Foundations: Worship - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series recap (2) book (3) outline overview

Beauty
1. Spotting Beauty: (1) difficult to remember beauty (cf. grind, news) (2) “God’s goodness manifest to the senses” (Willard) → sunrise, flower, newborn, cookie, stream (3) beauty connected to remembering God as beautiful (Ps. 27:4) and creator/sustainer (cf. Luke 12:25-31, picture) (5) prayer → “help me experience your beauty”

2. Speaking Beauty: (1) Philippians 4:8 → begins with thoughts that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable (cf. Rom. 12:2) (3) God is an expert at bringing beauty from messy/ugly (cf. Christ on cross) (5) non-beautiful speech → criticism, ill-timed, debbie downer, shaming, sarcasm, slander/gossip (6) prayer → “help my thoughts/words to reflect Philip. 4:8”

Praise
1. His character: (1) speaking truth about God → read Psalm 18:1-2 (2) strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold (3) remembering these helps us when God feels confusing (4) applying these to different arenas (cf. single/married, family, job, money, current events, etc.) (5) cellist in war-torn town

2. His word: (1) treasuring God’s word → read Ps. 19:7-8 (2) nourishes us internally, instructs for life, creates true joy, brings discernment for decisions → what are alternatives to all these? (4) grounding in Scripture creates encouragement to others (cf. sharing service, worship guide, SS, shep discussions (7) scripture as telescope

3. His works: (1) proclaiming God’s works → read Ps. 92:1-5 (2) v.1 → God’s works display who he is (3) v.2 → his works to be both anticipated/recalled daily (3) v.3 → unique role of singing (4) v.4 → experiencing God’s works creates joy (4) examples → creation (cf. groundhog), answered prayer (cf. youth bash), title (cf. sabbath, Christ), older saints (cf. 12-14)

Conclusion: hydrant-turned-aquarium