WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 The passage today comes from Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:10.339 ! This passage is picking up after the baptism of 3,000 people, 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:14.980 ! after Peter gave an account of what Christ had done for them and also for us. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:21.620 So these new Christians devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:25.260 to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:32.859 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:37.859 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 00:00:38.760 --> 00:00:45.980 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:52.939 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, 00:00:52.939 --> 00:01:00.619 they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:05.900 And the Lord added to their number, day by day, those who were being saved. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:07.640 This is God's word. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:25.260 God, as we just sang a few seconds ago, that you are majesty, the king of all kings, 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:32.780 the one who is glorious and beautiful in all of your ways and in all of who you are. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:41.560 And God, in light of all that, when we think about our sin and our brokenness and our sin that's against you and our rebellion, 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:50.939 God, it's such an incredible thought that you would come down in Christ Jesus and be with us 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:58.159 and take our sins upon yourself, Jesus, to take our death, our shame upon you and die on that cross. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:08.479 God, when we do confession and assurance, God, we realize the incredible beauty and incredible grace that we have in you, Jesus. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:14.800 And we can't help but praise you and thank you with our hearts filled with gratitude and joy. 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:22.019 So God, now as we listen to your word, through your spirit, would you come and stir our hearts? 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:23.980 Would you stir our affections? 00:02:24.100 --> 00:02:29.840 Would you stir not just our heads and intellectuals, but our hearts to honor and glorify you? 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:34.000 So Holy Spirit, would you come and be glorified? 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:35.820 And in Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:36.680 Amen. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:41.480 So, maybe I can start off with a question. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:50.020 Do you know which is the most popular international destination for the residents of Hong Kong? 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:50.460 Japan. 00:02:51.100 --> 00:02:52.100 Or Japan, right? 00:02:52.200 --> 00:02:53.659 Okay, let me just see your hands. 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:55.120 How many of you have been to Japan? 00:02:57.140 --> 00:02:58.480 Wow, that's incredible. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:04.700 Me and my wife, we, last week we went to Japan for the first time, believe it or not. 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:08.060 First time, and we were there around the Mount Fuji area. 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:12.860 And for those of you who know, yeah, that's my photography. 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:20.320 For those of you who have been around this area, you know how incredible this sight is, isn't it? 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:30.840 Just the way that it stands from miles and miles away, the way it slowly peaks up and surrounded by these little houses and roads and trees and forests. 00:03:31.260 --> 00:03:38.040 And all the way it goes up and there it is, standing all by itself, tall and majestic by itself. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:45.699 Now, imagine you come up to me and you say, all excited, and I ask you, Alan, how was Mount Fuji? 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:52.859 You were expecting this wild and exciting feedback of my experience of Mount Fuji. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:55.539 And all I say is, yeah, it was fine. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.060 It was okay. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:00.419 It was just 3,800 meters tall. 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:05.679 And, yeah, in fact, it looked like this huge pimple far away. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:07.780 That's it. 00:04:08.839 --> 00:04:12.979 Now, you would start wondering, did I even ever go to Mount Fuji? 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:16.019 Or maybe some of you would feel indignant, right? 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:22.879 It would be an insult to your experience of Mount Fuji or an insult to the glory of Mount Fuji. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:26.300 Because here's the thing, right? 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:34.839 Deep down inside, all of us know that whenever we encounter something so majestic and so beautiful, 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:41.259 it should always, in some ways, inspire in us an awe or wonder. 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:45.120 And that is true when we talk about God, too. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:52.860 So what is it that happens when we encounter God who is infinitely more majestic, 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:58.480 infinitely more glorious and more beautiful than the creation He created? 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:01.560 And that's what we're going to look into today. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:06.840 So last week, we started this new series, which is going to go on for four weeks, 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:10.639 to almost slow down and see what the early churches were like. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:15.459 Last week, we heard of how they were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:19.579 how the Word of God was central to the life of early church, 00:05:19.659 --> 00:05:23.139 how scriptures or the Word of God was not just information, 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:26.959 but is the living and active Word of God. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:31.459 It's how God works through, and it's how we not just learn about Him, 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:34.519 but also meet Him through His Word. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:37.300 But then what does that lead to? 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:45.020 If God's Word is an input in ways to encounter the majestic, beautiful, and glorious God, 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:47.480 then what is the output of it? 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:49.100 What does it result in? 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:51.879 What does it invoke in us? 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.480 Well, the simple answer is worship. 00:05:56.900 --> 00:05:58.720 So today, what we're going to think about is, 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.939 we're going to think about how the early church was a worshiping church, 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:06.819 and how that should be shaping us as individuals, 00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:11.240 but most importantly, how that should be shaping us as a church, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.459 as a watermark church. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:16.459 So what does it look like to be a church that's worshiping? 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.439 So today, we're going to look into it and think about it with three points. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.639 And the first one is this, to behold. 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:25.360 Now, before we go any further, 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:30.720 I think we can all agree that we should start off by defining the word worship. 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.500 But the problem with that is, 00:06:33.700 --> 00:06:38.360 worship is a word that is actually quite difficult to define well. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.400 So what we're going to do is, 00:06:40.440 --> 00:06:43.340 we're going to go into God's Word and kind of observe 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:47.180 how worship played itself out in the Scriptures. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.580 So let's look at Revelation 4.11. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:56.100 Here's a picture of 24 elders falling down and worshiping Him. 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:59.240 They cast their crowns before the throne, 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:00.980 and they all cry out, saying, 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:03.960 Worthy are You, our Lord and God, 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:07.060 to receive glory and honor and power. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:10.040 Why? For You created all things, 00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:11.400 and by Your will, 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:13.400 they existed and were created. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.600 In the next chapter, 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:19.120 thousands of angels, elders, and living creatures 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:21.439 are gathered around the throne of Jesus Christ. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:23.319 And they all cry out again. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:23.920 They cry out, 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:26.160 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:29.959 to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:32.480 and honor and glory and blessing. 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:34.660 And right after that, 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:38.800 we hear all creation in heaven and in earth 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:41.000 and under earth and over the sea, 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:43.100 and basically everything that's created 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:44.339 and everything, 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:46.439 all creation cries out, 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:48.939 to Him who sits on the throne 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.379 and to the Lamb 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:52.560 be blessing and honor 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.360 and glory and might 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:55.699 forever and ever. 00:07:57.660 --> 00:07:59.160 So what do we observe here? 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.800 What do we see here? 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:04.720 Well, the first thing we need to think about 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.439 is the word worship 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.439 comes from the word worth-ship. 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:11.060 In other words, 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.959 to worship something, 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:15.079 or for instance right now, 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:16.000 to worship God, 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:19.000 means to ascribe the proper worth 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.039 to Him, 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:23.639 to magnify His worthiness of praise. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:25.359 Or as you see in these passages, 00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:26.819 to approach God 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:28.560 and address God 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:30.199 as He is worthy. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:32.399 I want us to notice 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.759 a few things in these passages, 00:08:33.939 --> 00:08:35.179 that all creatures 00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:37.319 address God as worthy 00:08:37.319 --> 00:08:38.960 of so many things. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:41.419 But it's not just that, is it? 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:43.980 They address God as worthy 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:46.800 in light of all the things 00:08:46.800 --> 00:08:48.320 that God is 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:50.200 and that God has done. 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.539 So in light of all 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:53.740 who God is 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:54.580 and what He has done, 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:56.480 they cry out worship. 00:08:57.300 --> 00:08:58.539 So they cry out worthy 00:08:58.539 --> 00:08:59.560 and worship Him. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.560 Now what this tells us 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:03.960 is that worship 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:06.480 happens in light of 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.580 the revealed truth about God. 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:10.320 You know, in a very similar way, 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.020 the majestic and beautiful 00:09:12.020 --> 00:09:12.740 Mount Fuji 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:15.040 calls us to spontaneously 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:16.760 praise Mount Fuji 00:09:16.760 --> 00:09:17.200 and say, 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:17.720 wow, 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.280 seeing and understanding 00:09:20.280 --> 00:09:21.220 the beautiful 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.980 and the worthiness of God 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.600 evokes us in us 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:25.840 a response 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.240 in worship. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:29.379 See, in other words, 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.879 there seems to be two elements 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.140 to worship. 00:09:34.160 --> 00:09:35.040 Donald Whitney, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:35.660 in his book, 00:09:35.760 --> 00:09:37.240 Spiritual Disciplines 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.520 for the Christian Life, 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.159 he says this, 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:39.519 he says, 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.840 we cannot encounter 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:42.759 the worthiness of God 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:45.079 without the response 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:46.259 of worship. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.179 So in a simple 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:51.100 yet inadequate ways, 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.500 worship can be defined 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.220 as seeing the worthiness 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:55.779 of God 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:57.579 and responding to Him. 00:09:59.079 --> 00:10:00.240 To seeing the glories 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:00.779 of God 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:02.639 and responding 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.919 to that beauty 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:04.460 and glory. 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:06.379 Now the question 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.340 we gotta ask now 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:07.879 is then, 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:08.980 where is it 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:09.920 that we see God? 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.519 Where is it 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:12.540 that we behold 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:13.300 His glory 00:10:13.300 --> 00:10:14.720 and His majesty? 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.040 Now obviously 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:18.220 there are many ways 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:19.300 we can do that, 00:10:19.780 --> 00:10:20.960 but the most primary 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.000 and the most sure way 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.800 and the most God-given way 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:27.560 is found in His Word, 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:28.960 in His Scriptures. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:30.639 I mean, yes, 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:32.019 we can experience God 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.679 and His glory 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.500 when we look at creation, 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:35.699 when we see a sunset 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:36.379 and a sunrise 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:36.860 and go, 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:37.860 wow, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:38.699 God, 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.319 you're incredible. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.840 Or when you hold 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.199 a newborn baby 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:42.699 in your arms 00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:43.519 for the first time 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:43.939 and say, 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:44.840 wow, God, 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.600 you work wonders. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:49.659 But the reality is 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.500 those things 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.639 are still incomplete 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.840 to capture 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.879 the beauty of God. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.779 And it's only 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:57.139 in His Word 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:59.159 that we completely, 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.079 well, 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:00.679 not completely, 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:02.059 in a more true 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:03.219 and sure 00:11:03.219 --> 00:11:04.359 and deep way 00:11:04.359 --> 00:11:05.419 to encounter 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.139 the majesty 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.199 of His Word. 00:11:07.599 --> 00:11:08.419 Niels was sharing 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.039 last week, 00:11:09.739 --> 00:11:10.679 it's in His Scriptures 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:12.559 that we come face-to-face 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.759 with who God is 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.959 and what He has done. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.339 I mean, 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:17.179 this is why we do 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.019 the call to worship 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:18.799 in the beginning 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:19.399 of the service 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.399 which Oscar did today. 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.000 We don't do that 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.559 just because 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.279 it's a great idea. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:23.879 We do that 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.899 because we're calling people 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.919 to see who God is, 00:11:28.219 --> 00:11:29.120 what He has done, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.980 and in light of that 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.600 sing songs of worship 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.940 in response to Him 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:36.360 through singing songs 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.879 of worship to Him 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:38.879 with rejoicing 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.120 and with awe. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.039 And you see, 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:43.840 there is a beauty 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:45.899 in beholding God first 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.320 when we worship Him. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.019 And one of the beauties 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.379 is that when we do that, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.399 when we behold God, 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.399 we come to know 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.259 that there's an infinite supply 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.379 of reasons 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.580 to respond to God 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.600 in worship. 00:11:59.180 --> 00:11:59.440 You see, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.500 because when we come to God, 00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:02.840 we'll find infinite reasons 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.879 to respond to Him 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.320 because He's a God 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.540 of infinite glory, 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.000 infinite majesty, 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:09.040 infinite beauty. 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.000 You see, 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.180 God is not like Mount Fuji. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.300 After seeing a week, 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.500 you get tired of it. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.020 After seeing it 00:12:15.020 --> 00:12:15.960 from different corners, 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:16.960 you're going to be like 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:17.820 the people that live 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:18.520 around Mount Fuji. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.500 You wake up and He's there, 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.700 yeah, that's Mount Fuji. 00:12:21.280 --> 00:12:22.280 God is not like that. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:22.980 You see, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.660 the creation 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:24.400 and the beauty 00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:25.740 of this creation 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.539 is finite. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.779 It does not have 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.620 infinite beauty, 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.279 but God does. 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:33.100 God is the one 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:34.299 with infinite glory 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.259 and beauty. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:36.779 No wonder 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:37.740 the living creatures 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.600 around the throne 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.419 worship Him 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.779 day and night. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.840 They cry out to Him, 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.000 worthy are you, God. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.299 When you think about that, 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:49.960 that should invoke 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.519 in us 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.419 a longing 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.299 to see God 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.080 because, 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:53.340 yes, 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.120 we are on earth. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:56.399 Christ has not come yet 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.620 and we see glimpses 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.320 of this glory 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:00.500 here on this earth. 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.620 But one day, 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.799 beloved brothers and sisters, 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.919 we'll stand before 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:05.039 this glorious 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:06.500 and majesty God 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.639 with infinite beauty 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.379 and we'll behold it 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.500 with our eyes. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:12.620 You see, 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.399 there's this beauty 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:14.340 in beholding God. 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:15.919 But at the same time, 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:17.019 there's also a danger 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.899 when we don't behold 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.659 the beauty of God 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.419 or when we don't behold God 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.419 in our worship. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:26.019 And the danger is that 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.399 our worship, 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.459 our response to Him 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:30.240 might be out of line 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.360 of who God actually is. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.219 Now imagine this. 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:34.819 Imagine Oscar. 00:13:34.979 --> 00:13:36.019 I'm going to pick on you, Oscar. 00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:37.719 Imagine you come up to, 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.759 someone comes up to Oscar 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.079 and say, 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:39.439 Oscar, 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.279 I met your two boys. 00:13:41.839 --> 00:13:42.719 I can't believe 00:13:42.719 --> 00:13:43.819 they are six foot tall, 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:44.979 they've got blonde hair 00:13:44.979 --> 00:13:45.599 and they play 00:13:45.599 --> 00:13:47.000 fantastic basketball. 00:13:47.599 --> 00:13:47.899 Man, 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.039 they're awesome kids. 