Prepared to love (Nick Freestone)
Series: Worship
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 28th February 2015
Passage: 1 John 4:9-12
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 I wonder, friends, if you arrived at church today feeling ready for it.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 I imagine the rain kind of would have put you off a bit.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:14 But it's very hard for us to know whether we're prepared for church or not.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:22 If you go looking, you can find lists of things to do to be ready for church.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:28 They're mostly good lists, and they help you remove emotional and physical distractions before a Sunday.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 Things like leave your phone on night mode from the night before.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 Don't look at Facebook until church is over.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 And my favourite, go to bed early Saturday night.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:45 And that point was actually titled, it's okay not to have fun.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:51 These lists, these lists are useful, but they miss the point.
00:00:51 --> 00:01:00 As we prepare for church, we are actually like sprinters preparing for a race.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:06 Each runner trains differently, but their training has the same goal.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:07 They want to win.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:11 And their training has the same preparation principle.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 They want to get faster.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:20 When we prepare for church, there's no right way of doing it, no list we must follow.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:28 But like those runners, we commit to the same principle of preparation that helps us achieve our weekly goal,
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 which is to engage with God together his way.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:37 So let's pray together before we look at God's word.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:45 Heavenly Father, please speak to us in your word today by your spirit.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 We long to engage with you together your way.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:55 Show us how to be ready for church, prepared to love each other and love you.
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 Amen.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:03 Cast your mind back to Sam's sermon from last week.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:06 Do you remember what our five goals of corporate worship are?
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 Anyone remember?
00:02:09 --> 00:02:10 Sam remembers.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:11 Well done, Sam.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:14 We're focused on God.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:15 We're centred on Christ.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 We're driven by the word.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 And we want to do worship together excellently.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 The thing we haven't talked about in detail yet is engagement with God.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 When we come to church, we want to be engaged.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 We want to do that his way every week at church.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 But to do that, I want to say to you today that we've got to be ready.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 So let me show you a preparation principle for gathering together to worship.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:51 This principle is how God prepares us to engage with him and with each other.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 So keep your finger in 1 John 4.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 And if you've got a phone, it doesn't matter.
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 You're going to be flicking through menus anyway.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 We're going to go to Psalms.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:06 And let me just say now, when we turn to Psalms, I'm going to flick through a number of Psalms today.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 They're going to be on the screen.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:14 If you've got a phone, it's probably going to be too difficult for you to flick through all the different places.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 So they're going to be on the screen.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 And if you're making notes, write them all down.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:20 You can look at them later.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:24 Let's go to Psalm 121.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:34 Take note of the title of this psalm.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 A Song of Ascents.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:53 This psalm and 15 others are a collection called Ascent Songs, compiled for Israel to sing as they went up to the temple in Jerusalem to worship together.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:59 These psalms are steps, steps that ready Israel for corporate worship.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:11 God's word here outlines a three-part preparation principle that we can follow where God prepares us, his church, in his word.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:16 And the three parts are come, remember, and gospel.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 If you're writing notes, three things that prepare us.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 Come, remember, and gospel.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:31 So we've got five come psalms that call us to lift our eyes to God.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 As life rages around us, we're prone to turn away.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:40 So these psalms encourage us to look to God and keep on walking.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:49 So let's look at how each encourages our faith and lifts our eyes up to God.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:50 So let's go 121.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:57 Psalm 121 is a call for those who question God.
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 Lord, who is there to help me?
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 Where are you, God?
