STUDY THEME: THE CHURCH GOD’S COMMUNITY OF GRACE. 6-29-03.

"WORSHIPPING GOD." PSALMS 100:1-5, REVELATION 5:1-10.

PSALMS 100: 1-3, 4-5; REVELATION 5: 1-5, 6-10.

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO PSALMS 100.

Acts 2: 32-47 listed all five functions of the church. These are worship, ministry, discipleship, fellowship, and evangelism.

Today’s lesson focuses on the first function of the church; "to worship God." The theme of this lesson is "that worship is adoration of God and showing reverence for Him." The word "worship" can also mean "service." Serving the Lord is also a form of worship.

Worship is a hot topic today, not only the style of worship, but the purpose of worship as well. Our scripture passages will help us understand more clearly the style of worship and the proper focus for worship.

Let’s look first at the proper attitude we should bring to worship.

The Psalms provided Israel with many songs of joy. Several of the Psalms have been put to music and become part of our worship service today.

In Vs. 1-3 the psalmist extends a call to praise the Lord. The call goes out beyond t he chosen people to all peoples of the earth. God is their King too, whether they are aware of it or not. Vs. 1 stresses that we should worship with a sense of priority. Man is a religious being. When he communes with the heavenly Father he is essentially devout. We should always worship as though the Deity were present. If my mind is not in my worship, it is as though I am not worshipping. The tongue blessing God without the heart is but a tinkling cymbal. It is for the sake of man, not of God, that worship and prayers are required: that man may be made better. Man is a religious being; the heart instinctively seeks for a god to worship. Shakespeare wrote "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words, without thoughts, never to heaven go."

In Vs. 2 God is not a despotic king who forces people to serve Him. Loving service is a grateful response to the grace of God. We should worship with a spirit of joyfulness.

The setting for Psalm 100 is a call to worship God in the temple. This is obvious from Vs. 4. The psalm falls into two parts. Worshipers, or a choir, probably sang these words as the people prepared to enter and entered the temple. This Psalm is a Hebrew hymn of praise that calls God’s people to worship Him because He is worthy of worship. The tone of the entire psalm is the joyful anticipation for the worshipers. Both parts emphasize the God whom we are called to worship.

God made us. He is Creator and Owner, and we are His. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. In worship the creature worships the Creator. Christians worship for an even greater reason. Through salvation in Christ, Christians have become God’s redeemed people. They know God experimentally as both Creator and Redeemer. They have double reason to offer Him the service of Worship. As their Shepherd, God leads, protects, and cares for them on a daily basis. Worship allows them to express their thanks and their love to God. The purpose of worship is not to meet our needs. The purpose of worship is to know God.

Who is the audience in worship? Most people are confused about the answer to this crucial question. Many consider a congregation, in a place of worship, to be like spectators at a sporting event or an audience in a theater watching a play. In this misconception, the musicians and the preacher are the ones who perform for these audiences. This way of thinking reduces the congregation to spectators and critics. In the biblical view of public worship, the audience is God Himself. Everything that is said and done is directed to Him. The members of a congregation, along with the worship leaders, are to direct their worship to the Lord.

Exodus 19:5-6 was the Lord’s promise to Israel that they would be His special people. First Peter 2:9, applies that promise to Christians. God owns us. We belong to Him. His role as Shepherd of the flock depicts our helplessness apart from God’ and our dependence on Him for life and all things good.

These verses follow the same pattern as the first three. The psalmist called the worshipers to worship; then provided reasons for worship. In Vs. 4 the first command is enter. It appears that the worshipers have now approached the city and are headed for it’s gates, likely the temple gates. Following the theme suggested in V s. 2, the people have now reached their destination. They must enter with thanksgiving. God’s presence is no place for dread, guilt, or insecurity for those who belong to Him. They are to focus totally on God’s goodness and blessings. His courts are located inside the temple gates, so the procession continued to move closer to the altar of sacrifice. Thanksgiving turns to praise. Technically, praise focuses on God’s nature and character: who He is. Thanksgiving recalls God’s benevolent actions: what He has done. The distinctions may not apply here, since both are repeated for emphasis—give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Vs. 5, like Vs. 3, describes the God we worship. Three reasons are presented for praise. First, the Lord is good. This is good news. In the difficult circumstances of life, many have come to the conclusion that God is evil. No! God is good. The God who created and sustains all things is good. This is the foundation for all trust in Him. Since He is good, He can only do good things, including proper care for His children. Mercy refers to God’s "love" or "loving kindness.

Second, His love endures forever. The psalmist moved to the central attribute of God’s character. He is always a God of love. God’s love integrates and focuses all His attributes. God’s timeless love provides a solid basis for praise regardless of the circumstances. Worshipers can rest in God’s unchanging love. If God was not merciful and loving, none of us would be able to come into His presence to worship Him.

Finally, His faithfulness continues. The progression moves to God’s activity, the way His goodness and love come to us. Faithfulness means He will consistently and constantly remain true to His purposes, especially as they relate to His care of His people. We can depend on Him.

Acceptable worship is based on God’s blessings as well as His ownership.

Worship will help us to know the sovereignty of God; to know the creative power of God; to know the compassionate provisions of God; to know the goodness of God; to know the love of God; and to know the faithfulness of God.

PLEASE TURN TO REVELATION 5. John wrote this book while exiled on the Isle of Patmos, away from his home in Ephesus.

Verses 4: 1- 5:14 contains John’s vision of heaven. John learned from the vision the reasons that the inhabitants of heaven believe God is worthy of worship and therefore worship Him. Let’s take a few moments to look back to Rev. Ch. 4 to find the setting for Ch. 5.

In John 14:1-4, Jesus promised that He would go to prepare a place for all believers that where He is we may be also. He promised to return to accompany all believers to heaven. We call this the "rapture of the church." John’s experience was a picture of our rapture when Jesus comes. He said, "I will come again." and He will come! How do we praise Him today for the blessed hope of His return? Are you ready?

In the heavenly scene, at first, John sees only the risen Lord. Then, John’s attention is focused on the scroll that another person holds, while seated on the throne. The scroll is sealed with seven seals. It is in God’s right hand. The details of God’s appearance are not described; reminding us that words can never describe the majesty of God.

Someone has aptly said, "The little seven-sealed book in the hand of the one on the throne, contains the secret of the chapters which follow, and is the key which opens the entire book of Revelation." The right interpretation of the mysterious book or scroll will give you the correct understanding of the rest of the book.

This was probably the book of human destiny, including redemption of God’s people and punishment for His enemies, and those who follow him. One result of worship is a vision of God with insight into His purpose. In Vs. 5 we find that only the Lamb of God is worthy to break the seven seals and open the book. The word "worthy" refers to one who is qualified and powerful enough to break the seals.

At first John was told that no one was worthy to do this. No one came even close to having the necessary credentials. No one could even look inside the scroll, much less interpret and bring it about. John says, "he wept much" until one of the elders, representing the raptured church, told him to stop crying. The reason was that One had been found who was worthy. This One is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. Early Christians immediately recognized these as O.T. prophecies of the Messiah, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

"Hath Prevailed," in Vs. 5 means "He has conquered" or "has overcome." Jesus Christ has won the victory over Satan, sin, and death through His life, death, and resurrection. Because He is victorious, He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Jesus’ victory reveals His character.

Satan still goes about like a roaring lion, but he has suffered a mortal wound. He, his allies, and his followers are doomed. The consummation of this victory is yet future, but Christians have already seen how the story ends. Thus worship dries tears and gives confident hope.

All bow before the heavenly throne and the One who occupies it. True worship appreciates the worthiness of its object. Christians worship God the Father. But as the Bible instructs true worship is directed toward Jesus Christ as well. Such worship is encouraged, by His vicarious death and triumphant resurrection.

The Lamb of God had been slain and yet John saw him standing. The lamb was not dead. He was alive and erect. The seven horns and seven eyes are further signs of His power and vitality. Early Christians would immediately recognize this figure as Jesus Christ who died for their sins, but who was raised from the dead.

John watched as He took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. This action led to the worship and adoration in Vs. 8-14. The four and twenty elders and the four beasts appeared in the vision of worship in Ch. 4. Now they appear as taking the lead in the worship of Christ our Redeemer. Some Bible students identify the 24 elders as symbolic of God’s people from the old covenant and the new covenant. They see the four living creatures as all of creation, including human life. Others identify both groups as angelic beings. Whoever they are, they declared that the Slain Lamb had redeemed people to God…out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. In a later vision in Rev. 7:9-11, the redeemed join the elders and creatures in praising God.

Music was a part of the heavenly worship. They had harps, instruments for making music, and they sang a new song that included Christ as the Creator. Thus we know that singing is a lasting part of worship.

Commenting on the visions of Revelation 4-5, Herschel H. Hobbs wrote, "This twofold vision certainly encouraged the Christians in Asia to say, "Lord Jesus," rather than "Lord Caesar." And it has put steel in the spines of suffering Christians through the ages. The scene closes with all creation prostrate in worship before God and the slain, but ever living Lamb. No matter what men on earth may do to us, the Lord Omnipotent reigns! And in Him His people will reign also.

THE APPLICATION:

Worship is central in the Christian life.

Christ is central to worship.

Joy is the right attitude to bring to worship.

A fuller knowledge of Christ is the expected result of worship.

THE NEXT FOUR LESSONS ARE TAKEN FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS. WE BEGIN JULY 6 WITH "GOOD NEWS! SAVED BY GRACE."

A.V. DAUGHERTY 6-29-03