Do We God identity or Self Identity

Notes:
Pastor Justin Hoeppner
Coast Hills
February 19, 2017
Hebrew 10:35 -11:3,6

Hebrews 10:35-39 ESV
[35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. [37] For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; [38] but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." [39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV
[1] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV
[6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Do we God identity or self identity?

What is my faith if it costs me absolutely nothing? Then what's it worth.

Faith is always about more than just believing. Trusting in God.

Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV
[35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

We learn that when we live with God, it is a journey. It is a journey of constant trust.

We need endurance. Drop your anchor in faith and hold onto it.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 ESV
[18] This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, [19] holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

This requires us to be alive in our faith and wage the good warfare. 

Our battle is spiritual and our response is faith and a good conscience.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV
[23] Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Fix your heart, fix your life.

The Spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.

Every opportunity is a chance for faith, growth or not.

We can no longer walk with faith as inward belief.

Hebrews 10:37-38 ESV
[37] For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; [38] but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Hebrews 10:39 ESV
[39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

We are called to believe that God is who He says He is.

Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV
[1] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Romans 4:17-23 ESV
[17] as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"-in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [18] In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. [20] No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, [21] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. [22] That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." [23] But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,

Maybe circumstances are the need for us to drop our anchor deeper in faith.

Psalm 63:1-4 ESV
[1] O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. [2] So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. [3] Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. [4] So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Selah: Hebrews 11:1 ESV
[1] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The Danger of the Compromised Life

Notes: The Danger of the Compromised Life
World Changers 
Greg Laurie
World Changers
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Hebrews 11, Exodus 5
Music: Harvest Worship Band

Prior to knowing Jesus Christ, we are under the power of the devil and held captive by him.

The devil is a liar and he ripped us off. He makes us think he doesn't exist. 

Accepting Jesus is the greatest event in our lives.

It has been said "Conversion has made our hearts a battlefield."

Faith and fear can not coexist.

Hebrews 11:27 ESV
[27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

Because Moses had faith, he did not have fear. Moses kept his eyes on God.

Exodus 5:1-3 ESV
[1] Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.'" [2] But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go." [3] Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword."

Moses confronted Pharaoh, let my people go.

Ever think you are doing the will of God and all the doors shut in your face?

Moses does not backdown!

Exodus 7:10-13 ESV
[10] So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. [11] Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. [12] For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. [13] Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

God brings 10 judgments against the Egyptians.

Satan is not the equal of God. He is powerful but no where close to God.

One of the devils most effective tactics is imitation.

Just because someone says they are Christian does not mean they are. We can only see their actions, not their heart.

Whoever said sin made sense?
Bottom-line: Sin makes you stupid.

Plague 1: Nile turns to blood.

The Nile river was regarded as a God to the Egyptian people.

Anything that replaces God in your life can be considered a God to you.

Exodus 7:23 ESV
[23] Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart.

Plague 2: Frogs
Exodus 8:1-4 ESV
[1] Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, "Let my people go, that they may serve me. [2] But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. [3] The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. [4] The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants."'"

Egyptians worshipped frogs.

When the frogs were dead, the land stank.

Pharaoh hardened his heart.

Exodus 8:15 ESV
[15] But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

Exodus 10:1 ESV
[1] Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them,

After Pharaoh kept hardening his heart, God then strengthened Pharaoh in hardening his heart.

Even when people see miracles they won't believe.

Our sign to the lost world is that Jesus died and came back to life.

How does one get a hardened heart? The continual exposure to the word of God and rejecting it over and over again.

The same sun that softens the wax, hardens the clay.

Plague 3: Gnats

Exodus 8:25-28 ESV
[25] Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God within the land." [26] But Moses said, "It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the LORD our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? [27] We must go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us." [28] So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me."

Pharaoh was trying to get Moses to compromise.

Compromise never works.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NLT
[14] Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? [15] What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

Exodus 10:10-11 NKJV
[10] Then he said to them, "The LORD had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. [11] Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desired." And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

Did you know the devil wants your kids?

He can't have them if you raise your children up in the way of the Lord.

Drawing your kids to Christ, requires that they see your life modeled in the way of the Lord.

