Worship

Course: The Higher Calling to Worship

Lesson 7

Lesson Title: Joy is the measure of our relationship with Christ

Lesson Goal: …that the student will understand the joy of the Lord is essential to worship.

Text: '...you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory', 1 Peter 1:8.

Introduction: The joy of the Lord is the joy of knowing Jesus.

It is the barometer that measures the depth of our relationship with Him.

· Joy measures our individual Christian experience, Philippians 4:4.

· Joy measures the moving of the Holy Spirit in the local church, Psalm 16:11.

· Joy is a greater evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues.

Introductory Illustration: Revivals are characterised by grieve and joy:

· Grieve through an awareness of sin and the need of forgiveness.

· Joy through forgiveness and a new relationship with the Lord.

The Welsh revival: Tears of joy

One very worldly person was instantly saved on December 7th 1904 in Rhos. These are his words.

'…I have wept a pool of tears where I have been sitting, and they were the gladdest tears I ever knew.'

He went on to say 'You all know me; you know for whom I have fought; but I am changing sides tonight, to fight on the side of Jesus'.

Taken from Eifon Evans, The Welsh Revival of 1904', 1969, p.118.

Exposition:

1. Joy in believing, the first step to worship, 1 Thessalonians 1:6;

· The joy of salvation, Isaiah 12:3.

2. The joy in going up to worship, Isaiah 51:11.

· Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33

3. The joy in thanksgiving and praise, Psalm 100.

· Entering through the gates and into the courts of worship.

4. The joy in giving all, Romans 12:1.

· The joy of Hanna in offering her son, 1 Samuel 2:1.

5. The joy in the Holy Spirit anointing, Isaiah 61:3.

· The disciples were anointed with the oil of gladness all the day, Acts 2:46,

6. The joy in being united with Christ in suffering shame for the Lord.

· Rejoicing in persecution out of love for the Lord, Acts 5:40-42.

7. The joy in being united with Christ in God's eternal plan and purpose.

· Worshipping on the level of angels who always see the glory of God, Luke 15:10, Luke 10:17-22.

8. The joy of worship in heaven, 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

· Worshipping in eternity, the hope of every believer.

Conclusion:

1. Joy is the barometer that measures our relationship with the Lord

2. Joy will be evident in every stage of worship.

3. The joy of the Lord increases in trials and persecution.

4. The joy of the Lord is greatest when the glory of His eternal purpose is known.

What should the student do?

1) Rejoice in the Lord

2) Rejoice at all times

3) Seek to go higher in worshipping with joy

4) Do all things in the expectation of rejoicing in heaven.

Full Lesson

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Textbook - The Higher Calling to Worship