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:51.299 Now obviously Oscar 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.000 is going to say, 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:52.539 hey man, 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.079 thanks for the, 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:53.639 hey man, 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.939 that's what Oscar says. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.819 Hey man, 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.019 thanks for the praise, 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.399 thanks for the compliment, 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:01.279 but my boys are 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.559 not six foot tall, 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.779 they're not blonde, 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.639 they don't play basketball, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.199 they're just above my knees 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.679 right now. 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:08.159 Maybe you got the wrong guys. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.620 And sometimes we can do 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.620 the same thing with God 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:13.799 if we don't spend time 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:14.599 beholding 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:16.179 who He truly is. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.059 You see, 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.419 in other words, 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:21.500 worship starts 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:23.000 with beholding 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.919 God, 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.259 seeing the infinite 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:25.899 reasons 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:28.159 to respond to Him, 00:14:28.239 --> 00:14:29.459 to seeing the truth 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:31.039 about who truly He is 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.019 and not come up 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.059 with their own versions 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.899 of who God is 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.159 and understanding 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:35.919 His worthiness 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:36.739 of who He is 00:14:36.739 --> 00:14:38.179 and responding 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:38.819 to that. 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.879 So the first is this, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:41.839 to behold 00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:43.000 His majesty. 00:14:44.359 --> 00:14:44.859 But then, 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:47.240 what's the output? 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.840 How do we respond 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:49.279 to that? 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.580 So now let's see 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.539 how the early churches 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.039 did that, 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.320 which leads us 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.200 to our second point 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:55.360 to respond. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.700 So let's look at 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.440 Acts chapter 2 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.039 and see how the early church 00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.940 responded. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.800 In verse 43, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.539 you'll see that 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.800 there seems to be 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:05.539 an awe, 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.820 or in other words, 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.379 a fear, 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.340 or reverence, 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.279 or respect 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:11.500 that came upon 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.480 every soul. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.300 and he moved 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:14.899 down a little bit 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.940 to verse 46, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.300 and they're described 00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:18.920 as having glad 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:20.519 and generous hearts. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.820 Or in other translations, 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:22.500 it says, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.960 it was a joy 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.320 that was unaffected. 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:26.720 A joy, 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.779 unaffected joy. 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.639 And I think 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.840 that's a very incredible 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.500 thing to think about. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.320 Have you ever met 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:33.840 a person 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.379 who has a joy 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.060 or happiness 00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:37.840 that's unaffected? 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.200 that no one 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.000 can affect 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.220 or change 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.720 or destroy 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.440 his joy 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.100 or happiness. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.680 It's very rare 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.720 to see someone 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.180 like that. 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.399 And here 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.440 is the early church 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.360 that's being described 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.660 as an unaffected 00:15:51.660 --> 00:15:52.340 joy. 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:53.100 Now, 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.000 we cannot deny 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.899 the joy 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.620 and the reverence 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.180 and the awe 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.120 that we see 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.639 in the hearts 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.440 of the early church 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.420 as they respond 00:15:59.420 --> 00:16:00.180 to God. 00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:01.019 I mean, 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.840 John Piper, 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.879 when he talks about 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.680 truth versus emotions, 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.580 or in other words, 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:07.480 beholding of who God is 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.200 and responding 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:09.039 with affections, 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.120 this is what he says. 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.320 He says, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.440 truth without emotions 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:15.680 produces dead orthodoxy 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.259 and a church full 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:19.279 of artificial admirers. 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.300 And he says, 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.680 strong affections 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.620 for God 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.920 rooted in truth 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:26.240 are the bone 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.779 and marrow 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:28.700 of a biblical worship. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.300 I mean, 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.519 consider Psalm 100 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:34.300 where David says, 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:36.100 make a joyful noise 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.060 to the Lord 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.699 all the earth. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.919 Serve the Lord 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.679 with gladness, 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.859 come into his presence 00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:41.619 with singing. 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.319 And the truth is 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:44.279 because know that 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.699 the Lord, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.519 he is God. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.779 It is he 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.779 who has made us 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.799 and we are his. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.519 We are his people 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.239 and the sheep 00:16:51.239 --> 00:16:52.159 of his pasture. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.279 Again, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.239 enter his gates 00:16:54.239 --> 00:16:55.039 with thanksgiving 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:56.199 and his courts 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.779 with praise. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.879 Give thanks to him 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.659 and bless his holy name. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:00.279 Why? 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.479 Because for the God 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.460 Lord is good 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:04.200 and his steadfast love 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.480 endures forever 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:07.039 and his faithfulness 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.120 to all generation. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.059 You see, 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.000 joy 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.440 or affections 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.740 is a natural response 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.860 to the greatness 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.400 of God. 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.120 I mean, 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.059 it is one of the fruits 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.740 of the Spirit. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.960 It is one of the fruits 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.720 of the, 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.779 when the Spirit 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.620 indwells 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.319 in us. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:28.019 it is almost like 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.279 when you are standing 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.319 in front of the church 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.500 and you see your bride 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.099 walking down the aisle. 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.899 It just invokes 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:35.619 a joy 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:37.659 and an affection 00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:39.000 that one cannot 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.899 really explain. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:40.879 You see, 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.839 joy and affection 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.079 is a natural response 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.919 to who God is. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.819 But then, 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:50.079 what if some of us 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.839 are going through 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.519 struggles? 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.700 What if some of us 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.799 are going through pain 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.000 and suffering 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:58.039 and affection 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.319 seems to be 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.599 difficult? 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.419 Well, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:03.940 let's consider 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.000 what Psalm 40 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.759 has to say. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.480 You see, 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.819 David is in trouble. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.460 He needs rescuing 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.919 and in verse 1 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.279 he says, 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.500 I waited patiently 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.539 for the Lord 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:16.399 and he inclined to me 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:17.399 and heard my cry. 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:19.740 You see, 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.099 if you are struggling 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.919 and affection 00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:22.899 seems to be difficult, 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.740 the reality is 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.400 actually even 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.359 wading through 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:28.079 difficult time 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.220 is a response. 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.900 It's a response 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:32.180 to the faithful God 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.700 trusting that 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.640 he will rescue you. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.279 I mean, 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.220 verse 2 after that 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:37.940 tells us that 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.779 God does rescue David 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.940 and verse 3 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.420 he says, 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:43.000 he put a new song 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.680 in my mouth, 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.660 a song of praise 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.160 to our God. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:49.740 Isn't that incredible? 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.220 Even in our suffering 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.640 when we respond 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.560 in patience 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.920 and waiting, 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.720 God puts a new song 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.400 in our mouth, 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.720 a song of praise. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.380 God bless you. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:03.779 But beloved 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.440 brothers and sisters, 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:10.579 there is a danger 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.360 and something 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.000 to think about 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.440 in this. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.100 What if there is 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.779 no affection, 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:17.440 not even a desire, 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:19.019 not even a remorse 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.980 to have 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.460 over the fact 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.160 that we don't have 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.079 affections for God? 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.860 What if there is 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.579 no regret 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.799 over the joyless response 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:29.119 to God in our lives? 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.059 What if 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.919 our faith journey 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:33.059 has become mundane? 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.720 There is no more joy, 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.659 no more desire for joy, 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:38.339 no more desire for God 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.419 and we have 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:41.779 somehow settled 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.659 into a 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:43.859 routine 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.680 that is just 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.839 joyless 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.319 and 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.220 gray. 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.019 Well, 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.299 if 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:53.259 we are in that space 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.899 that I think 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.339 we should 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.720 truly consider, 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.579 reconsider 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:59.399 our faith 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:00.480 and our 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.579 worship to God 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:03.579 because worship 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.279 is 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.359 an affection-filled 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:06.980 response, 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.079 whether that is joy 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.199 or a longing 00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:10.179 to have that joy 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.439 to God 00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:12.319 in light of 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:12.879 His infinite 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:14.259 beauty and glory. 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:15.899 And if that's 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:16.539 where you are 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.500 in your life, 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.079 then you need 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.980 to cry out to God. 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.579 Maybe reach out 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.319 to a CG leader 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.960 or an elder 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.579 or seek your 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.220 fellow brothers 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.740 and sisters 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.399 for prayers. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:30.500 You see, 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.159 in Acts 2, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.339 what we see is 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.500 a church 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.539 that responds 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:36.059 with a joyful 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.519 heart, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.919 an unaffected 00:20:37.919 --> 00:20:38.359 heart 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.819 to God. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.480 But at the same 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.720 time, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.740 it's also combined 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.139 with an awe. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.519 It's also combined, 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.439 the joy is combined 00:20:46.439 --> 00:20:47.199 with a reverence, 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.639 isn't it? 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.919 There's a sense 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.599 of respect 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.960 and honor 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.819 towards God. 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:51.859 God. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.419 Now, 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.240 just this past 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.539 week, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.980 I was talking 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.659 with a youth 00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:58.759 who is struggling 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.559 with a particular 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.039 sin, 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.059 and along our 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.659 conversation, 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.779 he says something 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.359 along the line 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:05.679 of this. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.099 He says, 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.799 I want to honor 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.220 God 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.859 and not take 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.559 His grace 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.399 for granted. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.400 God 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:14.420 and as we 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.100 talked about it, 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:15.680 we realized 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.180 that he 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.940 was so broken 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.180 over his 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.960 desire 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:23.180 for the sin, 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.620 which was more 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.560 than his desire 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.440 for God. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.019 And I found 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.980 that incredible 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.680 because we live 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.360 in a culture 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.800 where we care 00:21:32.800 --> 00:21:33.460 more about 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.300 what offends 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:35.380 us than 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.120 what offends 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.500 God. 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:43.619 than what 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.480 God wants. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.660 And here 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.240 is a youth 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.339 that had a 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.099 desire to 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.779 honor God 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.799 over his 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.079 sin 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.660 and over 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.240 his desire. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.039 You see, 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.799 worship is 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.480 a response 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.119 with joy 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.539 and affections, 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.779 but it's also 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.559 a response 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.539 with reverence 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.700 because it is 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.319 a response 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.940 to God 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.000 who is the 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.640 king of all 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.059 kings, 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.039 the creator 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.839 of all things, 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.460 the one 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.299 who is outside 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.799 of time, 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.279 the alpha 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.920 and the omega, 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.099 the beginning 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.240 and the end. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.619 This is the 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.519 God that we 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.059 are responding 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.359 to. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.299 You see, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.460 worship also 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.059 comes from 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.980 another Greek 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.319 word, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.720 which means 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.460 to bow 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:24.900 down, 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:28.859 to fall 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.279 down, 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.980 to lay 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.559 prostrate 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:32.500 before someone. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:33.960 And that's 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.579 another meaning 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.160 of worship. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.900 you see, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.640 which means 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.960 that this 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.619 calls us 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.359 to really 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.059 consider 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.599 our lives 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.640 that goes 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.759 beyond what 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.420 happens within 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.099 this hall. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.720 You see, 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.579 we can joyfully 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.519 respond to God, 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.539 serve in 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.539 multiple ministries, 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.980 raise our hand 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.460 and jump 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.200 while singing, 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.859 but our life 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.799 could be lived 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.460 in disobedience, 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.980 a blatant 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.799 dishonor 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.619 to the king 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.059 of kings. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.440 God 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.200 is. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.639 So, 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:05.919 therefore, 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.559 worship, 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.519 yes, 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.000 it is a 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.859 joyful response 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.419 to who God 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:09.720 is, 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.639 but it's 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.740 also a 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.599 reverent 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:14.799 fear and 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.859 awe response 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.940 to who God 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.220 is. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:20.839 so far, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.860 what we have 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.339 thought about 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.400 is worship 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:23.680 is a 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.200 response 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.200 to the 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.600 glory of 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:25.860 God, 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.279 but it's 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.660 also a 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:26.960 response 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.519 with joy 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.380 and reverent. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.019 Now, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.400 what does that 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:29.819 look like? 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.400 What does it 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.880 look like 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.700 as individuals, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.440 but what does it 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:33.839 look like 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.740 as a church? 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.220 So, 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.559 finally, 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.180 let's look at 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.519 that in terms 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.039 of hands 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.140 and hearts. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:42.080 Now, 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.340 to say it 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.759 in a very 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.600 simple terms, 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.060 all of our 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.060 lives are 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.500 meant to be 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.800 worship, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.380 isn't it? 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.440 In fact, 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:50.759 we were 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.580 created to 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:53.100 worship God. 00:23:53.520 --> 00:23:54.200 Isaiah 43 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.560 says, 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.280 bring all the 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:55.680 sons and 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.140 daughters to 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.320 me, 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.640 everyone who 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:57.900 is called 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.420 by my name, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.460 everyone whom 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.040 I created 00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:01.060 for my 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:01.440 glory. 00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:02.840 This means 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:04.220 that everything 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:04.900 we do 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.140 should be 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.280 worship, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.399 worship, 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:10.519 which means 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.339 that whether 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:13.359 it's tithing 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.899 or singing 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.759 or parenting 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.639 or working 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.480 or studying 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.099 or listening, 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.200 in other words, 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.980 everything should 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.639 be worship, 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.119 which is part 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.519 of the reason 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.519 why here at 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.119 Watermark we 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.940 call everything 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.359 worship, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.619 right? 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.139 Worship in 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.619 benediction, 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.200 worship in 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.539 greetings, 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.319 worship in 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.099 sermon, 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:30.339 and worship 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.920 in response 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.379 to God. 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.399 Everything 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.059 is, 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.720 should be 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.339 part of 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.660 worship. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.579 By the same 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:36.759 time, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.019 everything we 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.759 do outside 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.359 of church 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.339 is also, 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.179 should be 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:41.500 worship. 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:43.339 Now, 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:44.119 consider Romans 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:44.399 12, 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.240 where Paul 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.619 says, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.500 I appeal 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.859 to you, 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.119 therefore, 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.559 brothers, 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:47.919 by the 00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:48.339 mercies of 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.500 God, 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:48.980 to present 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.659 your bodies, 00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:51.279 all that you 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.839 do or all 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.119 that you 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.639 have or 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.659 everything you 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:53.899 are, 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.460 as a living 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.299 sacrifice, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.059 holy and 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.740 acceptable to 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.019 God, 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:57.980 which is 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.799 your spiritual 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.720 worship. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.439 Now, 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.099 to apply 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.000 what you've 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.480 just heard 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.879 in the first 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.460 two points, 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.240 this means 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.779 that all 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.119 of our 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.480 life should 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.119 be an 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.099 affectionate 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:10.839 and reverent 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:12.339 response to 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.019 who God 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.899 is and 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.319 what he 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.839 has done. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.759 Now, 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.740 if some 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.099 of you are 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.940 hearing that, 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.660 you're going 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.000 to quickly 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.420 realize that 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:23.980 that is a 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.599 very high 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.160 standard. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.899 Because we 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.599 all know 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.920 that that is 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.379 not always 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:30.700 true, 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.180 is it? 