Empowered Worship: Our Position and Connection in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of power and its connection to our position in Christ. We began by understanding the fall of Lucifer and how humanity has taken his place as worshipers of God. This transition signifies not only our role in worship but also our inherent power and authority given by God. We delved into the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, illustrating how Jesus broke societal norms to offer her living water, symbolizing the transformative power of worship in spirit and truth.
We examined the importance of worship and how it positions us in a fixed state of connection with God. Worship is not merely an act to please God but a strategic engagement that opens us up to receive from Him. This divine connection is essential for our spiritual vitality and empowerment. We also discussed how our skills and gifts, when used in alignment with God's purpose, become acts of worship, creating a flow of anointing and divine connection.
The sermon emphasized that our power is rooted in our position in Christ. When we abide in Him, as described in John 15, we bear much fruit and our lives flourish. This abiding relationship ensures that our desires align with God's will, leading to a fulfilling and purposeful life. We also touched on the importance of trust and faith in God, which are foundational to our spiritual journey. Trusting God allows us to rest in His promises and experience His peace and guidance.
Finally, we highlighted the relational aspect of our faith. God desires to commune with us, to be in close proximity, and to share in our daily lives. This relationship is not about tasks or rituals but about genuine connection and fellowship. Worship ties our hearts to God's, empowering us and filling us with His strength and joy.
### Key Takeaways
1. Humanity's Role as Worshipers: We have taken the place of Lucifer as worshipers of God, signifying our unique position and authority in the spiritual realm. This role is not just about singing praises but about living a life that honors God in spirit and truth. Our worship is a strategic engagement that opens us up to receive from God and strengthens our connection with Him. [01:26]
2. The Power of Worship: Worship is more than an act; it is a means of positioning ourselves in a fixed state of connection with God. When we worship, we open ourselves to receive His presence and power. This divine connection is essential for our spiritual vitality and empowerment, allowing us to operate in our God-given gifts and callings. [08:38]
3. Abiding in Christ: Our power and fruitfulness come from abiding in Christ. As we remain in Him and His words remain in us, we bear much fruit and our lives flourish. This abiding relationship ensures that our desires align with God's will, leading to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Without this connection, our efforts are in vain and we risk spiritual withering. [14:19]
4. Trust and Faith in God: True faith involves trust and reliance on God's integrity, strength, and ability. Trusting God allows us to rest in His promises and experience His peace and guidance. This trust is built over time as we see God's faithfulness in our lives, enabling us to rely on Him more fully. [25:15]
5. Relational Aspect of Faith: God desires a close, personal relationship with us. He wants to commune with us daily, not just through rituals but through genuine fellowship. This relationship is about being in close proximity to God, allowing His presence to fill us with joy and strength. Worship ties our hearts to His, empowering us and deepening our connection with Him. [33:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Humanity's Role as Worshipers
[02:53] - The Story of the Samaritan Woman
[04:20] - Jesus Breaks Societal Norms
[05:44] - The Transformative Power of Worship
[07:02] - Understanding Worship in Spirit and Truth
[08:38] - The Power of Worship
[10:00] - Creating Divine Connection
[11:29] - Operating in Your God-Given Gifts
[12:45] - Abiding in Christ
[14:19] - The Importance of Spiritual Connection
[15:52] - Flourishing in God's Will
[19:07] - Trust and Faith in God
[25:15] - Building Trust with God
[33:04] - Relational Aspect of Faith
[36:53] - Worship Ties Our Hearts to God's
[41:19] - Invitation to Connect with God
[44:54] - Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 4:23-24 (NIV) - "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
