Who We Worship: Basic Church Sermon Series

"Who We Worship"

Intro: We started a new series this past Sunday. It is entitled "Basic Church." We will be looking at various aspects of the life of the church. This week is focused on worship.

"Worship changes the worshipper into the image of the One worshipped." Jack Hayford

Discovery: This week we are looking at the object of our worship: God Himself. We talked about a number of different aspects of God's character but I am going to focus on just one for this blog.

The One True God: In Mark 12:28-34, we find the familiar verses that contain the Great Commandment. When posed with the question, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answers, "The most important one 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.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." When thinking of the Great Commandment, we often focus on the later part (love God, love others) and we simply read over the first part of Jesus' reply, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one."

That verse comes from Deut. 6:4 and it is known as the Shema. It is arguably the most important verse in all of Judaism. It is the centerpiece of the both the morning and evening prayers of every observant Jewish person and it is often the last words uttered before one dies. The Shema affirms the core theological tenant in all of Judaism: The monotheistic essence of God. The Jewish people have professed this faith and confession despite all the obstacles, challenges, and persecutions that they have faced in their long history. Despite the odds, God's people have kept the faith and continued to trust in their God despite both external and internal challenges. Jesus affirms this core truth as He answers the question about the greatest commandment.

Application: The question for us is whether or not we have this kind of faith. Do we have a faith that can withstand the challenges that come our way. I am not talking about apologetics or philosophical arguments. I am talking about a loyalty and fidelity to this One True God. The Shema testifies to the unchanging nature of God. Not just in essence but in character. Our worship is about looking and giving praise to a God who is unchangeable, unshakeable, and unstoppable. This is the God that we worship! He is the God who never gives up on His people and continues to seek them out no matter how far they have strayed.

When we worship, we need to remember who we are worshipping. The Shema reminds us that God is the One True God whose essence and character has never changed. Let this truth sink in and wash over you this week as you spend time in devotionals, prayer, and worship. May you experience His love and presence in new ways this week in your individual times of worship. Especially for those of us who have a heavy burden or dealing with impossible circumstances... remember to look towards the One who never changes and always remains the same.

Prayer: Remind me Lord that you have never changed and that Your affections for me have never ceased. May my worship to You be inspired and strengthened by this truth. Let my life of worship lead me to become more and more like You.

Sermon Reflection: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

"Sufficient Grace"

Discovery: Paul says in v. 8: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." Paul is speaking of this mysterious "thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan." Whatever it was, it is clearly something that Paul agonized over and fought with. He says that this thorn in the flesh "tormented" him. This word torment literally means, "to strike with the fist or to beat." Paul was being beat down and struck down by this mysterious thing and all he could do was call out to God and do so repeatedly.

We don't know how long Paul called out to God but we do know it took him three times before he received an answer from the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how this feels like the story of my life. To call out to God and to not initially hear anything back in return. It is frustrating and often demoralizing experience.

Application: And yet the response of God always come... just not in the ways that we expect or hope. In v. 9 God's response to Paul is this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God is not suggesting this to Paul (or to us) as a possible solution: He is stating a reality. God's grace is sufficient and his power is somehow magnified and exemplified in our moments of weakness.

These "thorns in the flesh" are realities of life. They are often used by Satan to undo or harm us. But the good news is that whatever Satan intends for harm, God intends for good. How else can you explain the heart of a mature Christian who is able to draw good things out of terrible circumstances. Its because they see the hand of God in their lives.

I also strikes me that these "God-moments" in which we are weak and calling out to Him happen all the time. In fact, it seems like His love, power, and presence takes on new significance whenever we are down and out. God's "sufficient grace" is truly amazing during those times.

Finally, I realize that like Paul my expectations are not always in line with God's will. My reaction to pain and difficulty is to simply ask God to take it away. When He doesn't, my sinfulness comes out in full force. I fail to see that God is desiring to show Himself to me even in those difficult times. In fact, He is trying to show me the full extent of His power and majesty in those moments of personal weakness. I just fail to see that when I am looking for the easy way out.

Prayer: Lord, help me this week look for those God-moments in which I am weak and in need of your sufficient grace. I pray that you would show me Your glory and Your strength to me throughout this busy and hectic upcoming week.