Wellness Check: A Study on Healthy Living

Introduction

Go ahead and open your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 17. Acts chapter 17, we will begin reading in verse 1. If you would, stand with me to honor the reading of the Word of God. Acts chapter 17 verse 1 says:

English Standard Version Chapter 17

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Let’s pray together.

Dear Lord Jesus,

We pray that tonight, you will encourage our hearts. God, that you would wreck our spirits, our desires, our focus, our ambition, for You, and for the sake of Your gospel, and for the glory of Your name.

Lord, would you break us down to that we might be built back up in YOU. We ask tonight that you would speak to our hearts, Lord Jesus. Write on our hearts every word that you want us our ears to hear. Give us eyes to see the truth of the scripture. Give us feet to go whenever you are calling us to go. Empower us to be bold for the sake of Kingdom. We love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This passage in Acts 17 is among one of my most favorite scriptures in all the Bible. For a few reasons, actually.

Whenever I was about 14 or 15 years old, my dad took me along with him to the annual Southern Baptist Convention Conference. I had been a christian for a couple years already, but it was at this convention that I would have what I like to call a “defining moment” with God. I will never forget that weekend.

It was the first time I had ever heard Pastor Fred Lutter get up and preach. He rocked my world. I will never forget Pastor Fred getting up to the pulpit and proclaiming with such power, and fervor, and might, and ambitious that the disciples here in Acts 17, by the power of the Holy Spirit, “turned the world upside down!”

I remember being on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was at a convention center so there were no pews, but if there had been, I would have been gripping the one in front of my tightly. I listened to him over and over again shout, these disciples “turned the world upside down!”

I remember, even at that young age, going back and telling my friends that during that sermon I was sitting on the edge of my seat and felt like I was on a roller coaster ride. I remember saying that if anyone was ever going to hear Pastor Fred Lutter preach that you better fasten your seat belt because it was going to be a long, enjoyable, convicting, captivating, breath-taking ride! Because, even to this day, if you mention to me the name of Pastor Fred Lutter all I can think about is how he shared with us that day, over and over again , how that if we were willing to be used by God, if we would ever get serious about your faith, that Jesus could use us to “TURN THE WORLD.. UP SIDE DOWNNN!!!!

Well, unfortunately, tonight, you don’t get Pastor Fred Lutter. Instead, you get.... me…a Jesus lovin’ guitar player who dresses funny and who sometimes still gets nervous when he talks to strangers.

But God told Moses go to Pharoah, and say LET MY PEOPLE GO! And, Moses did. And God told Joshua, STAND UP! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! I WANT TO USE YOU! And, Joshua did....

And so tonight, I too want to be obedient, and ask God to speak to your heart through His Holy Word, like only HE can.

The reason I selected this passage to study tonight is because right now, our pastoral team is encouraging you to carry out “wellness checks” among our people. And, every one is taking names of church members and paying them a visit and checking in on them. It is not just those who have fallen away over the months and years. No, our goal is for the whole body of Christ here at Hillcrest to be checked in on, and encouraged—from friends we haven’t seen in months all the way to Bro. Joe and his family!

See we have made it clear that we do not want this “wellness check” movement to be something that is guilting anyone, or looking down upon anyone, or anything like that. I don’t care if you are a Sunday School teacher who has been faithful to come and serve every Sunday throughout the pandemic or if we haven’t seen you in ten years—we want YOU to be checked on. But it takes an army. That is why we want each of you to be involved in this “wellness check movement.”

Bro. Joe started the movement. Then, the pastoral staff followed him and we have selected names of those we will visit and check on. And then the deacons followed us. And then, the Sunday School teachers and small group leaders followed them. And then the senior adults and the young adults, and the students, and the kids ministry workers, and so on and so on. Together, as the body of Christ, we can care for the body of Christ.

But, one thing I’ve noticed is that we spent a lot of time expressing to you that which I just said—that we are going to check on people. And, we have also made it very clear of things NOT to say. We don’t want you going to tell anyone, “we’ll haven’t seen you at the church house in a few years not. Just wondering if you’re still…breathin.’ Alright, bye!”

We’ve spent a lot of time telling you the things of which we don’t want you to say. But, as I was praying about what to share tonight, God pointed out to me that we haven’t really spent a lot of time telling what TO share, when you go, and make your wellness visits.

5 Functions of a Christian

Tonight, I want to share with you a five fold methodology that I use in my ministry to help believers feel encouraged, equipped, and empowered to go one step further in their walk with Jesus, every time I check in on them.