Glorifying God Together Through Outreach

Notes: Glorifying God Together Through Outreach

Pastor Chet Lowe

2 Kings 4, Luke 4, John 4

January 29, 2017

Coast Hills Community Church

Outreach is not a program to teach, outreach is a person to understand.

Acts 2:5-12 ESV

[5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians-we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

Jesus' custom was to go to church every week.

Luke 4:16-22 ESV

[16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. [17] And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, [18] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." [20] And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. [21] And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." [22] And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"

Jesus's mission was to preach the Gospel. He pronounced His mission. He then a few months later empowered His disciples to go preach the Gospel.

Luke 4:21 ESV

[21] And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Today this scripture is also being fulfilled.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

[20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jesus is now in you and He is using your body to do His mission.

Jesus wants to use us.

Acts 10:19-21 ESV

[19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them." [21] And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"

Jesus didn't go to Cornelius, He sent Peter.

No longer are we raising our children in Jerusalem, we are raising our children in Babylon. Today may be different but Jesus is still on the move.

Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.

Proverbs 11:30 ESV

[30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.

We need to let good deeds define us.

2 Kings 4:32-37 ESV

[32] When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. [33] So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. [34] Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. [35] Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. [36] Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." [37] She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

1. We need to be a people who see.

We need the eyes to see all the [spiritually] dead people around us.

2 Kings 4:32 ESV

[32] When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.

God had been setting this woman up to see the power of God.

Jesus is about bringing spiritually dead people to life!

2. We need to be people who pray.

2 Kings 4:33 ESV

[33] So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD.

We are not saving people... The Holy Spirit is doing all the hard work.

3. We need to be people of action.

2 Kings 4:34 ESV

[34] Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.

Elisha believed that God was in the business of bringing people back to life.

Romans 1:16 ESV

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The Gospel is simple and it is powerful.

John 4:35 ESV

[35] Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

You have to look up so you can see all the spiritually dead people around you and Jesus can do His work through you.

Jesus sent His disciples to Samaria, not for food but to see the people who needed Jesus.

Jesus doesn't send you to work for your career, He sends you to do His work.

You don't need an evangelism class, you need to let people know what Jesus did for you..."I once was blind and now I see."

Jesus loved and enjoyed people. It's His job to save them, it's our job to love them.

4. We need to be people who endure.

We are in a race against time.

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

[24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

5. We need to be people who rejoice!

2 Kings 4:35b-37 ESV

[35]b The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. [36] Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." [37] She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

This child is now alive. The woman, didn't say, "all he did was sneeze" she was amazed the boy is alive.

Glorifying God Together in Community

Notes: Glorifying God Together in Community 
Pastor Chet Lowe
1/22/17
Coast Hills Community Church
Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:18 NLT
[18] Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

What is your community?

Our God developed all the things around us. 

We need community. God has existed all of time in community of the Father, Son and Spirit.

Matthew 18:20 NLT
[20] For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."

Psalm 133:1 NLT
[1] How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

Community is different in every culture.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
[1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1. Pity is the enemy and will work to keep us from community.

No one is perfect, we are all human beings that need God's mercy.

As the church we are given the opportunity to show mercy.

Romans 12:3 ESV
[3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

2. Another enemy is pride. Arrogance of isolation.

Romans 12:4 ESV
[4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

It was said Christianity is community through Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:18-19 ESV
[18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Romans 12:5 ESV
[5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

We are members of one another.

John 15:17 ESV
[17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Jesus gives us His word so that we can live in community.

Romans 12:6-8 ESV
[6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7] if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8] the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

3. Community has Covenants

A. Be loving
Romans 12:10 ESV
[10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

To be genuine you don't respond to one another as "fine." You tell each other how you are actually doing.

Hold fast to the things that are good.

In families you need to be quick to encourage, just as Jesus is.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
[24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

B. Be a Servant
Romans 12:11 ESV
[11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV
[2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

People are hard to love and serve, that is why we must be fervent.

C. Be joyful in hope.

Romans 12:12 ESV
[12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Suffering is part of life, but we get to do it together.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV
[10] For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

D. Be hospitable!
Romans 12:13 ESV
[13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

The home is not just a place to reside, but it is also a place for ministry.

