Worship is...Shared

Good Morning & Welcome to New Hope!

“The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for God.”

“Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.”

“A valuing or a treasuring of God above all things.” ~ Piper

Worship is a SHARED BIBLICAL experience INVITING people to CONNECT with God

There are some things I need to communicate as we enter into this conversation over the next four weeks...

None of these topics (none of my sermons ever) have been directed at any one person or any single group of people

What I communicate from this platform is never meant in a vengeful, condemning, angry, “shame on you / you should know better”, I’m going to show you, type of spirit or attitude

I do the very best I can not to speak my opinion - if or when I do - I will be careful to make that known

If something is said that you think is directed at you, or hurts your feelings, or you don’t agree with - please understand that is not my objective

My objective is to teach the Biblical truth about worship - even when it’s not popular, even when we may not like it, even when there is risk of offending someone

Person of Worship

Promise of Worship

Read

v.1 “The Lord instructed Moses: ‘Come up here to me...’”

v.2 “All of you must worship from a distance.”

v.3 “All the people answered with One Voice.”

v.10 They experienced the brilliance of God & communed with Him

v.12 “Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me...’”

God initiates & God invites us into His presence - God calls us to worship

You may have taken the initiative to get out of bed this morning and brave the elements, but God took the initiative in pursuing you

You may have invited someone here this morning, or been invited here by someone, but God invited you & us all into worship this morning. And it’s not just this morning, but it’s a moment by moment invitation.

Pastor Phill planned our worship set this morning, but God had plans laid out long before Pastor Phill

The worship team will lead us in song this morning, but God leads us & invites into worshipping Him

You see, this perspective should change the way we view worship. It should change the way we worship. Who does the inviting should make all the difference. If you believe this morning that God invited you; that God planned all this; that God initiates this - would it change things? Would it change your response in worship?

God has invited you from your busy calendars

God has invited you from whatever is going on at home

God has invited you from your places of employment

God has invited you from your fears, doubts, regrets, disappointments, failures

He has invited you to worship Him

Worship is a shared experience.

It’s something that was designed for us to do together.

And if we believe that worship is a shared experience, then that means we have to share it! ;-)

When we share things we should treat people like we want to be treated.

When we share things we should put the needs of others before our own.

When we share things we should love one another enough to sacrifice for them.

James 3:15 NLT

For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

(NLT)

15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

“The heart of the Christian faith isn’t about satisfying yourself, it’s about dying to yourself.” ~ Nieuwhof

“If everyone in your church looks like you, acts like you, votes like you, [worships] like you and thinks like you, you’re probably not the church.” ~Nieuwhof

Here’s the deal… I know everyone has their own preference when it comes to most things - especially worship. However, If we

I want this for us because I believe it’s right. I try hard to consider what I share from this platform not being my opinion, but what I believe is true to the Scriptures. So, I believe this is on God’s side, not my side. That’s why I can share it with confidence & no reservations.

Worship at The Gathering vs. Worship here at New Hope (You are the people I do life with)

Invite people to sign up for Easter Drama

Explain performance schedule & why

Easter Drama video will play

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

(NLT)

1 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.