Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning

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29
Oct '23

Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 by Ken Durham in General, Sermon Notes, Special Message |

29
Oct '23

Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning

Deuteronomy 32:2-4; Ephesians 5:15-19; Philippians 4:5-9

 

 

 

Today is going to be a different type of Sunday. We are starting the service with each point of the message being reinforced with our worship in song. For those taking notes, the three key points are 1) Proclamation; 2) Preparation; and 3) Positioning. These three “P’s” will help us in both our prayers and our praise.

 

I. PROCLAMATION: Moses told the people of Israel

 
Deuteronomy 32:2-4:
 

“Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!”

 

When we proclaim something, we are making it known to those around us. When we pray, we are to proclaim who God is to us. When we sing our praises, we are to lift our voices and proclaim the goodness and the greatness of our God. In Psalm 71:19-19, the psalmist David writes:

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?

 

He also writes in Psalm 105:1-2:

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”

 

And then in Psalm 145:4-7, we are told to:

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”

 

Finally, we are encouraged by John, the beloved disciple in 1 John 1:1-2:

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.”

 

So, as we prepare to lift our voices in worship, remember we are all to proclaim praise to the One Who was, Who is, and Who always will be.

Worship in Song 1: Living Hope, Goodness of God, Trust in God

 
 

II. Preparation: Preparation is important for both heart and mind.

 

QUOTE: “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”

 

A. Preparing the heart.
 
1. Confession is where it starts.
 

1 John 1:9:

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
 
2. We have to clean house of the things that affect our heart.
 

Ephesians 5:15-19: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

 

*Previous verses warned us not to live like we used to, because we are to live our lives to please God.

 

B. Preparing the mind: A Call for holy living: 1 Peter 1:13

 

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”

 

Currently, mental health has become a hot topic. We need to realize that the battle of the mind is something that has been a part of human struggle for a long time, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. Moses, King David, the prophet Elijah and Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi are just a few examples of those who battled some form of mental illness and the Bible records their struggles. As we face issues like work-related stress, seasonal depression or even chemical imbalance, there may be some that requires that require medical assistance. This is not a bad thing! That is why we have the medical professionals to help in these times.

 

However, we are also told in scriptures to bring everything to Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 states:

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

 

AND…we are to care for one another. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 12:25:

“This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.”

 

This is not an either/or thing, but rather a both/and. We as the church are to be here to help one another as we see Christ transforming people’s lives and their stories. BUT, it is also important that each person take responsibility to turn EVERYTHING over to God by preparing our hearts and our minds.

 

Worship in Song 2: Lavish, Who You Say I Am

 

III. Positioning: Surrendering our wants and desires

 
A. What Christ did for you and me: Philippians 2:6-8:

 

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
 
B.What we are to do for Him: 1 Peter 5:6-10
 
“ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”
 

 

“Christ demands first place. There’s no room on the throne of your heart for two gods.”

– Billy Graham
 
This is something that you must do for yourself, because I cannot. HOWEVER, I can hold you accountable, which is what I am doing today!

 

Philippians 4:5-7:

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

 

I want to close out the service with a response time. Coming to the altar is not a sign that you have done something, but rather you making a public demonstration of presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, making sure that your sacrifice is still on the altar! Position yourself with a fresh surrender.

 

Worship Set 3: Hold On to Me, It is Well with My Soul

 

 

If you would like to watch the service in its entirety with the music, click HERE.

If you would like to watch just the message, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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