WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.240 Now, if you have your Bibles, perhaps you can turn with me to Psalm 100. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:11.679 You'll find it on page 604. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:17.500 A short psalm, I'm sure for many of us, a familiar psalm. 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:23.660 As we're asking together, why is it that we should bother with church? 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:28.000 The second reason, last week we thought about God's work. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.039 This week we're thinking about God's worship. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:33.899 And so that takes us to Psalm 100. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:39.840 And the title for this is a psalm for giving grateful praise. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.359 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:46.760 Worship the Lord with gladness. 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:50.079 Come before him with joyful songs. 00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:53.260 Know that the Lord is God. 00:00:53.740 --> 00:00:57.060 It is he who made us and we are his. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:01:01.719 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:06.939 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. 00:01:07.540 --> 00:01:10.700 Give thanks to him and praise his name. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.820 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever. 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:21.099 His faithfulness continues through all generations. 00:01:22.020 --> 00:01:22.520 Amen. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:27.219 So the second reason why we bother with church has to do with purpose. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:31.840 And I imagine in lots of different ways we are aware of the power of purpose. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:36.399 We can read the studies and it will tell us that purpose, it's good for our health. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.340 In the world of business, it tends towards higher growth rates. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:46.939 When we focus on what matters most, we tend to be more motivated as people. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:52.500 In any kind of organization or enterprise, shared purpose creates shared values and goals. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:54.579 Those are all good things. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:01.320 Maybe some of us read back in the 2000s or a bit later, a couple of books that Rick Warren produced. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:05.260 The Purpose Driven Life and then The Purpose Driven Church. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:10.520 And he was tapping into a need that many felt back then and I guess still do. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:13.640 We want to know our purpose and our calling. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:16.020 So that's our question this evening. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:21.740 What is the purpose, the primary purpose of church? 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:28.520 What is the center, the central thing around which we come together? 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:33.680 What is the foundation or the fuel of a church's life? 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:43.120 Or to put it a different way, what is the one thing that we as Christians will still be doing in a billion years time? 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:46.580 And the answer was worship. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:52.860 And as we read through the Bible, we discover just how important worship is. 00:02:52.980 --> 00:02:56.780 We discover that we have been created for worship. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:06.740 We are image bearers and mirrors of God's glory designed to reflect glory back to him and to spread his glory around the earth. 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:10.120 We are called to worship. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:14.060 Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:17.520 Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.280 Christ-centered worship. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:24.780 That's why the church exists. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:25.379 Christ-centered worship exists. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:31.159 And so we're going to use Psalm 100 to explore these two basic ideas. 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:33.599 Firstly, that we are made for worship. 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:40.099 And then that we are made by, we are formed and shaped by our worship. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:48.219 And we're going to very much look at Psalm 100 as prophecy to see what it says to us about the Lord Jesus. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:55.099 So this psalm is telling us that the whole world should be joyful. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:04:05.939 It anticipates a time when God is going to do something that's so glorious and so good that the whole world can and should give thanks and worship him. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.180 It's a short psalm. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:10.919 It's a psalm with a pattern. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:13.180 It divides into two halves. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:18.639 And in each half, we find both a call to worship and a cause or a reason for worship. 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:21.060 So verses 1 to 3, we'll see a call and a cause. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:23.480 And then the same in verses 4 and 5. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:37.220 So that I hope we'll remind ourselves that the worship of God matters fundamentally to our existence as a church and to who we are as people made for worship. 00:04:37.780 --> 00:04:41.960 As we'll recognize that we give thanks for Christ Jesus, the head of the church. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:46.360 And we give thanks for Christ Jesus, whose love endures forever. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:50.900 So really the goal is joy and joy in Jesus. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:56.279 So let's look at the first three verses together as we think about being made for worship. 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:00.959 And here we are invited to give thanks for Jesus, the head of the church. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:07.479 Just to say before we get into our text, Psalm 100 is the end of a series of psalms. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:10.939 93 to 100 are the Lord is King collection. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:17.739 And each of the psalms, if you read them, they celebrate with a mixture of rejoicing, 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:20.819 but also reverence and awe. 00:05:21.460 --> 00:05:24.759 And Psalm 100 is recognized as the summit and the climax. 00:05:24.900 --> 00:05:28.259 And so it begins with this great call to worship. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:31.660 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.780 Make a joyful noise to the Lord. 00:05:33.900 --> 00:05:40.240 And the picture really is of a trumpet fanfare announcing that the King has come. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:43.259 And so picture this scene. 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:49.240 You know, the trumpeter raises the fanfare and we see the crowds gather. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:54.000 And imagine the joy when the King comes. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.180 There is gladness. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:56.280 There is noise. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:57.660 There is celebration. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:02.160 Two things about this call that are really quite striking. 00:06:02.340 --> 00:06:05.259 One, it's a universal call. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:09.400 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:17.399 Now, this is being sung, maybe in a synagogue or maybe in a temple, but it's a bold invitation 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.120 to the world. 00:06:20.179 --> 00:06:25.479 But notice as well, it's claiming the whole world for God. 00:06:26.679 --> 00:06:31.120 In that day, lots of little gods, lots of regional idols. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:38.620 And here are the people of God singing of a unique and universal Lord. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:40.100 Striking. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.439 You know, we are called to do the same, aren't we? 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:50.259 In a world of many faiths and different worldviews, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.459 And there's only one way to God and it's through him. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:07:00.219 So it's bold in that it claims the whole world for God and it's bold in its calling the whole world to join the church in worship. 00:07:00.919 --> 00:07:06.719 And it's a reminder that it was never God's intention that just a small corner or a small pocket of people worship, 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:10.959 but rather that everyone should praise the Lord God. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:22.239 Maybe you're familiar with the famous John Piper quote that missions exist because worship doesn't. 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:29.939 Sometimes it's quite easy for us to say that the first thing that we're supposed to do as the Christian church is to evangelize. 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:35.560 And of course, we are to evangelize, but actually we evangelize so that people would be worshipers. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:38.819 Our fundamental call is to be worshipers. 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:45.439 And we understand from a verse like Psalm 100 verse 1 that it's not enough that people worship. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.340 It needs the right object always. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:08:01.459 And so when the church is shouting for joy, there is an announcement that Jesus Christ is good news for all people. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:10.399 That God in Christ has come to redeem and to restore and to offer good news and the hope of salvation to all people. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:14.879 That in the coming of Jesus, there is the ransom from sin. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:17.479 That we can be reconciled to God. 00:08:17.479 --> 00:08:21.139 There is the sure prospect that the whole cosmos will be renewed. 00:08:21.299 --> 00:08:28.759 That as we thought about this morning, the way back into relationship with God has been opened up through Jesus. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:35.819 Our joyful noise is about Jesus calling the world to worship through him. 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.439 So it's a universal call. 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:44.299 And secondly, notice that there's joyful service in this call. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:48.419 Verse 2, worship or serve the Lord with gladness. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:52.080 Come before him with joyful songs. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.059 Service and joy. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:58.539 They don't always belong together naturally. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:03.419 Sometimes the service that we're called to, we feel dragged into it. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:06.899 We feel a sense of duty perhaps, but not joy. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:13.200 But here, the people of God are called to delight in service and in worship. 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:16.319 And so we need to ask ourselves, how is that? 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.379 How do we get joy in our worship? 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:27.740 And what we understand is that Christian worship runs on a particular kind of fuel. 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:33.059 Not our own emotion or excited response. 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:35.799 Our fuel is the fuel of the gospel. 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:43.279 So we have joy to serve this king who has loved us and served us. 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.600 Washing his disciples' feet. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.939 Washing our sins on the cross. 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:54.039 We are glad to worship as we discover Jesus is our savior king. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.039 Rescuing us from our own sin. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:10:01.339 Rescuing us from our own sin and our small idols to know the God that we were made for. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:10.139 That our service has joy as we recognize that here we are anticipating our eternity. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:13.080 Perfect life. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:16.199 Perfect fellowship with our glorious king. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:19.080 He is the king who has rescued us. 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:21.699 He is the king who has given everything to us. 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:25.039 So serving this king, that's joy. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:29.079 Think about the story of the exodus. 00:10:29.219 --> 00:10:30.279 The pattern of the exodus. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:36.219 So remember the story begins, here is Israel and they are in chains and they're in bondage. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:41.279 And Pharaoh is their master and services is harsh and cruel and there's no rest. 00:10:41.959 --> 00:10:43.360 And then they're set free. 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:51.000 But what becomes clear is they're set free to live under another master, aren't they? 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:55.379 They're not set free just to be independent and do whatever they want. 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:58.200 No, they're set free so they would belong to God. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:05.120 But what they discover and what we discover is that service, that's where freedom is found. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:09.779 That's where joy is found because that's what we were made for. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:14.059 And so it's a pattern you see in the gospels. 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:18.340 How often when you think about the stories in the gospels do we see something like this? 