Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe.
So in this series on the life of David, I want to think for a few moments on David as an outstanding worshipper. I think that is largely why he's called a man after God's own heart. Welcome to the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. When you think of how God used the life of David, you probably think of David's victory against the giant Goliath. or how he conquered the enemies of Israel.
But today on the verdict, we're looking at the inspiring legacy David left as a worshipper of God.
So let's join Pastor John Monroe for today's lesson. As we've studied the life of David, we've seen David in all kinds of situations. He's a warrior, a king, a shepherd, a poet, and undoubtedly a worshiper of God. For 3,000 years or so, people in all kinds of circumstances of life have turned to the Psalms of David in the Old Testament for comfort, challenge, consolation, and encouragement. These psalms help us as we worship God.
And last time we began to see David worshiping God. as he makes preparation for the building of the temple. which will be done by his son Solomon. You may think of worship as something very ethereal and mystical. But worship is very practical.
Central to worship. is that we give generously and joyously to the Lord. Let's learn more from David the worshiper. Three men. things I want to say today about worship.
Obviously worship is a huge subject. But I want to take three, I think, that we find here in 1 Chronicles 29. That was true of David and the Israelites, and I trust is true of us. At church. Worship God first.
Give generously and joyfully. Think of the example of David. Here The worship in 1 Chronicles 29 came from the heart. And so they're gonna build this temple. And they're worshiping God.
And that worship is seen. in their giving generously and joyfully. Second, Worshiping God is giving thanks. with humility. It's giving generously and joyfully.
Secondly, it's giving thanks. with humility. Again the example of David. Look at verses 10. Through twelve of First Chronicles 29.
David, what did he do? He blessed the Lord. In the presence of all the assembly, and David said, Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel, our fathers, forever and ever. And then he has this magnificent worship, which concludes in verse 12 by saying, And now we what? We thank you.
Our God. David focuses on the greatness and the power and the glory and the Victory and the majesty of our great God. He knows that God is supreme and rules over all. He's just a sojourner. He's tiny.
God is a ruler. God is the king. King, David understands where he came from. He's got no claim, but God gives strength. And what's to be our response?
Now we thank you. O God, and praise your glorious. name. Thanks. We're very quick to ask for things, aren't we, in our prayers?
But perhaps not so quick to give Thanks. If your parents You know the joy. When you're a little boy, little girl, Begins to say, Thanks, mum. Thanks, Dad. Not because you're saying Say thanks.
But you realize they're beginning to mature. And beginning from their heart. To say Thank you. Thanksgiving is one of the marks. of maturity in the follower of Jesus.
The flesh is quick to complain. But slow to give Thanks. The flesh is self-centered. The self Takes things for granted. And it's slow to say Thanks.
Should we be a thankful people? Think of God and His grace. Think of David's powerful. worship here. Of course he's thanking God.
Think of the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we give thanks. In some traditions they call communion the Eucharist. What's the Eucharist? It's the giving of thanks.
We give Thanks. And this thanksgiving, this worship. is intensified As we gather, with the people of God. Don't you find that? I realize you're thankful as an individual.
But isn't it something special when we come on an occasion like this? as the people of God with one voice. To say Thank you, Lord. Psalm 122, listen to the first four verses. Again, David writes: He says, I was glad when they said, Let us go to the house of the Lord.
Why should he be glad to go to the house of the Lord? Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up. The tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, is referring to the three times of the year when they went up. Jerusalem.
Why do you go up? Verse 4, to give thanks to God. The Lord. What was the point of going up to Jerusalem to the temple? These three times of a year when they left their little towns and villages and went up, and when they said as a nation, we're glad to go to the house of the Lord.
Why are you glad to go to the house of the Lord? Because you're going to get something. Ah, not number one. No. It's not that we're going to get something first and foremost, it's because we're going to give.
Thanks. And the Lord loves. Yes, loves his people coming together to give thanks. 87 Verse 2: The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Zion.
Jerusalem, the temple. The Lord loves that. Yes, the people of God are always to worship. We're always to give thanks. but we come together collectively.
as we do now to give Thanks to our God. You know our God, can you? Isn't this one of the reasons he seeks worshippers? That he receives special thanks and joy. When the people of God are gathered together.
to give Thanks.
So it's not surprising on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 souls are saved that they're not left individually to go their own ways. No, they are added. To the church. Another name for the Lord's Supper is communion. Why?
