Hebrews 04:12-13 Worship: Hearing from God

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Text: Hebrews 4:12-13

Introduction

1. Worship is such an important event! I have spent the past month preaching about worship. I hope it has been of benefit to everyone. As I come to the end of this series I want to take a moment to review.

2. I’ve talked about its importance; how that worship helps us put God first, reminds us who we are and what we must do with ourselves.

3. Worship must be done in spirit and in truth from our hearts with all our mind, soul and strength.

4. Worship is not something to watch but in which we participate, is something we do to please God not others, and not out of tradition.

5. Worship must be done decently and orderly according to the pattern of the apostles.

6. When we come together, it is to sing praises to God and admonish each other. Worship includes praying and giving and participating in the Lord’s body and blood.

7. So, we come to the last part of worship, which is about the sermon or preaching.

Body

I. All of the previous teaching on worship applies to this as well! The sermon must put God first and remind us who we are or should be.

A. The sermon must be preached and heard in spirit and in truth.

1. It must not be a performance, but something to please God. It must not be based on the traditions of men.

2. It must be clear and decisively the word of God!

3. There is much misunderstanding about the presence of sermons each time Christians get together.

a. Some people think it is all about money! Like the little girl who became more and more restless as the preacher’s sermon continued. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”

b. Some think it is a nice place to take a nap!

A woman embarrassed about her husband told the preacher,

“I hope you didn’t take it personally, preacher, when my husband walked out during your sermon.”

“I did find it rather disconcerting,” the preacher replied.

“It’s not a reflection on you,” she insisted.

“My husband has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child.”

B. This lesson is not a defense for my job. If having a full-time located preacher were the subject, I would spoken about that specifically.

1. This lesson is not about the work of a preacher.

a. That is an important topic as well.

2. This lesson is about the part of worship where we hear from God and how important it is for all (including the preacher) to listen.

II. Examples of Preaching in Worship

A. The First Church – Acts 2:41-42 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

B. The Church in Ephesus –

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus – Ephesians 1:1

how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) – Ephesians 3:3-4

C. The Church at Troas

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. – Acts 20:7

III. The Key To Preaching In Worship

A. Our Obligation To Each Other

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25

B. Heavenly Goal

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. – 1 Corinthians 1:21

C. Participating in Preaching in Worship – Everyone Worships Through Listening

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17

D. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Know His Will.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. – John 17:17

E. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Know Christian Maturity

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. – Hebrews 5:12

F. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Prepare For The Judgement

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. – John 12:48

Conclusion:

1. So, how do we worship effectively during a sermon?

a. Pray about it.

b. Take notes.

c. Look up verses.

d. Question everything presented

e. Rely on and trust the Word!

f. Seek God first.