Who & Why We Worship Sermon by Roger Nelmes, John 4:23-24

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Who & Why We Worship Series

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 30, 2008 (message contributor)

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Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Summary: Part Two of three in a series about worship answering the question of WHO and WHY we worship.

Worship: In Spirit and in Truth

Part 2: Who and Why should we Worship?

Review Part One: What is Worship?

Worship is:

1. “a bowing down”, describing our approach to God, submission, deep respect.

2. “service”, highest role of worship

• - Worship is LIVING: Daily & Deliberate

• - Worship is SACRIFICIAL: David, Abram, and You – it will cost you something

• - Worship is SPIRITUAL: communicating with God on a higher level

• - Worship is SERVING: We show God His worth by serving Him with our lives.

Part 2: Who and Why should we Worship?

Who should we worship? Our Creator – Our Lover – Our Friend

Why should we worship God? Because of who He is. - Because of what He’s done.

Text: Exodus 20:2-6; John 4:23-24;

According to the definition of worship, we worship many things in life – superstars, money, relationships, material possessions, success, etc. In addition to that, some people worship other gods – Ala, Budda, Mohamed, mother earth, etc. So who or what should we worship?

1. Worship the Lord your God

Exodus 20:2-6

"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. "Do not worship any other gods besides me. "Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.” (NLT)

Mark 12:28-30

"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: ’Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

(NIV) (cf. Matthew 22:36-40)

A. God commands us to worship.

Usually when we do a top ten list of any kind, we save the TOP or NUMBER ONE for #1. That is exactly what God did here with the Ten Commandments. Jesus confirms this truth in Matthew 22:36-40 & Mark 12:28-31. (Besides, as you read through the rest you’ll notice that if we have this number one command in check, the rest should follow suite.)

B. God is jealous.

How does your boyfriend/girlfriend react when you are flirting with someone else? How would they react if you took someone else out on a date, or worse yet, caught you kissing them?

God wants to be number one in your life! He doesn’t want to compete with other “things” in this world, whether good or bad.

2 Cor 11:2

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” (NIV)

• - Worship the Lord Your God: He commands it, he demands it!

• - You can add - C. God desires our worship & - D. God inhabits our worship

2. Worship God for who He is

Who is God to you? How would you define God? – Psalm 150:2

A. His Essence – the nature of God, aspects of God’s divine substance

1. He is Spirit: “God is Spirit” – John 4:24

He is immaterial – does not consist of matter

He is Invisible – cannot be seen (Jn. 1:18; Col. 1:15)

He is Alive – not dead, one who feels, is active, and powerful (Mt. 16:16; Acts 14:15; 1 Thes. 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:15)