2007-10-05_FVW1_Authentic Worship_Fri PM_SL

Authentic Worship

John 4   |   Shaun LePage   |   Authentic Worship (Session 1; Fall Vision Weekend) October 5, 2007

I.       Introduction

A.    Misty Warren plays harp for preparation (6:30ish-7:00)

B.    Introduction of weekend (Circle: one of my favorite worship memories; boat in Brazil)

1.     Worship is such an important subject:

a)     Serious Business—Heb: “confidence to enter holy place” AND “consuming fire”

b)     Great Privilege—“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?” (Psalm 24:3). Not just anyone; privilege of few

c)     Constant Theme—Gen (Abel) to Rev (throne); law, tabernacle, false worship

2.     We’ve chosen to focus on the three parts of our Core Value statement:

a)     Read Core Value: We value authentic, diverse worship. True meaningful worship acknowledges God’s supreme value and worth and His blessings of us, both individually and corporately. We strive to encourage sincere personal worship that becomes a normal part of day-to-day living. We also strive to worship together in a manner that is contemporary, yet retains the rich heritage of the past. (Romans 12:1-2, John 4:24, Psalm 98:1)

b)     Ses 2 (Tomorrow AM): Focus: “We strive to encourage sincere personal worship that becomes a normal part of day-to-day living.” Life Worship

c)     Ses 3 (Tomorrow AM) Focus: “We also strive to worship together in a manner that is contemporary, yet retains the rich heritage of the past…” Corporate Worship.

d)     Ses 1 (Tonight and Sunday AM): Focus: “True meaningful worship acknowledges God’s supreme value and worth and His blessings of us, both individually and corporately.”—Authentic Worship; Boils down: “God is great, God is good!”

e)     Don’t worry about notes tonight (I’ll preach this subject Sunday morning) Let’s just enjoy God together tonight—talk a little, sing a little and read a little.

C.    Psalm 95:1-6—read by David Barfield

D.    Ladies Trio: Come, Worship The King

E.     Shaun lead: Indescribable

F.     Tim lead: The Worship Song, Be Unto Your Name

II.     Circle—imagine a well. Jacob’s well. nameless woman, drew water every day—one day, most extraordinary moment of her life happened right there—in a place that represented everyday life she met God. Jesus’ words and example—evangelism. But also worship. Imagine yourself there—soaking up Jesus’ words. Read John 4:1-24.

A.    Details on Sunday, but for now, notice three things:

1.     True Worshipers (means there is such a thing as “false worshipers”; another time)

a)     “worship” (proskuneo) “to kiss toward, bow down, prostrate”; give yourself fully

b)     “in spirit and truth” 2X—“such people the Father seeks…”

(1)  “spirit”—Not HS, but our “spirit”; BAGD: “the source and seat of insight, feeling and will”—about correct motivations, complete sincerity, passion!

(2)  “truth”—golden calf; Aaron said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” No! “Truth”—as God defines Himself in Scripture.

(3)  “in spirit and truth” great description of “authentic worship” (theme)

c)     Misty Warren harp instrumental Heart of Worship then sing first verse & chorus of Heart of Worship (E); Shaun will then invite congregation to sing as guitars begin to play (so if E doesn’t work, let me know)

d)     Tim lead Unashamed Love

2.     “Father”—3X in these verses—“essential relationship”

a)     First and foremost He is the Father of Jesus—Biblical worship is Trinitarian

b)     But, as the story progresses we learn that those who “receive” Jesus (John 1:12) are given the right to become children of God. So, He is also our Father (Matt 6:9); basis of “His blessings of us, both individually and corporately” is Fatherhood. 

c)     Matt 7:7-11 read by Connor Chenault; Eph 1:3-6 read by Paul Wilson

d)     Tim lead: All Creatures (C); You Alone (D); You Are So Good To Me (E)

3.     “Spirit”—His “essential nature”—He is spirit

a)     So important—God is omnipresent (everywhere present)—He cannot be contained, reduced or confined; “Father” = immanent, “Spirit” = transcendent

b)     This should remind us to “acknowledge God’s supreme value and worth”

c)     Can’t think of a greater Biblical picture than Rev 4-5 (another circle)—read by Lisa Masson; Misty Warren plays Holy, Holy, Holy (C) while reader reads, then plays one more verse after reader finishes then congregation sing)

d)     Shaun lead: We Fall Down (E start w/chorus)

e)     Tim lead: How Great Is Our God (G), Holy Is The Lord (G)

III.   Closing:

A.    Prayer and Doxology

B.    15 minutes starting “Amazing Grace” (popcorn, sodas, etc.)