How Great Thou Art

HOW GREAT THOU ART

TEXT: Psalm 8; John 4:23-24

INTRODCUTION:

1 Our topic today is titled, How Great Thou Art.

2 Last week we answered the question, “What is Worship. It is only logical to follow up such a subject with a discussion of the God we worship.

3 I know of no better place to go for such a discussion than the song How Great Thou Art.

4 Many Songs of worship and praise have been penned, but I know of none more renowned and beloved that this beautiful song.

5 You have a booklet in the pew in front of you. It would help if you take one out and follow along.

6 The message this hour will be based on the ideas couched in the song How Great Thou art.

DISCUSSION:

I. First, and foremost, God is to be worshipped because he is the creator of all things and as such is worthy of the worship of all creation.

A. Sing Section 1

B. It helps us to understand this because when we are discouraged, it helps to remember what a great, powerful and loving God we serve.

C. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Men who were nearly overcome with discouragement: Job & Elijah are just to examples.

D. Listen to Psalm 8 describe the creator God we Worship

E. Quote Psalm 8.

F. Isaiah 40 21-23

(Isa 40:25-26 NKJV) "To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One. {26} Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.

G. Sing

II. God is great because he cares for us.

A. Psalm 8:3.

(Luke 12:6-7 NIV) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. {7} Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

B. Matt 6

C. He made us a little lower than the angels.

D. Dominion

III. He Gave us his son.

A. Sing Section 2

B. Verse three says, And when I think that God his son not sparing

(Heb 2:7-9 NKJV) You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. {8} You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. {9} But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

C. Golden verse of the Bible.

IV. Jesus is coming again.

A. When he returned to heaven he was crowned Lord of all.

B. That means that we should be willing to tell the world that we are redeemed.

(Psa 51:12-14 NKJV) Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. {13} Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. {14} Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

(Acts 4:18-20 NKJV) And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. {19} But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. {20} "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

C. Because he is returning we fight the battle with tenacity.

1. When Paul died he said

(2 Tim 4:6-8 NKJV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

D. Sing last section

CONCLUSION:

7 It’s a great honor to worship and serve God.

8 That service begins when we become his children.

(Phil 2:9-11 NKJV) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, {11} and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.