Encounters with God Powerful worship

Encounters with God Powerful worship: Exodus 15 Living in community: Exodus 16 Creating legacy: Exodus 17

Exodus 15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the L ORD : ‘I will sing to the L ORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. 2 ‘The L ORD is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The L ORD is a warrior; the L ORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, L ORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, L ORD, shattered the enemy.

7 ‘In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy boasted, “I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils;

I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.” 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who among the gods is like you, L ORD ? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

12 ‘You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies. 13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; 16 terror and dread will fall on them.

By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone – until your people pass by, L ORD, until the people you bought pass by. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance – the place, L ORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established. 18 ‘The L ORD reigns for ever and ever.’

v1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. A life of encounter means a life of worship.

Worship is a lifestyle. But it’s also about singing. Ex 15: they intentionally and corporately sing. Neglecting this make us poorer in our encounters with God.

Weird and self conscious?! But we are created to sing – it stirs our souls. We are created to worship.

Feeling or choice? It helps to take action. Choosing to move unlocks something.

The enemy will always lie to us about worship. I can’t sing… I feel foolish… I don’t feel anything… We will have to contend for worship. In 2 Chron 20: 21 Jehosophat sent worshippers at the head of his army. Power is released as we worship.

Moses: let my people go so they may worship me. Ps 22:3 God inhabits the praise of his people. Jesus: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Jesus: worship in spirit and in truth. Acts: Paul & Silas in prison worshipping. Rev 4:8 Holy, holy, holy – we join in with the continual song of heaven.

What do we want for our church? Authentic worship brings a deeper revelation of God’s love. A window opening – but we have to choose.

We remember God’s goodness

This breaks the power of false narrative in our lives v 9 – 10: the enemy boasted… It all looks gloomy. v 10: But… It’s all false. Worship lifts our eyes up. We remember that God has overcome and does deliver.

We encounter him in the present

Worship creates a thin place. Encounter Healing Commissioning He’s in the room & in the moment. We pour out our hearts. (Not Jesus is my boyfriend!)

We’re looking forwards v Sings of a future fully focussed on God. Prophetically in v13: In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

How to grow in worship?

What do we want for our church? Authentic worship brings a deeper revelation of God’s love. A window opening…

Next week: Encounters with God Living in community