Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 11/24/13PrequilSERMON NOTES:"How are we preparing for the Messiah?" Psalm 95Most popular phrase this time of the year.A. The text calls Israel to prepare for worship and thanksgivingWhy I wanted to just preach on the first 7 verses.Verses 8-11 remind us that GENERATIONS have gotten this wrong. Theyhaven't been thankful. They haven't worshipped. They'd FORGOTTEN God(vs. 10)Israel's desire for INDEPENDENCE, or a different type of God, or theirown STUBBORNESS impacted their ability to worship faithfully, and therewere CONSEQUENCES for that.B. The text calls us to prepare for worship and thanksgivingWhat impacts our ability to REMEMBER God? What sort of things havebecome BARRIERS to us living out vs. 1-7?This is highlighted to the Nth degree this time of year. It's a seasonof THANKSGIVING and WORSHIP of the savior of the world, but how does theworld treat it?Why worship at least once a week (at least!)?C. God reminds Israel that preparation is about submission and faith.Then they're ready.The whole Psalm describes a God of POWER. He is the rock (1), Great andabove all (3), the CREATOR (4-6). But verse 7 is different? That's aboutRELATIONSHIP, care, and LOVE.In verse 7, Israel sees that although God is great, powerful, and theircreator, that he is fundamentally about KNOWING and LOVING them andLIVING with them.They don't yet receive that ultimate means to relationship with God, butwe do.D. God reminds us that preparation is about submission and faith. Thenwe're ready.As we prepare for the coming of Christmas, for us to see the INCARNATIONas God REDEEMING his people in Christ by perfectly living inRELATIONSHIP with them, then dying on our behalf and rising so that wemight have life; That's PREPARATION!Generations waited for Christ's work. We don't have to. We live in itevery moment.For us to BELIEVE in how Christ changes our relationship with God,SUBMIT to his work in our lives and our world and PROCLAIM that truthfor his glory makes us "ready" for Christmas.Change the phrase.