E. Be Compassionate!

Romans 12:14-15 ESV
[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

It's a commandment and clear direction that we are to bless those who persecute us.

We are told to rejoice with those who rejoice.

When Pastor Chet's father and brother passed, the two words that defined his community was, "care" and "there".

Romans 12:16-18 ESV
[16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

F. Be Forgiving 
Beloved
Romans 12:19 ESV
[19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

We have been forgiven and we need forgiveness.

Romans 12:20-21 ESV
[20] To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Be forgiving!

Glorifying God Together through Worship

Notes: Glorifying God Together through Worship 
Pastor Chet Lowe
Coast Hills
1-15-17
Psalm 95 and 96
Series: Worship

Psalm 95:1-11 ESV
[1] Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! [2] Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. [5] The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. [6] Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! [7] For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, [9] when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. [10] For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways." [11] Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."

Psalm 96:1-4 ESV
[1] Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! [2] Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. [3] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! [4] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

We will learn together about how to Glorify God today in worship.

Revelation 4:8 ESV
[8] And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Revelation 4:11 ESV
[11] "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

1. The church is singing the song that we are created to sing.

Revelation 5:9 ESV
[9] And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Revelation 5:10 ESV
[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Songs help us to remember.

Revelation 5:12 ESV
[12] saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

The centrality of our song is Jesus. Only through the death of Jesus are we worthy to worship.

1 Timothy 6:16 ESV
[16] who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

John 14:6 ESV
[6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Revelation 5:13 ESV
[13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

Revelation 5:14 ESV
[14] And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

We will be finally fulfilling our purpose.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV
[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Ephesians 1:4-6 ESV
[4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

In the Garden at the point of the first sin we lost our purpose.

Because we have been designed to worship, we search for things to worship. We at that point are worshipping the creation not the creator.

What is your worship?

Psalm 66:1 ESV
[1] Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

Psalm 98:1 ESV
[1] Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

Psalm 100:1-3 ESV
[1] Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! [2] Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! [3] Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

The center of the Bible is Psalms, the center of the Bible is worship.

1. He calls us to worship, He is worthy of our worship.

Luke 19:36-40 ESV
[36] And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. [37] As he was drawing near-already on the way down the Mount of Olives-the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, [38] saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" [39] And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." [40] He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."

Jesus is telling the Pharisees and us, He is worthy of worship.

Are we fascinated with God, are we awe struck?

Matthew 28:9-10 ESV
[9] And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

God makes it very clear to Job that man is not anywhere close to God:
Job 38:4-41 ESV
[4] "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. [5] Who determined its measurements-surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? [6] On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, [7] when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? [8] "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, [9] when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, [10] and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, [11] and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'? [12] "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, [13] that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? [14] It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. [15] From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. [16] "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? [17] Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? [18] Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. [19] "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, [20] that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? [21] You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! [22] "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, [23] which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? [24] What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? [25] "Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, [26] to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, [27] to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? [28] "Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? [29] From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? [30] The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. [31] "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? [32] Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? [33] Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? [34] "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? [35] Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? [36] Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? [37] Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, [38] when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together? [39] "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, [40] when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? [41] Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

God calls us to worship so we can discover our purpose.

1 King 17 says they feared the Lord but worshipped their gods.

What do you fear about losing the most? Your spouse, child or job? You should fear losing God.

If work is where you find your purpose, then when you retire, you will be confused.

2. He Directs Worship that is Worthy.

Thank God for His grace.

Jesus wants us to worship His way.

John 4:19-23 ESV
[19] The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." [21] Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

We can't pick and choose how we worship.

Psalm 139:1-7 ESV
[1] O LORD, you have searched me and known me! [2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. [3] You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. [4] Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. [5] You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. [7] Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Romans 12:1-2 ESV
[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

There is a spirit of worship, Jesus expressed this spirit for us on the Cross.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Acts 13:2 ESV
[2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

As they were fulfilling what they were created for, God gave them their purpose.

God in His word revealed who He is. The book of Deuteronomy is how to worship.

We should know we are a worship community by a showing of our love.