A Wonderful Life Series, Selected Passages
Today, we’re going to start a new sermon series entitled, A Wonderful Life. Many preachers have already preached on this, as we preach from the same Bible. My hope is that you can still get some new perspectives from this series as the Holy Spirit brings understanding. My aim is to encourage all of us, as we go through some tough times together because darkness might seem to have the upper hand to some of us. And thus, it robs us of seeing the wonders of God. But life can still be wonderful, as the God of wonders has always been helping us go through them all. It is in the ebb of life that we clearly see His wonderful work so that we may have the desire to live a wonderful life of worship.
1. Worship is exclusively for God.
“1I will exalt you, my God and King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. “3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,and His greatness is unfathomable.” Psalm 145:1-3.
· Intense, passionate, and personal worship.
· And yet invites us all to habitually bless God’s name.
· Worship is for God and from His own people.
2. Worship is motivated by love.
In the Old Testament, Moses delivered God’s message to Israel, he said, “4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6.
· The attitude of worship is love.
· Heart: we love him exclusively.
· Soul: our longings are satisfied in Him.
· Strength: every fiber and cell in our body must work together to love the Lord.
3. Worship is a habitual gathering of people.
· The Bible mandates corporate worship.
“19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19.
“24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
· Church attendance honors God.
“You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:20.
· Attendance in church worship will help prevent backsliding.
The Bible tells us in Acts 2:42-46, “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
· Members’ attendance in worship helps the church to grow.
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47
4. Worship is not negatively affected by the ebb and flow of life.
King David’s life was filled with victories as wells as pains, challenges, and difficulties. He fought many wars, from within and from without. And yet, he pursued God relentlessly, that he was able to say, “2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:2.
Here’s some notes I want to leave to you. When you are having some ebbs in your life…
· Put your trust in the Lord.
Rely on God even though you don’t understand why painful or difficult things are happening. Don’t give up on His words and promises. It will change your attitude about life.
· Practice daily praise.
Be grateful to God. Thank Him for everything even for the problems you have. This will change your attitude towards life.
· Don’t isolate yourself.
The best thing to do is to when you are at your lowest, be with the church. Listen to people’s testimonies. How did the Lord helped them get through their painful moments? What powerful lessons can you learn from their experiences with God that you can also apply?