Worship Is More Than You Think Series

Probably the most preparation I have ever made for one worship service was when Jan and I started a church in Northern Michigan in a small town called “Charlevoix.”

I was fresh out of seminary, 25 years old and excited about launching the new church. Yet, if you ever have been part of a church plant, you will know, church planting is a lot of work.

As we rolled into town we started from scratch, square one, from the ground up.

a) First, we had to find a building for us to worship in. It was a humble start, the only building in

town that we could find was a small grease garage that was used “Site Planning” company for

the mechanical arm of their business. For months we cleaned, painted, filled an oil change

trough with sand and capped it with concrete. We transformed a garage into a “house of God”

that was used for years to come.

b) Second, we had to build relationships. Meet people. Invite them to come to our first worship

service that took place 4 month’s later. We actually called every house in town and found

180 families that were at least willing to learn more about the new church that was starting.

c) Third, there were physical things that had to be done. Chairs, Bibles, teaching materials, music

had to be prepared and everything that you can imagine on an extremely small shoe string

budget.

d) Prayer was a priority. Hours were spent in prayer and spiritual preparation asking God for His

divine favor, blessing, and provision in birthing a brand-new church for His Kingdom

purposes.

Finally, the Sunday arrived four months from our arrival. We were excited, prayerful, (and if I am honest) a little nervous about the day we had prepared for so long.

On that Sunday, our first service had 12 people. The next Sunday 6 people. The following Sunday 2 people. Not exactly a mega church most might hope for in the church planting/missionary work. Yet, over a ten-year period that followed, we saw many people come to Jesus and the church grow into a thriving church that built passionate followers of Jesus.

Yet, while the church did not start with a large crowd, one thing I will never forget is what happened when we began worshipping there.

It’s hard to describe and explain, but when we started worshipping that morning, something supernatural happened. You could sense it in the air. The best way I know how to describe it is to say that “the presence of God” inhabited that little grease garage and it became God’s house; a genuine place where we met with God and He showed up. It became a place where we genuinely approach God together.

Transition:

What I sensed that day was something that I think happens every time we worship God; yet because we have become accustomed to it; sometimes we fail to recognize it.

This has caused me to ask many times: “How should I approach God in worship? How should I prepare? What should I come expecting?”

The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 10: 19-25 opens the curtain and helps us see how God sees worship. He shows us that worship is more than we think.

Today, let’s look beyond the room and lift our eyes to see worship from God’s vantage point.

Where do we start?

Transitional Sentence: In this passage we are reminded that worship is more than we think because:

I. Worship Is A Privilege

Vs. 19- “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus.”

Explanation:

Worshipping God is a privilege. This week I had a funeral for a gentleman in our church and his Son said something to me that has stuck with me all week. He said: “For my Dad, worship was not a hobby.”

Listen: From this passage, we learn something about approaching God. It is both; a privilege because coming near to God is costly.

Verse 19 explains: “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus.

If you study one of the first worship events in the Old Testament, you will meet the two sons of Adam and Eve: Cain and Abel.

When they go to worship as recorded in Genesis 4, we see their offerings. The Bible says: “Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground.” Genesis 4:3

Yet, the following verse (vs. 4) came from the Abel. It reads: “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions, and the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard.” Genesis 4: 4-5

Something was wrong with what Cain brought. Can brought some veggies. He brought maybe some cabbage, okra, a nice bunch of lettuce to construct a good salad. God didn’t accept it.