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“The Fruit of Worship”
Selected Scripture
IPC, February 8, 2009

There is an old story about worn out currency that has been stored in a bin awaiting incineration. An old hundred dollar bill is bragging, "I wish you could’ve experienced the time I’ve had. I’ve been to fancy restaurants and exotic resorts. I’ve had a time." The fifty dollar bill said, "I’ve been to professional ball games and wonderful parties. It’s been quite a life." The old dollar bill said, "My life has been pretty routine. All I’ve ever done is ‘go to church,’ ‘go to church,’ and ‘go to church.’"

You have often heard of the farming principle that you must sow seed in order to reap a harvest. And we have also heard that you often get out of something what you put into it. And I believe that is true when we gather to worship. We have to put some effort into the experience in order for us to benefit from it.

Over the past four weeks we have looked at worship. On week one, we looked at Isaiah’s encounter with God at the temple and what happens when we REALLY see the Lord. On week two we took the story of Elijah at Mt. Carmel and recognized that God is a "wet wood lighter" who can meet all of our needs. Week three we talked about the Old Testament sacrifice of animals and the New Testament sacrifice of Jesus and how we are to bring sacrifices with us when we come to worship the Lord. However, ours is a "sacrifice of praise." And last week we looked at the worship experiences of Mary, of the crowds on Palm Sunday and Greeks who were seeking Jesus. This morning, I want to conclude this series by looking at the Fruit of Worship. Whatever we put INTO worship, I guarantee that the benefits of worship always outweigh what we put into our worship experience…if you are a believer.

1. The Presence of God.

Ps. 22:3 (KJV) "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel." God told Moses in Exodus 33:14 "My presence will go with you & I will give you rest." In Psalm 139, King David meditates on the unlimited nature of God’s presence. He says that mankind is always in God’s presence. You can remove yourself from other people but you cannot get away from the God who created you. Vs. 5 "You hem me in, behind & before & lay your hand upon me." In verse 7 he asks, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?"

In this series we’ve already looked at Isaiah’s response when he "saw the Lord." He remarked, "I am an unclean man." We saw the response of the priests when the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple in Jerusalem. Because of the Lord’s presence the priests were overwhelmed and could no longer lead that worship service. They were overtaken by the very presence of God.

We need to always keep in mind that our gathering here on Sunday morning is not simply about seeing our friends, or desiring to hear an encouraging message or even enjoying wonderful music. Worship is about entering into God’s presence. And I trust that you truly feel a sense of awe at that privilege.

2. Guidance & Conviction.

We gain guidance and a desire to obey God when we worship. An example of God giving guidance during worship is found in Acts 13:2-3 when Paul and Barnabas were commissioned to spread the Gospel. Paul, at that time, was still called Saul. "While they were worshiping the Lord & fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas & Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting & praying they laid their hands on them & sent them off."

Time and again, we see evidence of God’s intervention and guidance in the lives of His followers. As people of faith, we believe it when we sing: "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven feed me till I want no more." We don’t doubt God’s ability but I believe that we are often anxious because we are not certain of our own receptiveness to the guidance that God offers. In the old CB radio days of communicating on the road, before the advent of cell phones, CB slang for being online was, "Have you got your ears on…good buddy?" In worship, do we have OUR ears on?

Dr. J.I. Packer believes that guidance is based on two facts: first, the reality of God’s plan for us and secondly, the ability of God to communicate that to us. Scripture tells us God has a divine purpose, "a plan for the fullness of time." (Eph. 1:10) God uses Scripture as a primary means of communication with us. Scripture sheds light on morality because it reveals God Himself. If you read it with the mindset that you will do what God’s Word says, you won’t be confused. Ps. 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." Not only does God’s Word shed light on right and wrong, but it can make you wise. Wisdom is much more important than factual head knowledge. A wise person can distinguish what is fundamental and essential from what is trivial. Ps. 119:99-100 "I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts."

In John White’s classic book The Fight he tells his readers that the Bible is not a horoscope. "Never try to read into Scripture mysterious instructions about your daily activities." He also wrote that the Bible is not a sedative. "It does not tranquilize. Yet in reading it you will find peace."

The pastor looked at one of his members coldly and said, "I hear you went to a ball game last Sunday instead of coming to church." The man protested, "That’s not true and I’ve got the fish to prove it."

In addition to guidance, King David wrote that worship and praise can actually bring conviction to others…and to ourselves. (Don’t think that the Sunday fisherman felt convicted.) Ps. 40:3-5 "He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see & fear & put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds & you thoughts toward us; none can compare to you! I will proclaim & tell of them, yet they are more than can be told."

