How is our worship of God?
In your own mind what score (from 1-10, 10 being perfect) would you give your worship of God when you come to church on a Sunday?
Here’s a peek into the main point of the message today: the quality of your worship of God does not totally depend on the worship team or the preacher!
One of our Scripture Verses recently was Psalm 46:10 which tells us to “Be still and know God”. We are to do this on a daily basis! How are we doing? How well do you know God? Please take a moment and write down in your bulletin how you would describe God. I’d really like you to think about this. I don’t want you to just write down what you’ve heard. What I’m asking you to write down is what you personally believe about God…..
This morning we will learn from Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please open your Bibles to the gospel of Luke Chapter 1. Before reading, let us pray our commitment to God’s Word……..
As we noted last week from Luke 1:26-45, “Nothing is impossible with God!” God promised a son to an old barren woman named Elizabeth and she was to name the child John who became John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Savior Messiah! God also promised a son to a virgin teenager named Mary and she was to name the child Jesus!
We now read words of praise from Mary in v46-55…..
Mary worshiped her God!
We can note at least 3 things that Mary did to praise God.
And since what we are reading are actually God’s Words, Mary’s words are approved by God! We are to imitate Mary in her praise of God and receive the same blessing as she did; an approval from the Almighty God.
We note in v46 the first thing that Mary did: 1. Mary’s soul glorified the Lord! What does this mean? We note that in v47 that the spirit is different from the soul. Because they can sometimes be used interchangeably, some do not think there is a difference between the soul and the spirit. Here’s another passage that calls out the two: Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." It is helpful here to look at the original Greek words for these two words.
The Biblical Greek word for soul here is psuche, which means where feelings, desires, and affections start from and coordinated. Soul makes decisions! The point here is that soul in this context makes a decision.
The Biblical word for spirit here in Luke 1 is pneuma which means a supernatural essence, The first man and woman did not become human beings until God breathed into them. The spirit within each one of us is internal and eternal.
Again, Mary said, my soul glorifies the Lord; Glorifies means to honor. And so, Mary decided within herself to honor God.
Then Mary exclaimed 2. “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. The word rejoices here is “agallo” meaning to exalt. And so Mary yielded herself (her spirit) to God which is God’s in the first place. In other words, Mary acknowledged the wonderful presence of God within her!
And Mary did not just honor and acknowledged God in her life just to do it. Mary had personal reasons for praising God; we can note from v48-55 what God has done for Mary and what Mary knew about God. Mary worshiped God because of what she knew about God!
What can we note from v48-51?
God is loving! God was mindful of Mary and exalted her.
God is Almighty! God is the mighty One who can do great things!
God is Holy! God is perfect! There is no one else like God!
What can we note from v51-52?
God is a Rightful Judge!!
From v53 we can note that God provides!
And in v54-55, we note that God is Faithful!
Mary worshiped God because of what she knew about God! Mary responded with worship as she pondered about who God is to her. Worship of God was both spiritual and natural to Mary. How spiritual and natural is our personal worship of God?
Ever wonder why there has to be a preaching of the Bible in a Worship Service?
1. The Bible is the Word of God. If we are to worship someone, we are to listen!
2. Our worship of God is dependent on how much we know about God!
In heaven as we worship God, there will be no need for preaching!
Do you want to worship like Mary did, a spiritual and a natural response to God? When the Word of God is preached, listen very carefully what God is saying then write down what you just heard, during the week, ponder about what you heard! How real to you is that prayer of commitment to God’s word at the beginning of the message? The next time we pray that prayer, be sincere with God. You see, the quality of your worship is mostly dependent on how your heart is to God, not because of the worship team or the preacher!
Do you desire a better worship experience?
1. Totally open your heart to God. Humble yourself to Jesus Christ!
Check your heart often; who is sitting on that throne of your heart?
2. Think about who God is and what He’s done!
3. Decide within yourself to honor God.
4. Acknowledge the presence of God within you!
H-T-H-A >>> Worship!
Before we worship with our Offerings, please take a moment to meditate about these things. Are these things about God Mary noted true for you?