Because we commune. Yes, we can remember the Lord ourselves, but as we give thanks to the Lord, It is intensified. as we do it as the people of God. And we're encouraged. When we hear brothers and sisters leading us in worship.
We're encouraged when we hear the word of God read. We are encouraged. When we think of all of the benefits of our great God and Saviour. Jesus Christ. And David does this.
Did you notice this as I read it? He does it with great. Humility. He says Again, verse 14: For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. We're strangers before you, and sojourners.
Where did they come from? They came from Egypt. And God redeemed the special people. And he realizes that every single thing he has. comes from good go from the great.
God. God is eternal and rules. overall.
So inner worship. We give thanks. Are you are you a thankful person? At your home when you pray. Do you give thanks to God?
Is that important to you? To give Thanks. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 that one of the results of the filling of the Spirit is. Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And addressing one another.
And he says the same things in Colossians 3, addressing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. How do we do this? We give thanks, we encourage one another. As we think. Of the greatness of God and the beauty.
of our Saviour. Watch up. It's giving thanks. With your melody. Do you remember the story?
In Luke chapter 17 of the ten lepers. All healed by the Lord. How many came back? One and he was a Samaritan. He was the foreigner.
And it said that when he came back, he fell at the feet of Jesus, giving thanks. And Jesus said, Well, didn't I hear all. Ten of you? Only one. Yeah.
and give thanks. Will you worship God? With a spirit of thankfulness. Worship involves giving thanks with humility. First, worship God, give generously and joyfully.
Secondly, worship God, give thanks with humility. Third, worship God. Bless the Lord wholeheartedly. You notice this again? Verse thirteen.
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious Name. Yeah. David said to all the assembly, Bless the Lord your God. David not only thanks God, but he praises God and he blesses God. In Psalm 34, And David says, I will bless the Lord.
at all times. But he doesn't stop there, does he? And then he says, Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. This is what he's doing with the people of God. He's directing them to God.
You've got to thank God, but you've got to do more than thank God. You've got to praise him. You've got to. Bless him. And again, that is intensified when we do that with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
I was speaking to one of the life groups this morning. And uh Not sure how we got on the subject, but I said. to them and I saw a few nodding. That uh You ever had the experience? coming to church.
And you didn't feel like worshiping? Do you ever remember that? I said, I felt that and I got to preach. And there's a bit of dryness in your own soul. And instead of saying, I was glad when they said, let us go to the house of the Lord, we're saying, well, It's Sunday, I suppose I have to go.
Do you ever feel that? And you might say, you're not really in the mood to bless God and to praise God. But you still come. You begin to stand and as they Music begins, and we look at the words. Doesn't something wonderful happen?
And that you realize that your whole attitude is being changed. Because you are being reminded that there is a God in heaven. And to this God is great and greatly to be praised. And you're being reminded of the loveliness and preciousness and the mercy of Jesus Christ. and that you're almost forced to look up to God.
And they're almost forced to remember and to bless his glorious name. And this is why The church coming to the church. Is so important that it is as we come together that our spirits revive and our. Faith is deepened. And that almost in spite of ourselves, Our focus is on Christ.
Isn't that what David says? We're singing at Psalm 103. What does he say? Again, a son of David. Bless the Lord.
Oh my Soul and all that is within me. Wholehearted worship. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. And that's how he finishes in verse 22. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
No, this is not routine. This is not just mouthing words. This is with his whole being, wholeheartedly, from the very depth of his soul, he is blessing the Lord.
Now, we know what it is to be blessed by God. To be blessed by the Lord is to be enriched by the Lord, is to receive His smile. Let's receive his His favor. As I prayed, I prayed for God's blessing on our new members. We understand that under the old covenant, that blessing was demonstrated in good crops and in children and material blessings.
To bless the Lord is to praise the Lord. and as it were to enrich the Lord and to Enrich his reputation. To praise the Lord is to appreciate that which is enjoyed. As we understand more and more of the greatness and the grace of God, doesn't that call for a response? Didn't the Lord say, if you don't do that, the very stones will cry out?
How could you not praise God? How could you not bless God when you think of who he is and in the wonder of his grace, entirely of his grace, he's reached down and saved sinners like you and me? No, this is not a duty. This is a fresh, vibrant, genuine, and enthusiastic response to that which is enjoyed and to that which is appreciated. We praise that which we enjoy.
And as we do that, in the congregation. of the righteous, as the Psalms are telling us. That joy. is intensified. And we're blessing and praising our Lord with our whole soul.
