The Judgment Seat of Christ

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-18-2025

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In this portion of 1 Corinthians, we have seen that Paul, the masterbuilder, has laid the “Foundation” upon which every child of God builds their lives.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of living a consistent life for Christ, as He is the Foundation on which we must build, good or bad. 

 

1.  In the Second Corinthian Epistle, the Holy Ghost clarifies this judgment.  The best commentary on the Scriptures is the Scriptures! It is here that we find the phrase “the judgment seat of Christ.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

B.  Many preachers and teachers refer to the Judgment Seat as the Bema Seat.  Bema is the Greek word for “judgment seat.”  One word in the Greek but two words in English. 

 

1.  Bema - a step, that is, foot breath; by implication a rostrum, that is, tribunal (a place of judgment): - judgment-seat, set [foot] on, throne.

 

2.  Millions of viewers watched this year’s Olympics and were amazed at the feats achieved by the bronze, silver, and most notably gold medal winners. The medal ceremony models a practice begun by the ancient Greeks, who instituted the Olympics in the eighth century B.C. A judge sat at what they called the Bema Seat at a respective race’s finish line. It was that judge who determined the winner and gave him an award immediately after the completion of the race.

 

3.  The Judgment Seat Is: 

 

a)  A place of elevation – in a large Olympic arena, there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat.

 

b)  A place of reward – the bema seat was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat.

 

C.  There has been much confusion concerning this judgment because of careless preaching on the subject.  Many, though not specifying it as a judgment for sin, leave hearers not fully informed on the subject.  Therefore: What The Judgment Seat Is Not:

 

1.  The purpose of the Judgment Seat is not to determine whether a particular individual enters Heaven or not.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Galatians 3:11-14  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of od, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

2.  The purpose of the Judgment Seat is not to punish believers for their sins committed before or after their salvation.

 

Psalms 103:10-12  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 44:22  I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

 

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

 

Hebrews 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

 

D.  The Fact Of The Judgment Seat:  Every believer will stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat.  As one old preacher once said,  “There’s gonna be a great recompensing day!”

 

Romans 14:10-12  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

1 Corinthians 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

 

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

E.  The Purpose Of The Judgment Seat:

 

          1.  In the past, God dealt with us as sinners.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

Romans 5:6   For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

          2.  In the present, God deals with us as sons.

 

Romans 8:14-15  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

Hebrews 12:5-8  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

1 John 3:1-2  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

          3.  In the future, God deals with us (at the Judgment Seat) as stewards.

 

F.  The Material To Be Tested At The Judgment Seat

 

          1.  Those that are indestructible – gold, silver, and precious stones.

 

          2.  Those that are destructible – wood, hay, and stubble.

 

G.  The Works To Be Judged:

 

          1.  How we treat other believers.

 

Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

Matthew 10:41-42  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

          2.  How we employ our God-given abilities.

 

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

Matthew 15:14-29 – The parable of the Talents.

 

Luke 19:11-26 – The parable of the Pounds.

 

          3.  How we use our money.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-10  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

 

4.  How we suffer for Jesus.

 

Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

1 Peter 4:12-13  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

          5.  How we spend our time.

 

1 Peter 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

 

          6.  How we run that particular race which God has chosen for us.

 

1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

 

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

          7.  How we control the old nature.

 

1 Corinthians 9:25-27  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

8.  How we witness to and help bring souls to Christ, either by planting or watering.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.

 

Daniel 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 

Proverbs 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.   

 

9.  How we continue to be faithful to Christ.

 

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

          10.  How we look forward to His glorious appearing.

 

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The Preparations of a Spiritual Heart

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-15-2025

Psalm 131

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Another of the Song of Degrees (Upward Psalms), songs that the Jews and Jewish Proselytes sang as they traveled to Jerusalem on one of the three Feast Days when all males had to appear before God in Jerusalem. 

 

B.  Worship is a heart thing, not a physical one.  Many of God’s people never worship because they come to God’s house with wrong attitudes, sinful hearts, and an attitude of 'I’ll be glad when it's over' so “bless me if you can.”

 

Psalm 100 provides the order of worship: joy, gladness, singing, understanding, thanksgiving, and finally, praise. 