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 The psalm lifts our eyes to the sovereignty of God.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 Let me read verses 2 to 8.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:12 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 He will not let your foot slip.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 He who watches over you will not slumber.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:22 Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 The Lord watches over you.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 The Lord will keep you from all harm.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 He will watch over your life.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:40 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:46 Guys, here God promises us answers when we come to him.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:51 So bring the cries of your heart with you to church.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:57 Come and lift your eyes to the throne of a sovereign God who has answers.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:05 Psalm 123 is a call for God's subjects to come ready to do his will.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:10 We're encouraged to look at our master for mercy, remembering our place in his care.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 Let me just read the first two verses.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:17 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
00:06:17 --> 00:06:20 as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
00:06:20 --> 00:06:27 so our eyes look to the Lord, our God, till he shows us his mercy.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:34 We come on Sundays to our master to obey his voice.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:38 He is a merciful master and he cares for us.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 So let's come and lift up our eyes to his mercy.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 Psalm 131 is a call to humility.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:52 We don't look towards Sunday with pride, trusting in our own works or abilities.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:56 Rather, our hope is in the Lord's greatness.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 My heart is not proud.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 Lord, my eyes are not haughty.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:07 I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 but I have calmed and quieted myself.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 I'm like a weaned child with its mother.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 Like a weaned child, I am content.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:20 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forevermore.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 Guys, we must not trust ourselves, but we hope in God.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:29 So the call is come and lift your eyes to his greatness.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:35 Psalm 132 is a call to remember God's promises.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 Let's just read the first 12 verses together.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:44 Lord, remember David and all his self-denial.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 He swore an oath to the Lord.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 He made a vow to the mighty one of Jacob.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 I will not enter my house or go to my bed.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:55 I will allow no sleep before my eyes or slumber to my eyelids
00:07:55 --> 00:07:59 till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the mighty one of Jacob.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 We heard it in Ephrathah.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 We came upon it in the fields of Jar.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 Let us go to his dwelling place.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:10 Let us worship at his footstool, saying, Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 you and the ark of your might.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 May your faithful people sing for joy.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:26 The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:30 One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:38 The Lord promised he would dwell in the temple, and he was found there.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 He keeps his promises.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:46 And for Israel, the promise to come was an eternal throne in Israel
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 with David's descendant as king.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:54 And we see that promise fulfilled in Jesus' eternal reign.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:58 So the call is, come, lift up your eyes to his promises.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:03 And 134 is the final call to worship.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 It's the psalm of arrival.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:09 If you notice these psalms, 120 to 134.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 134 is when you get to church.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:17 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:23 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:28 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is maker of heaven and earth.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 Here we praise the Lord in his presence together,
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 for it is right and good.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 Lift up your eyes and praise.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:46 So these first five psalms outline the first part of our preparation principle for church.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:52 In your week, as you journey toward another time of corporate worship,
00:09:53 --> 00:09:58 lift your eyes, see the greatness and mercy and promises of God,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 and dwell on his sovereignty and rule.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:07 The next three psalms we're going to look at are remember psalms.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:11 They call to mind times of unity in corporate worship.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 When something great and joyful happens,
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 we long to experience it again.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 Psalm 128
00:10:18 --> 00:10:26 is a reminder that blessing, peace and prosperity are from God.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:29 Verse 1 to the beginning of 5.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:35 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 You will eat of the fruit of your labor.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 Blessings and prosperity will be yours.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:44 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:48 Your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:52 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 May the Lord bless you from Zion.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:57 Let's catch those last two words.
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 From Zion.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:03 The psalm reminds us that our source of blessing is God
00:11:03 --> 00:11:07 as a benefit of worshipping together.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 Israel worshipped at Zion's temple,
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 and for us, we meet together at church.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:18 Our benefit of gathering at church is God's blessing.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 So first, we remember that when we gather,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 we are blessed.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 Psalm 133
00:11:26 --> 00:11:31 takes the reminder of the previous psalm,
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 remember when we gather, we are blessed,
00:11:34 --> 00:11:37 and hints how unity together,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:40 now, in worship,
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 points toward heaven's blessings that are to come.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:50 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:54 It's like oil poured on the head, running down the beard,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 running down Aaron's beard, down the collar of his robe.
00:11:57 --> 00:12:00 It is as if the Jew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:03 For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 even life forevermore.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:14 Guys, the unity of God's people at church is a picture of eternal life and blessing together.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:21 So remember, when we gather together, we glimpse our future, our blessed future together.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 Psalm 122
00:12:23 --> 00:12:33 is our reminder of the joy and gladness that worshipping God has brought us in life, in our life at church.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 Just the first two verses.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 let us go to the house of the Lord.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:46 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:53 Guys, here the psalmist has arrived in Jerusalem.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 He's there, and he hears people around him saying,
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 let's go up to the temple.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 And he's so excited to engage with God,
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 and he's with his people again,
00:13:02 --> 00:13:05 that they go together rejoicing to the temple.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 Imagine if people came in from the car park,
00:13:08 --> 00:13:12 overflowing with rejoicing together to get here.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 Wouldn't that be incredible?
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 Probably have to open the gates wider.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:22 Just be a flock of crazy, rowdy, happy people coming into church every week.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:28 Remember, when we gather, we are joyful.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 So next Sunday, when you wake up,
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 and you forget what day it is,
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 and you look at your phone to remind you,
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 or your wife has to remind you,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 or your husband has to remind you,
00:13:40 --> 00:13:43 does your heart leap for joy
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 when you realise it's Sunday?