2. John 15:5 (NIV) - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
3. Romans 8:9-10 (NIV) - "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth? (John 4:23-24)
2. According to John 15:5, what is the result of remaining in Jesus and Him remaining in us?
3. In Romans 8:9-10, what distinction does Paul make between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit?
4. How did Jesus break societal norms in His interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well? [04:20]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does worshiping in spirit and truth create a deeper connection with God? [07:02]
2. What does it mean to abide in Christ, and how does this abiding relationship impact our daily lives? [14:19]
3. How can our skills and gifts be used as acts of worship, and what effect does this have on our spiritual connection with God? [11:29]
4. Why is trust and faith in God essential for experiencing His peace and guidance? [25:15]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current worship practices. How can you ensure that you are worshiping in spirit and in truth? What changes might you need to make? [07:02]
2. Think about a time when you felt particularly connected to God. What were you doing, and how can you incorporate more of that into your daily routine? [10:00]
3. Identify a specific gift or skill you have. How can you use this gift more intentionally as an act of worship to God? [11:29]
4. Consider an area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully. What steps can you take to build trust in that area? [25:15]
5. How can you cultivate a more personal and relational connection with God in your daily life, beyond just Sunday worship? [33:04]
6. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there any barriers or distractions that are preventing you from fully abiding in Him? How can you address these? [14:19]
7. Think about a recent decision you made without seeking God's guidance. How might the outcome have been different if you had trusted and relied on Him? [17:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Humanity's Role as Worshipers
Description: Humanity has taken the place of Lucifer as worshipers of God, signifying a unique position and authority in the spiritual realm. This role is not just about singing praises but about living a life that honors God in spirit and truth. Worship is a strategic engagement that opens us up to receive from God and strengthens our connection with Him. When we understand our role as worshipers, we realize that every aspect of our lives can be an act of worship, from our daily tasks to our interactions with others. This perspective transforms how we live, making us more aware of God's presence and purpose in our lives. [01:26]
Isaiah 43:21 (ESV): "The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you transform ordinary tasks into acts of worship that honor God?
Day 2: The Power of Worship
Description: Worship is more than an act; it is a means of positioning ourselves in a fixed state of connection with God. When we worship, we open ourselves to receive His presence and power. This divine connection is essential for our spiritual vitality and empowerment, allowing us to operate in our God-given gifts and callings. Worship is not just about singing or praying; it is about aligning our hearts with God's heart and allowing His presence to fill us. This alignment brings about a flow of anointing and divine connection that empowers us to live out our purpose. [08:38]
Psalm 22:3 (ESV): "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment of worship. How did you feel God's presence and power during that time, and how can you seek to experience that more regularly?
Day 3: Abiding in Christ
Description: Our power and fruitfulness come from abiding in Christ. As we remain in Him and His words remain in us, we bear much fruit and our lives flourish. This abiding relationship ensures that our desires align with God's will, leading to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Without this connection, our efforts are in vain, and we risk spiritual withering. Abiding in Christ means staying connected to Him through prayer, reading His Word, and living in obedience to His commands. It is a continuous, intentional relationship that shapes our thoughts, actions, and desires. [14:19]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel disconnected from Christ. What steps can you take today to re-establish that connection and abide in Him?
Day 4: Trust and Faith in God
Description: True faith involves trust and reliance on God's integrity, strength, and ability. Trusting God allows us to rest in His promises and experience His peace and guidance. This trust is built over time as we see God's faithfulness in our lives, enabling us to rely on Him more fully. Trusting God means believing that He is in control, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. It is about surrendering our fears and anxieties to Him and trusting that He will provide, protect, and guide us according to His perfect will. [25:15]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively trust God with this situation and rely on His guidance and provision?
Day 5: Relational Aspect of Faith
Description: God desires a close, personal relationship with us. He wants to commune with us daily, not just through rituals but through genuine fellowship. This relationship is about being in close proximity to God, allowing His presence to fill us with joy and strength. Worship ties our hearts to His, empowering us and deepening our connection with Him. This relational aspect of faith is not about checking off religious duties but about cultivating a loving, intimate relationship with our Creator. It is about inviting God into every aspect of our lives and experiencing His love and presence in a profound way. [33:04]
James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to draw near to God and cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him?
