Longing to worship in God's house

Topics: God, worship, faith

I. A place for satisfaction

* Blessings flow from those who minister in God's house!

1. How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah(Psalm 84:1-4).
2. And to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house will consume me" (John 2:16, 17).
3. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6).

II. A place with security

* Blessings come to those who enter to worship in God's house!

1. How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; the early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah (Psalm 84:5-8).
2. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).

III. A place to serve

* Blessings are enjoyed as we welcome others into God's house!

1. Behold our shield, O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalm 84:9-12).
2. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, August 20^th, 2023

Life group flow and discussion questions

Longing to worship in God's house

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Life Groups are wonderful places to connect and minister to one another; however, they are not to replace corporate worship with the Body of Christ. We need to attend church faithfully as well as small groups (Acts 2:46, 47).

Getting Started:

1. How have you found your church attendance meeting real needs as a place where love is given, truth is spoken and forgiveness is offered?
2. Why did "zeal for God's house consume" (Psalm 69:9; John 2:16, 17) Jesus in cleansing the temple two different times (at the beginning and end of His ministry)? How important is it that we employ proper worship to God in His house?

Discussing Truths:

1. How does twelve-year-old Jesus? response to His parents reveal the spiritual longing to worship in God's House (Luke 2:49)?
2. Why do you think so many people claim that "going to church" is not necessary for their spiritual growth?
3. Like Psalm 84, have you found church "God's house" to be a place of satisfaction and joy; of strength and security and of service and ministry?
4. The sons of Korah experienced grace (Numbers 26:10, 11) even when their Dad rebelled against the Lord. What does that teach us about God's grace (Psalm 84:11)?
5. In Peter's second sermon after Pentecost, he explained how we can experience "times of refreshing" from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19-21). How does "longing to worship in God's house" bring this about?

Now What? Application:

1. Will you commit to faithfully attending worship services in person? Make it a rare exception for you to ever miss coming into God's house of worship.
2. Who in your OIKOS can you invite as "a doorkeeper in the house of God" to be a part of our church family?