Now, you say, I can't sing very well, and I don't play the violin very well. In fact, I don't play it at all. I couldn't even tell you how many strings are on it. That's not the point. This is not just music.
This is for all of us. This is why we're very passionate at Calvary that as we worship. That we, the congregation, are drawn in. Yes, we have gifted man and woman. who have spent hours and hours being trained and practiced and Learning the intricacies of their particular instrument and their voice, but they are not there.
To be admired. It's not that we're sitting there saying, oh, that was pretty good. Wasn't he a little bit off-key this morning? I didn't like that. No.
They are leading us. They're helping us. With their voices and their instruments.
So that even the person who is a little tone deaf, and occasionally someone like that sits behind me, and I thought, my voice is pretty bad, but this guy's even worse. But that doesn't stop us, does it? Because we continue to focus On God. Don't be like some. who come and say, well, this is not for me.
Don't do that. Do you say your nice your voice is not very good? I had a grandmother whose voice was terrible. Talk about a shrill soprano. I mean She was dreadful.
But she did have some music. Because when we're on vacation, And it was so rainy, we couldn't get out down. We had one of these old. Organs, you peddled them, and I don't know how she was able to do it, but she taught us some basic chords on the organ. I've never tried this one.
I think it's a little more complicated. But even my grandmother, who couldn't really sing, Enjoy trying. and enjoyed praising The Lord, can you do that as you come? Don't just be a spectator. Don't be a critic.
Join in with us. And sing and bless the Lord. Oh my soul. You know what will happen? Your faith will be deepened.
Your spirits will be rekindled. We will be edified. And your joy will be intensified as you understand. and also feel Because our mind is involved. We're thinking, as it were, theology of who is this God.
We're thinking of what Christ has done. But we're choosing to do it. This is an act of the will. Worship God with us. And also our being.
Our emotions are involved.
So that we come Sometimes a little down.
sometimes feeling sorry for ourself.
Sometimes self-focused. And God gives us this wonderful, wonderful gift of music. and of worship, so that we are refreshed. And say with David. Bless the Lord.
O my soul. And all that is within me bless his holy name. That is, worship can never be passive, it is dynamic. It involves our whole being, irrespective of our musical ability. And this God seeks worshipers.
He wants your worship to be costly. He wants you to give thanks. And he wants you to bless and praise his holy name. David was an outstanding. Worshipper.
I encourage you to read and to study the Psalms, and your worship will be deepened. Don't forget the Psalms, the 150 Psalms, was the hymn book of Israel. That's what they sang from. And I want us as we conclude to stand. And read together, will you do this with me?
Psalm 103. one of the most magnificent psalms And as we read it, Think of this. David doesn't ask for one thing. There is no petition. There is no request.
It is 100% worship. It is Total praise. to God from beginning to end. Let's read it. and ask God that we really will be A worshipper.
Bless the Lord. Oh my soul. and all that is within me. Bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
and forget not all his benefits. who forgives all your iniquity. who heals all your diseases. who redeems your life from the pit. who crowned you with steadfast love and mercy.
Who satisfies you with good?
so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is his steadfast love. towards those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west.
So far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children.
So the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For he knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, His days are like grass. He flourishes like a flower of the field.
For the wind passes over it and it is gone. And this place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. And his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens.
And this kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord. all his works in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Isn't that magnificent? David. The worshipper Father. We come and we do give thanks.
We want to worship you willingly, not because we're forced to. Not out of a routine. But to say with David, bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Help us more and more to be a worshiping people. We know that you seek worshippers.
Help us. Here at church and in our homes, to worship you in spirit and in truth. And to that end, we pray. increase matchless dam. Amen.
This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. and a lesson titled, David the Worshipper. And as we continue our study on the life of David, we want to make sure you don't miss out on the valuable study guide that goes along with each of these lessons. To help you follow along and interact with Scripture during the series, John has created a printable workbook full of insightful notes, engaging questions, and helpful prompts so that you can apply this biblical teaching to your everyday life. Just go to our website to download your free copy of the Life of David Listening Guide.
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Now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? In your worship, are you giving generously to the Lord? And do you come with a spirit of humility? Or Are you there to criticize those who lead in worship? or those who serve or preach?
David is a man. Of thanks. It's always easier to complain than to give thanks. But as we worship God, we're praising Him. for who he is and for what he has done.
God wants not a mechanical worship. Not a legalistic obligatory worship. But worship from our hearts. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies.
Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
