Why bother?  Why waste an hour Saturday night?  Why place my ‘hope’ in God?  Why build my life through God?  Why ‘endure’ God’s discipline?  Why is a decision about God such a big deal?

Why bother? Because God is God! See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.“ This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:25-29

Why bother? Because God is God! Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  God is able to communicate clearly!  His written word is enduring & verifiable. Hebrews 12:25-29

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard. Hebrews 12:25-29

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  He is the foundation of the universe. Hebrews 12:25-29

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  He is the foundation of the universe. Hebrews 12:25-29 He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing…But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT) He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing…But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT)

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  He is the foundation of the universe. Hebrews 12:25-29 He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing…But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT) He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing…But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  Everything else is easily ‘shaken…’ Hebrews 12:25-29

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  Everything else is easily ‘shaken…’ Hebrews 12:25-29 “for our God is a consuming fire.” But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 (NASB)

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  Everything else is easily ‘shaken…’ Hebrews 12:25-29 This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 “Carpe Diem”

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  Everything else is easily ‘shaken…’  God offers lasting stability & a future Hebrews 12:25-29 “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable…”

Because God is God…  He deserves our attention.  He will be heard.  He is the only constant in the universe.  Everything else is easily ‘shaken…’  God offers lasting stability & a future  A response of gratitude is reasonable! Hebrews 12:25-29

…heart-felt gratitude is reasonable! Hebrews 12:25-29

 Also called ‘worship’  ‘  ‘ λατρεύω – ‘to serve’, ‘offer’, or ‘worship’  Reverence & awe’ – sincere, amazed… …heart-felt gratitude is reasonable! Hebrews 12:25-29

 Also called ‘worship’  Which is expressed as ‘giving’  Χάρις – Grace (always): a gift. …heart-felt gratitude is reasonable! Hebrews 12:25-29

 Also called ‘worship’  Which is expressed as ‘giving’  Χάρις – Grace (always): a gift. …heart-felt gratitude is reasonable! Hebrews 12:25-29 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph. 2:8 (ESV)

 Also called ‘worship’  Which is expressed as ‘giving’  Χάρις – Grace (always): a gift. …heart-felt gratitude is reasonable! “Freely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 (NASB)

 What God does. ‘Worship’ is…

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do. ‘Worship’ is… Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music. Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music.

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do. ‘Worship’ is… Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music. Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music.

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do. ‘Worship’ is… Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music. Every song gives you a little “feel-good” buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when you’re without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason. You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs. There’s times when you just can’t stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastes of music.

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do.  NOT a gloomy, dark ‘reverence & awe’. ‘Worship’ is… You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” Hebrews 12:18-21 (NLT)

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do.  NOT a gloomy, dark ‘reverence & awe’.  NOT rituals (the ‘worship service’). ‘Worship’ is… You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai… Hebrews 12:18-21 (NLT)

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do.  NOT a gloomy, dark ‘reverence & awe’.  NOT rituals (the ‘worship service’).  Practiced alongside others. ‘Worship’ is… But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 (NASB)

 What God does.  What humans are designed to do.  NOT a gloomy, dark ‘reverence & awe’.  NOT rituals (the ‘worship service’).  Practiced alongside others.  The basis for authentic love. ‘Worship’ is…

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13 Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers Remember the prisoners…and those who are ill-treated Marriage is to be held in honor among all… Make sure that your character is free from the love of money Remember those who led you…imitate their faith. “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13 “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13  Unacceptable: rituals and formalism “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” “This people draw near with their words and honor me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from me, and their reverence for me consists of tradition learned by rote.” (Isaiah 29:13)

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13  Unacceptable: rituals and formalism “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies... Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:21-24)

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13  Unacceptable: rituals and formalism  ‘God in a box’ “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13  Unacceptable: rituals and formalism  ‘God in a box’  ‘I need my songs & rituals to get close…’  Actually promotes shallow spirituality  A huge investment of resources  Alienates non-Christians “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”

 ‘Acceptable service’ is Hebrews 13  Unacceptable: rituals and formalism  ‘With reverence and awe’ towards God  God is the CENTER of our ‘service’  The answer to ‘why bother’ ?  The source of motivation & thankfulness “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”

 Are you thankful?  Or, are you alienated from God? What does it mean: “acceptable service..reverence & awe” ? For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 (NASB)

 Are you thankful?  Are you practicing thankfulness?  Or going through the rituals? What does it mean: “acceptable service..reverence & awe” ?

 Are you thankful?  Are you practicing thankfulness?  What receives your ‘reverence & awe’?  ‘things which can be shaken’, or  ‘things which cannot be shaken’ What does it mean: “acceptable service..reverence & awe” ?

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Falling Behind Budget!!