve ofself "to Lord (2lCornthans 8:5), and e Lord's Supper s done n "remdnbrance ofme" (1 Cornthans 1 :24-25) The buldng we meet n s not holy, but what we do n t s hqly! Worshppng God 41 Lessons by Rob H rbson
orshp "For God s not the author ofconfus on but of Let all thngs done de n NTRO-The worshp eal whch s presented n Scrp e s a j reverent. exuberant and -felt. Yet worshp nmany p es se real enthusasm ofthe he,t s mere routne-a collect n ofac 15:8-9), Doesn't God de erve better than that? What can e do to 0 thng to partcpate' -t s be lfeless,. du14 vod ofany on performed by rote ( tthew e worshp more me gfu1?. MPROVNG UR WORSHP A. mprovng On God's Plan. No' prove en can be made to wors 'p tself. mprov ent begns wth the worshpper whch en results n vastly mpr ved worshp (John 4: 3-24), at happens when we try to c hp (Matthew 15:9)? B. mprov g Our Worshp By Makng prove en To Ourselves. fw honestly we wll see that we are the ones who are ' erng worshp, rep are For Worshp (2 Chroncl s 30: 18-0) A heart that s prep 'od wll be heard by God, What e som pr tcal ways that we c, dvdually prepare ourselves fo worsh (c, Psalm 46: 1O)? an The Worshp (1 Cornthans 14:33,4 ), s easy to fall nto th pontaneous worshp all the tme, or wors 'p 0 structured t s rou lannn~ do to mprove ourwors 'p? artcpate n Worshp (1 Corn 'ans 14: 5), Worshp s desgned r God's ory, but also for our edfcaton (Coloss s 3: 16), Who usually c 'tczes and omplans the most-the partcp ts or e s ctators? reate An Appette For Worshp Psalm 1 2: ), f we are not enthu ed at our pportuntes to worshp, then we need to 0 on our hearts (Ps 42: 1-2), ow can we renew our hearts (P 51: 1-1 )? ose Sght OfOurselves (2 Co ' orshppng God because we embles are for God's gjory C. Decentl And n Order. God wants ord rlness' 0 worshp rather than onfuson (1 Corn 'ans 14:33,40), But remember, ere s 0 vne order ofworsh,god has prescrb the acts ofworshp He desres, but h 'sdom and order s n t dvne! at happens fwe make laws f r God e s codes, rtualstc de ands, 'turgcal requrements, etc, (Ma ew 15: )? Worshppng God 44
CONCLUSON-Our publc worshp should not be a sloppy thn~. God demands orderlm ss, so we must do evetythng we cljul to mprove our worshp. We must not ~ 10\1" our own weaknesse! and sns to hamper our worshp to Qod. and brng us nto judgment for profan llg $Uch a holy thng (1 (ornthans 11'17_~,1 - - ~ - - - -/. Worshppng God Lessons by Rob H..mson
Heaven-Worsh P Wthout End NTRO--Do you ever t the mpresson that heaven w be a bo. merely floatng around 0 c10uds playng harps,. or sttng n our be a borng place. Heaven wll be a place Jhere we worshp God eternally end. A person who fnds no joy or edfcaton from wors place? Be honest. f eaven s ODS wth nothng to d ~ then t wll e e~rence that same d tow, wll lkely fnd. RSHP WTHOUT END A. ven Be Borng? The problem e have. g to humanly vsu 'ze heavenly, t are unfamlar. Our experenc s are e und (1 Cornthans 1 :42-49), d (2 Peter 3:8), and self-center d (Gala'an 5:16-17). t sprtual problems does 0 omans 8:5-6)? s5:16-17; How wll heaven release us fro 4: 16-18)? When clothed wth a sprtual b (Romans 7:22-25)? On earth we are told to thnk on eavenl. gs (Colossans 3: 1-3. n heaven we won't have worldly thngs to cloud 0.. g (Colossans 3: ). Who wll be the center ofeverythng (Rev 1atOD 2 :2-24)1 B. Why d Deserves Eternal Worshp. e hon d admre our peers ause of ther accom lshments, ther ntrnsc qualte, and th efts they have prov ed for us. ' How ch more so are the Father and S n wo 0 our prase!. llowng passages, comment on e wors'p hch s offered to Go -how, why~ what. gs make Hm worthy of wors p, the n ofthe worshp, etc.! Revelaton 4: 1-11 Revelaton 5: 1-14- Revelaton 7:9-17 Revelaton 11: 15-19 Worshppng Goa ~" JU Lessons by Rob "amson
,evelaton 15:1-8- ~evelaton 19:1-1()...- Revelaton 21:1-8- CONCLUSON-Wlll).eaven be borng? Wthout phys~, earth y ~s to cloud our des~e to exalt and serve God, we wll e~perence ultmate happness n ~ place w ~erc God s all n all (1 C rnthans 15:28). All men wll ultmately bow the knee to worshp the Lord (Phlpp ans 2:9-11). We can do t to our salvaton or to our destructon. Those who refuse to acknowledge ~lnd worshp Hm n ths l"e wll suffer eternal separaton from Hs presence (Romans 1: 18-21). Worshppng God ~. J Lessons by Rob H mson