01 What Is Worship?

Opening Song

“We gather to be formed in God’s presence so we can be sent into our community”

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

After greeting prayer: “Lord, open our eyes this week to those who are curious about faith.”

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NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

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Sermon

THE TENSION

(Why This Matters - Name the struggle)

We all come in with a definition of worship.

For some, it’s the song we just sang. For others, it’s a feeling. For some, it’s something we enjoy… or something we endure.

But what if worship is not primarily about music at all?

What if music is just one expression of something much deeper?

Transition: If we misunderstand worship, we will misunderstand our purpose.

We’ve reduced worship to a moment instead of a life.

We evaluate worship by preference instead of posture

We attend worship instead of becoming worshipers

We think worship starts when the music starts

But Scripture tells a very different story.

MY STORY

(Relatable Entry Point - vulnerable authenticity - emotional connection)

When worship felt like singing (early experience)

Then later, a worship became surrender, obedience, and cost

Transition: I realized worship wasn’t about what I was singing, it was about what I was offering.

THE SCRIPTURE

(Context, Characters, Read)

Genesis 22:1–5 “1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.””

First “worship” in ESV

THE DISCOVERY

(What We See Unfolding — 3 Movements: What does this reveal about God? - What does this reveal about us? - What lie is being confronted?)

1. Worship Is Surrender Before It Is A Song

We often want worship without surrender.

God is not after performance, He is after our hearts.

Lie being confronted: “Worship is about what I like.”

Truth: Worship is about what I offer.

The first time “worship” is mentioned in Scripture… There is no music. There is no band. There is no crowd.

There is a father… An altar… And a willingness to give what is loved.

2. Worship Involves Trust, Even When It May Cost Us

We often tie worship to outcomes instead of obedience.

God is worthy of trust, even when we don’t understand.

Lie being confronted: “I’ll worship when I understand.”

Truth: Worship is trusting God before you FULLY understand.

Abraham calls it “worship”… But what God asked for didn’t feel like worship, it felt like loss.

Worship is not proven in comfort. It is revealed in trust.

3. Worship Leads to Encounter and Revelation

We want encounter without surrender.

God meets us in surrendered places.

Lie being confronted: “I can experience God without giving Him everything.”

Truth: Surrender creates space for encounter.

On the mountain:

God provides

God reveals Himself as Provider

Abraham AND Isaac leave changed

Worship leads to deeper revelation of who God is.

IDENTITY SHIFT

(Who does this reveal God to be? Who does this reveal us to be?)

Not: “I go to worship”

But: “I am a worshiper”

We are being built together… a dwelling place of God by the Spirit…

and worship is one way that dwelling is formed.

PRACTICE OBEDIENCE

(Next Steps - Application)

1. Reflect on True Worship This Week

John 4:23–24 “23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.””

Jesus is speaking to a woman caught in a debate about where worship should happen: this mountain or that one.

What Abraham demonstrated externally, Jesus says must now also happen internally.

Jesus shifts everything:

Not place but presence

Not ritual but reality

Not just external act but internal surrender

Abraham goes to worship but Jesus says we can become worshipers at all times and places

Ask daily: “What am I offering to God today?”

2. Bring Surrender Into Your Singing

Romans 12:1 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

The sacrifice in Genesis 22 becomes the pattern

Jesus becomes the fulfillment of Gen. 22

The life of sacrificial-surrender becomes our response

When we gather:

Don’t just sing words

Offer your life with the words

3. Identify Your “Isaac”

What is God asking you to trust Him with?

Control?

Comfort?

A relationship?

Your future?

Worship begins when we surrender what we love.

TRANSITION TO MUSIC:

Worship didn’t start with a song. It started with surrender.

Before there was a melody… There was an altar.

And here’s the invitation: God is still looking—not for perfect singers…But for surrendered hearts.

As we sing now… this is not the start of worship this is the response to Who God is revealing Himself to be to you.

Abraham walked up a mountain to worship…Jesus says now worship rises from within us as we encounter Him

Invite:

Open hands - posture

Make an Altar to surrender and experience God

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

This week, build one relationship. Pray for one person far from God.

As you depart…Take one step toward discipling someone.

TALK IT OVER

What has shaped your definition of worship?

What stood out to you about Genesis 22?

What might God be asking you to surrender right now?

What would it look like to live as a worshiper this week?