WHY WORSHIP? Part 3 Sunday, August 21, 2016

Worship is the Celebration of God for WHO He is and WHAT He has done.

Exodus 5:1 Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast with Me in the wilderness.

NEW ENVIRONMENT

Hebrews 12:18-24 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant…

NEW ENVIRONMENT NEW IDENTITY

I Peter 2:4-9 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession….

A New Building

Spiritual Sacrifices – What are these sacrifices? Offer up our BODIES as a “living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) Offer up our “sacrifice of PRAISE to God … the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

Offer up good DEEDS – “Do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16) Offer up a FINANCIAL GIFT - “acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God…” (Philippians 4:18) Offer up ENCOURAGEMENT; the church is “being built up” (1 Peter 2:5)

A Chosen People A Royal Priesthood A Holy Nation God’s Possession

NEW ENVIRONMENT NEW IDENTITY NEW LIFESTYLE

I Peter 2:9-12 … that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.