Scripture: Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [b]
5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened [c] —
burnt offerings and sin offerings [d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.
VIDEO 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efxURatmH4g
QUESTION
- Pakistan is a Muslim country. As you listened to their worship to God, what are
some of the thoughts you had? What are your thoughts about their public worship?
Introduction
This is an excerpt written by Pastor Shawn Thomas
Acts 13:2 | “Missions in the Context of Worship”
We see in Acts 13:2 that mission comes in the context of worship: missions is born in worship, and missions will end in worship. Missions (or evangelism) is born in worship– “And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting”
I think it is very instructive to us that the mission in Acts 13 came in the context of worship. It says “they were ministering to the Lord and fasting” when the commission from the Holy Spirit came. This is so important. Their mission came while they were just worshipping. They were not just all about “mission” in the early church; they were all about worship! But it was in their worship, that they got the call to mission. This is important, because genuine, godly mission will begin and end in worship. Paul & Barnabas’ call to mission came while they were worshipping God. Missions is born in worship.
We see that in Isaiah. In chapter 6 He had a great vision of God on His throne:
“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
Isaiah got a magnificent vision of the glory of God. And what was the next thing that happened? God said in :8 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And Isaiah responds: “Here am I, send me!” Out of his worship experience came his call to mission.
And the same thing will be true for us. If you and I are really worshipping God, just like Isaiah, just like the apostles in Acts, the next thing we know, we are going to find ourselves called on mission, because worship on this earth leads to mission.
I would submit to you that if your worship here in this church does not lead you on mission, you are not really worshipping. You cannot possibly worship God: truly love Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and submit to Him with all your will – know His greatness and glory and love — and not want to share Him with others. If you are not drawn to mission from your worship, you cannot possibly be truly worshipping. You may “go to church”; you may be very religious; you may like to sing; you may have a good “routine” down; I don’t know what you are doing, but if what you are doing does not lead you to mission, you are not worshipping. Because genuine worship leads to mission.
Video 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC2xkqCAn_s
Questions
- Tommy quoted “We breathe in his love while we breathe out our praise and thanks
to him—and we do it in front of people.” What are your thoughts about that quote
from the video? - Psalm 40:3 says “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will
see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” - Tommy spoke of the difference between a “gospel presentation” and worship
where God’s spirit resides. What has been your experience? Do you agree or
disagree?
Practice
This week’s practice is to write out Psalm 40 verse by verse followed by how it fits your life, work, and family. For instance, Psalm 4:9-10 says :
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
Me: I talk about how you have saved me in front of my friends and I don’t hold back from sharing my story with persons of peace. I don’t stay quiet when it comes to you, Lord.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Me: I share with others what you have done in my heart and how you have saved me from many things. Whenever I am with others, especially those who don’t know you, I am quick to love them well without judgment. I desire to love them with the same love and faithfulness you have shown me, God.
At the end of this week, read this aloud to your spouse, family, group, or Missional Community. See how the public reading of Scripture brings about strong conviction and missional zeal for those around you.