00:13:47 --> 00:13:50 I invite you to dwell in daily remembering
00:13:50 --> 00:13:54 that the blessing church is from God,
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 the overflowing joy that we share,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 and the glimpse of a blessed eternity,
00:13:58 --> 00:14:01 that this is for us.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 If you've been doing the math,
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 we've got seven psalms left.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 And these are just, they're just breathtaking.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:18 Together, they portray Israel's thirst for God.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:22 And that thirst is in the shape of the gospel.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:27 We can't help but see Jesus as we read these words.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:31 He is like the water that quenches Israel's thirst as we read them.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 So I'm going to move fairly quickly.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 Even if you've got a Bible, let's just look at the screen.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 I'm going to power through these.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:42 But I want you to look at how Israel is just hoping for the gospel here.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 120.
00:14:46 --> 00:14:49 Sin is rooted deep in us and we need God.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 Verse 2 from the ESV says,
00:14:51 --> 00:14:55 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 Psalm 129.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:03 Man's sin-born wickedness has no place in his kingdom.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 Verse 4 of ESV says,
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 The Lord is righteous.
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 He has cut the cords of the wicked.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 But Psalm 130.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:19 God hears our cry for mercy and forgives his people.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 Verses 3 and 4 say,
00:15:22 --> 00:15:26 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 But with you there is forgiveness,
00:15:30 --> 00:15:34 so that we can with reverence serve you.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 Psalm 124.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:41 Without him we're trapped in sin, but with him we are saved.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 Verses 7 and 8 of 124 say,
00:15:44 --> 00:15:48 We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:51 The snare has been broken and we have escaped.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:55 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 Psalm 125.
00:15:57 --> 00:16:01 God is trustworthy and protects us, his people.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:03 Verses 1 and 2 say,
00:16:04 --> 00:16:07 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
00:16:07 --> 00:16:10 which cannot be shaken, but endures forever.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:14 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people,
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 both now and forevermore.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 Psalm 127.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:24 As a saved people, we're now free to work and parent our children,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:28 knowing he does the work through us that lasts.
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 First two verses say,
00:16:31 --> 00:16:35 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:39 Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand, watch in vain.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:43 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat,
00:16:43 --> 00:16:46 for he grants sleep to those he loves.
00:16:46 --> 00:16:49 And lastly, on 26.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:56 Life's road is going to be painful, but God's promises remain.
00:16:57 --> 00:17:01 Our joy is not yet, but we're looking forward ahead to a coming joy.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 Verses 5 and 6.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:10 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:14 Those who go out with weeping, carrying seed to sow,
00:17:14 --> 00:17:19 will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:25 Can you see here Israel's thirst for the gospel?
00:17:26 --> 00:17:30 Sin, judgment, mercy, forgiveness, freedom, protection, leadership,
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 and a future hope.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 It's all there.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:37 Part three of our preparation principle, guys,
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 is the gospel.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:44 When we dwell in the word of the Lord daily,
00:17:45 --> 00:17:47 reminding ourselves of his salvation,
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 as Jordan Coughlin says,
00:17:50 --> 00:17:54 the hand of the gospel lifts our eyes to God.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:56 The gospel lifts our head.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 Our eyes glimpse the greatness of God,
00:17:59 --> 00:18:02 and we remember the great promise of God
00:18:02 --> 00:18:05 to meet with us when we gather.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:10 That's three-part principle to get us ready for church.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 If you've got a Bible with you,
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 you've probably got your fingers still in 1 John 4.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 Let's turn there together right now.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 1 John 4, verse 9.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:29 This is how God showed his love among us.
00:18:30 --> 00:18:33 He sent his one and only Son into the world
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 that we might live through him.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:39 This is love, not that we have loved God,
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 but that he loved us
00:18:41 --> 00:18:45 and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:49 Dear friends, since God so loved us,
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 we also ought to love one another.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 As we look to the gospel,
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 we see God's love,
00:18:58 --> 00:19:03 and in turn we love one another.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:09 God's commanded and correct response to the gospel
00:19:09 --> 00:19:11 is love one another.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:16 Guys, he wants us reflecting on the gospel on our own in the week
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 so that when we gather,
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 his love for us in the gospel
00:19:20 --> 00:19:23 overflows to the one another that is church.
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 It's so simple and it's so effective.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 Being prepared by God for church
00:19:31 --> 00:19:35 means that we're prepared to love.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:39 Being prepared by God for church
00:19:39 --> 00:19:42 means we're prepared to love.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:46 Let me share a story of such love in action
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 from summer camp earlier in the year.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 Hands up if you're at summer camp.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 Yay!