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:24.740 Jesus sees someone in need and either they call out or Jesus' compassion goes out and he heals them 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:31.899 or he delivers them from evil and their response is to gladly in that moment to follow, 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:37.080 to sing praises, to give up everything for this king who has done everything for them. 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:40.700 It's the logic of Romans 12.1. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:45.900 In view of God's mercies, present your bodies as living sacrifices. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.959 This is your spiritual act of worship. 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:55.399 In our worship then, as we view God's mercies to us in the Lord Jesus, 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:59.419 that's where the joyful service comes from. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:04.019 We need worship to fuel our service. 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.340 So that's the call to worship. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:14.159 But then in verse 3 we see the cause for worship, the reason why we worship. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:20.019 So verse 3, we're in verse 3, it's right at the center of the psalm for a reason. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:24.399 One of the things about this psalm is there are seven imperatives, 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:27.319 seven things that people should do. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:31.740 So shout for joy, worship the Lord, come before him. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:35.879 And then verse 4, enter his gates, give thanks and praise his name. 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:43.840 And right in the middle, the central imperative at the central verse is know that the Lord is God. 00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:45.559 This is key to the whole thing. 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:49.740 And this is a knowledge that goes beyond mere information. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:55.919 This is a knowing of God in such a way that it leads to worship and to wonder. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:04.179 And it's throughout the Bible, Deuteronomy 7, know therefore that the Lord your God is God. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:07.979 He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:14.679 What do rescued from slavery people need to know as they're heading towards the promised land, 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:17.579 but they're still finding their way spiritually? 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:21.360 They need to know their God and his covenant love. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:27.840 Psalm 46, be still and know that I am God. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:31.899 It's an idea that ties to the new covenant. 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:35.440 Go to Jeremiah 31 and you hear this. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:39.000 No longer will a man teach his neighbor saying, know the Lord, 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:44.100 because they will all know me from the least of them to the greatest. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:49.500 That wonderful gift of God in giving the spirit, in giving forgiveness of sin, 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:56.379 in giving us a new heart, in inscribing the law on our hearts means that we can know God. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.440 So why do we give thanks? 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:04.240 We give thanks because in Jesus, we know God. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:07.639 He is the one who makes the invisible God visible. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:13.500 He is the one who says to us, to know me is to know my father. 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:20.039 And there are two things that we discover about the Lord who is God, 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:23.340 two things that Jesus does for his church. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:30.299 First of all, continuing in verse three, it is he who made us and we are his. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:36.080 Now, in the first instance, you might think, oh, this is speaking about the fact that all of us are created by God, 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.460 which is true. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:41.220 But this is something specific to Israel. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:45.100 For Old Testament Israel, their identity was particular, wasn't it? 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:52.280 They could say, well, the Lord God chose us and called us and he redeemed us and he's revealed himself to us 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:54.680 and he's established covenant relationship with us. 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.660 God has made us. 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:57.480 Thanks be to God. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:59.240 All the grace comes from him. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:03.180 That's what their identity, their existence owes itself to. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.500 God's grace. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:11.480 For the church today, the same is absolutely true in the Lord Jesus. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:19.779 Our existence, our identity, our place as the people of God, as the children of God is down to God's grace. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.840 Given to us in the Lord Jesus. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:26.980 Colossians 1, he is the head of the body, the church. 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:30.659 So Jesus makes us the people of God. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:35.199 And then as it goes on, we discover that he shepherds us. 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:39.879 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:44.559 And again, this was absolutely an experience and a reality that Old Testament Israel knew. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:48.459 God described himself to them as their shepherd. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:51.139 He was the one who called them to himself. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.679 He was the one who directed their journeys. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:58.319 He was the one who literally fed them in the wilderness, who provided for their needs. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:16:00.580 He was the one who protected them so many times. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:06.500 He was the one who was leading them to the safety of their true home to be with him. 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.720 God is our shepherd. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:16.360 And for the church, it's so wonderful when we hear Jesus say, I am the good shepherd. 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:21.620 I am the king who exercises care over my people. 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:26.019 Jesus is the one who leaves the 99 to search for the one. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.759 And he doesn't just search and find. 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:32.379 He rejoices over those he rescues. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:36.000 Jesus makes his people and Jesus shepherds his people. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:40.159 And so we worship as we get to know God through Jesus. 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:45.840 So for any local church and for ours as we are here today, 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:49.840 worship is and remains our number one priority. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:54.060 You know, our vision as a church, it has three pillars. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:56.120 We want to be worshiping Jesus. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:58.399 We want to be growing as a family. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:02.040 We want to be loving our community and our city. 00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:06.539 And each of those matters, but the order and the priority, that also matters 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:09.140 because worship must always be first. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:14.140 We worship Jesus as our source of life and love and joy and hope. 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:18.640 And we make him known so that others will worship too. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.840 So that's the first thing. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.440 We are made for worship. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:28.880 Secondly, let's think about the reality that we are made or we are formed by our worship. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:33.040 And here in verses four and five, we're invited to give thanks for Jesus, 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:36.440 whose love endures forever. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:42.500 Some of us will be very familiar with review processes, 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:46.920 processes that we probably don't look forward to, 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:49.960 but that are a good and a helpful part of life. 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:54.559 I had my first physio appointment on Tuesday. 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:59.360 That was a painful but a helpful process. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:04.539 I was hoping that it would be kind of plain sailing, linear. 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:08.299 It turns out it doesn't quite work as quickly as that, but it's good to know. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:11.700 And it's good to know what you need to do to make progress. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:15.019 The same is true if you have an annual review with your boss, 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:18.319 the sports team reviewing footage after a loss, 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:22.980 perhaps parents finding the time to sit down about family values and priorities. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:26.379 Because whenever we have that kind of review process, 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:28.240 it's going to bring us back to our purpose. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.960 And are we heading in the right direction? 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.519 Do we understand our role? 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:35.680 How do we align ourselves with our vision and our values? 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:41.079 And there's something of that logic as we think about a church worship service. 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:44.079 What is it that we are doing right now? 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:47.299 There is a review process going on. 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:52.980 We are reviewing as we retell the story of the gospel. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.799 You know, the songs that we sing, 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.220 we sing praise to God, 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:59.059 but we're also speaking to one another. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:02.779 Father, we're speaking gospel truths or we're singing gospel truths. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:06.119 As we read God's word, 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:11.740 we are retelling and we are reviewing God's character and God's work. 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.480 As we are praying, 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.079 we are reminding ourselves of the gospel. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.779 One of the great gospel privileges, 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.879 we call God Father, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.940 so we get to pray. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.400 Sometimes when we come to church, 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:27.240 we get to see the gospel made visible through the Lord's Supper and baptism. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:29.240 When we preach God's word, 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:31.420 we are reviewing the gospel. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.320 So it's every week, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:36.279 God's design that we're being recalibrated, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:40.120 refocused on what we are made for. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:44.539 And that's why the worship of Jesus must always be central. 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.960 Because it's going to deal with our idols 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.339 and it's going to deal with that tendency 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:50.119 that we have to wander off purpose. 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.779 And so the second half of Psalm 100, 00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:54.779 well, it helps the people of God then 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:57.700 and it helps us today by reminding us 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:00.220 of the covenant love of Jesus Christ, 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.639 our covenant Lord and King. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:05.220 So let's look at the call to worship in this half. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.899 Verse four, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:08.139 enter his gates with thanksgiving 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.980 and his courts with praise. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:12.119 Give thanks to him and praise his name. 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:15.059 So we might miss the significance of this. 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:19.439 So it sounds like an ordinary invitation at one level, doesn't it? 00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:21.759 Enter his gates, enter his courts. 00:20:22.479 --> 00:20:25.659 But there's an extraordinary reality and promise behind this. 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:30.279 It's kind of equivalent to if you get a regular envelope 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.259 through the post, nothing special. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:36.479 You open it up and you discover this big fat check. 