September Teaching Series
THE GOD WE WORSHIP
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
September 8, 2008
Key Scriptures
Psalm 95:1-10; John 4:22-24; Psalm 150:1-16
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
( Psalm 95:1-3)
A Brief Introduction
1. The Beautiful progression that brings us into the immediate presence of God.
2. The strong encouragement to express freely our praises, thanksgiving and worship.
3. The Psalmists great knowledge about God
BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE:
OUR GREATEST NEED
- Our knowledge controls our Praise & Worship. Psalm 47:7
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
- God is pleased when we worship Him with Understanding. John 4:22
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
- Accurate knowledge breed accurate worship.
4 FORMS OF BANKRUPT WORSHIP
1. Idolatrous Worship involving the wrong gods
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator— who is for ever praised. Amen. (Rom. 1:25)
9 All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me.
10 Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
2. Ignorant Worship involving the wrong gods with a sincere heart
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22
3. Self-styled Worship involving the true God but in a self-styled manner
Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
(Lev. 10:1-2)
4. Vain Worship involving the true God but with a wrong heart attitude
8'These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.‘ ( Matt. 15:8-9)
WHO IS THIS GOD WE WORSHIP?
1. God is Great in His Holiness
11Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11 )
44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. (Lev. 11:44)
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isa.6:1-6)
2. God is Great in His Knowledge
3Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. (1 Sam. 2:3)
3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Pro.15:3)
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:5)
3. God is Great in His Power
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. Gen. 17:1
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 1:1
11You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. Rev. 4:11
26 Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
4. God is Great in His Presence.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, (Psalm 9:7-12 )
1 This is what the LORD says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? (Isaiah 66:1)
5. God is Great in His Love.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.( 1 John 4:8 )
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16 )
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
6. God is Great in His Faithfulness
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1 Cor.1:9
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23
APPROPRIATE ATTITUDES
1. Humility
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 5:17
2. Reverence
Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. Exodus 34:8
3. Gratefulness
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4. Appreciation
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
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MARY’S ALABASTER BOX
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
September 14, 2008
Key Scripture
John 12:1-8
“Mary took a very… expensive perfume…she poured it on Jesus feet.”
THE PEOPLE 2bMartha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair
- Martha gives us a picture of service for the Lord
- Lazarus gives us a picture of fellowship with the Lord
- Mary gives us a picture of devotion to the Lord
THE PURPOSE 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor
1. A dinner given to honor Jesus
2. A lovely picture of the Lord’s Supper
3. That He might be Pre-eminent
THE PERFUME 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair
1. She could have used it entirely on herself.
2. She could have poured it on some loved one.
3. She could have distributed it between herself and others.
4. She devotedly and exclusively gave it to Jesus.
THE APPROACH Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.”
1. There was Reverence
2. There was Gratitude
3. There was Faith
4. There was Love
THE PROTEST 4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
- The Denunciation…Judas Iscariot rebukes Mary for this.
What He says: That perfume … should have been sold and money given o the poor.
Why he says it: He wants to keep the money for himself
- The Defender… Jesus says she has done this in preparation for his burial.
Lessons for us Today
1. We can never give too much to God.
2. The way we express our love and worship for Jesus depends on the kind of relationship we have developed with Him.
3. The carnal mind cannot understand and appreciate the value of worship.
4. Opportunities come and go, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.
5. Anything that is done out of love for the Lord Jesus Christ is a beautiful thing in His eyes.
6. God highly values His people’s devotion to worship.
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A FRESH VISION FOR WORSHIP
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
September 21, 2008
Key Scriptures
Isaiah 6:1-8 John 4:23-24
“I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (V.1)
A Brief Introduction
Two categories:
- Those who connect with God
- Those who simply go through the motions
The Vision that Captivated Him
God the object of Worship
“I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (V.1)
God in His Exalted Position
“I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (V.1)
God in His Holiness
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."(v.3)
The Vision that Horrified Him
God’ s Holiness makes him uncomfortable
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."(V.5)
The Confession
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."(V.5)
The Cleansing
“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (v. 6-7)
The Vision that Recalled Him
Isaiah hears the God's voice
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
Isaiah heeds God's voice (v.8a)
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (v.8b)
LESSONS FOR US TODAY
- An exalted view of God brings a clear view of sin and a realistic view of self.
- The best indication that we truly worshipped is a changed heart.
- When you worship focus on God’s holiness, sovereignty and glory.
- The true quality of our worship rests within us.
- True worship leads to service.
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A VISION OF WORSHIP IN HEAVEN
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
September 26, 2008
Key Scriptures
Rev. 4:1-11 Rev. 5:1-14
A Brief Introduction
Revelation 4 is clearly focused on a throne.
- First, John focuses on the One seated on the throne.
- Second, he focuses on what is around the throne.
- Third, he points out what’s before the throne.
The Throne in Heaven (v. 2-3a)
2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it (Rev.4:2)
- A "throne set” - speaks of His Government! Our God rules an everlasting kingdom! His kingdom is established and stable! No one can overthrow God, Psa. 47:8; Psa. 45:6.
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.” (Ps. 45:6)
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. (Ps. 47:8)
The One seated on the Throne (v.8b)
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.“ (v.8)
- A Sovereign God (Lord God Almighty)
- A Sovereign God who is holy (Holy, holy, holy)
- A Sovereign God who is Eternal (Who was, and is and is to come!)
What is Around the Throne? (v.4)
- Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. (V.4)
Twenty-four elders sitting = around the throne. They form a complete circle. Twenty-four thrones encircle the throne of God. They face God’s throne.
1. They are called elders, 4:4b
2. They are twenty-four seated on twenty-four thrones, 4:4c
3. They wear white garments and gold crowns, 4:4
4. They fall down and worship God, 4:10
5. They sing hymns to God, 4:11
Worship in Heaven
1. Worship in heaven is God-centered
- At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. (Rev.4:2)
- The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. (Rev.4:10)
2. Worship in heaven focuses on Who He is
- Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.“ (Rev. 4:8)
3. Worship in heaven focuses on what He has done in creation
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.“ (Rev. 4:11)
4. Worship in heaven focuses on what He has done in redemption
“Because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:10)
5. Worship in heaven focuses on the praise worthiness of God
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power
(Rev. 4:11)
9 And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:9-10)
6. Worship in heaven focuses on Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary
12 In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! “ (Rev. 5:12)
13 "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!“
(Rev. 5:13)
7. Worship in heaven is concerned to Reveal, Declare and Give Glory to GOD
To receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! “ (Rev. 5:12b)
13 "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! “ (Rev. 5:13)
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