Open worship service with video of Worship - the intro!
Series: We are here!
Sermon 1: We are here!
Summary: We are called to be a Spiritual Oasis in a dry parched weary land. We are called by God to be a church which distributes healing water to our community and to other Christians. We are to be a place that helps others to heal from the wounds of this world, this life and the wounds from other Christians. John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The new motto of our ministry is: "A place flowing with healing waters."
Thesis of the series: We are here in 2013 as a church and as Christian individuals to declare the message of Jesus and to bring in God’s heavenly harvest of souls. We are here to be the salt and the light of this world. To do this we must develop our 7 core values. Our seven core values are like our core muscles in our body they are there to prevent us from hurting ourselves, to give us stability, to help us keep our balance, they make it easier to do life’s daily tasks and they when strong help us to be healthy.
Our first core value is that we are Prayer focused!
Sermon 2: Prayer Focused!
Thesis: The church and all of us Christians should be prayer focused within our lives. Business should never choke out our prayer life instead we should be committed to prayer first. When we pray we discover God’s presence then we receive God’s power. The sequence I see in Scripture is Prayer-Presence-Power!
Our second core value is that we are Spirit empowered!
Sermon 3: Spirit Empowered
Thesis: Christian Hills Church recognizes that we need to be a Spirit empowered church which means we follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. It also means we yield our hearts as individuals to the Holy Spirit so that the power of Holy Spirit flows through our lives into others lives. We will receive this power by getting our 7 core values into shape and practice in our church daily. We know the key to overcoming in this life is being spirit empowered in our life and church. We understand that flesh gives birth to fleshly things but the spirit gives birth to spiritual things.
Our third core value is we are worship driven!
Sermon 4: Worship Driven
Thesis: Worship and being worship driven does not always imply music, instruments, singing or even the lifting of hands. To be worship driven for God means we honor God with our heart, mind, soul and our daily actions. It’s a matter of the heart to heart connection with God not so much the outward actions we do. Worship can look very different for each person depending on their personality.
Worship is not always music!
Panel discussion: Question - What does it mean to be worship driven?
Panel: Beth, Dan, Ashley, myself! Ages 20’s-50’s!
Introduction:
Article from http://www.gotquestions.org/true-worship.html:
"True worship is God-centered worship. People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how their worship looks to other people. Focusing on these things misses the point."
Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from the heart and the way God has designed. Worship can include praying, reading God’s Word with an open heart, singing, playing and instrument, participating in communion, and serving others. It is not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person are in the right place.
It’s also important to know that worship is reserved only for God. The truth is we all worship something and this is why one of the Ten Commandments tell us to worship God alone because it is essential in our relationship with the Lord.
The article also adds:
Worship can be public praise to God (Psalm 22:22; 35:18) in a congregational setting, where we can proclaim through prayer and praise our adoration and thankfulness to Him and what He has done for us. True worship is felt inwardly and then is expressed through our actions. "Worshiping" out of obligation is displeasing to God and is completely in vain. He can see through all the hypocrisy, and He hates it. He demonstrates this in Amos 5:21-24 as He talks about coming judgment. Another example is the story of Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. They both brought gift offerings to the Lord, but God was only pleased with Abel’s. Cain brought the gift out of obligation; Abel brought his finest lambs from his flock. He brought out of faith and admiration for God.
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1-21:
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God¡¦s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship.
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Question: What does it mean to be worship driven? Romans 12 helps to answer this questions for us.
I. You offer up your own life as a living sacrifice!
a. All worship with God starts right here at this point. We cannot know God or experience God or worship God until we are willing to offer our lives up as a living sacrifice.
i. It means we offer our lives, our praise, our thanks and even our service as an act of worship to God. Why? Because of what He has done for us through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.