00:19:52 --> 00:19:57 We were reading a big, hefty passage from Romans,
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 the beginning of Romans,
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 the really hard bit to read of Romans,
00:20:01 --> 00:20:04 and a kid called Christian Whale
00:20:04 --> 00:20:08 saw a first-time camper
00:20:08 --> 00:20:11 really struggling to even find Romans in the Bible.
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 He probably had it upside down,
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 probably really struggling,
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 and Christian saw it,
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 and he just got up from his seat
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 while we were reading it together,
00:20:18 --> 00:20:20 went up quietly next to this kid
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 and just whispered help
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 to get him to find the passage.
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 And this kid found the passage
00:20:24 --> 00:20:26 and was able to read along with us.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 And without making a big deal,
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 he just went and sat back in his seat
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 as if no one had noticed.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:34 But we were so excited to see that
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 because he was so keen
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 to see others see God
00:20:39 --> 00:20:42 that he went out of his comfort zone
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 and loved.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 When you land at church
00:20:48 --> 00:20:51 prepared by God in the gospel,
00:20:51 --> 00:20:54 you, as verse 11 says,
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 ought to love others.
00:20:57 --> 00:21:00 And I guarantee
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 that if we are not prepared
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 for church this way,
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 verse 11,
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 we ought to,
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 that's going to feel like a duty.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 But if we're prepared by the gospel,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 loving others will flow
00:21:15 --> 00:21:18 just like having to breathe in and out.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 Let's have a look at verse 12.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:26 No one has ever seen God,
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 but if we love one another,
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 God lives in us
00:21:30 --> 00:21:33 and his love is made complete in us.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:39 God is seen when we love each other.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 Could this be a clue
00:21:41 --> 00:21:43 as to how God's presence
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 is uniquely experienced
00:21:44 --> 00:21:47 when we engage with God together,
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 his way?
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 That's exactly it.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 We see God
00:21:52 --> 00:21:55 as God's love in the gospel,
00:21:55 --> 00:21:57 which compels us
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 to serve the church
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 and love each other.
00:22:01 --> 00:22:04 Whether it be serving on morning tea
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 in the mornings
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 or our music team
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 or prayer team
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 or a myriad of other,
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 even background ways of serving.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:12 It overflows from us
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 in our speech,
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 eagerly encouraging
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 and praying for one another,
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 seeking to hear what God is doing
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 in the lives of our neighbours
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 and sharing his love
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 in your life
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 with others.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 Loving one another
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 is the picture
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 of an engaged
00:22:28 --> 00:22:31 corporate worship gathering.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:34 It is God's people
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 loving and serving one another.
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Well, let's catch this.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 If loving one another
00:22:42 --> 00:22:44 is the command of God
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 in response
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 to his love for us,
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 it follows
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 that without
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 that love for others,
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 we will not engage
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 with the service,
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 the songs,
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 the sermon,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 the prayer,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 etc.,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 if we are not actively
00:22:59 --> 00:23:01 loving each other.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 Loving God together
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 authentically
00:23:03 --> 00:23:05 will not occur
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 without love
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 for our neighbours.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 We show love
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 for God
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 at church
00:23:10 --> 00:23:12 by first
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 loving others.
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 With love
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 for others
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 as our priority,
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 we are released
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 from selfishness
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 completely
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 to love God
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 responsively
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 and authentically
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 at church.
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 Our prepared hearts
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 are already
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 looking to God,
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 craving the blessings
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 church brings
00:23:30 --> 00:23:32 and overflowing
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 with love
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 and praise
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 in the gospel.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:37 so authentic
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 singing and prayer,
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 listening,
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 reflecting,
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 declaring God's
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 truth together
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 can actually happen.
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 God is doing
00:23:44 --> 00:23:44 the work
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 to prepare us
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 for church.
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 He is putting
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 love for others
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 in us
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 by his gospel
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 and his love
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 for us
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 in the gospel
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 makes authentic
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 worship
00:23:53 --> 00:23:55 possible
00:23:55 --> 00:23:58 and irresistible.
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 And that
00:24:00 --> 00:24:03 is a rightly
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 engaged
00:24:03 --> 00:24:05 ideal church
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 service.
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 And I say
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 ideal
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 because it's
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 not what
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 church looks
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 like every week
00:24:10 --> 00:24:10 for us,
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 is it?
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 It is what
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 we,
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 rather,
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 it is what
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 we as a church
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 aspire to be.
