“O Worship the King”

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-12

C.I.: Seasons of Worship

Today we are beginning a new series of lessons. – We will be looking at the topic of worship. – I define worship = “The decision to come into the presence of God.” – Yet there are times when people do not, either feel like coming into His presence, or believe that they should come into His presence. – Today we will address these issues as we look at the seasons of worship.

•  The Four Seasons of Worship

•  Summer Worship (times of enjoying God's blessings)

1. Summer is a time of long warm days, children's laughter, families getting together, & enjoyment of God's blessings.
a. Your life is going well; your health & marriage are good, and your job & children are all doing well.
1) “Summer Worship” is characterized by praise.
2) ( Psa. 100:4 ), “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving, I will enter His courts with praise.”
3) ( James 5:13b ), “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.”

b. But we must be cautious in summer, that we do not forget the One who brought all of these blessings to us!
1) ( Psa. 103:2 ), “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget none of His benefits.”
2) ( Jms. 1:17 ), “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father….”

B. Autumn Worship (transition)

1. Autumn is a time of transition. Leaves change, days grow shorter, summer is gone and something new is coming.
a. The Key to understanding “Autumn Worship” = “Worshipping during times of uncertainty!”
1) “Autumn Worship” is characterized by faith, ( Heb. 11:8 ), “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed
by going out to place he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

b. Our uncertainties vary (e.g. kids to school vs. health problems, marriage difficulties). How do we worship then?
1) ( James 5:13a ), “Is anyone among you suffering [ not just physically; mentally, $$$, spiritually] ? Let him pray.”
2) ( Isa. 38:1-5 ), “In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. – Isaiah the prophet came to him and said, ‘Thus says
the Lord, “Set your house in order, for you shall die and shall not live.”' – Then Hezekiah turned his face to the
wall, and prayed to the Lord, ‘ Remember now, O Lord, I beg You, how I have walked before You in truth & with a
whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly. – Then the word of the Lord
came to Isaiah saying, ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, ‘I have heard
your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add 15 years to your life.”'”
3) The greatest example of “Autumn Worship” was in the Garden of Gethsemane, ( Matt. 26:39 ), “My
Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; - yet not as I will, but as You will.”

c. There is one truth we should hold onto during “Autumn Worship” (i.e., “worship during uncertain times”)…
1) ( Psa. 23:4), “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are…!”
2) We have that same promise today- as we are being changed & are bringing change to others,
( quote Matt. 28:18-20 ), “All authority has been given Me in heaven and on earth… I will be with you….”

C. Winter Worship (during the hard times)

1. “Winter Worship” is what we offer during the hard times of life!

a. Winter is the time when the sun (Son) feels distant. The ground is hard and the air is bitter & nights are long.
1) Death or a parent, child, spouse, divorce, financial downturns, etc. – are all times for winter worship!
2) When it seems as though others are either against you – or they have turned their back s on you. a) Winter worship is what is needed – when it seems God has turned His back on you...
b) If “Autumn Worship” is characterized by Gethsemane – Winter Worship is seen at Golgotha.
c) ( Matt. 27:46 ), “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

b. “Winter Worship” begins in pain – yet it longs for hope!
1) When Job lost all of his wealth – and all of his children died in a freak accident – winter worship!!!
2) ( Job 1:21-22 ), “Then Job arose & tore his robe & shaved his head, & he fell to the ground & worshipped. – And
he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, & naked I shall return there. – The Lord gave & the Lord has
taken away. – Blessed be the name of the Lord.' – Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

c. Because of its brutality – “Winter Worship” separates true believers – from the cowardly.
1) “Winter worshipers” know God is worthy of our worship – in spite of our circumstances!
2) Winter worshippers trust in God – even when the circumstances are NOT what we want, ( Job 13:15 ),
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.”

d. While “Summer Worship” is characterized by praise, and “Autumn” by Faith – “Winter Worship is characterized by hope!
1) They understand God will bring everything to a proper conclusion at the right time!
2) “Winter Worshippers” believe one day they will bask in the warmth of the Son. ( Rev. 7:13-14 ), “‘These
who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?' – And he said to me, ‘These are
the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb.'”

D. Spring Worship (Renewal, Return, and Restoration)

1. Springtime is the time of renewing and refreshment. – The winter is over and possibilities begin to flower!
a. New things call us to worship; new marriage, children, life situations, etc.!!!
1) ( Gen. 8:18-20 ), So Noah went out, & his sons, & his wife, & his sons' wives with him. – Every beast, every
creeping thing, & every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark. – Then
Noah built an altar to the Lord, & took of every clean animal & every clean bird & offered burned offerings on….”

b. The “new things” in the New Testament also call us to worship…
1) ( II Cor. 5:17 ), “If anyone is in Christ Jesus he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, new
things have come.”
2) Thus, we too can become new if we are “in Christ,” ( Gal. 3:27 ).

CONCLUSIONS:

•  Each season is transitory.

•  In the same way, everything will not always be good, but it will not always be bad either!

•  Yet, in each season of our lives – God is calling us to worship Him!!!

•  So today, “Is any among you suffering? Let him pray.” – If anyone would like to be “baptized into Christ”…!