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!
With A Grateful Heart
Moving Forward
As we press toward the end of this class, the input and time each of you have added have been invaluable to its success. I hope you felt like we searched together and gained additional insight into the deeper aspects of worship. Worship is so much more complex than just singing songs of praise and religious rituals. Just as an insincere apology has little value in exchange for absolute forgiveness, insincere worship is not accepted in the eyes of God. God sees into our hearts. He cannot be fooled.
What does He accept? It seems from scripture that He always responds with grace and acceptance to broken, contrite hearts of sacrifice that seek Him first, His leading and direction for offering and service. Then, our response is, worship and His acceptance completes the act. There is no greater fulfillment, no more complete act of beauty and glory than to be immersed in His will, doing what glorifies the Almighty God!
So the prayer of my heart, in response to our Lord, is that our time together has continued the Godly transformation in your heart to earnestly seek God's input into your acts of worship before Him connecting His grace into our community of worshipers and non. With the stamp of the Holy Spirit, worship, pure and holy, wholly submitted unto God will only bring Him glory.
As we press toward the end of this class, the input and time each of you have added have been invaluable to its success. I hope you felt like we searched together and gained additional insight into the deeper aspects of worship. Worship is so much more complex than just singing songs of praise and religious rituals. Just as an insincere apology has little value in exchange for absolute forgiveness, insincere worship is not accepted in the eyes of God. God sees into our hearts. He cannot be fooled.
What does He accept? It seems from scripture that He always responds with grace and acceptance to broken, contrite hearts of sacrifice that seek Him first, His leading and direction for offering and service. Then, our response is, worship and His acceptance completes the act. There is no greater fulfillment, no more complete act of beauty and glory than to be immersed in His will, doing what glorifies the Almighty God!
So the prayer of my heart, in response to our Lord, is that our time together has continued the Godly transformation in your heart to earnestly seek God's input into your acts of worship before Him connecting His grace into our community of worshipers and non. With the stamp of the Holy Spirit, worship, pure and holy, wholly submitted unto God will only bring Him glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment