"Joy in True Worship" - Ken Wagoner

In one of the previous sermons from this series, Doug quotes from one of his favorite preachers who said something to this effect:  “Is anybody mad at you for what you think?  If not, then it means you don’t stand for anything!” Our primary scripture this  week comes from Philippians 3:1-3.  Three very short verses, but  packed full of information.  And one can be sure verse 2 made many people mad at Paul!  If you were alive during Paul’s time you would have clearly known if he was referring to  you.  We know he wrote it, and we can be confident he told those who opposed him these same words time and time again.  He is making a distinct contrast between an outward cleansing (that which has all the appearances of being Christian), and an inward cleansing (that which  deals with each person’s character and nature which cannot be easily seen by others, but eventually works its way out so it is revealed). 

If verse 2 tells us things which may make us mad, then verse 3 tells us things which should allow us to experience what it means to “rejoice in the Lord.”  When we hear the word worship we usually think of a time of the day on Sunday, a place where we meet together, or a style of music, prayer, liturgy, or expression.  Is it possible God has much more for us to experience in true worship?  Thank you for the privilege of being with you this Sunday, and I look forward to worshipping with you.

If you have time before Sunday morning, read some or all of the following verses and ponder on the questions which appear at the end:

Exodus 20:1-17;  Numbers 6:22-27; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Psalm 104; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 10:19-25; Revelation 15:3-4

For why did God create and redeem us?   What does it mean to have an affection for God and Christ?  What does an emotion of delight in God feel or look like?  What is a product of one who has confidence in God?  What would be some characteristics of worship which would be described as “worship in spirit and in truth?”