WORSHIP - Changes our perspective

October 20th, 2020

SCRIPTURE
Romans 12:1 | And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Exodus 34:5-9 | Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected - even children in the third and fourth generations. Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.

John 3:30 | He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Psalm 73:1-3 | Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

Psalm 73:13-14 | Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

Psalm 73:17 | Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

Psalm 73:21-28 | Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant - I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

DISCUSSION

In Exodus 34, when God came to Moses, what was his response? Why do you think Moses responded in this way?
Do you usually treat God with the level of honor, respect, and godly fear that Moses did? Why or why not?
Read John 3:30. What does it mean for Jesus to become greater and us to become less in our lives? What might that look like? To others, does God look greater or do you?
How does worship help us realize how great God is and how small and in need of Him we are?
Read the verses from Psalm 73.