You don’t have to use these five to do your wellness check with someone. To be honest, simply dropping in to say “hello” to someone can make more of a difference for the Kingdom of God and in the life of that individual, than you know.

But, if you would, I’d like to share with you these five functions of a christian.

1. Evangelism (Acts 17:2-3)

The first function of a christian that we see in Acts 17 in found there in verse 2 and 3. Beginning in verse 2, Luke writes:

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 17:2–3.

All 5 functions are mandatory for Christian Living; they are not optional.

As Christians, we are called to evangelize. By the way, please note that according to the scriptures, these five functions of a faithful Christian are not like optional. It is not like a buffet of Christian living, where you can choose the ones you are comfortable with or passionate about, and then leave the ones that make you a little nervous or disinterested.

If we want to be sold out saints! If we want to be bold believers for the Christ! If we want to be OBEDIENT to God and live lives that are pleasing to his heart, we will seek to do all five of them!

That does not mean that you are gifted in all of five areas. Some of you are gifted in some of these functions of christian living, and for others, it is challenging to do such, but another function, like discipleship or using your gifts for God, or serving, might be your stronger suit. But, please understand, all of us are calling all five of these.

So before we begin taking notes no on how to share and encourage those whom you visit with these 5 functions of a christian, please take a moment and look at your heart and your life.

*It is not about being the “the perfect christian.” Instead, it is all about obedience to God and encouraging other believers to be the same.

And as you are visiting with and checking in on friends to carry out these wellness visits, please remember to emphasize to them, and to yourself, that it is not about trying to be “the perfect christian” and get it all right. No, we are not saved by works. We are saved by GRACE, and that work that Jesus did on the cross. Instead, the aim with these wellness checks should simply be “how can I encourage you to grow deeper.”

The person whom you visit might be very involved at serving at church, or they might be very strong in discipleship and are deacon or a Sunday School teacher, but they have begun to neglect evangelism over the years, for one reason or another. The wellness check is all about checking in with people and encouraging them to go deeper in their walk with Jesus and in the christian lives that he is calling us to live.

SO, when you are checking in with them, be careful not to make a list of “do this, do this, and do this.” Just simply and naturally, help lead them through a Biblical thought process to help them draw a litter close to Jesus in the life that he is calling them to live.

But, again, the first function of a christian is found in verses 2 and 3, here in Acts 17.

*We should reason with non-believers for the sake of the gospel, snatching them from the fire. (v.2)

In verse 2, the Bible says that Paul “reasoned” with them from the Scriptures. The greek word used here is “lego,” which means to talk with, to tell, to address, to argue, to reason with someone.

“Dialegomai”—to argue, to tell, to reason, to address

If we want to turn the world upside down for the sake of the gospel and for the glory of the Christ, we best be “reasoning” with others. We must fight to help them understand the truths of the gospel, the legitimacies of God, and the realities of their situations.

Notice here in verse 2, though, that Paul’s reasoning did not come from his own opinion, his own thoughts, his own belief in and of himself. Instead, Paul’s reasoning comes from something much more substantial and significant— his study and observance of the scriptures.

Paul was wise enough to know that it didn’t really matter what he thought at all. All that matters is what the Divine thinks. This is because, if we take just a moment and look to see what the Divine thinks, then we will observe truth—not based upon feelings or situational variables. Just the cold, hard truth.

I don’t know about you, but I do not want to build my life, my opinions, my perspectives on things that may not be substantial. I want truth. There are some cultures who carry out religious practices based upon cultural norms and traditions.

I have friends in China whom I’ve asked “do you really believe the way that your ancestors teach you to believe?” The response—at least from my personal friend—was, “No, this is just our way of life. We do not actually think these things took place. It is just part of our culture. It is part of where we come from. Our traditions somewhat form who we are.”

I had another friend from India whom I once asked, “Do you really believe in Brahman? In this supernatural ‘Oneness’ and how cows are to be considered holy?” He was a devout Hindu. The response—again, at least from this one particular individual—was that he did not truly believe such a thing. He only believed in a particular “philosophy of living.”

On another occasion, I met an individual who was quick to let me know he did not believe the same way that I did. He shared with me how he identified as a believer and considered himself a devout “Christian.”

He then went on to explain how such christianity involved “doing good works to get to heaven, living a good life.” He also made it clear that he did not feel he had to read his Bible every day either.

