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Aug 03, 2014

Seasoned Worship, Part I

Seasoned Worship, Part I

Passage: Psalms 27:1-12

Preacher: John Repsold

Series: Seasoned Worship

Category: Worship

Keywords: worship, troubles, passion, face of god

Summary:

Worship is not limited to a particular service on Sundays. This message looks at Psalm 27 and the "seasoned" or mature worship that can flow from life's challenges.

Detail:

Seasoned Worship

Psalm 27

August 3, 2014

 

“Seasoned Worship” is the title of the new summer series we’ll be in for most of the month of August.

When you think of something being seasoned, what do you think of? (Taste, flavor)

When you think of someone being seasoned, what comes to mind? (Experience, aged.)

In some ways, we want this experience this month with worship to be tastefully seasoned. We want it to awaken and spark your spiritual taste buds. On the other hand, we don’t want you to approach worship as a consumer or a food critic.  

When we think of “seasoned” in terms of being experienced in something, we’re naturally driven to wonder how experience our experience really is? Church worship seems to so easily get stuck in ruts—routines that rarely change, music that is predictable, preaching that goes too long, etc, etc.

Speaking of preaching, this series on Seasoned Worship is not so much a preaching series as it is an experiential series. We hope it will draw us all into refreshing encounters with God through our times of worship on Sundays and open fresh vistas to worship experiences all week long.

 

This past week, going up a few miles of the Coeur d’Alene River on a jet ski with my daughter Joanna, we saw several osprey nests with parent osprey feeding their young.

  • We’re not pre-chewing worship for you today. We’re going to be asking you to do some of the “chewing.”
  • We’re calling you to look to God, not to the “worship leaders” to direct and lead this morning.

For those who want to know exactly what is coming next, this might be a bit of a stretch.

For those who want everything to change, this might not be “free” enough.

Regardless, hopefully it will be something God can use with each of u.

 

First off, I hope we all recognize that Sundays is not the only time we worship throughout the week. If worship is expressing what God is worth to us…His “worth-ship”…then worship is something we should be doing all week long in every part of life. And if worship is publically submitting, surrendering, bowing our lives before God, then that is certainly something we should be doing all day long.

            But when it comes to worship, it is one activity that is to be reserved for God alone. Lovers can sing songs of praise about each other, but they should be different from the songs of praise we sing to God. Friends can make sacrifices for each other and give gifts or money to each other, but it is not to be an act of worship. We can all sit in classes and study ancient or contemporary books, but studying God’s word as an act of worship is to be different from any other study. We can converse or make requests of a host of people all week long but when we pray to God together here, that conversation is different if it is true worship.

            At the same time, the Bible has plenty of references to times when people did just those things…singing, making sacrifices, praying, listening to the word of God…called it worship, and yet God rejected it and, in fact, told the participants to “knock it off” because He was tired of all the form without the heart.

 

So what makes gathered worship like this really worship? Well, that’s what we want to spend this month discovering.

 

I’m assuming that if you are coming here today or any time for a “worship service” that first of all you really want to be engaged in worship of God. So if that isn’t your desire or reason why you are here, the next few weeks will probably be really awkward or really boring! If you don’t want to grow your worship-encounter with God, what we’re going to be doing this month will probably be downright uncomfortable.

            But if the main reason you “come to church” is to experience a life-changing encounter with God, we’re hoping and praying that this month will be refreshing and renewing to you and THE most important relationship you’ll ever have in life, that which you have with God.

            It is my belief that whatever we do together in here in a “worship service” should help all of us grow in having greater experiences of God out there. How we read or study God’s Word here should help each of us hear more from God when we read or study His Word out there. How we pray, fellowship, serve, sing, give, greet…all of it should help us do those same things better, more deeply all week long. In short, how we “worship” when we come together here and engage in a “worship service” should coach and teach us how to worship all week long when we take it out there in our daily worship of Christ.