1. Question: "How much of a priority should worship be in the church?" from http://www.gotquestions.org/church-worship.html:
a. Answer: If someone were to save our life, gratitude would be the response. When we are given a gift that we could never afford, we make our appreciation known. Worship is the expression of that gratitude and appreciation. God came as Jesus to save us. His love is without condition. Our worship recognizes His authority as creator of our universe as well as the savior of our souls. Worship, therefore, is of the highest priority for the believer as well as the corporate church. Christianity is unique among religions in that it is based upon a personal relationship with God. Exodus 34:14 says, "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." The core of our faith is our personal interaction with our creator. Worship is an act celebrating that personal relationship. Through worship, we communicate with our God. Through worship, we acknowledge His lordship and divinity. Whether expressed through music, shouting, prayer or other means, worship is, at its core, the expression of intimacy with God. While we are to live in obedience to God’s commands, it is not a cold, mindless obedience that He desires. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
ii. Article from http://www.gotquestions.org/true-worship.html:
1. Only He is worthy and not any of His servants (Revelation 19:10).
a. We are not to worship saints, prophets, statues, angels, any false gods, or Mary, the mother of Jesus. We also should not be worshiping for the expectation of something in return, such as a miraculous healing. Worship is done for God - because He deserves it - and for His pleasure alone!
b. True worship is not confined to what we do in church or open praise (although these things are both good, and we are told in the Bible to do them). True worship is the acknowledgment of God and all His power and glory in everything we do. The highest form of praise and worship is obedience to Him and His Word. To do this, we must know God; we cannot be ignorant of Him (Acts 17:23). Worship is to glorify and exalt God to show our loyalty and admiration to our Father.
2. The truth is we are all worshipping something!
a. Whatever you love the most in your life is seen by the time and money you invest into it.
i. Many rearrange their lives to worship things like football, sports, a car, alcohol, TV, movies, work, movie stars, movie heroes, drugs, sex, Career, partying, and the list could go on but I think you get my point.
ii. They adjust their time schedules to accommodate what they worship! They make the sacrifices necessary to worship that which they love and adore.
1. For some they will give all their money to that which they worship.
2. Others will sacrifice their family life or even having a family to pursue that which they worship.
3. Others will sacrifice their health.
4. Others will sacrifice their time.
5. Others will sacrifice their morals or value system.
iii. But the point is they will invest their money, time, resources, lives into that which they worship they will make the sacrifices necessary to worship their beloved item.
iii. To be worship driven means I have a deep love and passion for that which I worship for us as a church and as Christian that is God and God alone.
1. If it¡¦s God then I will love the Lord with my all my heart, soul. mind and strength and this will be expressed through a worship that presents myself as a living sacrifice.
a. I do this because of what Jesus has already done for me on the cross.
b. I do this because I understand that God loves me and he has provided grace to me through Jesus.
i. Grace means I don’t deserve forgiveness, mercy but it’s a gift of God. So I in turn give the only thing I can give to God in return my life. I become a person willing to give up my will and way for God’s will and way out of gratitude for sonship for forgiveness for mercy and grace.
T.S. - Romans tells us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices because this is a spiritual act of worship and in the CEV Bible it says it makes sense to do this because of what Jesus has done for us. Then the next part after - Offering up is to Listen to God’s voice.
II. You listen - A worship driven person listens to God’s voice because they love Him.
a. Valentine’s Day is this Thursday so guys and gals so don’t forget -Therapists say that a spouse knows their spouse loves them when they know they listen to what the other says.
i. Communication that keeps a relationship strong is one that listens to the other person.
1. Most marriages collapse when communication breaks down.
ii. God wants to communicate to our hearts he desires for us to dialogue with Him and that means we do not do all the talking but we actually listen to what He has to say to us personally.
1. Have you been listening to God’s voice?
2. Are you ignoring Him or tuning Him out?
a. If so then you are not going to be worship driven!
b. The art of listening to God is a form and foundation of worship.
i. Actually when I preach or teach and I communicate what the Word of God is saying is an act of worship.
1. Why? Because I am receiving and believing in His truths!
2. Through this process my mind is renewed and I am honoring God and His words as they impact my mind.
ii. You could ask the question, "How is my mind renewed?" It gets changed listening to God’s truths. His words of guidance for my life speak to my heart. His instruction on how to live holy direct me not my interpretation or distortion of His word- not what I want to believe to justify my own sinful ways - but His Words of life and truth they guide me into a deeper worshipful experience with Him. The key is I have to listen! I listen because I love and adore Him!
