A. WORSHIP
1. The effectiveness of worship is not measured by music, our words, or the place.
2. True worship is always measured by the response of the heart to God.
3. True worship is measured by the transformation of the worshiper.
4. True worship never allows us to remain the same person.
5. Types of worship are not right or wrong.
6. True worship never changes, but it changes us.
B. LEARNING WORSHIP FROM MARY (THE MAGNIFICENT)
“Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word . . . (weeks later) and Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . . for He who is mighty has done great things for me . . . He has shown strength with His arm . . . He has filled the hungry with good things . . He has helped His servant . . . in remembrance of His mercy’” (Luke 1: 38, 46-47, 49, 51, 53-54).
1. What prompted Mary to worship? She received Christ. “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (v. 35).
a. The “of” tells Jesus got his DNA from Mary.
b. Mary’s Son = humanity.
c. God’s Son = deity.
2. She yielded to God. “Be it unto me” (v. 38).
3. She partnered with God. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” (v. 28).
4. She based her worship on the Word. “According to Thy Word” (v. 30).
5. She emphasized her part. “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” She substituted, “my soul” to emphasis “myself.”
6. She testified receiving salvation. “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (v. 47).
7. She received God’s work. “For He that is might, has done to me great things” (v. 49).
8. She recognized God’s power in her. “He that shown strength with His arm” (v. 51).
9. Her emptiness was filled with God. “He hath filled the hungry” (v. 53).
10. She was mindful of mercy. “He has helped His servant to plead mercy” (v. 54, ELT).
C. PRACTICING WORSHIP WITH THE SHEPHERDS: Luke 2:8-20
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid . . . For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord . . . So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2: 8-9, 11, 15-20, NKJV).
1. Their work ethic influenced their worship. “Keeping watch over their flocks by night” (2:8).
2. A worship moment will come when you are where you should be, doing what you should do. “The angel of the Lord stood before them” (2:9).
3. They experienced atmospheric worship, i.e., the presence of God. “The glory (Shekinah) of the Lord shone round about them” (v. 9).
4. Worship experience introduced fear of God. “They were sore afraid” (v. 10).
a. Negative – to be scared.
b. Positive – reverential trust.
5. Instant obedience led them to find His presence. “Let us now go” (v. 15).
6. Can’t separate salvation and worship. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (v. 11).
7. Spiritual insight and worship. “See this thing which is come to pass which the Lord has made known to us” (v. 15).
8. Intense search leads to worship. “They came with haste and found” (v. 16).
9. Worship leads to action. “When they had seen, they made known abroad” (v. 17).
10. The results of our worship influences others. “And all those who heard it marveled at those things” (v. 18).
11. Worship is not about our experience or action, but about Him.
12. “The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard” (v. 20).
13. Some things of worship are so intimate we can’t share with others. “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (v. 19).
D. PRIVATE WORSHIP WITH ANNA: LUKE 2:36-38
“Now there was one, Anna. A prophetess . . . and this woman was a widow of about 84 years, who did not depart out of the temple, but served God with fastings, and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Israel” (Luke 2:36-38).
1. By seeking God’s presence, Anna was rewarded with a glimpse of Jesus. “Did not depart from the temple” (v. 37).
2. Anna emphasized intense worship. “With fasting and prayers” (v. 37). Pray is deomai = to beg.
3. Anna emphasized 24/7 worship. “Night and day serving.” The word serving is latrew = to serve God with worship.
4. Circumstantial worship, “coming in that instant” (v. 38).
5. Thanksgiving grows out of worship. “She gave thanks to the Lord” (v. 38). When you meet God, you are thankful for everything.
6. When you meet God in worship, you want to share it with others. “Spoke of Him to all” (v. 38).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com.