We hear the preached word or participate in singing and the Holy Spirit points out a blemish in our lives…or an open sore… or a willful disobedience. That isn’t merely gnawing guilt…it is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and it is a benefit of worship.

3. Deliverance & God’s Protection.

Ps. 32:7 "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance." Later in that chapter we are told that "steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord." (vs. 9) Ps. 57:1 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." Ps. 91:4 "He will cover you with his pinions, & under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield & buckler." David likens the Lord as a mother bird protecting her young with her wings and compares God’s faithfulness to defensive armor. We all know what a shield is. A buckler is a shield that is worn on the forearm to protect it. (I’ve seen baseball players wearing facsimiles of bucklers.)

The hallmark doctrine of the Reformed faith, to which Presbyterians adhere, is the SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. God CAN handle our circumstances and God can RULE and OVER RULE in the affairs of His people and, in fact, of all of His creation. Worship reaffirms that blessed hope that we have of God’s protection in our lives.

Does that mean that bad stuff will never happen to us? No! Stuff happens, but nothing occurs in our lives that is not first "Father-filtered."

4. The Power of God.

Worship gives us the ability to see the power of God. We rejoice when we see God act on behalf of others in the congregation…incredible answers to prayer! Acts 16:25-26 "About midnight Paul & Silas were praying & singing hymns to God, & the prisoners were listening to them, & suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, & everyone’s bonds were unfastened." Worship makes us SO AWARE of God’s sovereignty, of the fact that God is so totally in control. When we lift God up, there is a power that comes to us. Ps. 16:7-8 "I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

5. A Sensitivity to His Voice.

When I think about hearing God, I think of the story of the call of Samuel as the high priest of Israel in I Samuel 3. Samuel is young man and living in the temple with the aging priest, Eli. Three times in his sleep, young Samuel hears his name called and he goes to Eli, thinking that the old man had summoned him. The third time, Eli perceived that it was the voice of the Lord speaking to Samuel. (I Sam. 3:9-11) "Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down, & if he calls you, you shall say, "Speak Lord, for your servant hears." So Samuel went & lay down in his place. And the Lord came & stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.’"

While we may not AUDIBLY hear God speaking to us, we have an indwelling Instructor, the Holy Spirit. "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, & you all have knowledge… His anointing teaches you about everything & is true & is no lie, just as it has taught you—abide in him." (I John 2:20 & 27) However, we must be careful to realize that the inward prompting by the Holy Spirit will never contradict God’s written Word. And often time, the Holy Spirit will prompt us during worship and God will move our heart in one direction or another.

6. Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Rest.

True worship brings peace to our spirit and heart. Is. 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." I love the name of our midweek ministry—"Oasis Wednesday"—a place of refreshment in the middle of your busy week. Worship should be an oasis for us. Regarding physical rest, you may only get that in worship if you are asleep during my sermon, but I believe that many of you could testify to the emotional and spiritual rest you have gleaned from being in worship.

We have a world full of bad news. We get up, turn on the TV and watch "Bad Morning America" and if we’re crazy enough, we tune into the angry women on "The View" or listen to the news about our current state of affairs. However Matthew 11:29 promises that a relationship with Jesus Christ will provide "rest unto your souls." If you want comfort and encouragement and hope, I recommend that you read and re-read Romans chapter 8. If you read it and study it and by faith, truly believe it, you will find rest and your anxiety about life will diminish.

7. An Eternal Perspective on Life.

Parents, may I beg you—if you are not already doing this—have your children in Sunday School. Our curriculum is great and the teachers are dedicated to teaching your kids. If it is at all possible, arrange your schedule to have your children in the Pioneer Club ministry. You will be amazed at how your children will be able to grasp biblical concepts and apply them to their lives. Yes, school academics are important…team sports build incredible relationships and character qualities… encouraging your kids to develop their talents through music and art are great… but DO NOT NEGLECT the spiritual nurture of your children. Please do it at home, but avail yourself of the opportunities for growth here at church, not only for your children, but for yourself.

I hope that this series on worship has been helpful for you. I trust that we will not experience the "same old, same old" when we gather for worship at Ingleside. As I mentioned last week, Jesus declared that He will be glorified and praised…if we don’t do here at Ingleside, He’ll replace us with rocks. While I like some rock music, worship is definitely one time that we don’t need the kind of "Rock Concert" that Jesus described. God prefers that we do the praising, so folks, day by day, and Sunday to Sunday, let’s praise and worship the Lord. Let’s pray.

Please visit us at our next worship service.

We offer "An Unchanging Word To A Changing World"

In Christ,
Bill Bratley - Pastor