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 And here's
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 where I stand
00:24:21 --> 00:24:24 in my preparation
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 for church.
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 I have this
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 built-in
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 sinful attitude.
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 I don't know
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 if you're like me
00:24:29 --> 00:24:31 but I know me
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 and I know
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 how sinful I am
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 so I can talk
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 about that.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 But here
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 it is.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 As long as
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 people around
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 me let
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 me,
00:24:40 --> 00:24:42 I'll be able
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 to engage
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 with God
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 and with his
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 people.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 As long as
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 circumstances
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 and people
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 allow me,
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 this is my
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 selfishness
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 speaking,
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 I'll be able
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 to engage
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 with God.
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 That means
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 my wife and
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 kids have to
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 be okay.
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 I have to get
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 to church on
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 time.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 Without struggle
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 of any kind,
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 traffic and
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 weather must
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 flow perfectly.
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 My outfit
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 has to match
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 the weather
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 so I don't
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 get too hot
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 because I get
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 super grumpy.
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 Technology,
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 music and
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 volunteers,
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 all that kind
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 of stuff has
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 to go perfectly
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 because I'm
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 in ministry
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 and it's
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 very stressful.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 And if any
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 of these fail,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 I'm distracted
00:25:13 --> 00:25:15 and grumpy
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 when church
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 starts.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:18 my struggle
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 at church
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 is against
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 being dependent
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 on people
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 and circumstances
00:25:22 --> 00:25:24 allowing me
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 to engage.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 But
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 his word
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 shows me
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 that he
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 prepares me
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 in the
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 gospel.
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 He prepares
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 us for
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 church
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 in the
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 gospel.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 I bet
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 today,
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 more than
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 many days,
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 it was a
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 battle just
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 to get
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 here for
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 you guys.
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 Whether
00:25:48 --> 00:25:50 you're 15
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 and you're
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 still asleep
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 on a Sunday
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 or you're
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 battling
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 through traffic
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 and six
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 foot of
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 water
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 in a storm
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 which
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 basically was
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 what my
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 daughter said
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 was happening
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 when she
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 arrived so
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 it was very
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 difficult for
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 her.
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 She's two
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 just so you
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 know.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:09 being ready
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 for church
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 is actually
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 a week
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 long
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 journey.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 Let me
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 encourage you
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 to start
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 that journey
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 right now.
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 Let's start
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 it together.
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 Look around
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 the room.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 Look at the
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 good looking
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 people either
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 side of you.
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 Love these
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 people.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 Let the
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 love of
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 God you
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 know in
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 Jesus
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 overflow.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:33 Sing
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 loud.
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 Show your
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 love for
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 God.
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 It might
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 encourage one
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 who has
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 never sung
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 before to
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 actually join
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 in.
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 And in
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 your week
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 use that
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 preparation
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 principle
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 from the
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 Ascent Psalms
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 that we
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 looked at.
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 Come
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 remember
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 gospel.
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 Looks like
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 this.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 Look to
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 God in
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 whatever ways
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 that he
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 leads you
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 to do it.
00:26:56 --> 00:26:56 Look to
00:26:56 --> 00:26:58 God craving
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 the blessings
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 that church
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 brings.
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 Let the
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 gospel fill
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 you with
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 the love
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 of God
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 till it
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 overflows
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 and you
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 land at
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 church
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 ecstatic
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 on a
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 Sunday.
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 Liberated
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 from the
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 selfish
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 dependencies
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 of our
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 normal
00:27:11 --> 00:27:11 church
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 experience
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 so that
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 we can
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 wholeheartedly
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 love and
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 praise our
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 God
00:27:16 --> 00:27:16 together.
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 Friends,
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 that's what
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 I want
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 God to
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 do in
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 you.
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 That's
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 what I
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 want God
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 to do
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 in me
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 and my
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 family.
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 As we
00:27:27 --> 00:27:27 prepare for
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 church and
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 engage in
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 corporate
00:27:30 --> 00:27:30 worship
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 together,
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 let us
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 look for
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 God to
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 prepare us
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 to love.
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 Let me
00:27:38 --> 00:27:38 pray.
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 Lord, we
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 long to be
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 the church
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 that your
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 word here
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 shows us.
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 Show us
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 ways to let
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 the gospel
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 shape us
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 and ready
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 us and
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 prepare us
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 Lord to
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 love each
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 other.
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 Prepare us
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 Lord to
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 love you.
00:27:58 --> 00:28:01 Amen.