A View From The Stands

We continued with the six part series at the church I worship at called “Game Plan”. The second in the series was last weekend titled “A View From The Stands”. To listen or view you can click this link.

In golf, we might miss hitting the ball perfect and end up in water hazards, the rough, or in the sand trap but if we keep swinging, we eventually hit it just right. In life like in golf, there are many hazards but at times we hit it perfect and the worship of God is one of those times.

Below is an outline of the message. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. THE VIEW CAN BE UNCLEAR.

“ But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well. They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like the rest of us; they have problems like other people.” – Psalm 73:2-5 (NCV)

Sometimes we just don’t see God’s plan. Why is it that some people who do not live a Godly life seem to have it easy with no financial problems, always going on vacations, and it looks like they have life figured out?

“I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see….” – Psalm 73:16 (NCV)

When things seem unfair, where is God to make it fair?

2. WORSHIP CLEARS UP OUR CONFUSION.

“… until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them. You have put them in danger;…” – Psalm 73:17-18a (NCV)

“But I am always with you; You have held my hand. You guide me with Your advice, and later You will receive me in honor. I have no one in heaven but You; I want nothing on earth besides You.” – Psalm 73:23-24 (NCV)

Like keeping your eye on the ball, if we keep our eye on God, we find perspective.

3. WE GET TO CHOOSE THE VIEW AND OUR RESPONSE.

“I keep the Lord before me always. Because He is close by my side, I will not be hurt.” – Psalm 16:8 (NCV)

There are many things to be thankful for and we can celebrate with passion. At sporting events, there is a lot of enthusiasm. It’s Okay to have enthusiasm and yell for God’s team too.

“Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen vest. David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew the trumpets….” – 2 Samuel 6:14-15a (NCV)

4. THERE IS NEVER A WORSHIP VOID, ONLY WORSHIP CONFUSION.

“ ‘People of Athens, I see that you are very religious. As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, ‘To an Unknown God.’ You worship this God but you don’t really know him’….” – Acts 17:22b-23a (CEV)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Swing as hard as you can swing in life. Don’t get down if you hit the hazards because when we connect with God in worship, we hit it perfect every time. I hope this video of God’s beautiful Creation and awesome scenery will provide a time of worship for your day: Creation Calls – Brian Doerksen.