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:34.380 sometimes we 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:36.200 worship through 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.720 tithing, 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:39.220 not because 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.880 of who God 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.160 is, 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.920 which is that 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.380 he's a 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.220 generous God 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.920 and he did 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.620 not even hold 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.620 back his son 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.400 Christ Jesus 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.340 to pay the 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:47.860 price of our 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.060 sins. 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.519 Sometimes we 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.120 just tithe 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:51.299 because that's 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.759 what Christians 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.039 do. 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:53.820 You know, 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.259 sometimes we 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.860 can forgive 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.420 one another 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.019 because, 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.019 again, 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:57.519 that's what 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.060 Christians do 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.759 and we 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.139 got such 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.519 amazing 00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.940 community 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.240 and I 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.460 want to 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.079 protect that. 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.179 But we 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.619 don't forgive 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.000 one another 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.500 because, 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.740 you know, 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.319 Christ has 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.879 forgiven us 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.220 first. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.940 We don't 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.419 forgive one 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:09.139 another because 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.019 of the 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.980 incredible 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:13.519 news that 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.200 I am 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.619 forgiven 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.679 by Christ. 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.679 That our 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:22.339 sins that 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.379 were broken 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.319 and disgusting 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.599 and devastating 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.359 was forgiven 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.980 by God 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:31.399 because Christ 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.359 paid that 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:32.759 price. 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.500 You see, 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.899 we can do 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.339 a lot of 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.679 things, 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.679 a lot of 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.159 good things 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.379 like singing, 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.240 parenting, 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:42.139 working, 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.439 and we can 00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:44.039 do a lot of 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.839 Christian things 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.319 without actually 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.399 worshiping God, 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.759 without actually 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:51.679 responding in 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.199 light of who 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:53.659 He is and 00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:54.279 what He has 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.579 done. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:58.419 because you 00:26:58.419 --> 00:26:58.699 see, 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.659 God created 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:00.419 us to 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:02.379 worship and 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.480 in many ways 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.659 we are always 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.419 worshiping 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.219 something. 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.579 But the 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.279 brokenness in 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.059 us and the 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.799 sin in us 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.339 is that we 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.059 don't always 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.779 worship God 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.179 even when we 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:15.899 come into 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.480 church or do 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.139 Christian things. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.399 Which then 00:27:20.399 --> 00:27:21.319 tells us that 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.359 whether you're 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.619 a Christian or 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:23.959 whether you're 00:27:23.959 --> 00:27:24.679 not this morning, 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:26.380 every problem 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.279 that we have, 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.720 every brokenness, 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.539 every sin that 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:31.660 we have is a 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.220 problem of 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.400 worship or in 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.160 other words is a 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.240 problem of 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.920 idolatry. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.220 You see, 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.100 we modern people 00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:39.779 might not bow 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.840 down to a 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.560 literal idol, 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:43.400 but we do bow 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:43.940 down to other 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.320 idols. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.400 Like for example, 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.080 the idol of 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.560 money. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.400 When we start 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.340 pursuing money 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.259 more than 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.680 anything, 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.420 when we start 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.220 using money 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.980 as a measure 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.720 of success 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.460 in ourselves 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.519 or in other 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:56.920 people. 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.799 And you see, 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.360 there are so 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.460 many idols 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.779 in life, 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.299 but idols are 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.860 not just out 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.059 there. 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.900 Idols are in 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.480 our hearts 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.319 to the point 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.759 where John 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.279 Calvin describes 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.200 the human heart 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.100 as an idol 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.660 factory. 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.180 The human 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.720 heart 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.880 continuously 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.759 produces 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.680 idols after 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.079 idols. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.879 And the 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.299 thing about 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.740 idols is 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.960 that idols 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.799 always 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.639 requires or 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.359 demands 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.439 sacrifice. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.220 You see, 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.699 for example, 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.319 for the idol 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:29.759 of money, 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.399 it demands 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:32.960 you sacrifice 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.559 time, 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.480 whether that's 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.899 your own 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.519 or time 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.220 that you 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.559 could have 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.899 given to 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:37.279 your loved 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.720 ones in 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.460 return, 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.839 only to 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.359 find out 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:41.799 that the 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.220 idol is 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.500 going to 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.220 just demand 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.879 more and 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.799 more of it 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.980 only to 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.379 not be 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:47.899 true to 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:48.700 its promise 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.099 of security, 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.720 success, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.619 status, 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.359 satisfaction. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.419 It is 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:54.680 going to 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.159 leave us 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.879 out to 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.180 dry. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.419 And it's 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:58.759 true for 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.180 all kind 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.579 of idols. 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:00.480 The idol 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.019 of self, 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:02.059 the idol 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.720 of approval, 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.319 the idols 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.379 of health, 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:04.940 the idols 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.579 of comfort. 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.539 All these 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.779 things 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.379 demands 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:10.139 and demands 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.500 but it 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:10.879 never 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.579 fulfills 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:12.960 what it 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.399 promises. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.079 But 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:16.579 beloved 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.839 church, 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.279 whether you 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.079 are Christians 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.680 or whether 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.180 you're not, 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.740 when we 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.000 come and 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.180 worship God, 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.680 we actually 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.200 come and 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.139 bring ourselves 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:29.019 to the 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.139 one who 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.919 actually first 00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:31.579 himself 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.799 sacrificed 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.379 on our 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.819 behalf. 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.619 Yes, 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.379 like Romans 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.779 12, 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.240 we come 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.919 before God 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.659 bringing all 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.240 of ourselves 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.079 as a living 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.759 sacrifice, 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:42.720 but he's 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.259 actually to 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.759 the one 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.900 who first 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.759 sacrificed 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.940 himself on 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.500 the cross, 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.700 taking the 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.319 penalty of 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.200 sin that 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.640 you and 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.200 I had to 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.420 pay, 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.440 taking the 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.500 shame that 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.400 we tried to 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.900 cover up 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.519 with leaves, 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.619 and taking 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.200 the death 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.319 that you 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.680 and I 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.319 had to 00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.559 pay. 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.180 And him, 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.460 unlike other 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:03.839 idols, 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:04.960 he's the 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.700 faithful one, 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:06.839 who is the 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.559 faithful one, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.640 who in return 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.400 we are not 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:10.160 left out to 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.799 dry hanging 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.500 like with 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.099 other idols, 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.279 but in 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.299 whom we 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.259 find true 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.700 life, 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.639 in whom we 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.839 find unshakable 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.240 joy, 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.000 unaffected 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.319 joy, 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.519 peace beyond 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.180 understanding, 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.359 life that 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.759 does not 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.059 end, 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.180 brokenness 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.559 that's healed, 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.480 relationship 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.200 that's healed, 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:27.879 restored, 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.039 and ultimately 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.940 our deepest 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.579 longings that 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.399 are satisfied. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.119 So, 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.480 church, 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:38.319 what does 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.819 it mean to 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.019 be a 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.620 church that 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.000 is a 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.460 worshiping 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:41.819 church? 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.759 Well, 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.099 I think the 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.740 first step is 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.900 to come and 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:47.360 behold our 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.200 incredible, 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.420 majestic, 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.599 and glorious 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:50.980 God. 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.220 It's to come 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.039 before God 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.740 and see in 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.420 his scriptures, 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.360 in his truth, 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.980 the majesty 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.160 and his glory 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.279 who laid 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.759 down his 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.900 life and 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.759 who is risen 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.539 and his 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.240 return is 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.559 sure, 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:05.379 and to 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.279 respond to 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.879 him in 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.559 everything that 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:08.980 we do, 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.579 to have our 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:12.039 focus on 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.299 him, 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.119 to have our 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.720 hearts on 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:13.859 him, 00:31:13.919 --> 00:31:14.379 to have our 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.960 eyes on 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.200 him, 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.179 whether that's 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:16.839 inside this 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.700 hall or 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.179 whether that's 00:31:18.179 --> 00:31:18.700 out in your 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.440 work when 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:19.879 you're working 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:20.539 under a very 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.220 terrible and 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.639 a difficult 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.079 boss, 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:22.919 or when you're 00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:23.659 struggling with 00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:24.440 your relationships 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.339 or in your 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:26.299 marriage or 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.899 parenting, 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.779 or whether 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.740 you're finding 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.599 difficulty in 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.319 making decisions 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.139 about dating 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:32.259 or relationships 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.639 or big 00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.279 decisions in 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.519 life. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.240 In all of 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.700 these things, 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.279 having our 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.379 heart focused 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.099 on who 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.659 God is and 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.519 responding to 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.700 him with 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.960 joy and 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.460 reverence. 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.359 So what does 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:45.819 it mean to be 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.359 a worshiping 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.720 church? 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.759 It's a church 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.619 that beholds 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.659 God and 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.440 responds to 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.399 him in 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.019 everything that 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.419 we do with 00:31:53.419 --> 00:31:54.000 joy and 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.419 reverence. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.299 So let me 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.919 end before we 00:31:56.919 --> 00:31:57.960 pray with a 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.299 story. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:32:00.819 I don't know 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.159 how many of 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.500 you know 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.819 Eugene Peterson, 00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:03.919 the guy who 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.819 wrote the 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.579 message version 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.359 of the 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:06.659 Bible. 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.460 He shares 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:08.899 the story 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:10.680 about where 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.899 he was quite 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.559 young and he 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.139 sent by his 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.559 church to 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:13.960 start a 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.599 church in 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.099 a suburban 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.960 area where 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.960 he goes, 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.440 he starts 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:19.960 knocking on 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.579 different doors 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:22.279 and after a 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.899 lot of labor, 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.399 he gathers 00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:24.019 these people 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.420 and they 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:24.799 start a 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.139 church in 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.639 his basement 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:27.079 and after a 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.839 lot of hard 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.500 work within 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.059 two years, 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.420 they got 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.259 enough finance 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.200 to start a 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.599 church, to 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.000 build a 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.339 church and 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:33.720 have their 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.539 own place 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.180 of worship. 