1. When I teach about God’s word and you are actively listening to God’s words of truth it is an act of worship it’s a worship driven moment and this points us to the importance of how we need change our mindsets or get our minds renewed with God’s truths see in Scripture that as our minds our renewed we begin to understand and know God’s will which then has a way of pointing us back to being a living sacrifice for the Lord.
a. It’s all about developing our worship moment in life!
b. A living sacrifice and a worship driven person for God is willing to allow his mind to be renewed by God¡¦s truth.
i. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
ii. This verse reminds us that God’s word is to be used to teach, to rebuke, to correct and to train in a right relationship with God.
iii. It prepares us God’s Word does to worship Him in Truth and in Spirit.
c. Worship which is true from the heart - is always rooted in His absolute truths!
i. Jesus said - John 4:23-24: "23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
1. God only accepts worship which is given to Him rooted in His truths!
a. You cannot re-write the Bible and its truths and expect God to accept your worship.
b. God wants worship to come from the heart of a person whose mind is rooted in His truth rooted in God¡¦s Word (The Bible’s teachings) and in His words of life.
ii. Jesus said in John 8:31-32: 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
1. What did he say? "If you hold to my teaching, my truths, my commands, my ways of living holy then you will be free!"
2. When I am in a moment of worship with God, it could be right here in a worship service singing - raising my hands to God - it could be meditating on a truth of His Word after hearing it - it could be in my car or office listening to Jesus Culture’s latest album it could be in my office after reading a section of the Bible that stirs my heart it could be serving somewhere in a ministry. It really does not matter how I am worshipping - what matters is my heart connects with God’s heart!
a. For me in these worship moments - I get a euphoric feeling of His love a sense of freedom comes over my heart and soul - I know at that point in my life I am connecting with God in a deep worship filled way and in turn I sense this great feeling of freedom in His Spirit.
i. My burdens lift off my shoulders.
ii. My mind calms down from all the stress.
iii. My heart beats slower and calmer.
iv. My mind quiets and feels refreshed with His love.
v. I actually can feel the presence of God!
vi. I feel refreshed, renewed for the race I am in.
iii. A worship driven church is place where you experience the freedom that comes from worshipping God in spirit and in truth!
1. This is what I have been feeling in our worship services lately. We pray, we praise - and God’s presence shows up see His power moving on people’s hearts and lives and I feel a freedom in His Spirit that is refreshing and energizing.
a. Quote: "We can only worship in spirit (in freedom) by having a pure heart, open and repentant. When King David’s heart was filled with guilt over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), he found it impossible to worship. He felt that God was far from him, and he groaned all day long" feeling God’s hand heavy upon him (Psalm 32:3,4). But when he confessed, fellowship with God was restored and worship and praise poured forth from him. He understood that the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17). Praise and worship toward God cannot come from hearts filled with unconfessed sin. (http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-worship.html).
b. Is worship a burden for you? Is it because you have unconfessed sin in your heart?
i. God¡¦s desire in the act of repentance is not punishment but actually to forgive you and pour out His blessings and presence on you.
ii. So let the sin go and run into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Experience His freedom in worship!
d. This freedom in the Spirit also comes because I understand another part of God’s will or God’s way.
i. When I can identify and see God¡¦s agenda for my life then a pressure is released to my inner being and my heart.
ii. I like what Henry Blackaby tells us in his book Experiencing God that we need to get on to God¡¦s agenda and not tell God to get on our agenda!
1. When we sacrifice our lives to God and listen to His voice we are worshipping God by being living sacrifices.
a. It’s the most sensible way to serve and worship God!
b. It’s a freeing experience!
c. It’s an amazing experience you too can experience if you choose to surrender your will and your ways to God.
iii. Knowing the will of God gives me an unbelievable feeling of freedom and I pray today you find that same freedom.
T.S. - As I listen to the voice of God I become more worship driven in my life. I understand more of His heart and His my heart connect in a deeper more intimate way and this leads me to want to tell others about His amazing love.