 

C.  Worship comes from the preparations of the heart!  Proverbs 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

 

D.  This is one of the Davidic Psalms, a man after God’s own heart.  David was a man of War but also a man of Worship.   As I read this short Psalm, I see the simplicity of David’s heart of worship.  This psalm is a personal testimony — David’s quiet confession of trust, humility, and contentment.

 

E. David wrote this Psalm about David.  Short Psalms are powerful ones, quick to the point, and specific.  A very personal look into the heart and soul of the greatest human king to ever sit on the throne of Israel!

 

1.  Verse 1.  A Humble Heart.  Here we find David’s Humility.  Humanism is the elevation of the “god of self.”  King David, when he wrote this Psalm, was STILL the young shepherd boy at heart who wrote the 23^rd Psalm while tending his “few sheep.”

 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

a.  In his youth, David did not think that he was anything special.  “my heart is not haughty”  David was content to be a shepherd!  Haughty – lifted up, proud, raised up to great height.  David speaks of mastering one’s spirit by training the eyes, capturing imaginations, and living a life that is pure before the Lord.  While engaging in all these activities, give God the glory instead of being proud of oneself.

 

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

b.  David did not desire to be anything special.  “nor mine eyes lofty”  Nowhere in the history of King David did he ever seek self-elevation!  From a shepherd boy to a warrior King, God called, protected, and elevated him.  David was probably shocked when Samuel anointed him to be the next king instead of his older brothers.  When we become somebody, God becomes nobody!

 

c.  David did not desire to be in a position to make great decisions.  “Neither do I exercise myself in great matters.”  David was a simple man who did not desire the throne but rather was glad to be a servant of King Saul. 

 

d.  David knew his limitations.  “or in things too high for me.”  David did not know what he was capable of or what awaited him in the future, but God did!  But God knew what he was capable of!

 

e. As a man after God’s own heart, David wanted what God wanted.  As Joseph waited on God to place him in the position of second in command in Egypt so as to deliver Israel, David was content to wait on what God wanted him to do.

 

2.  Verse 2.  A Quiet Soul.  Here we find David’s Tranquility. 

 

a.  David’s Peace was in God.  “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself”

 

1)  His tranquility was found in his choices.  Life is full of choices, and we need to learn to make the right ones.

 

a)  Good Behavior. “ I have behaved.”  A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow!  1 Samuel 18:14  And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

 

b)  Spiritual Control.  “I have behaved and quieted myself”  Tranquility is a state of mind, not circumstances.  Acts 26:2  I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

 

2)  The tranquility was found in his maturity.  “as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.”

 

a)  A small child hangs on to his mother, seeking her milk.  For nine months in the womb, a baby hears the beat of a mother’s heart and feels the warmth of her body.  He or she needs to lie on the breast of the mother. 

 

b)  A weaned child still needs a mother, but now grows mentally as well as physically.  The weaned child now needs and desires the meat of the Word of God.  Spiritual maturity teaches the believer that he can trust the heavenly Father to protect and provide, to comfort and guide.

 

c)  Carnal believers stay just that, but spiritual believers grow in faith and trust.

 

3.  Verse 3.  A Hopeful Faith. Here we find David’s Responsibility.   “Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.”

 

a.  David’s Responsibility to Solomon.  In the last days of King David, he instructed Solomon to hope in the Lord.

 

1 Kings 2:1-4  Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,  (2)  I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;  (3)  And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:  (4)  That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

 

b.  David’s Responsibility to Israel.  Notice the change from personal to national.  David moves from personal testimony to national encouragement.  As a man after God’s own heart, King David learned that his hope was in God.  What David found that was good for him, he deemed good for the Nation, which he ruled. “Let Israel hope in the LORD” — not in kings, not in circumstances, but in Jehovah.

 

c.  David’s Responsibility to Us.  As we get older in the Lord, we want others to see Christ in us and learn to hope in Him as He holds our futures in His hand! 

 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

A Godly Father

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-15-2025

Joshua 24:14-25

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Father’s Day typically takes a back seat to Mother’s Day, and I have no problem with that. We need to celebrate our precious wives and mothers due to their significant role in the family structure. We honor the ladies and should continue to do so because we love them and are proud of them.

