Aligning Worship with God's Desires and Love
Summary
In our gathering today, I wanted to challenge us to consider whether our worship and church activities truly please God. It's easy to assume that God is pleased with our gatherings simply because we enjoy them, but Scripture warns us that God is not always pleased with our offerings and gatherings. We must ask ourselves if our actions and hearts align with what God desires. Are we entering into worship with a heart to serve and love others, or are we focused on our own enjoyment and preferences?
Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how I started a church 25 years ago with the desire to create a pure church that preached the entirety of God's Word. However, as the church grew, I began to question whether our success was truly pleasing to God. This led me to a deeper exploration of Scripture to understand what God truly desires from His church. The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as Christ loved us. This love should be evident in our gatherings and in our relationships with one another.
We must also consider the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each of us has been given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, and we should come to our gatherings ready to serve and bless others with the gifts God has given us. Our unity and love for one another should be so profound that it becomes a testimony to the world of God's love and truth.
Finally, I shared insights from the underground church in China, which thrived on devotion to God's Word, prayer, evangelism, expectation of miracles, and embracing suffering for Christ. These elements are crucial for a vibrant and effective church. We must be willing to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of the gospel, embracing the call to make disciples and share the love of Christ with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Pleasing God in Worship: Our gatherings should focus on pleasing God rather than ourselves. We must enter worship with a heart to serve and love others, aligning our actions with God's desires rather than our preferences. [03:42]
- Loving God and Others: The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as Christ loved us. This love should be evident in our relationships and gatherings, reflecting a deep affection for Jesus. [11:26]
- Manifestation of the Spirit: Each believer has been given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. We should come to gatherings ready to serve and bless others with the gifts God has given us, expecting the Spirit to work through us. [33:18]
- Unity as a Testimony: Our unity and love for one another should be so profound that it becomes a testimony to the world of God's love and truth. Jesus prayed for us to be perfectly one, and this unity is crucial for our witness. [25:15]
- Embracing Suffering for Christ: The underground church in China thrived on devotion to God's Word, prayer, evangelism, expectation of miracles, and embracing suffering for Christ. We must be willing to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of the gospel. [45:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Questioning God's Pleasure
[01:55] - Biblical Warnings
[03:42] - Pleasing God in Worship
[06:23] - Faith in Action
[09:45] - Rethinking Church Success
[11:26] - Loving God and Others
[19:10] - Abiding in Love
[25:15] - Unity as a Testimony
[33:18] - Manifestation of the Spirit
[40:46] - Sharing the Gospel
[45:24] - Embracing Suffering for Christ
[49:23] - Internal Transformation
[50:43] - Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 22:37-39 - "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
2. John 15:9-12 - "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:7 - "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some biblical warnings about assuming God is pleased with our gatherings? ([01:55])
2. How does the pastor describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our gatherings and individual lives? ([33:18])
3. What are the five pillars of the underground church in China as mentioned in the sermon? ([44:00])
4. What does the pastor say about the importance of unity among believers? ([25:15])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the greatest commandment to love God and others challenge the way we approach worship and church activities? ([11:26])
2. In what ways does the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good impact our understanding of spiritual gifts? ([33:18])
3. How might the example of the underground church in China inspire changes in our own church practices? ([45:24])
4. What does it mean for our unity to serve as a testimony to the world, according to the sermon? ([25:15])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal approach to worship. Are there ways you can shift your focus from personal enjoyment to pleasing God? ([03:42])
2. Consider your relationships within the church. How can you demonstrate love for others as Christ loved you this week? ([11:26])
3. Identify a spiritual gift you believe you have. How can you use it to serve and bless others in your church community? ([33:18])
4. Think about a time when you felt truly united with other believers. What contributed to that unity, and how can you foster it in your current church setting? ([25:15])
5. The sermon mentions embracing suffering for Christ. What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone for the sake of the gospel this month? ([45:24])
6. How can you incorporate more prayer and devotion to God's Word into your daily routine, inspired by the underground church's example? ([44:00])
7. Reflect on a recent church gathering you attended. What was your mindset going in, and how might you adjust it to align more with God's desires? ([03:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Worship That Pleases God
Our gatherings should focus on pleasing God rather than ourselves. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we enjoy our worship services, God must be pleased as well. However, true worship requires us to align our hearts and actions with God's desires, not just our preferences. This means entering worship with a heart to serve and love others, seeking to honor God above all else. When we gather, we should ask ourselves if our focus is on glorifying God and serving the community, or if we are more concerned with our own enjoyment. [03:42]
Isaiah 1:13-17 (ESV): "Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: Consider your attitude as you enter worship. Are you more focused on what you will receive or on how you can serve and honor God? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with God's desires?
Day 2: Love as the Greatest Commandment
The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as Christ loved us. This love should be evident in our relationships and gatherings, reflecting a deep affection for Jesus. Our love for God and others is not just a feeling but an active commitment to seek the well-being of others and to live in a way that honors God. This love should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing how we interact with others and how we approach our worship and service. [11:26]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you can better demonstrate Christ-like love. What practical steps can you take this week to show love to that person in a way that reflects your love for God?