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:39.079 Or you find the title leads to some great mansion. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:41.459 Look kind of ordinary, but inside something really special. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:45.079 There's something that's really special within verse four 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:50.099 is the promise of access to God, 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:54.639 is the opportunity to enter in and enjoy the presence of God. 00:20:55.199 --> 00:20:59.059 Because this is a universal invitation into the presence of God. 00:20:59.739 --> 00:21:02.000 So think about those first hearers, 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.439 those Old Testament believers. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.299 What did they know? 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.519 Think about the temple. 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.779 Maybe they were going up for a religious service. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:09.699 They knew there was levels of access. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:12.240 You know, in the furthest place, 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.080 well, there was the Gentiles. 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.460 You know, because of their status, 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.559 they could only get so far. 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:19.299 And then, you know, the women and the children, 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.660 they could get a bit closer in. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.960 And then the men, they could get a bit closer still. 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.000 And then the priests, 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:25.539 well, they could go right into the sanctuary. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.340 And then for one man, the high priest, 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:29.960 he could go into the Holy of Holies just once a year. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.840 There's levels of access. 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:34.559 And within that, there was also temple warnings. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.819 Do not trespass. 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:38.679 Don't go beyond your appointed limits. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:43.759 But now here, something remarkable is happening. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.500 There's this promise and prophecy 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.480 that there is a day coming when anyone and everyone 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.939 through faith can draw near. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.879 That we can enjoy life in the presence of God. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:57.400 For us, it is saying to us that in the Lord Jesus 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.520 and what he has done, 00:21:58.840 --> 00:22:02.260 we can come near all the way in. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.280 That's part of the wonder of the gospel. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:10.980 And it's part of the joy that the gospel is a universal call. 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:14.060 Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.040 Full stop. 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:19.620 Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:24.559 And the goal of that salvation is that we can enter. 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:28.839 Enter into the joy of knowing God and life with him. 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.500 It's remarkable. 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:34.539 You go to the end of the Bible and you find Revelation 21. 00:22:34.699 --> 00:22:36.159 There's this picture of the new creation, 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:39.759 but there's gates to keep out the unclean. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:47.279 And if access is denied to those who are unclean and unworthy, 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.019 well, how can anyone ever enter? 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:52.759 It's the really important question that the gospel asks, isn't it? 00:22:53.239 --> 00:22:55.619 And we discover the answer is through Jesus. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:58.899 It's as if Jesus has the pass key that gives us access. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.379 Jesus is the pass key. 00:23:01.239 --> 00:23:03.539 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.559 Or Hebrews chapter 10. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:10.359 We have confidence to enter the most holy place 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.579 by the blood of Jesus, 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:16.379 by a new and living way opened for us. 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.160 His broken body, 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:21.740 his shed blood means we can draw near. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.860 So that's the call to worship, 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.540 to enter, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.440 to enjoy life in the presence of God. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:31.500 And then here's the cause for worship in verse five, 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.720 helping us to explain, 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:32.900 well, 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.800 why would we enter? 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.919 Why would we serve? 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:37.359 Why bother with church and worshiping together? 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.919 And it's here. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:43.099 It's in who the Lord Jesus is 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.680 and what he has done 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:46.079 and what he is like. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.759 For the Lord is good 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:51.500 and his love endures forever. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:56.119 His faithfulness continues through all generations. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:59.519 Here's the strength of the covenant being emphasized. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.099 Again, 00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.119 we saw it this morning. 00:24:01.239 --> 00:24:02.279 Here's the covenant name. 00:24:02.699 --> 00:24:03.359 Here's the Lord, 00:24:03.479 --> 00:24:04.359 personal God. 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:06.099 Here's his character 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:08.179 and his covenant ideas. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.459 Again, 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.119 he is good. 00:24:09.199 --> 00:24:10.139 His love is steadfast. 00:24:10.239 --> 00:24:11.859 His faithfulness endures. 00:24:12.239 --> 00:24:13.379 The risen Lord Jesus, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.000 we discover, 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.859 his love is stronger than death. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.679 It is timeless. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.839 It is forever. 