Quotes
1. "Your power is in your position. Your power comes from your position, and we're going to talk about your position. John chapter 4. John chapter 4. It says, yet a time is coming and now and has now come when true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth. Did I underline? Yeah, those are underlined. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in the Spirit and in truth." [03:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we worship, we are not just doing an action simply. We are not just to kind of please God. God is so strategic that he says, listen, there are, there's so many levels of why you need to worship. Again, I told you, he's not an egomaniac up there creating billions of people so he can have them all worship him. So he can feel good about himself. You know, he's not like me. And then I have to have affirmations. I have to say, didn't I do good? Didn't I do good? My wife, I'll tell my wife, I did good, didn't I? I did good. Yeah, you did good, baby. You did good. And she's good about that. She's good about that." [08:38] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we worship God, we have our hands extended out to him and we're worshiping him. We're opening our arms. We're opening ourselves up to him so that as we give him worship, we're actually opening ourselves to be receptive and he can actually pour into us. But it also creates that connection to where we are. Now he is then in us because we've opened ourselves up to him and we are in him. It's this divine connection we've created through worship. Remember my statement, your power is in your position. When you are in the Father and the Father is in you, that's where you have power." [10:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you operate and when you're the person that God created you to be, and that is individualistic, okay? We are, we are individual. God loves diversity. I mean, look around. He loves diversity. And if you look up this way, you know He's got a sense of humor. But He loves diversity. He's created each one of us individual. And I don't know how I get off on that when I'm talking about this. But anyway, so He's in you and you are in Him." [13:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. I should have put a different version in there, but oh, ye's and ye's. What He's saying is, listen, when you're in me, and you have that life source, listen, you flourish. You flourish. Your life flourishes. See, we pastors have always tried to make it about the ministry, and your life is a ministry, okay? Y'all, okay, y'all are ministers. I dub thee ministers right now. I'll just let you know. You're ministers." [15:52] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We have a responsibility in ministry because of the fact that we have to live to a certain level. Brother Evan, can you turn these fans off for me? Thanks. I'm getting just a tad chilled. My nose is getting drippy, and people over there going. So God wants us to understand we have power when we're in Him, when we're in Him. That's where we have the authority to ask what we will, and it shall be done. Now, that's a pretty bold statement. That's a pretty definitive statement to say whatever you ask, but the caveat is you must be in Him, and Him in you. You must have that connection, so when we're worshiping Him, when we have a lifestyle of worship, we create that connection, and we maintain that connection, so that flow, that anointing that is flowing can go back and forth, just like electricity." [17:27] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Galatia, he said, listen, listen, y'all, I've been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. In other words, he said, that person that tries to make his own decision, that person, he said, that guy's dead, but Christ is in me and has made me alive. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Who loved me and gave Himself for me. That life that I live, I live it in Him." [21:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you were created, he created something inside of you that's just waiting to be ignited. It just lies there dormant, just lies there dormant, and it's just waiting. It's just hungering. For that ignition source. And that's God, God's spirit. God's spirit. Amen. This word faith, it says I live by faith. And this word faith is pistis, P-I-S-T-I-S. It's belief with the predominant idea of trust or confidence, whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in them. And trust means reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of a person or thing or confidence. So when we have faith, it is trust. We, you cannot have faith without trust. Because if you truly have faith, then you're trusting God. You have trust." [24:28] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "God wants us to understand we can trust him. We can relax in him. The scripture says, enter into the rest. Enter into my rest. And a lot of us think that's reclining in a chair, but that's really good. But I'm here to tell you, when you have true faith in God, you can rest knowing that he has it. Whatever the thing is in your life that you're struggling with, we have to get to the point where we have that connection with God that we can learn to just say, I just trust you with it. I trust you with it. And that's faith. And when we does that, when we're relaxing, we're not trying to handle it and we're out of his way. And he can handle it. He can fix it." [27:24] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We can be so confident in our connection, in our relationship with him. That when he comes, in the last day when he comes, we don't have to be ashamed. We don't have to worry. We don't have to... Oh, I hope I make it. I hope I make it. Listen, if you are connected with him. If you are connected through worship. And you're praying and you're communing with him daily. You're not just waiting until Sunday morning. Until Sister Martha comes up with her songs and y'all sing along. No, no, no. Daily you are worshiping him. And yes, sing. Just sing." [29:46] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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