Where Heaven Meets Earth: Preparing for Worship

The Lord said: “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Isaiah 29:13

When Moses had told the words of the people to the Lord, the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and prepare for the third day because on the third day, the Lord will come down from Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” Exodus 19:9-11

On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning as well as a thick cloud on the mountain and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now, Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended upon it in fire. The smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln while the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. Exodus 19:16-19

1. Authentic worship gets my attention off myself and reconnects me with God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before the Lord with joyful songs. Know for sure that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. Psalm 100:1-3

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food. Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls. Nevertheless, I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

2. Authentic worship connects us to one another.

3. Authentic worship shouts out to God how much we love him.