00:24:17.979 --> 00:24:20.119 It is through all generations 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.859 so that the Christian can say, 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:24.419 nothing can separate us from the love of God 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.519 that's in Christ Jesus, 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.620 not even death itself. 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.580 Same kind of picture, 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.019 isn't it, 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.600 when we turn to Psalm 23. 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:35.220 The God who is with us and for us 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.039 and who follows us 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:38.080 is his goodness and his mercy, 00:24:39.300 --> 00:24:40.500 his covenant love. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:41.980 There is never a second 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:44.800 where the believer falls outside of 00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:46.860 our Father's loving care. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.840 There is never a moment 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:51.160 when our Savior is not with us 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.539 and for us by the Spirit. 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.160 And so our worship 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.580 is an opportunity 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:57.100 to express wonder 00:24:57.100 --> 00:25:00.580 at his wonderful love. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.660 One of the things we did this week 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:07.060 was to hang some new pictures 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:08.660 around our house. 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.100 And whenever you're hanging up 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:11.519 photos, I guess, 00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.340 rather than pictures, 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:14.400 they tend to pull you back, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:14.800 don't they, 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.980 to the time 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.200 and the place 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.120 and to the people 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.820 that were there. 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.660 And it's a good thing. 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.940 It's always nice 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.019 when you go to someone's house 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.840 to be able to look at 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.659 family portraits 00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.559 or holiday snaps, 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.359 those kind of things. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.619 One of the reasons 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:29.139 why we need church worship 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:31.859 is because every week 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:34.240 we are given by God 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.879 in his word 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.899 these portraits 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:37.619 of God's glory 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:39.559 and God's gospel. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:42.019 Every week we are reminded 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.339 this is our privilege, 00:25:43.459 --> 00:25:44.539 this is our purpose, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:47.699 that we are called to pause. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.700 It's the beauty of Sabbath. 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.960 We get to rest, 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:52.180 to be pulled back 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.759 to the covenant love 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.920 and goodness of our God 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:57.380 so that we would praise him. 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:01.600 And so we are made 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:03.200 by our worship 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.940 as we remind ourselves 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.940 week after week 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.160 of the goodness of God 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:08.200 in the gospel. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.860 We are made more and more 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:12.100 into joyful, 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.640 worshiping people. 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:16.259 So just some reflections 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.160 to consider 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.200 as we close. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.000 As we've asked the question, 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:20.020 why bother with church? 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.259 Why worship? 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.080 Here's a few things 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.720 to take away. 00:26:24.060 --> 00:26:25.080 When we gather 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.680 to worship, 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.920 we get to meet 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.820 with our spiritual family. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.960 For many of us, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.700 I am sure, 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.640 family gatherings 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.500 are a big deal. 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.759 And the same is true 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.220 for us 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.720 as a church family. 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:39.180 Here is a time 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.220 that God has given to us 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.759 when we can 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.780 encourage one another, 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:44.019 where we can find help 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.440 to grow in holiness, 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.859 where we can find wisdom, 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:50.420 where we can walk with others 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.920 so that we might stay faithful, 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.779 where we can encourage 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.259 one another 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.700 in the hope of the gospel. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.160 So every week, 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.720 we have the chance 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.440 to enjoy family time 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.819 as we worship. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.759 We also get strength 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.359 for the life of faith 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:08.420 as we worship together. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.039 When I take the dog 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.700 out for a walk 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.579 early in the morning, 00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:14.079 there is a whole range 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:16.059 of different exercise classes 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.460 going on in the links 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.000 and the meadows. 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:19.039 And it's really striking 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.899 to see the community 00:27:20.899 --> 00:27:22.440 that is obviously built up. 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.220 They're really glad 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.960 to see each other 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.319 and it seems to be 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.680 a motivating factor. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.639 The same should be true 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.299 and can be true 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.119 for us in church. 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:32.559 As we worship God 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.539 together, 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:36.019 as we confess our sin 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.639 and our needs together, 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:37.720 together, 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:39.500 as we have the opportunity 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:41.240 to receive, 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:43.600 to hear God in his word, 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:47.020 to hear and see the gospel, 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:49.100 we get strength 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:51.240 for the shared life of faith 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.280 because we weren't made 00:27:52.280 --> 00:27:53.840 to live the Christian life alone. 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.100 It helps us 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:58.460 to keep on going. 00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:01.799 And maybe as we worship, 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:03.440 we also get a heart checkup 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.400 at the same time. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.400 And as we gather weekly, 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.960 perhaps it can give us 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.519 those warning signs 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.799 for when we are prone 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.000 to wander. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.740 As we sit under God's word, 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.440 as we sing his praise, 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:18.160 as we hear the gospel, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.180 as we confess our sin, 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.440 it exposes us 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:22.360 to our sin. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.460 Maybe it helps to refocus 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:26.420 our priorities. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.840 It keeps us accountable 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.559 to God 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:31.059 and to his people. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.319 Because worship is a privilege, 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.160 but it's a privilege 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.940 that we need. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.579 Why worship? 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.460 That's because we're made for it 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:44.779 and we are remade by it. 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.220 Let's pray. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:49.000 Our God and our Father, 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.220 we thank you for 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:53.160 this high and holy privilege 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:55.019 of gathering together 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.759 in your presence. 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.500 Because we know 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.019 that when we gather here 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.060 that you are present 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:02.600 by your spirit 00:29:02.600 --> 00:29:04.120 and your spirit 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:05.279 wants to reveal 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.220 more of your glory 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.019 to us, 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.519 to draw us 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.540 deeper 00:29:10.540 --> 00:29:11.960 and more joyfully 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.240 into worship. 00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:15.400 And so we pray 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:17.080 that week by week 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.820 as we 00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:19.019 hear 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.000 and see 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.100 and retell 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:22.460 the story of the gospel, 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:23.860 you would be 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.860 shaping us 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:26.880 for joyful service. 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.180 You would make us 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.779 worshipers. 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:31.880 You would keep 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.960 reminding us 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:36.340 of what we are made for 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:38.420 and that that would enable us 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.759 to go from this place 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.840 to live lives 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:42.040 of worship 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:43.660 day to day. 00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:44.900 So help us 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.540 and teach us 00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:46.620 we ask 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.580 in Jesus' name. 00:29:48.060 --> 00:29:48.380 Amen. 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.540 Amen. 00:29:48.540 --> 00:29:48.600 Amen. 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:48.600 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:48.600