Transformation Through Worship “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart” February 21, 2010

Worship has this amazing power to change the way we think. It affects the way we look at life.

Rom 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. NLT

Worship has the power to transform us and the world we live in.

Ps 24:3-5 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ESV

What is acceptable worship of the Father? What prepares a person to abide in the presence of the almighty all powerful God of creation?

King David answers the question. He who would be recognized as a friend and worshipper of God must be an upright man; A person not living in the practice of sin, rebellion or manipulation. A person who tries to do that which is right not out of performance but from the heart level.. Someone who understands that The Blood of Jesus brings us into the presence of our Father and worship allows us to abide in His presence.

1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." ESV

Heb 12:1… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… NKJV Our prayer is, “…remove everything that hinders love.”

What keeps us from submitting ourselves to the work of the cross?

The Encumbrances of life are the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life: We fall into the trap of the enemy when we are self indulgent, self centered and self seeking.

Sin Hinders Love We hold on to the wrongs done to us and we allow our perceptions to dictate our actions. Unforgiveness robs us of life and causes us to walk in futility. A powerless life filled with envy, jealousy and strife. Bitterness and anger create an atmosphere of self preservation, distrust and fear. Hardheadedness and stubbornness lead to manipulation Entitlement, the belief that someone owes us something, causes us to feel cheated in life.

Eph 4:17-24 …you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Eph 4 cont’d 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. NKJV