Saying “Yes” to God in the Difficult Places of Life Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” 4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’ ”6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb… Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 Remember that this nation is your people.” 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”  17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Becoming a Worshiping Community

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 t God offered them everything they desired, except God was not going with them Choose to have God over everything else God offered Becoming a Worshiping Community How does somebody become whole again? • they can become whole through a meeting with the Holy God

Becoming a Worshiping Community Exodus 33.1-6 / 12-17 Becoming a Worshiping Community When was the last time you told God that above all else in the world you desire His presence?

Becoming a Worshiping Community Obstacles getting in the way of living in God’s presence 1 2 3 Roman 1.18-32 You feel like you are just “going through the motions” Becoming a Worshiping Community “Mindlessness” / the ability to just not pay attention

Becoming a Worshiping Community Obstacles getting in the way of living in God’s presence 4 5 “Mindlessness” is a sin, and we do not need to give in to one more moment of it Becoming a Worshiping Community Genesis 28.15-17 Jacob’s experience

Becoming a Worshiping Community How we deal with mindlessness in corporate worship When we come together 1 2 3 Prepare your heart beforehand Ask God to be mighty in this place Becoming a Worshiping Community Do not be a spectator — but ask God to help you keep your mind focused

Becoming a Worshiping Community How we deal with mindlessness in corporate worship When we come together 4 5 Know that music is to help you encounter God — there is power in songs — Ephesians 5 —we are filled by songs and psalms Becoming a Worshiping Community We express ourselves physically —we can worship God with our bodies, yet we do not ever draw attention to ourselves

Becoming a Worshiping Community How we deal with mindlessness in corporate worship When we come together 6 7 8 It is about God Affirm the goodness of God —  we do this through our tithes and offerings Becoming a Worshiping Community We learn together — great worshipers are great leaders • EXODUS 34

Becoming a Worshiping Community How we deal with mindlessness in corporate worship When we come together What is at stake… Encountering God and being in His presence Becoming a Worshiping Community

Saying “Yes” to God in the Difficult Places of Life Becoming a Worshiping Community

Saying “Yes” to God in the Difficult Places of Life Becoming a Worshiping Community