III. You voice it --- to be worship driven means we voice to others how much we love and adore the one we worship, we even express that love to God through our tongues.
a. If you never tell the person you love how much you love them then how would they know!
i. How would your valentine know you loved them unless you voiced it to them and also to others?
1. Question: "Would you have a great relationship if you never expressed that love to them verbally?"
a. I don¡¦t think so!
b. People in love tell each other they love them and they tell others how much they love the other person- same scenario between God and you!
ii. All marriage counselors tell couples that you must talk to each other- communicate with each! You need to say the words, "I love you!"
1. A lot of songs are written to express love toward another person, they put it to music because it seems to energize their romantic hearts, how many here have a romantic song which impacts your love relationship? When this song plays or when the other one sings it to the person they love, it’s a euphoric, heart touching moment.
a. Same with God in times of worship - singing songs to Him is an act of love and adoration!
b. We sing, we praise in word, we raise our hands in worship to God because we love Him, we want Him to know this is how much we love him.
c. The apostle Paul commands us to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20).
i. How is this part of your relationship with the Lord going?
ii. Are you worship driven because of love?
b. You can also worship God by giving Him thanks in prayer with just your voices.
i. Praying a prayer to God is also an act of worship:
1. For example Psalm 62 - In God alone
a. 1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3 How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah 5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah 9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
b. These words found in Psalms are prayers to God and are a form of worship - take the time this week and pray some of these prayers out loud to God this week - see if it does not touch your heart.
i. Video spoken word Illustration:
1. Almena Brown - Masterpiece with music.
c. You also worship God when you tell His love story to others.
i. When you tell the love story the two of you have with each other you are worship driven.
1. Telling your story and His story to others is an act of worship.
ii. There are many books written describing real life love stories ¡V they are written to testify about love.
1. The Bible is a love story about God and mankind!
iii. God is always worshipped when we tell of His love story with us personally, it is a heart touching moment of worship.
1. And trust me most people want to hear a good love story!
T.S. - When you offer up your life and when you you listen to His words of life change comes to your mind and you in turn become so love stricken you have to tell others about His and your great love story. It’s a natural way to express your love and adoration for Him. The above three steps always lead to the next step which is you do it! In other words you put into action your love life story, you live with an attitude of gratitude which compels you to do serve the one you love. You just want to do it, you don’t have too, you want too!
IV. You do it! - To be worship driven means you express your love and adoration for God through Acts of service for Him and to others.
a. Romans 12 - gives us all kinds of ways we can worship God through acts of serving. Take the time this week to read Romans 12 and see all the different ways to serve and worship God at the same time.
i. Ways to worship God and be worship driven:
1. Offer our bodies as living sacrifices
2. Renew our minds with God¡¦s truth
3. Knowing and doing God¡¦s will
4. Not being like the rest of the world
5. Being humble with others and not prideful
6. Prophesy speaking the words of God to others.
7. Speaking out about our faith experience
8. Serving others in love
9. Teaching the truth which sets people free
10. Encouraging others who need encouraged
11. Giving generously to God¡¦s work and to Him
12. Leading like Jesus led
13. Showing kindness to others
14. Really loving others and not pretending too
15. Holding or embracing to what is good
16. Honoring each other
17. Serving the Lord enthusiastically
18. Rejoicing
19. Being patient
20. Praying
21. Helping the people of God who are in need
22. Practicing hospitality
23. Blessing those who persecute you
24. Not cursing others out
25. Being happy with those who are happy
26. Weeping with those who weep
27. Living in harmony with each other
28. Not paying back evil for evil
29. Living at peace
30. Not taking revenge instead forgiving
31. Conquering evil with good
b. James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
i. Remember James also said "faith without works is dead, no life no spirit, no worship too God!
ii. We must be willing to be worship driven in our lives and in our church.
Conclusion:
A worship driven person:
„« Offers up their lives as living sacrifices, because it makes sense to serve God this way!
„« They listen to God’s voice and follow after His Truth and His Spirit.
„« Is willing to voice their love and adoration to God and to others.
„« Is willing to be a doer of God’s word because of all God has done for them personally.
So let’s be worship driven!
