DEVOTED

“Devoted to God’s Worship”
Pastor Dan Levy – March 24, 2024

Romans 1:21-22, 24 (NLT) – Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshipping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshipped idols… So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired…”

1. God calls His people to worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.
   
   John 4:23-24 (NIV) – “… a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
   
   “We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.” – A.W. Tozer
   
   “Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped.” – Jack Hayford
   

2. Jesus responds to authentic WORSHIP with PRESENCE.
   
   John 12:1-3 (NIV) – Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
   
   Psalm 22:3 (KJV) – But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
   
   “It’s from the overflow of our ministry to Him that Jesus ministers to us.”
   
   Psalm 100:4 (NIV) – Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
   
   Ephesians 2:22 (NIV) – And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
   

3. Jesus responds to authentic PRAISE with POWER.
   
   Acts 16:25-26 – About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.