PART 1
Read: Psalm 24:1-6 - A Psalm of David
Group Discussion:
How would you define worship?
What does it mean to live a whole life of worship?
Romans 11:36 (NIV) “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
We are made by God, for God’s glory. That means our whole lives are considered instruments of worship unto God who created us. We get our cues and clues from his word on how he wants us to live.
Group Discussion: What is the meaning of Clean Hands and a Pure Heart?
Leader Notes:
“Clean Hands” is inclusive of our external actions, what other people see, including our behaviours and words
“Pure Hearts” involves our internal motivations, what is unseen beneath the surface within our thoughts and in our hearts.
David shows us what wholehearted worship looks like in both leadership and submission.
Context: David had been anointed king, yet Saul was still pursuing him. When Saul unknowingly entered the cave where David was hiding, David had a clear opportunity to harm him but chose restraint and honour instead.
Read: 1 Samuel 24:4-8,11-15 - David Spares Saul’s Life (NIV)
Group Discussion: What do we learn from this passage?
Leader Notes:
The Lord ‘Judges’ – He sees everything, and weighs everyone’s hearts and hands according to his holy standards
The Lord ‘Avenges’ – He responds with the right consequence, which means we do not avenge ourselves by seeking to inflict harm or retaliate by taking things into our own hands.
The Lord ‘Vindicates’ - He honours and rewards those who act righteously in response to wrongdoing and blesses those who have clean hands and a pure heart before Him and before people.
David’s response is a counter-intuitive response than what our flesh longs to do, but we as believers are not to be controlled by the flesh but be led by the Spirit.
A practical test of clean hands and a pure heart is how we speak and act when others are not present. Will we criticise and cause disunity, or honour people and entrust hardship to God, who judges, avenges and vindicates?
This might seem radical, but if we personally seek revenge or retaliate, and live by the saying, “an eye for an eye” it will only make the whole world blind, rather we know, “we do not overcome evil with evil, but we overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Matthew 5:43-45 - Love for Enemies (NIV)
Jesus said these words, 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
We live in a world, that if you disagree with someone, this means you cannot honour, support or pray for them. That’s worldly, and not godly. That’s actually divisive and not an attitude God can bless.
1 Timothy 2:1–4 (NIV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
God instructs us to pray for all people, including those in authority. This kind of pure worship is what He blesses and vindicates, as Psalm 24:5-6 says.
Group Discussion: Break off into small groups of 2-3’s
What then should we do when an enemy of ours comes against us today? (whether they are leaders, bosses, government officials, or whether they are church members, colleagues or even family)
How should we respond to anyone who is attacking, opposing, persecuting or accusing us?
When are the times we’ve operated according to the spirit even when it’s been difficult? When are the times we’ve failed to do this, and have walked according to the flesh?
Are there any situations or any people God is bringing to mind that he wants us to repent for? (Perhaps how we’ve responded to our enemies, or judged leaders wrongfully, or spoken behind people’s backs) Confess this, and resist the temptation to justify our actions, and then pray in groups a blessing over those people who God leads us to.
Group Activity: As a Life Group together uplift your network pastors in prayer, or any leaders of the ministries you are involved in. As well as pray for the leadership transition of senior ministers from Andrew Chisolm to Godwin Shim.
PART 2
Psalm 24:7-10 - A Psalm of David
It’s important for us to understand at this time in the Old Testament, the presence of God didn’t reside in a people like he does now, but in a place, called the “Ark of the Covenant,” The Ark was a wooden chest covered in pure gold inside and out, with golden poles for the Ark to be carried and never touched. On the top it had two cherubim angels, which acted as a throne for God to manifest his presence and glory. David sought to use his leadership position as King over Israel to bring God’s presence back into Jerusalem as the centre of worship, to be enthroned amongst his people, Psalm 24 is a celebration of this moment, but 2 Samuel 6 is the story behind it.
Read: 2 Samuel 6 – Moving the Ark to Jerusalem(NLT)
Group Discussion:
What did you observe in the passage?
And what questions arise from the passage?
Why did Uzzah have to die?
Leader Notes: Uzzah died because he treated God’s presence irreverently by touching the Ark, which God had clearly forbidden. (Numbers 4:15) God’s presence is holy, mighty and not to be treated casually. The fear of the Lord leads us to reverence and awe.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, believers need not fear God’s presence, but we still approach Him with reverent awe.
Read: Colossians 1:19-22
What did David’s public praise look like?
What does costly worship look like?
Reflect on your worship, privately and publicly: is it measured, modest, sensible, cautious, contained, restrained or reputable? Or is it joyous, jubilant, costly, unreasonable, unrestrained, undignified and foolish?
David shows that the greater our responsibility, the more willing we must be to humble ourselves before God in worship.
We’re instructed in: John 4:24 (NIV) “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
To worship in Spirit and truth means we are not ruled by self-consciousness or people’s opinions, but focused on magnifying God alone.
How might God inviting you into more foolish, unashamed and undignified worship and praise?
Psalm 24 instructs us to welcome the King of Glory In!
The word for "glory" used in Psalm 24 (specifically in the phrase "King of glory") is “kavod.” This Hebrew word translates to "weight," "heaviness," or "honour". In a biblical context, it implies supreme importance, dazzling majesty, and the weighty, undeniable presence of God.
We know there is the omnipresence of God, he is in all places. We know for those of us who believe in Jesus we have his indwelling presence residing within us, but there is also his manifest presence which is his weighty tangible presence which falls on people and places.. in moments of worship where he is honoured.
Has anyone ever experienced God’s manifest presence and glory before? Share stories of what that was like:
Jesus is the King of Glory. Imagine Him entering the room: how would we posture ourselves to honour Him as He deserves?
Let’s be a church who would say “I’d rather look like a fool and attract the attention of heaven, than uphold my own reputation and resist the glory of God!”
Group Activity: Welcome the King of Glory in by spending time in worship together.
Suggested Songs for LG Worship:
“Praise the Lord” all the earth and everything within me praise your name!
“Forever Yahweh” - Worthy you are, worthy you will be forever Yahweh!
“Who else” – I am an instrument of exaltation!