Lift Him Up

Matt. 4:23-25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matt 11:28 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

What drew people to Jesus? Was it PR, Ads, Spin? Faith comes by hearing - repentance is to change your mind - Jesus draw me close - if I be lifted up

I want to apologize for being unfaithful - stick with me pray with me and for me and follow me - we are going to higher ground

4 yr old, "Certainly not going to be any kissing going on at my wedding" ruin my lipstick and dress - later on "well, maybe I will wear chap stick" 5 yr old "I don’t think that the boy kissed the girl long enough" change your perspective, get close

When young I worshipped idolized athletes and actors, TV personalities. Saw Gary Stromberg. older I get - Dick Goddard.

Obey - Moses vs. Joshua - one got the water divided for him and didn’t get his feet wet. The other had to wade into the water.

Why obey - faith - yesterdays faith is today’s sight. Sight - grace upon grace until we see clearly.

How is Jesus lifted up?

1. In my worship - make a habit of it - wholly other - explore

Wonder - awe - gasp - He is Holy

Exalting in joy - (deacon tell your face)

Greatest honor we can give God is to live gladly in His love

2. In my obedience - there are questions you need never ask God - because He has already spoken.

You exalt Him with your obedience. (demonstrates trust love and faith)

Do the hard things not just the easy things - no faith needed to obey easy things - great faith to trust the hard things.

Why does God deserve my worship and praise

He is omniscient - I am clueless

He is omnipotent - I am riddled with weakness

He is omnipresent - I am 3-D

He is a servant - wait - I can be like Him here

Whenever I worship lessor God’s He is on the sidelines

God wants much more than lip service

To obey is better than sacrifice

With their lips they ...

How can I worship

With my whole being

Song praise is prayer not a performance so sing

What will happen to me? I will be overwhelmed by love - transformed

That is the purpose - to change me

God wants be to be touched by His love and presence to know and do His perfect will

Hint about TTB - pray for Bldg. team and trustees etc.

How much worship is enough?

Worship is the single most important element of life, more than eating, playing, romancing

If I were to issue report cards - how would you do?