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Friday 31 January 2014

Worship - a study from Exodus


The Children of Israel cross through the Red Sea on dry ground. ( ubdavid.org )


Our church is studying through the entire Bible this year. Our pastors are choosing topics and points of discussion as we go along. Today's sermon was based out of Exodus.

Exodus 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

I usually take notes as I listen to the sermon. Pastor Ben was preaching today and so now I would like to share my notes with you here:


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We are looking at the big picture of the drama of the Scriptures.
The Israelites have been enslaved in Egypt. God moved to rescue and deliver them.

God has revealed himself as Yahweh - The LORD - that is His personal name.
Names have meaning and the name Yahweh means that He has all authority, all power. He has all the power and there is no other God.

By bringing each of the ten plagues on Egypt, God is destroying each one of the Egyptian gods. Each plague represents one of their gods.

The LORD is present to act, to save and to deliver!

The last plague kills all the firstborn in each of the Egyptian households - not only of the human family but also the animals.
God offered a way to avoid this plague. The offer was for all the Israelites and also for the Egyptians. A way out of this disaster was offered.
At this point Pharoah sends out the Israelites. The people of Israel plunder the Egyptians of their gold and wealth. 
Pharoah has a change of mind and wants to bring the Israelites back but ...
God parts the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross. Pharaoh and his army attempt to cross as well but are drowned in the Red Sea.
The children of Israel are free - no longer slaves!

At mount Sinai the people enter into relationship with God. God makes a covenant with them.  " I will be your God - you are my people."

And today, God still wants to be in relationship with us.
Not only does He answer our prayers but He seeks relationship with us.

How should we respond? By worshiping God.

What is Worship?

1) Worship involves proclaiming who God is. This must be done as individuals at home, and as community with our church family.

Keep reminding yourself of God's character and who God is.
As you are praying begin by proclaiming who God is - He is holy, awesome, great, all powerful, almighty, creator of all things etc..

2) As a group - Remind ourselves and each other about who it is we are worshiping. In our song we proclaim God's justice, holiness, He is merciful, and mighty etc..

3) We pledge allegiance to God - we become loyal to God. He is first in all our thoughts, actions and life.
It is a pledge to be loyal to Him. You will be our God and we will be your people.
Remind yourself everyday that you belong to God.

By attending church you are pledging loyalty to God. You are saying I am on God's side, I am doing this public. Be in public what you are in private.

4) We are retelling what God has done.  Retell the story how God has saved you, how he has set you free.  Repeat the stories of the Bible, repeat the stories of how God has worked in your life and in the life of people you know.

God required the children of Israel to retell the Exodus story every year. Our Communion comes from Passover. Jesus was participating in Passover before He died.
Jesus came to show who God is, and to set people free. He says to remember. We remember at Communion - this do in remembrance of Me.

Tell the stories of God in your life.
Parents - do our kids know why you are a Christian? Tell them.

How often do we really remember to thank God for answered prayer?  It is important we do.

Tell what God has done in the past, and what He is doing in the world and in your life!!

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