Did God Enjoy That?
- Elevated Life Church
- Jun 9
- 5 min read
What Revelation 4:11 Teaches About Biblical Worship
Based on Pastor Donnie Rosa's message
Are We Worshiping God or Evaluating Our Experience?
When most people leave church, they naturally ask questions like:
Did I enjoy the worship?
Did the sermon speak to me?
Did I feel inspired?
Did I connect with the music?
Those questions aren't inherently wrong, but they reveal something important about the way modern Christians often approach worship.
We live in a culture that teaches us to evaluate nearly everything through the lens of personal preference. We choose restaurants, vacations, entertainment, and even churches based on what we enjoy. Over time, that mindset can subtly influence our relationship with God.
Without realizing it, worship becomes something we consume rather than something we offer.
Yet Revelation 4:11 presents a completely different perspective:
"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."
This verse reminds us of a foundational truth that many believers have forgotten:
We were not created for our pleasure. We were created for His.
What Does It Mean to Be Created for God's Pleasure?
The phrase "for Your pleasure they are and were created" can sound strange in a culture that prioritizes self-fulfillment.
Many people spend their lives searching for purpose, happiness, significance, and meaning. Yet Scripture teaches that true purpose is not found by looking inward. It is found by looking upward.
Everything God created exists to bring Him glory.
The stars declare His greatness.
The oceans reveal His power.
The mountains testify to His majesty.
Creation understands its purpose.
Humanity often struggles with ours.
Because God gave us free will, we can choose whether we live for His glory or our own. That choice shapes every area of our lives—from how we worship to how we work, serve, give, forgive, and interact with others.
The question is not simply whether we believe in God.
The question is whether our lives actually bring Him pleasure.
The Throne Room of Heaven Reveals the Heart of Worship
In Revelation chapter 4, the Apostle John receives a glimpse into heaven.
What he sees is remarkable.
He sees God seated on His throne.
He sees elders bowing before Him.
He sees heavenly creatures declaring:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty."
Nobody in heaven is confused about who worship is for.
The focus isn't the worship team.
The focus isn't personal preference.
The focus isn't individual experience.
The focus is God Himself.
Every being in the throne room responds with reverence, surrender, honor, and awe.
That picture should challenge modern Christianity.
Too often believers evaluate worship based on how it affects them rather than how it honors God.
But biblical worship has never been centered on the worshiper.
Biblical worship is centered on the One being worshiped.
How Consumer Christianity Changes Our Perspective
One of the greatest challenges facing the Western church is the rise of consumer Christianity.
Consumer Christianity evaluates church like a product.
Did I like the music?
Did I enjoy the sermon?
Were my needs met?
Did the church provide the experience I wanted?
While these questions may seem harmless, they can subtly shift the focus away from Christ and toward ourselves.
The danger is that church becomes something we attend rather than something we contribute to.
Worship becomes something we receive rather than something we offer.
Faith becomes centered on comfort instead of surrender.
The result is spiritual immaturity.
Consumers shop.
Disciples follow.
Consumers evaluate.
Disciples obey.
Consumers focus on preferences.
Disciples focus on pleasing God.
Worship Is More Than Singing Songs
Many believers think of worship primarily as music.
Music is certainly part of worship, but Scripture paints a much larger picture.
Romans 12:1 says:
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Worship is not limited to thirty minutes on Sunday morning.
Worship is a lifestyle.
Worship happens when:
You forgive someone who hurt you.
You choose integrity when nobody is watching.
You obey God's Word when it challenges your desires.
You serve others sacrificially.
You surrender your plans to His will.
Every act of obedience becomes an act of worship.
Every surrendered decision becomes a sacrifice that honors God.
True worship extends far beyond a song.
Why Obedience Matters More Than Emotion
Modern culture often measures spiritual health by emotional experiences.
People want to feel God's presence.
They want powerful moments.
They want inspiration.
While God certainly works through emotions, emotions alone are not evidence of spiritual maturity.
Scripture consistently places obedience above emotional experience.
God told King Saul:
"To obey is better than sacrifice."
God is not primarily looking for emotional moments.
He is looking for surrendered hearts.
A believer who quietly obeys God on Monday may be offering greater worship than someone who raises their hands on Sunday but ignores God's instructions throughout the week.
Obedience demonstrates lordship.
Obedience reveals trust.
Obedience brings pleasure to God.
The Goal of Christianity Is Christlikeness
Many Christians view salvation as the finish line.
Scripture presents it as the starting line.
God's goal is not merely to get us into heaven.
His goal is to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
This process is called sanctification.
It is the lifelong work of becoming more like Him.
Thinking like Jesus.
Speaking like Jesus.
Loving like Jesus.
Serving like Jesus.
Responding like Jesus.
The Christian life is not simply about avoiding hell.
It is about becoming holy.
Not perfect.
But progressively more like Christ.
As we surrender to God, our desires begin to change.
Our priorities begin to change.
Our perspective begins to change.
And the question shifts from:
"What do I want?"
to
"What pleases Him?"
A Question Every Believer Should Ask
At the end of a church service, many people ask:
"Did I enjoy that?"
Perhaps there is a better question.
Did God enjoy what I offered Him?
Did He enjoy my worship?
Did He enjoy my obedience?
Did He enjoy my attitude?
Did He enjoy the way I represented Him this week?
Those questions move us beyond consumer Christianity and into genuine discipleship.
Because worship was never meant to revolve around us.
The throne room of heaven makes that clear.
The focus has always been God.
And when we finally understand that truth, worship becomes more than a song.
It becomes the way we live.
Looking for a church home in North Jersey?
At Elevated Life Church, we're passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with
Jesus through biblical teaching, authentic worship, meaningful community, and practical discipleship. Whether you're new to faith or have followed Christ for years, there's a place for you here.
Join us Sundays at 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM in Whippany, New Jersey, or watch online at 10 AM and experience messages that challenge, encourage, and equip you to live out your faith every day.
Plan your visit or watch the full message at elevatedlifechurch.org
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