Activity of Soul and Body in Worship

The point: Come to worship with hands laden with previously prepared spiritual sacrifices.

The metaphor of coming with 'empty hands' to bring nothing to God and leaving 'empty-handed' illustrates the principle that receiving from God is contingent upon bringing spiritual sacrifices to Him.

For he who comes with empty hands to bring nothing to God should not be surprised, if he leaves empty-handed, receiving nothing from God. For it is only those who come with their hands laden with previously prepared spiritual sacrifices to render to God in the presence of his people that will go away with his hands full of blessings from the God whom he has worshipped. Now with that brief review behind us, one in which we addressed ourselves to the major, major activities of God-honoring worship, we now come to the second major division of our subject, namely, a consideration of the agent invo...

4:05 - 5:22 Read in full sermon

The point: Bring whole-souled engagement of eagerness, carefulness, and diligence to worship, or you'll receive nothing from God.

The analogy of the Holy Spirit not setting a premium on mental laziness, contrasting with a passive expectation of 'zapping' or 'tingles,' highlights the need for active mental engagement in receiving God's Word.

Some people have the idea, all right, Lord, come by Your Spirit, and we'll just sit there, sort of passive, and whoo, something will just come and zap me and go down my spine and give me tingles, and whoo, it'll just be wonderful. No, no, my friend. As surely as the servant of God labors in the Word, seeking to understand the mind, and how to structure the sermon, and how to convey it in simple language, and in a form that is not confused, in which you can separate the strands of his argument, and he is involved in the most assiduous, that is, the most diligent labor in his preparation. He thr...

27:22 - 28:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Bring whole-souled engagement of eagerness, carefulness, and diligence to worship, or you'll receive nothing from God.

The analogy of the preacher's diligent labor in sermon preparation and delivery is used to argue that hearers must bring an 'equally vigorous labor of the mind' to receive anything from God, otherwise it is their fault if they go away uninstructed.

Some people have the idea, all right, Lord, come by Your Spirit, and we'll just sit there, sort of passive, and whoo, something will just come and zap me and go down my spine and give me tingles, and whoo, it'll just be wonderful. No, no, my friend. As surely as the servant of God labors in the Word, seeking to understand the mind, and how to structure the sermon, and how to convey it in simple language, and in a form that is not confused, in which you can separate the strands of his argument, and he is involved in the most assiduous, that is, the most diligent labor in his preparation. He thr...

27:22 - 28:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Prepare your mind and heart for worship; let God's words sink down into your ears.

The metaphor of a mind 'clogged up with Charlie's angels' or 'yesterday's ball games' illustrates how worldly distractions prevent even the Son of God from edifying a listener, emphasizing the need for mental preparation.

Too deep. What you mean is you're too lazy. Or you bring a mind so clogged up with Charlie's angels, so clogged up, so clogged up with yesterday's ball games that the Son of God Himself could not speak to your edification. Have got to prepare your mind.

29:38 - 30:01 Read in full sermon

The point: As conscious, rational, responsible creatures, turn the mind to considerations which will produce proper affections.

The analogy of not having direct volitional power over pupil dilation but having power to subject the pupil to influences that cause it to dilate or constrict is used to explain that while we can't directly command emotions, we can choose to subject our minds to considerations that produce proper affections.

You do not have the volitional power to open and close your pupil.

33:38 - 33:42 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The will, though in bondage to sin for the unconverted, is liberated and infused with evangelical motives in believers. Worship involves a conscious choice to render God His due…

The example of reserved people showing excitement and 'going bananas' at a favorite ball game illustrates that even those with quiet personalities can have their emotions released by gripping facts, challenging whether the infinite God is worthy of less holy abandonment.

But this much I know. I have seen some of you who are very reserved in your basic personality style. Your personality stamp. I've seen you show excitement about carnal things.

40:41 - 40:53 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And oh dear people, perhaps in a real sense, this is where the sacrificial element of praise enters, a sacrifice cost for something.

The story of David being hunted by Saul in a cave, surrounded by 'lions,' is used to illustrate how David's will 'bullied his feelings' into obedience, choosing to praise God despite overwhelming negative circumstances, demonstrating the sacrificial element of praise.

And God has finally answered him. And he's just bursting with gratitude. No, no. You read the first part of this psalm.

44:58 - 45:05 Read in full sermon

The point: Say to your present state of mind and feelings, 'Almighty God requires of me my worship. Almighty God is worthy of that worship. And I will to bring by the grace of God mind and affection subject to the word of God as I …

The analogy of the old economy worshiper having to 'tick off one less lamb' to bring a sacrifice is used to explain that there is a costly, sacrificial element to praise when one chooses to worship God despite distracting thoughts or negative feelings.

And oh dear people, perhaps in a real sense, this is where the sacrificial element of praise enters, a sacrifice cost for something. The man who would bring the lamb to God in the old economy had to tick off one less lamb in his flock. It was costly to render to God his due. And there's an element in which it is costly.

46:05 - 46:27 Read in full sermon