I wondered to myself why he felt he had to specify that particular area of his belief system. What I realized that day, and what I hope you can see, is that this friend had not built his worldview and theology has upon Biblical truth. Instead, when asked why he believed this way, he simply replied, “that is just how I believe.”

Weather you are a Hindu man from India, a Buddhist from Asia, or a complacent church-attendant from Kentucky, I pray we can recognize Paul’s fervor for plausible reasoning, here in Acts 17.

*the significance of a worldview built on truth instead of feelings

The question, then, becomes: how might I develop a worldview based on truth and reality? It is a good question. We all have our own presuppositions—our own outlooks on life. We must look to the Bible and down through holy history to discover truth.

But, this takes effort. So then, we cannot just decide one day how we feel about our worldview, or about a particular topic.

For instance, if I told you that the sky was green, you might look up at the sky and discover that it was in fact more of a gray-ish blue color, and that it, in fact, did not appear to be any shape of green at all. You would be correct. But, how do you know such is true.

What I mean is, what if you are wrong? What if you are missing something? Take the health of your eyes, for example. Instead of just quickly answering in agreement to my statement, what if you decided to investigate a little bit—do a little research on that matter.

So instead of just taking my word for it, you might go home and make an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Then, when it is time for your appointment, you might sit down in your doctor’s chair and let him examine your eyes.

Upon the doctor’s evaluation, he might, in fact, discover that you have some rare eye condition, of which you cannot see certain shades of green. In this moment, you are very thankful that you did not made the quick decision to assume I was wrong at saying the sky was green; because, as you’ve just discovered, the sky is green, after all.

This is how it is with spiritual things. We cannot simply say that we are saved by works merely because we think such to be true, because we are not. According to truth found in scripture, it is only by grace that we can be saved.

We cannot simply decide to follow a certain way of life because our culture or our kinfolk suggest such. We may be following a long line of truth or a long line of lies.

I say all that to say this: lost people are all around us. Non-believers live among us. We MUST, for their sake, for the kingdom of God, and for the sake of fulfilling the calling God has placed on each of us ours—we MUST evangelize. We must share the goodness about Jesus intentionally, on purpose, on a regular, daily basis. We must seek out opportunities to share with others the goodness.

When you are doing your wellness check, be sure to start out with, “how is your evangelism? How are you sharing your faith?” And if they say it is not good, you don’t have to be a scholar in your encouragement, but give them some sort of encouragement to get involved at evangelizing! Even if it is no other advice than a simple “you really need to work on that!” say SOMETHING to encourage and pursuade them to live out an evangelical life.

2. Discipleship (v.4)

A second function of a christian living sold out for Jesus is discipleship. Look with me in Acts 17, beginning in verse 4, Luke writes:

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 17:4.

*Every time someone followed Jesus, Jesus made sure they were equipped for the battle. And that is what we are called to do.

Matthew 28 does not say that we are called to go and make mere converts! We are called to go and make disciples!

You say, what does that mean? It means that when a person becomes a follower of Jesus—when they JOIN us, as those new believers did there in verse 4 of Acts chapter 17—that we EQUIP them for the work of the ministry.

We are to make disciples who make disciples, who make disciples who make disciples!!!

When you do your wellness evaluation with your friend, the second question to ask them is, “How is your discipleship?”

To be honest, this is a loaded and extremely broad question. Your friend might reply, “well, what do you mean?” Are you asking me about my personal discipleship or about how I am being used by God to disciple another?”

The answer could be, “both.”

As believers, we should always be discipled ourselves, first from Jesus himself through the Word of God and his Spirit that is ever present in our daily lives. And, then also from the presence and influence of others in our lives on a regular basis, whether that be a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, or a friend. Everyone needs a Paul and everyone needs a Timothy.

But, when asked “who’s your discipleship?” one might also quite possibly be asking you about your discipling of another.

Friends, THIS IS how Christ builds his Church. It is not with more programs. It is not with flashy lights. It is not with an eloquent speaker. It is not with more and more buildings. No, all of those things might be a part of kingdom activity, and that is fine and good and wonderful, but Christ builds his Church through DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES! This is how we turn the world upside down for the sake of the Cross!

You say, “how do you know?” This is what Jesus does.

There are three forms of discipleship that we see Christ himself use in scripture, and so then, we know that this too, is how we as his Bride, should be building His Church.

