How Can We Truly Worship God? Series

How Can We Truly Worship God?

Ephesians 5:18-20

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Series: The Book of Ephesians

(Prepared June 17, 2024)

(Revised July 7, 2024)

MESSAGE:

*Today our focus is on worship, and nothing is more important in our Christian life than heartfelt worship of God. But what is worship?

*Melvin Newland gave one of the best explanations I ever heard, and he started by saying, "Well, the English word 'worship' means 'to give the highest worth to'. -- So when we worship, we're saying, 'God, you are number one in my life. You come before anything or anyone else.'

*The main Old Testament word that we translate as 'worship' means 'to bow down, to humble ourselves, to recognize God's sovereignty, and express reverence in His presence.' God's favorite word for worship in the New Testament is 'proskuneo.' I say that because He used this original word 60 times. It has the word picture of an affectionate dog licking his master's hand. And this word expresses the ideas of love, loyalty, and undying gratitude.

*Now when you put it all together, 'Worship is when we come to God and recognize who He is. We say, "God, you are number one in my life." We humble ourselves before Him. We recognize that He is Sovereign and the source of authority. We recognize that God is worthy of our love, loyalty, and undying gratitude, so we express it all to Him." (1)

*God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is always worthy of our worship! He is the only true and living God, eternally perfect in every way. He created us, loves us, and has given us every good thing we have ever received. Best of all, God the Father gave His only begotten Son to become a mortal man, live a perfect life, and die on the cross for our sins. God the Holy Spirit also had a crucial part in this saving work all the way from our creation to Jesus' conception, and His resurrection. God is most worthy of our worship. But how can we truly worship God? Today's Scripture can help us.

1. FIRST CHRISTIANS: LET GOD FILL YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

*As Paul wrote in vs. 18, "Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (or wicked, reckless living); but be filled with the Spirit." Paul tells us to "be filled with the Holy Spirit." And Church: This is a command for us as Christians, not a suggestion. God is commanding us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And the great news is that He wants to fill us!

*Richard Tow explained that "We must have this filling to live a life that honors God. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit that sets us apart as God's people. God's command here is not for us to 'try harder'. Trying harder is no substitute for being filled with the Spirit. His influence working in us, and through us brings us the victory.

*It is also very important for Christians to know that when Paul said to 'be filled with the Spirit,' he was speaking to all Christians. Paul was speaking to the whole Church. God commands every Christian to be filled with His Holy Spirit. This is not just for a special few believers. It's for each and every one of us.

*Please also notice that this verb is in the present tense. It is talking about doing something now and in the future which involves a repeated action. It is not a one-time thing, and then you're done."

*Now, there have certainly been some onetime works of the Holy Spirit. His coming in Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost was a onetime thing. At that time around 120 of the earliest Christians were gathered together in an upper room in Jerusalem. It was 10 days after our risen Lord had ascended back into Heaven. And Acts 2:1-4 says:

1. Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

*On that day, the Holy Spirit came in a brand-new way. And this crucial new work could not happen until Jesus humbled Himself to be born in a human body, lived a perfect life, was crucified for our sins, rose again from the dead, and returned to Heaven to receive the glory He so richly deserved. Then and only then did God send the promise of His Spirit to His Church.