A vision for the Church: Worship Genesis 22
We have looked at other elements in the vision for the church:
To see the lost saved- evangelism
To see Christians mature- discipleship
To see the church one- fellowship
To see the world changed- service
To see Christi exalted- worship
Today we examine the final element: Worship
What role should worship play in the life of the church and the life of the Christian? Is worship just a time we set aside on Sunday mornings? Or is it something much, much, more?
Genesis 22
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
A. Worship is about perspective
It’s not about me.
It’s about Jesus.
Abraham trusted God.
Abraham knew God was in control.
Abraham didn’t make this test be about him, but about God.
B. Worship is about preparation
Abraham prepared for worship. He got everything together that he needed for worship.
He prepared physically.
He prepared emotionally.
He prepared mentally.
He prepared spiritually.
What do you do to prepare for worship?
Worship throughout the week.
Get plenty of sleep Saturday night.
Spend time in prepare before Sunday morning worship begins.
Focus your heart and thoughts and praise on God in preparation for worship.
C. Worship is about Obedience
God gave Abraham instructions and they were followed exactly.
He didn’t question, argue, barter, hesitate, or rationalize disobedience.
We are called to worship the Lord.
Do we obediently worship God, or just show up hope that is good enough?
D. Worship is about sacrifice (slide #6)
Faith and trust and love- sacrifice.
He loved Isaac, but he loved God more.
I am saddened by how easy it seems to be for some Christians to miss church.
Sometimes it seems like worship is only important to people if they have nothing else to do.
NOTHING could be more important, of greater value, or more worthy than God is of our worship.
E. Worship is about transformation (slide #7)
Through the worship everyone’s life was changed.
Isaac
Abraham
Sarah
When we truly give our lives and our hearts to God in worship, our lives will be transformed!!