 

We want to make this time together every Sunday highly interactive (with God primarily), deeply personal (for both you and Him), and genuinely relational (with God and each other). So try not to shut down when we invite you to do some act of worship a little different from how you may have done it in the past. Please don’t close yourself off when we encourage you to expand your worship experience of God into a new area with God. Remember, this is primarily about you and God while at the same time it’s taking place with other people. For worship to be genuine and powerful in a corporate/group setting like this, it must be genuine and powerful at a personal level as well.

 

Prayer—asking God to be merciful and gracious to meet with us, hear us, speak to us, receive our worship, change our hearts.

 

 

For our Scripture today, we’ll be worshiping using Psalm 27. We’ll be hearing it several different times and interacting with God through it in a variety of ways.

 

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy

 

Psalm 27 is one written by King David. He was no stranger to trials and problems. After being anointed king of Israel by Samuel, he waited some 15 years to ascend to the throne of Judah and another 7 to be recognized as king of all Israel.

            During those first 15 years, most of it was spent living like a fugitive running from the jealously obsessed King Saul who was trying to kill him. So David lives in caves and among foreign peoples with “the rabble” of Israel—other outcasts.

            Anyone here spent even a week running from someone who literally was bent on killing you? If you have, you’re in a better place to appreciate the tension, the pressure, the fatigue, the fear that life can bring.

 

David’s worship through this psalm comes out of some of the darkest and most difficult days of his life.

  • Worship must not be limited to those times when we are feeling on top of things. Worship may be at its best when life is at its worst.
  • Worship is deepest and most sacrificial when we are in the darkest caves of life’s experiences.

 

Psalm 27 (NASB)

A Psalm of David.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path
Because of my foes.
12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

OFFERING

This Psalm is in four paragraphs or divisions. Each paragraph revolves around the main theme of David’s conversation with God about the challenges of his life. Each deals with a little different aspect of his struggles.

 

So as we engage with God around this passage, here’s how we would like you to begin.

1.)    Write down on your sermon notes page 5 of the biggest, hairiest, most difficult/consuming/challenging problems you are facing right now or in the near future. (Take 60 seconds)

2.)    Divide into groups of 4-8 and I’ll hand each group the part of this Psalm we would like to ask you to think, talk and pray about. Then we will come back together and see what God spoke to you about and what He might be wanting to say to the rest of us.

3.)    [Pray—asking for the Holy Spirit to lead and teach from this text.]

 

Section 1—

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

 

  • What does each phrase mean? (i.e., What does it mean to have the Lord as your light or salvation? The defense of your life? How can those truths handle fear and dread?
  • How might this apply to our lives? Our church? (i.e. How can I make God my light and salvation or remind myself of this reality? What in life tends to make me anxious or fearful? What am I dreading? What is God asking us to do when this happens in life?)

 

Section 2—

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

 

  • What does each phrase mean? (i.e., What does it mean to
    “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life”? What does it mean to “behold the beauty of the Lord” or “meditate in His temple”? What does it mean that God will “conceal me in His tabernacle…in the secret place of His tent”?
  • How might this apply to our lives? Our church? (i.e. What might a similar prayer sound like in our lives/context? Who are our “enemies”? How can we experience God concealing us in “His tabernacle”? What praises to God can we sing? What “sacrifices with shouts of joy?”)

 

Section 3—

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

 

What does each phrase mean?

What was David’s request? How did God seem to answer? What does it mean to “seek the Lord’s face”? How do we do that?

What does it mean for God to hide His face from us?

How might some of the promises of Christ and the New Testament about His promised eternal presence with us through the Holy Spirit change our prayers when it comes to feelings of abandonment?

What might God want you to do with these verses this week?

 

Section 4—

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path
Because of my foes.
12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

 

What does each phrase mean?

  • How does God “teach” us His ways?
  • What does it mean for God to lead us “in level paths”?
  • What does this Psalm have to teach us about praying about difficult people in our lives?
  • What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”? To “be strong and let your heart take courage”?

What might God want you to do with these verses this week?

