WORSHIP SERIES

 

Jeremiah 15:16

# 7 - WORSHIP IN THE WORD

 

 

They have taken the Bible out of the government.

They have taken the Bible out of the schools.

Doesn’t it seem logical that they are trying to take the Bible out of the home and even out of the church?  Even if they are not trying to remove the Bible literally, they are trying to remove the Bible’s influence and authority.

Will God allow that to happen?

Why shouldn’t He if we do not reverence the Word which comes from the God we claim to worship?

 

I was challenged this week that the preaching of the Word of God should be an act of worship on my part.  I am to offer up to God a sacrifice, His Word prepared for His people.

 

For you in the congregation, it is just as much an act of worship to listen to and respond to God’s Word as it is to sing a worship chorus. You are not worshipping the preacher, he’s only the messenger.  You are worshipping the God who gives you the message in His Word by listening and responding to what God has to say.

 

Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them;and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

 

This verse helps us to Worship in the Word, both when it is read and preached in church and when I am reading it on my own.  

 

WORSHIP IN THE WORD INVOLVES DISCOVERY

 

Thy words were found…

 

We have all made discoveries.  That is, we have all found things or even learned things that have helped us, educated us and even thrilled us. 

 

There is no greater discovery to make than the things spoken by God. Why is that? 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

God’s Word is inspired. That is, it is “God breathed”.

Because it comes from God it is profitable.

·        It is profitable for teaching us – doctrine.

·        It is profitable for reprimanding us for our own good – reproof.

·        It is profitable for changing us – correction.

·        It is profitable for helping us live Godly lives – instruction in righteousness.

Paul tells us why we should want to discover God’s Word.

Following it will make us perfect, that is complete or mature. It is also equips us to be ready to do good works which God wants us to do.

 

The discoveries we make in God’s Word are not always pleasant.  2 Kings 22:11-13

Josiah was both convicted and sorrowed by what he discovered in God’s Word.  He responded by trying to do something about it.

 

If you approach this Book as an act of worship, you too will make discoveries.

There will be many joyful discoveries and many sorrowful discoveries.

There will be many convicting discoveries.

There will be many life-changing discoveries.

But each one of us has to make discoveries for ourselves.

 

You will only make discoveries as you read the Word at home or in church if you want to make discoveries.

In church if you stop worshipping God after the hymns and prayers, you will not find yourself making discoveries.

I admit to you that not every sermon is a gem, but if you are looking to make discoveries out of God’s Word as an act of worship, you will find “jewels” that others will miss.

You need to desire to find God’s Word.

 

WORSHIP IN THE WORD INVOLVES DIGESTION

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them;

 

Every Sunday, Sunday School teachers, myself and/or a guest speaker will serve up the Word to you.

During the week your Bible sits there, waiting to be opened.

Your responsibility is to eat and digest the Word of God that is set before you.

 

Here are some practical ways for you to digest the Word of God.

1.     Confess any known sin to the Lord. 

2.     If you have any problem with me or any other speaker get it straightened out.  I’m a much better preacher in your eyes if you’re not angry at me.

3.     Ask God to help you get something from Him.

4.     Pay Attention. Strive to follow the speaker or your own reading.

5.     Be Open – Be ready to be blessed, to be challenged, to be comforted, or to be corrected.

6.     Be submissive – If there is a conflict between what it is the Word of God and what you are doing or thinking, you know who’s right. It isn’t you.

7.     Meditate after you read or after you hear a sermon.  You may even want to reread the passage sometime during the day.

8.     Memorize and meditate on God’s Word.  The more you meditate on a passage, the more God will speak to you.

 

Some of you have worked out at a gym.  Those weights and exercise machines do you no good unless you use them.

We need to have Gospel work outs. Philippians 2:12-13

 

A “work out” means you are developing muscles that you already have. A Spiritual “work out” assumes that you already have salvation.  You are simply developing your Spiritual muscles.  

 

Work out in the Word of God. Receiving it and obeying it.

 

WORSHIP IN THE WORD INVOLVES DELIGHT

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:

 

There are some things that bring joy and rejoicing to my heart.

All of these things should have second place to my Lord and His Word.  They should be the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Psalm 119:47, 97, 129, 162

 

Psalm 19 shows us what the Bible is good for, and what happens when the Bible is the joy and rejoicing of our heats.

   

·        Vs. 7 – The Bible converts the soul.  God’s Word is used by God’s Spirit to convict us.

·        Vs. 7 - God’s Word makes simple folks like us wise.

·        Vs. 8 – God’s Word is right and brings joy to the heart.

·        Vs. 8 - God’s Word is pure, giving us discernment.

·        Vs. 9 – God’s Word inspires us to Godly fear.

·        Vs. 9 – God’s Word is true and righteous.

·        Vs. 10 God’s Word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey.

·        Vs. 11 – God warns me in His Word.

·        Vs. 11 – When I obey God’s Word, there is great reward.

 

When the Bible becomes the joy and rejoicing of your heart:

·        You will want to read it.

·        You will want to hear it preached.

·        You will want to remember it and think about it.

 

WORSHIP IN THE WORD INVOLVES DISTINCTION

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

 

The Word of God should be the joy and rejoicing of my heart because of who I am!

 

Jeremiah says that He was called by God’s name.

That means Jeremiah belonged to God.

 

DO YOU BELONG TO GOD?

You do belong to God if the following things are true:

1.     You have admitted that you are so bad a sinner that you could never save yourself.

2.     You have heard and understood that Jesus Christ, the Son of God died for your sins and paid for them in full.

3.     You have sincerely received Jesus Christ into your life as your only hope for forgiveness and everlasting life.

4.     Upon receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, your life has been changed by the Spirit of God.

 

If you belong to God, you are called by the name of God, the Son. His name is Christ.  Your name is Christian!

 

This truth is even more exciting when you consider that if you have trusted Christ to be your Savior you have received a new birth and have been born into the family of God.

 

Also, you have been adopted into God’s family and have been given all the rights and privileges of an adult Son.

 

Because of this distinction, that the Lord, God of Hosts, the God of the universe has chosen to call you by His own name, what He has to say to us should be of the utmost importance.

 

Have you ever received a letter that you have read over and over again and hung on every word because it came from someone you loved and cared about?

 

Because you are God’s child and called by God’s name, you should hang on every word from God!