Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

River Church Sermons


Aug 25, 2019

War Stories #1

The Necessity of Worship

By Louie Marsh

 

6  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6 (ESV)

 

Hands Raised = WORSHIP

 

Some Components of Worship:

 

1) PRAYER

 

8  I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

 

2) Blessing God – PRAISING GOD

 

4  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 (ESV)

 

21  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21 (ESV)

 

3) DEPENDENCE on God

 

7  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (ESV)

 

5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (ESV)

 

4) RECEIVING from God

 

6  I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Psalm 143:6 (ESV)

 

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Isaiah 55:1-2 (NLT)

 

5) Blessing OTHERS:

 

50  Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Luke 24:50 (ESV)

 

  • Worship is a LIFESTYLE!

 

33  Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34  “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35  “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. 1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 11:33 -12:2 (ESV)

 

Three Critical Questions:

 

  • Is what I’m doing truly HELPFUL & SCRIPTURAL?

 

10  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:10 (ESV)

 

  • Who or what am I FOCUSED ON?

 

17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

 

  • What kind of ATTITUDE DO I HAVE?

 

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)