 

Sharing—by groups, what you learned & how you sense God speaking to you through this passage.

 

Songs:

  • Psalm 62

 

2nd Reading of Psalm 27—I will read it and pause at certain points so that we each can make it our own prayer to God…and God can point things out that He wants to speak to from this Psalm.

 

NKJV

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Prayer response: individual or corporate

 

Songs:

  • I Lift My Eyes Up
  • Be Thou My Vision
  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 

Communion:

Songs

  • Is. 43
  • All Who Are Thirsty

 

3rd Reading of Psalm 27 [

Responsive] (along with N.T. passages that parallel each section)

ESV—

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe[f] that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

 

 

 

 

PSALM 27

 

Section 1—

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

 

What does each phrase mean?

  • What does it mean to have the Lord as your “light” or “salvation”? The defense of your life?
  • How can those truths deal with fear in our lives?
  • What adversaries and enemies have you seen God protect you against in life?
  • What “wars” have you seen God deliver you from?

How might this apply to our lives? Our church?

  • How can I make God my light and salvation?
  • How can I remind myself of this reality?
  • What in life tends to make me anxious or fearful? What am I dreading? What battles am I fighting that need God’s intervention?
  • What is God asking us to do when this happens in life? How can I obey Him?

___________________________________________________

 

PSALM 27

Section 2—

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

 

What does each phrase mean?

  • What does it mean to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life”?
  • What does it mean to “behold the beauty of the Lord”?
  • What does it mean to “meditate in His temple”?
  • What kinds of life troubles might David have been referring to in verse 5?
  • How did God “conceal David in His tabernacle” when trouble came?
  • How might that look for us?
  • What kinds of trouble do you face currently?
  • What does it mean that God will “conceal me in His tabernacle…in the secret place of His tent”?
  • What “rock” is David referring to?
  • What does it mean to have my “head lifted up above my enemies”?

How might this apply to our lives? Our church?

  • How can we “dwell in the house of the Lord all [our] days”?
  • How can we “behold the beauty of the Lord” every day of our lives?
  • How might God be asking you to meditate? On what?
  • Who or what are our “enemies”? Our “day(s) of trouble?
  • How can we experience God concealing us in “His tabernacle”?
  • How might God be wanting me to worship Him with “sacrifices with shouts of joy?” What might a similar prayer sound like in our lives/context?

PSALM 27

Section 3—

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

 

What does each phrase mean?

  • What was David’s request?
  • How did God seem to answer?
  • What does it mean to “seek the Lord’s face”? How do we do that?
  • What does it mean for God to “hide His face from” us?
  • How might some of the promises of Christ and the New Testament about His promised eternal presence with us through the Holy Spirit change our prayers or provide greater assurance when it comes to feelings of abandonment?
  • How was God David’s “help”? How has He been yours recently?
  • How might David’s family have forsaken him?
  • What does it mean for the Lord to “take [you] up”?

What might God want you to do with these verses this week?

  • How might God want me to pray about my problems?
  • How might He want me to “seek His face” and what will I do about that?
  • In what do I need to experience God’s “salvation.”
  • When even family isn’t enough, how can the Lord’s presence lift us up?

 

PSALM 27

Section 4—

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path
Because of my foes.
12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

 

What does each phrase mean?

  • How does God “teach” us His ways?
  • What does it mean for God to lead us “in level paths”?
  • What does this Psalm have to teach us about praying about difficult people in our lives?
  • What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”?
  • What does it mean to “be strong and let your heart take courage”? How can that happen?
  • Opposing people would normally have brought David to the point of despair. What enabled him to escape despair and hopelessness?

What might God want you to do with these verses this week?

  • How is God asking you to let Him teach you His ways?
  • How is he asking you to pray about problems and people?
  • How, when and where does God want you to “wait for the Lord?”
  • How is God calling you to “be strong and let your heart take courage”?
  • What despair is threatening your life? What belief about God’s goodness do you need to engage in? How?