O Come Let Us Worship

1-25-05

Title: O Come Let Us Worship

From: Pastor’s Annual 2005

Theme: The Disciplines of Discipleship

Text: “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6)

Bible Reading: Psalm 95:1-7

1 O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

5 The sea is his, for he made it; for his hands formed the dry land.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would hearken to his voice!

Introduction

A good football coach puts his players through certain physical exercises and disciplines necessary for developing the skills and stamina that will make it possible for them to have a winning team.

In the spiritual realm, there are certain indispensable disciplines that we must subject ourselves to if we would truly be all that God intends.

Our text details one discipline necessary for experiencing the abundant life that Jesus came into the world to give.

Jesus talked about the abundant life and on one occasion He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

It’s wonderful being a Christian, and I thank God for saving me and giving me such an abundant life.

I wouldn’t change places with anyone.

The invitation to worship that the psalmist extends is both present now, and unending in its use.

To worship is the same as assigning praise and honor and glory to God.

It is the same thing as respecting and honoring Him with the heart and soul.

Genuine worship is full of life, and it’s a transforming experience both for the individual worshipper and for the congregation as they worship together in spirit and in truth.

Worship is a personal encounter with God as He reveals Himself to us through scripture, song, sermon, and the praises of God’s people.

We need to recognize and respond to the psalmist’s gracious invitation to come and worship.

This morning, I want to point out three things about the call to worship.

The first is-

The call to worship is a call to recognize and respond to the very presence of God.

This is a call to conscious awareness of the presence of God.

Circumstances can cause us to complain, “I’m at the end of my rope!”

It’s a cry of both desperation and frustration.

In times like these it is good to remember “God lives at the end of our rope.”

Sometimes we must get to the end of what we can do before we are willing to step aside and let God meet our needs.

Thankfully, He’s always there to care!

This call to worship is also a call to awe, admiration, and adoration of the living God.

We express this adoration when we praise God.

Praising God is not something that comes naturally to any one.

In fact, praise, for some of us goes against our nature.

Occasionally, praise feels more like a duty; like lip service given to the opening prayer of the church service.

Every believer, though, can with persistence learn to praise God in all things.

At this point I should give you the who, where, how, when, what, and why for prayer.

Who is to praise God?

All of God’s people, all of creation (Ps. 145:4, 5; Is. 55:12).

Where do you praise God?

Praise is fitting wherever you are (Ps. 96:3).

How do you praise God?

Praise is expressed through words and music (Ps. 33:1–3).

When do you praise God?

God should be praised at all times (Ps. 34:1).

What do you praise God for?

God is praised for His greatness (Ps. 150:2).

Why do you praise God?

God is worthy of your praise (Rev. 5:12).

Praise is your best weapon against Satan.

When you praise God, you are showing the heavenly hosts, powers, principalities, demons of darkness, and angels of light that your great God is worthy of praise—no matter what your circumstances are.

Praise produces victory, and victory inspires praise.

Genuine praise must flow from your heart even during times of sorrow, discouragement, trial, and temptation (Ps. 42:5).

The praise of His people brings glory to God, and what a privilege it is to bring God joy!