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.420 And Peterson 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.519 thinks, Eugene 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.920 thinks, yes, 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.859 finally we are 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:41.319 here, finally we 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.019 are established, 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.680 now we can 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.359 focus on 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.180 worshiping God, 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.680 missions and 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.660 evangelism and 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.379 discipleship. 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.940 But to his 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:50.599 shock, he 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:51.259 suddenly finds 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.359 out that the 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.059 numbers are 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.000 actually decreasing 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.859 the numbers 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:56.319 start shaking 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.819 and people 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:58.420 actually stop 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.019 coming, actually 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.880 those exact 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.420 people that 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.079 helped start 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.519 the church and 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.240 that confuses 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.480 him. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:03.880 So what he 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.380 does is he 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.200 goes back to 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.619 the same 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.180 doors that he 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.160 knocked and 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.759 he starts asking 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.400 questions, what 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:08.759 happened? 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.519 And the 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.220 response that he 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.940 gets is, you 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.960 know, we had 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.779 this huge project, 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.920 we've done it, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.759 now the work's 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:18.200 done, and we're 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:18.759 just looking for 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.519 the next new 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.680 project to do. 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.740 And suddenly 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.460 Eugene Peterson 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:25.579 realized that 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.259 the church that 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.240 was so vibrant 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.240 was actually 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.440 more focused on 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.380 accomplishing 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.240 projects and 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.240 finishing projects 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.480 than actually 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.519 worshiping God 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.579 and loving one 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:35.840 another. 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.759 You know, that 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:40.019 story does tell 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:42.360 us something as 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.900 we move to 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.160 Viva. 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.059 Because as we 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.759 move to Viva and 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.360 as we settle 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.960 down and 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:48.200 everything's done 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.960 and the TVs are 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.600 set up and the 00:33:49.600 --> 00:33:50.400 music is set up 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.840 and the sound 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:51.960 is set up, we 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:54.200 can all give a 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.400 huge relief and 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:56.320 sigh like, ah, 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.480 that's it, we're 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:57.720 done. 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.019 And sit back and 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.740 look for the next 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.740 new project to do. 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:03.200 But church, we are 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:05.000 called to be the 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.840 worshiping church. 00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:07.820 Even as we settle 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.720 in Viva or even 00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.360 as we have these 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:10.300 new big projects, 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:12.039 we are called to 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.039 have our eyes to 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.740 behold who God 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:16.139 is and to worship 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.519 him in his glory 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:19.300 and to respond 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.300 to him in joy 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.139 and reverence. 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.559 So church, let us 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.579 strive to be a 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.440 worshiping church 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.719 always having our 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.559 eyes focused on 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:29.119 who he is and 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.300 glorifying him and 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.099 worshiping him, 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.119 not just with our 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.420 mouths, not just 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:36.059 with our bodies, 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.639 but with our 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.860 hearts that's filled 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:39.420 with joy and 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.559 reverence for our 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:40.780 God. 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:43.059 So why don't we 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:45.259 spend some time to 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:46.000 think about that 00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:47.079 because ultimately 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.119 we cannot do that 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:50.179 by pushing or 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:50.960 forcing ourselves 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:52.219 and saying, 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:52.880 come on guys, 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.440 be joyful. 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.880 We cannot do that. 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:55.739 So why don't we 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.599 spend some time in 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.980 prayer asking the 00:34:57.980 --> 00:35:00.480 spirit to come and 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:02.259 do this work in us. 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.199 So let us spend 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.880 about 30 seconds or 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.639 a minute and I'll 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.480 come and lead us 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:06.840 in prayer. 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:19.659 so why don't we 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.679 know if we can 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:20.679 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:20.679 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:20.679 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:22.840 So why don't we 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:22.840 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.539 in prayer? 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:23.539 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:24.480 so why don't we 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:26.099 advance us 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.099 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:27.119 so why don't we 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.119 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.119 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.099 Yes, 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.840 so why don't we 00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:30.139 advance us 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:30.139 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:30.639 Yes, 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:32.019 so why don't we 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.019 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.599 in prayer? 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:34.059 Yes, 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.059 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.519 advance us 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:34.519 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:34.519 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.119 so why don't we 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.139 advance us 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.139 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.139 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.719 so why don't we 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.460 advance us 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:38.519 in prayer? 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.400 Yes, 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.119 so why don't we 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.119 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:41.239 advance us 00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:56.839 Father, we need you, Lord. 00:35:56.839 --> 00:36:03.299 We need you to come and open our eyes to your majesty, to your glory, and to your beauty. 00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:09.359 Father, we confess that sometimes our hearts, our mouths might be singing out songs of praise, 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:13.380 but our hearts are joyless and anxious about other things. 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:19.079 Holy Spirit, would you come and stir our hearts and passions for you, 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:24.000 not just to sing words or songs of worship and praise to you, 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:27.539 but to live all of our lives in light of who you are, God, 00:36:28.140 --> 00:36:33.900 and the truth that one day we will witness and see with our own eyes 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:39.300 this infinite glory and beauty that's seen by your people right now. 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:44.059 God, we need you as a church. 00:36:44.200 --> 00:36:45.320 We need you as individuals. 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:50.440 May our lives be a life of worship to you, God, 00:36:50.700 --> 00:36:54.480 a life of joy and reverence, all of who you are, God. 00:36:55.660 --> 00:37:01.420 So come, Holy Spirit, do this work in us for your glory and our good. 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:03.340 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.460 Amen.