*3 Methods of Discipleship:

Corporate (Large Group) Discipleship

12 Disciple (Small Group) Discipleship

One on One Discipleship

Jesus had 12 disciples. He had a small group of men that he was constantly pouring into and equipping for the sake of the gospel and for their personal growth, not just so that those men could be closer to God, but so that those men could produce other disciples who equipped to make other disciples.

We must be intentional with the time we have with others around us. This is why it is so vital for every christian to be a part of a Sunday School class or small group! This is our methodology as Southern Baptists of equipping and helping to GROW individuals who are part of the body of Christ. And it WORKS! We have seen it work for two hundred years! We must keep persuading believers to go to Sunday School and to small group bible study gatherings! Because it works! It will grow them! It works!

That is, of course, if those Sunday School classes truly meeting to do discipleship.

When we meet together disciple believers in Sunday School or small group settings, please be reminded, these are precious, precious moments. These are vital moments. May we not spend those minutes talking about so and so or chatting about the weather. No, let’s spend those moments intentionally discipling those who are in the class so that they may in turn be ready to disciple another.

In these discipleship classes each of us should be readying ourselves to disciple another. I cannot stress this enough. If we just meet together to fellowship and spend time together, this is NOT discipleship!

Merely studying the Bible can be considered discipleship in the most general sense, because the Bible will grow you as an individual, and to this is helping you to grow. But, here is the part that so many of us miss. When we are reading that Bible, when we are listening to our Sunday School teacher teach, remember WHY you are there. You are there to be equipped by God and by your discipler to in turn train another.

For some, that might mean that God is preparing you to be a Sunday School teacher one day as well, and to use the Sunday School methodology to fulfill Biblical discipleship with the goal of discipling and pouring into other christians with the ultimate goal of them one day being readied to go and make disciples, and this is how the Kingdom grows.

The other way we see Jesus disciple individuals in through one on one discipleship. We see this in Jesus’ example of spending even closer, more intimate, intentional time with a just a few: Peter, James, and John.

The reason I am so big on one on one discipleship is this: it just speeds things up a little bit. Sometimes, you can disciple an individual for years and even decades by them attending your Bible study class and them half listening to you while you pour all your heart into them, and they just move so slowly in their faith.

To be honest, because half the time they weren’t even listening to you—they were thinking about what they wanted to each for lunch, or what time they have to pick up the kids from soccer practice.

Don’t get me wrong, Jesus calls us to this small group discipleship methodology to build his Kingdom! We see this by Jesus’ example, and it works! But, sometimes, it can feel like such a slow process. Just stay diligent. Stay dedicated. God will bless your work there, more than you know.

But, if you want to take it a step further. If you really want to help us build an army. Then, talk to one of our pastors about being used by God to disciple someone one on one.

We are constantly having new people come and follow Jesus here at Hillcrest. These new believers need someone to disciple them one on one. Our staff can’t disciple them all! We wish we could! It is such a joy to sit down with an individual and to help them grow closer to God or to be encouraged in their faith.

By the way, *The most important thing to know about one on one discipleship is this: you don’t have to know everything! You just simply have to be obedient. I’m telling you guys. If some of you could come to me or to Bro Joe or any other pastor and just tell us GOD IS PRICKING MY HEART TO DISCIPLE ANOTHER, we would QUICKLY put you to work. But, we would equip you. We would give you the tools you need to do such.

We need disciple-makers in our church. I’m telling you, the more of you that get excited about one on one or small group discipleship, and actually facilitate it on a regular basis, the faster our church is going to grow. This is how God builds his Church! This is how Jesus established his Church! This is how he wants us to build his army and his kingdom today.

3. Fellowship (v. 5-6)

So when you do your wellness evaluation with your friend, ask them how their evangelism is doing. Ask them about how their making disciples. If they are not, encourage them to do so! But thirdly, let’s look to Acts 17 verse 5. Verse 5 reads:

English Standard Version Chapter 17

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here

The third function of a Christian is fellowship. Church, we need each other.

*No man is an island.

I once heard someone say, and I know that you have heard it to: “well, I don’t have to go to church to be a christian.” Well, that’s true; but, you do have to go to church to be a wise christian. You do have to go to church to be a healthy christian. You do have to go to church to be a thriving Christian. You say, “JT, I can do it on my own.” And to that I say, “NO YOU CANNOT!”

*You DO have to go to church if you want to be:

A wise christian

A healthy christian

A thriving christian

I’m sorry, I love you enough to tell you the truth and the truth is, if you are truly living for Jesus, if you are truly living on Mission for Him. If you are daily Evangelizing and sharing the good news with those around you. If you are truly and intentionally discipling others for the sake of the Kingdom, then YOU CANNOT DO IT ON YOUR OWN. Why?

