Final Week, Week 10 Class Notes

Finally, the final class notes for our time together.

Part 2

= Grabbing hold of God’s call as individuals
= As individuals called to serve this body
= As individuals called to serve Christ

When asked how we discover God's call on us as individuals? Your responses were:
= Go to other who know what the needs of the church are and know you and your
skills as well.
= Figure out your gifts.
= Sometimes you are asked by God to do something 'outside' your area of
giftedness.
= 1 Corinthians 12:6 addresses these issues.
= Engage in prayer, going to God for His leading
= pray with others
= fasting

If worship is doing and being as God leads and inspires us, then the connection to Him is key!

When asked how we know we are obediently following God and His leading, you responded by saying:

= Being in God's will, flow, timing, rhythm.
= Not fighting Him.
= Having a personal kingdom orientation.
= accomplished through difficulty
= contending along with the Holy Spirit
= bearing fruit for God's kingdom
= it's also about who you are 'in secret'.

1 Peter 2:13-25 speaks completely to this end. If Romans 12 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, then Peter gives us the practical application of submission, and it is a challenge!

When asked where do we go from here? We connected with James 4: 6-12 to see that humility, submission, resistance of the devil, being an encourager, not slanderer or judge are key.

The signs that we am accomplishing correct worship, drawing near, serving as a true individual worshipper? Ephesians 5:19-21 speaks clearly of this...

Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Engaging God and one another with thanksgiving and submission are key to this as well. This is reverence (worship) for Christ!

So finally we come to the end. For each of us it is our job to press on in individual pursuit of God in a corporate balance.

Our individual and corporate
= response to spiritual gift survey and discovery.
= pursuit of God.
= lives poured out before Him.
= placing of our hearts in the mix with the hearts of our congregation, others in the community, coworkers, friends, family, in worship before our Lord.

Worship is both individual and corporate. Our individual response or lack of engagement with the Almighty God directly affects worship in the corporate setting! We need to come together, we each need to do our part before our Lord in preparation of coming together.

Holy worship requires the whole of us, individually and corporately responding, engaging, interacting and doing the will of our Father, continuing the mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, under the revelative urgings of the Holy Spirit. May we grow together in Christ, toward eternity!

Week 9 Class Notes

Nearly finished with this part of our journey, we arrive full circle to enfold what seems apparent through our examination of scripture and engagement with God the means to put our understanding of worship, Godly worship, into action. Is it not time to continue moving forward, pressing with all our being into His, rising to what is more than we could ever ask or imagine for His glory? Is God not doing more than we ask or imagine? Does He not desire to do even more incredible things, unleash His indescribable and unmitigated power in and through us for His glory?

Did you not see a Godly connection between the sermon and His leading in our class together this past Sunday? Is not His leading, our leading? Did God answer the questions posed in class via His pulpit? Did He not confirm our answers from class in the sermon?

So, What is God's Call for us As His Church?

Your answers were right on!

Invite people..
- to church.
- to 4th Saturday.
- to Christmas and Easter services.
- to Home Group.
- into our homes for dinner or other events.

knowing that our Lord is watching us and wants us to
- look into the hearts of those we encounter.
- minister to their lives.
- understand others are watching us.
- be a part of maximizing each other's walk with Him.
- be faithful in this season.

Where do we discover our call as a church?
By
- examining the body of Christ (our friends at New Heights) for opportunities to serve God in their lives.
- examining the lives of others we encounter for opportunities to invest in them and serve God in their lives.
- participating in corporate prayer and fasting.
- examining God's word on a regular basis, listening for His leading.
- listening to our pastor.

How do we correctly apply this call to worship as a response to Christ?

By seeking God's call, His wisdom and leading for our lives, daily and often, checking in with Him continually.

What are the signs that we are accomplishing correct worship, drawing near, serving as true worshiper?
- Our actions are consistent with God's Word, the Bible.
- The testimony of others to the glory of God working in their lives through our obedience.
- Asking Him to continually flush the wheat from the tares; His leading and divine will to keep what we offer pure and acceptable.

What should we be looking for to affirm our worship is honoring God?

- Simply His approval, independent of man's. His revelation of glory and honor above our own or anything we can take credit for.

With the final punctuation placed via last Sunday's sermon. It is not to be manipulated by us or anyone else. It is to be ordained and led by God alone! Worship is before Him, pure, honorable, true in motive and desire, and when lived as such, led by God and for His glory alone, our lives, in their entirety become Godly worship.

Now, the final question remains. Where in scripture can you find these things spoken of in this week's lesson, and how will we continue to apply them from here on, both corporately and finally individually? Our final week of class will ask us to turn the key in God's car, with the never ending full tank He has given us to drive ahead, stopping at all the divine destinations. But not just stopping, ministering with His power for His glory in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Hope to see you next Sunday!