Sunday, December 11, 2011

Worship and Scripture

Why does God desire our worship?

Matthew 4:8-11
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’ Deut 6:13” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Satan wanted Jesus to worship him.
What technique did he use to try to get Jesus to worship him? (shortcut to power, personal glory)
Why do you think Satan wanted Jesus to worship him?
Does Satan try to temp you to worship something other than God?
Why?
Idols.

What constitutes worship of anything other than God? Do you have to “bow down” to money, fame, or personal glory to consider it worship?

Jesus responded to Satan’s attempt at temptation with scripture. The scripture he quoted is a command to worship and serve God only. In this single response Jesus emphasized the importance of both Worshipping God and knowing God’s word.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Worship like a magi

Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

How much trouble did the magi go to?
Travel, investigation, preparation, financial sacrifice

What was their state of mind when they arrived to see Jesus?
They rejoice with exceeding great joy

What was their primary way of expressing worship in this passage?
Giving gifts

What happened after they worshiped?
God warned them in a dream to go a certain way


How much trouble are we willing to go to in seeking to worship the Lord?
How often do you enter into worship with Joy?
How important is it to open your treasure and present gifts to God?
What is the result in your life when you worship God in spirit and in truth?