Why Worship?

First Baptist Church

PDL - Why Worship?

February 16, 2020

Every Sunday morning a handful of people from our surrounding towns comes to church. Every man, woman and child has a story - a life that goes on from Monday through Saturday. Age doesn’t matter. We all have a story.

For some folks - it’s been a great week, there were victories and celebrations, for others, it was just another week, it came and it went. For still others, it wasn’t what you wanted. Maybe it was the job, maybe it was home life, maybe it’s health related. Whatever it is, good, not so good, or anywhere inbetween, we all have a story. It’s a daily story which becomes a life story . . . and it’s our story.

Some of you rushed to get here this morning. You barely made it in the doors. Some of you were trying to decide if you wanted to go out in the winter weather; or you just weren’t really feeling it, but you’re here. And I’m super thrilled you’re here!

What we spoke about last week and are moving into for the next few weeks are really, really important about who Christ is calling us to be. Last week I stated, “you are what you value.” I believe our values drive us, they lead us to make certain decisions and say and do certain things. In the end, our values, which may be learned, ultimately come from within.

As we look at our purpose in life, for the next couple of weeks we’re going to look at worship. What is worship, why worship and how can we worship when we’re all so different - with so many different likes and dislikes.

Really, what’s at stake when you walk into this building? I tried to think about the progression. I think it can change, but I believe it’s --

Why worship

What is worship, then

How to worship

The first 2 kind of go together, yet are different . . . and the 3rd one is the tough one, because we’re all different and have different tastes when it comes to music, prayer, fellowship, and sermons. But there are some commonalities that we can all practice which should draw us closer to God and one another in worship. And in the end, I think you may be surprised with what I’m going to say. Not so much today, but especially next week.

In the last book and chapter of the Bible, in Revelation 22, the apostle John is giving us this amazing glimpse of heaven. The chapter starts off with so much joy and hope. I want to read the first 7 verses of Revelation 22, to give you a back drop to what John is experiencing and to what he does. John tells us --

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

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.

4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

This is what John was witnessing and passing along to us. John is overwhelmed with what the angel is telling him. Consider what John’s hearing . . . we will see God face to face, there will no longer be night, but God’s light is all we need. We will live forever, nothing will be accursed. We’ll always be in God’s presence. John can barely contain himself. He then writes –

8 And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,

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.” - Revelation 22:8–9