English Standard Version Chapter 10

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 10: 16- 22 . On another occasion, in Acts chapter 9, Jesus came to Ananias and told him to go to Paul because

English Standard Version Chapter 9

Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Why do you need to be around other believers? Because this isn’t a country club. This is battle ground. And you are the army of God. You need each other. We need each other. Get back in the game. Surround yourself with believers—followers of Jesus. Together, we can turn the world upside down for the cause of Christ.

4.Stewardship (v.6-7)

But, then, notice what Luke writes in Acts 17 verse 6:

English Standard Version Chapter 17

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

Here’s the deal. We are not saved by works. or acts. or actions. But, right there in chapter 17 of Acts, verse 7, what do we see was a natural BI-PRODUCT of a person living sold out to Jesus. An ACT. An Action. The greek work here is: PROSSO DO.

A PRACTICE. A practice the Jews could not understand so they felt threatened and they had to stop it. And that is what the world will do when we begin to PRACTICE OUT OUR FAITH. They see something different, and they can’t handle it!

That is what the devil does when we begin to practice Biblical STEWARDSHIP when we begin to fully sell out to God and give him ALL our time, our money, and resources, our ABILITIES! THE DEVIL TRIES TO STOP IT! BECAUSE IT IS WHEN WE GIVE IT ALL BACK TO HIM AND BEGIN TO SERVE AND BEGIN TO GET INVOLVED AND WHEN WE BEGIN TO GIVE MORE THAN JUST OUR ATTENDANCE AT SUNDAY SERVICES THAT GOD BEGINS TO USE US TO TURN TO TURN THE WORLD UP SIDE DOWWNNNN!!!

What does James remind us of in James chapter 2?

English Standard Version Chapter 2

faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:8 that

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 2:8–10.

I love how Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us how we are saved, but the very next verses explain to us the RESULT of salvation—good works!

If we are IN CHRIST, we ought to WANT to get involved! If you are not serving, and how can you call this your church? YOU ARE the church! Get to work! We are building army! If your eyes have been opened the marvelous light of Jesus, we need you to get up off your pew and get to work!

We are building an army! This is not a country club! We have got to tell as many people about the good news of Jesus before it is too late! And if you are sitting in your seat week after week coming to get your ears tickled or to feel a little good inside, you are holding us back from the work to which God has called us.

Colossians 3:17 reminds us:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

James 1:17 reminds us that:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change

So on your wellness check up with the one whom you are visiting, ask them, about their Evangelism, their Discipleship, Their Fellowship, Their Stewardship.

5. Worship—responding to God

The last of the 5 functions for Christian Living is this—Worship.

Worship is defined as RESPONDING to God. It is not just singing. It is not just giving him glory. It is not just praying, or reading our Bible. It is not just evangelizing. it is not just beginning intentionally disciple others as a means to for them to in turn one day make disciples. it is not just spending time with other christians to keep yourself spiritually accountable and healthy. it is not just using your gifts, and your talents, and your time, and your money, and your resources, obediently, for God’s glory. Worship… is all of that.

I love musical worship because it is what we find all throughout the scriptures. When we sing to our King corporately, in a sense, we connect our hearts with millions and millions of our brothers and sisters down throughout the ages who sang the same song of praise to our God. And, yet, though we join our hearts together as One beloved Bride of Christ, through worship, we get the blessing of snuggling up to Jesus, and to his heart. To sit at his feet. and find rest in His presence.

But as beautiful as musical worship is. As important as it is to sing out to Him. to praise His name. to find rest at his feet. Maybe an even better definition of worship is this—Worship: a well balanced, Christian life lived for the Master in response to the calling He has placed upon our lives.

Worship is responding to God’s call to go evangelize, and daily—DAILY—seeking out opportunities as we walk through life to share the gospel with non-believers.

Worship is intentionally discipling others—not just for their own benefit—but with the vision of and for the sake of those disciples readying themselves to go and make disciples, who in turn, understand the ultimate goal of going to make disciples.

Worship is intentionally staying healthy by surrounding oneself with other believers; telling yourself you are going to be around God’s people, not neglecting the assembling of his people. No man is an island.

Worship is being OBEDIENT to God’s calling upon your life to use your gifts, abilities, time, money, resources for the sake of the Kingdom and for the glory of the Christ.