It’s great to worship God outdoors today here at Detwiler Field.
"Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 150.6)
Wired for Worship
God, who created us, has wired us for worship.
Last week, we talked about the reality that having CWG leads people to do crazy things for God. We talked about several people, and the crazy things they did for God, including Jesus. One of the crazy things Jesus did was have a conversation with a woman at a well in Samaria.
Jesus & the Samaritan Woman
"Please give me a drink."
"You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
"If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket, and this is a very deep well. Where would you get this living water? And besides, are you greater than our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his cattle enjoyed?"
"People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."
"Please, sir, give me some of that water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to haul water."
"Go and get your husband.”
"I don’t have a husband.”
"You’re right! You don’t have a husband–for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now."
"Sir, you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
"Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. […] But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
Questions (for discussion)
- What are some ways that we worship God?
- What are some reasons to worship God?
Gratitude!
Read Luke 17.11-19 and Luke 7.36-38.
Humility!
Worship helps keep everything in proper perspective!
“It may help to remember that you are a human being. And as uniquely gifted as you are, there are over six billion other uniquely gifted humans on earth. Add to this the fact that earth is only one of nine planets orbiting the sun, and the sun is only one of several billion stars in the Milky Way, and remember that the Milky Way is only one of thirty galaxies in its local galaxy cluster, and this cluster is only one of the many inconceivably vast vergo super clusters, and that the inconceivably vast vergo super cluster is scarcely anything at all, just an infinitesimal dust mite in an ever expanding universe.” (Steve Rushing, Sports Illustrated)
And yet, God “know(s) everything about me” (Psalm 139.1). David was blown away by the fact that God was so acquainted with him! Read Psalm 8.
You and I are specks on the earth, which is a speck in the midst of all of God’s creation, and yet, God knows us, loves us, and cares for us. He knows what we go through. I love the song by Casting Crowns called, “Praise You in This Storm.” Some of the words include …
I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen, and it’s still raining. As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I’m with you." And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again. My strength is almost gone, how can I carry on if I can’t find You. And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I’m with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
And I’ll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are no matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried You hold in your hand. You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.
God’s Promise!
Even when (you) walk through the dark valley of death, don’t be afraid, for God is close beside you! (Psalm 23.4a)
Do not be afraid, for God has ransomed you. God has called you by name; you are God’s. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, God will be with you! (Isaiah 43.1-2a)