Purpose 1: Worship
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We all worship something
We all worship something
We are all worshippers of something.
Every culture around the world.
“The human mind is… a perpetual forge of idols.” -John Calvin “institutes of the Christian Religion”
Worshipping the wrong thing never satisfies us:
Achiever —> Climbing the ladder of success “I climbed the wrong building.”
Worship that person.
That thing.
Theres always a deep sense of restlessness. A hole. Something missing.
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” -St. Augustine “Confessions”
Our first reason we exist is to worship God.
Our first reason we exist is to worship God.
What is True Worship?
What is True Worship?
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
1. Worship is our response to what God has done for us.
1. Worship is our response to what God has done for us.
“…because of all he’s done for you…”
God’s love (1 John 4:19)
Sometimes people say, “I don’t want some divine taskmaster…”
“Just wants to boss us around and steal our fun.”
This is the way Satan wants us to view God.
More like this:
I looked at him and called him a taskmaster.
Ran away and lived a life of crime: Stole, cheated, murdered.
Caught.
Brought to the gallows to be hanged.
There he was, looking me in the eye.
Not condemnation
But a tear of compassion
He walked up to the gallows and said, “I’ll take his place.”
“Let him go free.”
He was never a cruel taskmaster, but a loving God.
Deuteronomy 6:24 (ESV)
And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always…
Jesus gave his life to save us. Rev. 5:9
Revelation 5:9 (ESV)
…for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God…
Worship is a response to God’s love, grace and power.
2. Worship is giving back ourselves to God.
2. Worship is giving back ourselves to God.
“…give your bodies to God…”
“…let them be a living and holy sacrifice…”
Not just a giving some money.
Not just coming to church.
It’s your whole life. You live your life for God.
Pie Illustration
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
It’s not just what you do that matters, but who you are doing it for.
Getting started with a lifestyle of Worship
Getting started with a lifestyle of Worship
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
1. Focus your affections on God.
1. Focus your affections on God.
“…all your heart and with all your soul…”
Start by thanking God.
Give yourself completely to God. Rom. 6:13
Romans 6:13 (NLT)
…give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
2. Focus your attention on God.
2. Focus your attention on God.
“…with all your mind.”
Christianity is a thinking faith.
Logical
Reasonable
Based in reality
The more we think about the truths in Scripture, the more hope and joy we have.
Other religions: Aka New Age spirituality
—> Empty your mind.
2 Types of meditation:
Biblical meditation —> Think deeply about something.
Unbiblical meditation —> Emptying the mind.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
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.
Start spending daily time with God.
Time and a place.
Get your Bible.
Notebook and pen.
Meditate on a part of the Bible.
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
“If you fix your thoughts on God, God will fix your thoughts.” - Rick Warren
Anxiety —> Peace
Depression —> Joy
Anger —> Love
Bitterness —> forgiveness
Fear —> Courage
Despair —> Hope
Conclusion
Conclusion
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Taskmaster —> Loving Father
Receive his love and forgiveness. Jesus sacrifice for your.
Make worship a lifestyle and not an event.
Make a full committment to follow Christ!
