03 Worship Forms Us

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.”

Announcements:

We’re not spectators here, we’re participants. Giving and filling out a Connect Card are practical ways to let us know you’re with us on mission.

You can complete a Connect Card at sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard or by using a green outlined paper Connect Card today.

Giving: You can give in the box, online, through the app, or by mail.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

These are not events to attend — it is an environment to build relationships.

Prayer for...

Sermon

THE TENSION

(Why This Matters - Name the struggle)

Week 1: Worship is more than a song—it’s surrender. Week 2: Singing matters because it forms and unites us.

Now we take the next step: If worship shapes us… what is it shaping us into? Because whether we realize it or not, we are all being formed.

THE PROBLEM: We tend to think formation happens in big moments.

A powerful sermon

A life-changing event

A crisis or breakthrough

But most formation doesn’t happen in moments…it happens in repetition.

And here’s the tension: If we’re not intentional about what forms us—something else will.

MY STORY

(Relatable Entry Point - vulnerable authenticity - emotional connection)

A song, season, or rhythm that shaped my view of God

Or a time I realized my thinking had been shaped by culture more than truth

“I didn’t notice it in the moment… but over time, something was forming me.”

THE SCRIPTURE

(Context, Characters, Read)

Psalm 115:4–8 “4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

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. We Become What We Behold

We are constantly being shaped by what captures our attention.

God created us to reflect what we focus on.

Lie being confronted: “What I focus on doesn’t really affect me.”

Truth: What you behold, you become.

Psalm 115 gives a sobering truth…

People who worship idols… become like them.

Lifeless

Unseeing

Unhearing

What we worship shapes the worshiper.

2. Worship Directs Our Attention

We drift toward whatever holds our attention.

God transforms us as we fix our eyes on Him.

Lie being confronted: “I just need to try harder to change.”

Truth: You need to fix your attention on the right thing.

2 Corinthians 3:18 shifts the focus…

When we behold the Lord… we are transformed.

Transformation doesn’t come from trying harder, it comes from seeing clearer.

Worship reorients us:

From ourselves → to God

From anxiety → to trust

From temporary → to eternal

3. Repetition Forms Identity

We are shaped more by habits than moments.

God uses rhythms to form His people.

Lie being confronted: “One Sunday is enough.”

Truth: Formation happens through consistent rhythms.

Formation happens through repeated exposure.

Not just what we believe occasionally, but what we rehearse consistently.

This is why singing matters:

We repeat truth

We rehearse identity

We align our hearts again and again

Worship is not a one-time event— it is a rhythm that shapes identity over time.

IDENTITY SHIFT

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

Not: “I’m trying to become a better Christian”

But: “I am being formed into the image of Christ”

Tie to your mission: This is Spiritual Formation—God shaping a people who look like Jesus in everyday life.

PRACTICE OBEDIENCE

(Next Steps - Application)

1. Audit What You Are Beholding

Ask:

What has most of my attention this week?

Is it forming me toward Christ or away from Him?

2. Build Rhythms of Worship

Not just Sundays:

Music during your week

Scripture with worship

Moments of re-centering your attention

3. Be Intentional With What You Repeat

What you repeat, you reinforce.

Truth over lies

Worship over worry

Presence over distraction

Illustration: “The Mirror and the Focus”

Need:

A small mirror (or your phone camera in selfie mode on the screen)

A volunteer (or yourself)

How it works:

Bring someone up (or do it yourself).

Hold the mirror up and say:

This is what Scripture is getting at when it says—we become what we behold.

Whatever you keep looking at… you begin to reflect.

Look into the mirror for a few seconds

Step 1:

The more you look… the more aware you become… the more it shapes how you see yourself.

Lower the mirror

Step 2:

Now imagine this isn’t just a mirror… this is your attention.

If all week I’m looking at fear… I start reflecting fear. If I’m looking at comparison… I start reflecting insecurity. If I’m looking at anger… I start reflecting anger.

Lift the mirror again

But when I fix my attention on Jesus…“…beholding the glory of the Lord… we are being transformed…”

Look at the room

What have you been looking at all week?

Because you’re becoming that.

TRANSITION TO MUSIC:

The question is not if you’re being formed, but what you’re being formed into.

And worship—especially repeated, consistent worship—is one of the primary ways God shapes us.

As we sing now… we’re not just expressing something—we are fixing our attention on Jesus… and becoming like Him.

Invite:

Eyes lifted (literally or figuratively)

Intentional focus on God’s character

Awareness of formation happening in the moment

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 are some things that have been shaping you recently?

What stood out to you in Psalm 115 or 2 Corinthians 3:18?

How have you seen repetition shape your beliefs or habits?

What is one rhythm you can build this week to focus on God?