COMPLETE SERMON NOTES
Part I
INTRO: Pastor Perspective: Most follow the wrong voice because they live in Deception – hearing but not doing (cf. James 1:22). We fail to truly worship God in Spirit and truth. . .
“I’m at a loss. My ‘Christian’ husband is verbally and physically abusive. Ironically, he thinks that I’m the problem; he sees no need to change. He’ll quote Scriptures about submission while yelling and cursing. His anger is also destroying our children. A home once filled with laughter and joy is now filled with fear and depression. We walk on eggshells and cherish the times when he is gone. He also loves his porn more than his family. I can no longer bear it. I never thought of divorce, but now its a daily struggle.”
“HE WHO HAS AN EAR TO HEAR”: Hear the crying of our children; hear the pleading of our spouses; hear the weeping of broken families. Hear the lives being destroyed by rejecting God and His truth.
“No one is more influential in your life then you are. The lawyer within must be replaced with the Holy Spirit within.”
~ Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, by Paul Tripp.
1st: Open Your Ears Through Worship
“We want God as long as He doesn’t change what we like. But any person not open to change is NOT open to revival…Revival will come only to a desperate church, not a content church. He the Rewarder of those who ‘diligently seek Him,’ not the mere casual inquirer…Most Americans worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship” (Al Whittinghill).
Worship does not fill in the gap until its time for the message. Often, it is the message. Worship is a lifestyle of laying our heart before God in reflection and meditation – tremendous joy and healing often take place – but this is also where heart surgery takes place.
A PERSON who does not worship will have a difficult time hearing and discerning God’s voice – worship positions the heart to hear, the eyes to see, and the mind to comprehend the will of God.
QUICK SURVEY: How many worship? I’m not talking about putting on music as you go about your day; I’m talking about stopping your day and listening to God thru prayer, worship, and His Word (the cord of 3 strands that is not easily broken).
GO TO THE GREAT SURGEON; THE HEALER OF MY SOUL
The Word plants, prayer provides the sunlight, and worship supplies the water . . . without it you’ll dry up.
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Let it Rain Come to the Water Let he who thirsts, thirst no more Open the Floodgates
I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME…MAKES THE LAME…
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If it’s not flowing in its not flowing out.
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When are we going to stop just being convicted and start acting upon the conviction?
The enemy wants to abort the seed. We need all 3:
1. If I only have the Word, I can become cold, callous, and mechanical.
2. If all I do is worship, I may have emotional highs, but no foundation. We will inevitably shape God into who we think He is.
3. If I only have prayer it becomes one way communication and a list of demands.
GUN ANALOGY: The Word is the bullet, prayer is the chamber that holds it in place, BUT worship pulls the trigger.
Why many don’t worship – in short – it hurts
I realize I need God…my utter dependence is magnified. My sin is exposed. BUT THAT’S GOOD: Glorious Ruins: I’ll look to the Cross. As my failure is lost. In the light of Your glorious grace. Let the ruins come to Life in the beauty of your Name. Rising up from the ashes. God forever you reign!
WORSHIP HEALS, RESTORES, RENEWS, BREAKS, BUILDS, CONSUMES, and ENCOURAGES…
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I’m not king; He is. I’m not on the throne; He is.
Once I submit and surrender to worship the floodgates open.
“Woe be to the pastor who doesn’t worship – you’re going to feed God’s people, yet you yourself are malnourished. You’re going to preach about brokenness and humility, but you do not humble yourself?”
WHY WE RUN FROM WORSHIP:
1. The obvious – we don’t have a relationship with God
2. Besetting sin (my little vice that I’m not willing to give up)
*Unconfessed sin and worship can not dwell in the same house.
* “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
3. Pride – tough guy syndrome
*20 years ago I would have laughed at you.
*Its for women, BUT: ALL great men of God worship
4. A wrong perception of worship: “those guys are just emotional wrecks, or fanatical followers.”
* “Boy, you don’t cry.”
* Its not always expressive; its often heart searching. My posture
simply reflects my heart.
I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT JESUS JUST STOOD THERE TWIDDLING HIS THUMBS. Why did He worship but you don’t have to?
Often, those is need of worship are those who are “busy” during the service and “busy” during the week.
CLOSING:
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Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches: RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE
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Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. REPENT AND RETURN FROM YOUR FALSE DOCTRINE AND YOUR HYPOCRISY.
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Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. I KNOW YOUR DEEDS; YOU HAVE A REPUTATION OF BEING ALIVE, BUT YOU ARE DEAD. WAKE UP AND STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS.
