Daniel 10:11,12
And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
Today we’re going to talk about worship. It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to understand God's will and God's plan. The angel addressed Daniel by name and told him that he was greatly loved in heaven.
I want to tell you today that if you understand Daniel's principle and if you have the right attitude before the Lord, the very first day that you apply your heart with humbleness to understand God's plan answers will be sent from heaven.
The angel told Daniel! "I have come because of your words" but there was an attitude of worship in the heart of Daniel that had this messenger deployed from God's armies down to Earth with an answer from The Lord. Words without worship will not trigger heavenly answers. Your heart must be in right standing with God in order to take the words of your prayers to the Holy of Holies.
Illustration
There is a great lesson to be learned from the dictionary. When things start going bad, we often fear they will only get worse. It seems that "worse" will take us to the "worst". To prevent the "worse" from turning in to the "worst" look at the unique set up God has provided in the English language. Any standard dictionary will separate the words "worse" (and it’s derivatives) and "worst" with one special word – "worship." When circumstances seem to be slipping in the wrong direction, remember that worship is the buffer between "worse" and "worst".
A. You were planned for God’s pleasure.
“You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11)
1. The first purpose God gave you is to bring Him pleasure. He made you with the idea of enjoying you: your personality, your ideas, your appearance, and everything unique about you.
2. When you realize that God takes pleasure in you, you realize that you are significant. You don’t have to impress anyone, including God. He loves you and greatly desires to be with you.
3. We call this pleasure that we bring to God “worship.” Jesus said, “The Father is looking for anyone who will worship Him that way”
John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
B. We can describe what worship is not.
Illustration: Gordon Dahl said, “Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.”
1. Worship is not just music or a style of music. Many people confuse worship with music or singing the “slow songs.” Worship, however, is a lifestyle of bringing pleasure to God, whether it is by singing, praising, or even working as you commune with Him. If you limit worship to where you are, the minute you leave that place of worship you will leave your attitude of worship behind like a crumpled-up church bulletin
2. Worship is not for your benefit. Worship is not intended just for what you can get out of it or how good it can make you feel. The intent of worship is for God to receive pleasure from your passion and commitment to Him.
3. Worship is not a part of your life—it is your life. Every step and every activity of your life should involve worship. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the kitchen, at work, on the road, or in the prayer room. Worship should be the focus of all your life.
C. The heart of worship is surrender
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
1. Paul, in speaking to the brethren, said, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Worship, according to the Bible, is the surrender of your will for God’s pleasure.
2. Beginning with Abel’s and Noah’s sacrifices, God “smelled” the aroma of a surrendered victim. Imagine His great pleasure when He saw Abraham’s willingness to surrender his son, Isaac. The ultimate sacrifice, Jesus’ offering on the cross, was a “sweet-smelling savor” to God (Eph. 5:2 ).
3. Fear, pride, and confusion are the three barriers that block your ability to surrender: fear to trust God’s control, pride to surrender your will, and confusion to submit to God’s order. When you overcome these barriers and surrender to God, that is called “going to the cross.”
D. Worship is becoming God’s friend (James 2:21–23).
1. Abraham’s obedience to God made him the friend of God. You can choose the level of friendship and closeness you have with God through your level of drawing near to Him in worship (James 4:8).
2. Jesus called His disciples “friends” (John 15:14). A friend of God obeys His will and is open, transparent, and honest with God about his failures and needs.
3. Moses spoke to God “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex. 33:11 NIV). Moses exemplifies a man of worship, passion, and closeness with God. The keys to a life of worship can be found in Moses’ experience on Mount Sinai.
Tommy Tenney writes in God Catchers, "Your problems aren’t too big—perhaps your worship is too small."
Have you ever eaten at an expensive restaurant for a special occasion? There you are, all dressed up, with three different forks, fine china and crystal. You are very careful to not embarrass yourself by spilling anything, or doing anything inappropriate. Now compare that to eating a meal at home. There you are in comfortable clothes, you definitely only have one fork! If you are like Sara and I, you are eating your meal relaxed and with no particular Etiquette. There is no fine china or crystal. If you drop something on the floor, you wait to see if the dog will eat it. Obviously, you are cozy and comfortable. You see, God didn’t design worship to be an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant. He designed worship to be a family meal, a time to come together in a comfortable setting, with your brothers and sisters.
Revelation 22:3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.
One day we will worship seeing the face of God. This is a privilege for those who serve Him. If you attend to a Church this is a good thing, you are in the right direction but until you serve you are denying yourself from this privilege. Jesus insisted many times with his disciples that they should start serving him on Earth and to be faithful in the small things. John received the ultimate revelation about worship. As an angel was showing him the things that are yet to come he felt on his knees to worship but the angel said,
Revelation 22:9 but he said to me, “ You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Notice again that worship is for those who serve, for those that God is looking for. True worship comes from the heart and not from the lips. Many Christians look like they worship but they only sing songs. A true worshiper has a character like Daniel that moves heaven and earth. A true worshiper is humble like John that is ready to serve God in the most difficult circumstances. I finished this message at the airport as I was in a crowd ready to pass the gates. Nobody can fly without a ticket and a proof of citizenship. I'm telling you that in the heavenly realm the proof of citizenship is the heart of worship and not the church membership card.
Matthew 22:11-14
11 But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘ Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? ’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘ Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Early in his career, Matt Redman, the popular Christian musician in Britain, was singing with his church’s praise band when his pastor confronted them. They were proud of their musical performance, he said, but they were neglecting true worship. Insulted by the charge, the members of the band left the church—all, that is, except Redman. Shortly afterward, he wrote his hit song "The Heart of Worship," which included these words: "I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about you, Jesus."
Video Sermon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzdjGWhEKTs
MOre Sermons: http://pastortony.ca/