 

B.  This is Father’s Day, and today we will exalt the man and praise him in the position that the Lord gave to him. 

 

1.  He is the glory of his children - Proverbs 17:6   Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 

 

(Daddy, you are so critical in the lives of your family and especially in the lives of your children!)

 

2.  He is the head of his home - 1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  (The father is the spiritual leader, and as goes the father, so goes the home!  Weak fathers = weak homes.  Strong fathers = strong homes. Spiritual fathers = spiritual home.)

 

a)  He is to take that responsibility seriously!

 

b)  The wife is willing to give him that headship.  Dr. B. R. Lakin used to say, “Some husbands are so henpecked that they roost on the foot of the bed at night.”  America needs men who are born again, with a strong spiritual backbone, who will begin to lead their families.

 

C.  Only time and eternity will show the fundamental importance of men in both the family and the work of the Lord.

 

D.  In our text, we find that wonderful testimony of Joshua as he declared to the people that he and his house would serve the Lord.  

 

1.  Joshua is well known in the Bible for his unwavering faith, commitment, and fearlessness in battle.  Joshua 10:12  Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

 

2.  Joshua was a man of God!

 

3.  But little is said about Nun, Joshua’s father.

 

a)  We know that he was of the tribe of Ephraim.  Numbers 13:8  Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. 

 

b)  The word “Nun” means (30x in the Old Testament) – to propagate or perpetual; resprout or continual.   Faithfulness in Guidance.

 

The Hebrew letter NUN is the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.  NUN means “faithfulness.”   The Psalm begins with Guidance in verse 105. 

 

Psalms 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

c)  Enough said about Nun as the Bible says nothing else but we can see the product of Nun in Joshua.  The phrase “Joshua, the son of Nun” is found in 29 of the 30 mentions of Nun.  When Joshua Was mentioned, it told us who raised him!

 

d)  Thus, Nun was a man who probably passed on his integrity and faithfulness to his son, Joshua, who became one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history.

 

e)  Nothing is also said concerning Joshua’s children.  We do not know if he had or how man children he had as the Scripture does not carry Joshua’s lineage forward.  Therefore, I will not speculate their outcome if he had children, but I will discuss the role that Joshua played in his home and in Israel.

 

1.  Joshua Was A Man  Of  Unashamed Conversion (Saved and know it!) – (Joshua means Jehovah is salvation.)  Exodus 33:9-11  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.  (10)  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.  (11)  And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

 

At Jerico, we find Joshua’s respect, reverence, and worship expressed.  Joshua 5:13-15  And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?  (14)  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?  (15)  And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

 

Later, during his leadership of Israel, we find the worship of Joshua.  Joshua 8:30   Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

 

a.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Not Ashamed Of Their Salvation - Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 

 

(Let the world know that you are saved and love the Lord!)

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

b.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Not Ashamed Of Their Associations - 2 Timothy 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 

 

(Love and spend time with God’s people!)

         

2.  Joshua Was A Man Of Unblemished Character (Saved and show it!) – Joshua 11:15   As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

 

1 Corinthians 16:13   Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

a.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Sober – “watch ye”  (Spiritually discerning.)

 

b.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Steadfast– “stand fast in the faith”  (Doctrinally correct.)

 

c.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Strong– “quit you like men, be strong”  (Unwavering.)

 

3.  Joshua Was A Man  Of Unwavering Commitment (Saved and owe it!) – Joshua 23:1 (Joshua, as an old man was still committed.)  Judges 2:8  And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. 

 

a.  God, Give Us Men Who Are Sold Out To God - Philippians 1:21   For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

 

(Serving as an example to others.)

 

b.  God, Give Us Men Whose Families Are Sold Out To God - Joshua 24:15   And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 

 

(Serving as an example to the home.)

 

Happy Father’s Day!  I love the men of this church!  Be a good Christian and then you will be a good Dad!  God bless!

A Call to Worship

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-8-2025

Psalm 81

 

A.  I do not want to spend much time on what constitutes worship and what does not, but this topic does need to be addressed. There are many modern-day practices labeled as worship that do not align with the Scriptures. 