Day 3: Manifestation of the Spirit for the Common Good
Each believer has been given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. We should come to gatherings ready to serve and bless others with the gifts God has given us, expecting the Spirit to work through us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve one another and to build up the body of Christ. When we gather, we should be open to the Spirit's leading, ready to use our gifts to encourage and support others. This requires a willingness to step out in faith and to trust that God will use us for His purposes. [33:18]
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (ESV): "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
Reflection: Reflect on the spiritual gifts you believe God has given you. How can you use these gifts to serve others in your church community this week?
Day 4: Unity as a Testimony to the World
Our unity and love for one another should be so profound that it becomes a testimony to the world of God's love and truth. Jesus prayed for us to be perfectly one, and this unity is crucial for our witness. When the world sees a community of believers who are united in love and purpose, it is a powerful testimony to the reality of God's love. This unity requires humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to put the needs of others above our own. It is through our unity that we can effectively share the gospel and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. [25:15]
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Consider a conflict or division you have experienced within your church community. What steps can you take to promote unity and reconciliation in that situation?
Day 5: Embracing Suffering for the Sake of the Gospel
The underground church in China thrived on devotion to God's Word, prayer, evangelism, expectation of miracles, and embracing suffering for Christ. We must be willing to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of the gospel, embracing the call to make disciples and share the love of Christ with the world. Suffering for the gospel is not something to be feared but embraced as a part of our calling as followers of Christ. It is through our willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel that we can truly demonstrate the depth of our commitment to Christ and His mission. [45:24]
2 Timothy 2:8-10 (ESV): "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenge or hardship you are currently facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to Christ and His mission?
Quotes
Sometimes we don't ask that question we just assume well of course God enjoys it he loves David but you know we just assume but that's not a thought in our minds like like no seriously seriously I mean isn't that the goal of tonight is not that oh good everyone had a good time everyone enjoyed what was spoken. [00:01:25]
I mean did that thought enter your mind as you walked in today was your thought today oh I want him to be pleased as we gathered together and so you walk in and you think to yourself what would please him I mean when God looked down and saw you walking into this room was he going look at her look at her she came in with the heart to love and serve other people. [00:03:38]
What pleases him what pleases him is for you to listen to that and to truly have faith right God wants you go that's in his work I have that much part so I could actually make a disciple like that's in me I could actually start a gathering I could actually multiply churches I could actually move overseas in the power of Almighty God and impact lives. [00:05:49]
I just want a pure Church I just want to be able to preach everything that's in this book as I was told in some places not to avoid certain topics I'm like that's not right I got to teach at all you know and and so we started this this church and it it's it started to grow out of the house and go okay this isn't gonna fit in a house let's let's rent a school. [00:07:24]
The greatest command to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind obviously God wants us to be lovers of him right he wants us to be be a bunch of people that are just devoted to worshiping him but as I looked around I began to question because like Matthew 10 verse 37 says whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. [00:10:29]
I didn't hear people talking about oh I was with Jesus this morning and I just can't get I mean I keep thinking about what he did on the cross for me and I just keep telling him like god I can't get enough of you I can't believe you would love me like I just keep coming for the father every day just go how could you do that how could you love me this much this is insane. [00:12:47]
If we were a church seriously wanting to please him God says here's my come in I want you to love one another just as I've loved you so like what's your name Matt if we if I was in a church with Matt and I go okay god I'm all about pleasing you what do you want then he wants me to love Matt just like Christ loved me. [00:21:00]
Jesus prays and he says God I want them to be one just as you and I are one the glory that you've given me I've given to them that they may be one even as we are one I in them you and me that they may become perfectly one so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. [00:24:35]
To each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good to each is given you were given the manifestation of the holy spirit for the common good because you know and I asked my church you know I go hey do you want these spiritual gifts because you want the spiritual gifts or do you want these spiritual gifts because you love the church. [00:33:04]
He says that the the underground church was built upon these five pillars he says number one we were devoted to the Word of God everyone was devoted the Word of God number two we're deeply devoted to prayer committed to prayer number three we expected every single believer to be out sharing the gospel number four he says there was a regular expectation of miracles. [00:43:47]
I mean if you have a group of people that actually embrace suffering how are you ever gonna stop them our churches are so stoppable because the moment it gets too difficult it change the service time oh man I'm going down the street you know it's just oh my kid has soccer you know it's just like it's just every little thing stopped but what if you actually go I actually want to suffer for Christ. [00:45:24]
I want to be one who just loves God passionately loves others passionately I use my gift and manifest the spirit I'm gonna be that missionary and I'm actually gonna embrace suffering for the glory of Christ in all the nations and I'll surrender everything my prayer is that we could have a prayer time and the Holy Spirit actually moves in you you're not coerced into anything something internal happens in the inner man. [00:49:32]
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