 

1.  Worship defined:  to prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.  I define worship as worth-ship.  Telling God what He is worth to us personally.  Though worship is required in the local church, it is also an individual thing. 

 

2.  Worship is not merely emotion, although it can evoke emotion. Worship is not something that needs to be generated or worked up by a “Praise Leader” (a cheerleader) or “Praise Band. (modern, worldly music)”

 

B.  This Psalm opens with a vibrant call to worship. God's people are summoned not with solemn whispers but with joy and loudness. The emphasis is not just on singing but singing unto God our strength, recognizing Him as our source of power and deliverance.

 

C.  Worship is not an emotional experience; it is a declaration of truth. When we sing, we declare who God is — our Strength, our God, the One who delivered us as He did Jacob. Believers today should not be silent saints. Our worship ought to reflect the power and majesty of our God, not a cold routine. Every service, every prayer meeting, every song — must be a joyful expression of who God is.

 

D.  What defines worship in the Scriptures:

 

1.  True worship is in the beauty of holiness, not worldliness.  Psalms 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

 

2.  True worship is gladness and thankfulness, not emotion.  Psalms 100:1-5  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

3.  True worship is praise of God, not of man.  Ephesians 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

4.   True worship is in spirit and truth, not flesh and false doctrine.  John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.

 

5.  True worship is a heart thing, not a ritualistic service.  Psalms 150:1-6  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  (2)  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.  (3)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  (4)  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  (5)  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.  (6)  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

E. Now, let us examine these verses concerning worship by dividing the Psalm into four distinct parts.

 

1.  Verses 1-4.  The Command or Call of Worship.  Worship is not optional to God.

 

a.  Verse 1.  Singing loudly and making a noise is appropriate.  This includes me!  I sing loud, not to be heard, but because I enjoy it.  Psalm 100 said, “Make a joyful noise,” not a mournful one.  Singing to the Lord is a great thing.

 

b.  Verse 2.  Getting involved is required.  Bring a song, a musical instrument, and join in with the congregation.

 

c.  Verse 3.  Be faithful at the time appointed, each time of assembly and worship.

 

d.  Verse 4.  The assembly is of God.  God loves the called-out assembly of the church.

 

2.  Verse 5-6.  The Testimony of Worship.

 

a.  Worship is not just a happy time or circumstance.  Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely imprisoned, and forgotten for two years.  Worship?  Most would be so down in the dumps that worship would not be an option.

 

b.  Joseph worshipped despite his troubles.  Everyone around him saw the testimony of God that he had, and, because of his integrity, he was eventually elevated to the second-in-command position in all of Egypt.

 

c. Later, Joseph understood what God was doing, but in the process, he was no doubt confused yet worshipped Him.  Do not allow your circumstances to conflict with your worship.

 

d.  True worship is because of Who God is, what God has done, and what God can do!

 

3.  Verses 7-12.  The Warning of Worship.

 

a.  Verses 7-9.  This recalls God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. He heard their cries in trouble and answered them — not because they were righteous, but because God is merciful.  We must remember what God has delivered us from. Spiritual amnesia is dangerous because, when we forget His past mercies, we become ungrateful in the present.

 

b.  God’s blessing should cause worship.  God was good to Israel; and look around, God is good to us.  Never take the blessings of God for granted. 

 

c.  Verse 10.  Always be thankful.  Just open your mouth and God will fill it with praise.  Worship is a wonderful response to God’s goodness.

 

d.  Verse 11-12.  BUT!  What a terrible response to God’s goodness.  God’s people would not hearken to His words.  They willfully ignored God, so God gave them up to walk in their ways.  This invoked the judgment of God instead of the blessing of God.

 

4.  Verses 13-16.  The Promise of Worship.

 

a.  Verse 13.  God's desire for His children is the path of obedience, blessing, which causes worship.

 

b.  Verses 14-15.  Spiritual and physical protection. I have often said that I would rather be on a foreign field of service in the will of God than to be in Laurens, SC, out of the will of God. Safety is of the Lord!

 

c.  Verse 16.  God reveals what could have been. He desires to bless, protect, and provide. “Honey out of the rock” refers to supernatural provision from unlikely sources. God’s will is always to bless His children, but the blessings of God are found in obedience to and worship of God.