Finding Purpose Through Worship and Surrender to God
Summary
In the message delivered, the focus is on the concept of purpose, particularly the purpose that God has for each individual's life. It is emphasized that understanding one's purpose is crucial to avoid wandering aimlessly through life, making changes in relationships, jobs, or locations in search of peace and fulfillment. The exhaustion that comes from such wandering is contrasted with the peace and passion that come from knowing and walking in God's purpose.
The message underscores the importance of seeking God's will, as He is the creator and therefore the one who knows the purpose of each creation. This is illustrated with the example of a 3D-printed labyrinth box, where the creator of the object is the one who knows its purpose. The message draws on the words of C.S. Lewis, who suggests that by allowing God to take over, individuals become more truly themselves, as God is the one who made them.
The series of messages is based on two main passages of scripture: the Great Commission and the Greatest Commandments. The first two weeks of the series focus on the Greatest Commandment, which is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind. This commandment is equated with worship, which is defined as living for God's pleasure rather than one's own. The transformation that occurs when one's focus shifts from personal pleasure to God's pleasure is described as a sign of God's work in a person's life.
Worship is further explored through the lens of Romans 12:1-2, which calls for believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This act of worship involves surrendering personal plans for God's plans. The message suggests that to know God's will, one must start with worship and surrender. It is posited that when individuals live for God's pleasure, He begins to reveal His plan to them.
The message then transitions to practical ways to worship, including singing, praying, and fasting. Singing is presented as a way to change one's perspective, focusing on God rather than problems. The act of singing joyfully to the Lord is encouraged, with the reminder that worship is not about receiving but giving to God. The message clarifies that worship is not about personal feelings or preferences but about knowing and honoring God.
Prayer is highlighted as another form of worship, with scriptural references to lifting hands in prayer as an act of worship. The state of one's prayer life is questioned, encouraging individuals to make prayer a first response rather than a last resort. The message encourages continuous conversation with God throughout the day as a form of worship.
Fasting is discussed as a means of worship that involves abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. It is described as a way to prioritize God over physical desires and to prepare oneself to walk in God's will. The message references Jesus' example of fasting for 40 days before starting His ministry and the power that came from that period of fasting.
The message concludes by challenging individuals to consider whether God is truly first in their lives and to engage in acts of worship such as singing, praying, and fasting. It calls for a commitment to start the year by putting God first through a period of prayer and fasting, with the belief that there is no better place to be than in the center of God's will.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding one's purpose is essential to avoid a life of aimless wandering and the stress that comes with it. When individuals know their purpose and align with God's will, they experience peace and direction. This understanding is not self-generated but comes from seeking God, the creator who knows the purpose of His creation. [26:09]
- Worship is not just a ritual or a feeling; it is a lifestyle of living for God's pleasure rather than one's own. True worship involves a transformation of focus from self-pleasure to pleasing God, which is a sign of God's work within an individual. Worship is an act of surrender, where personal plans are offered up in exchange for God's plans. [31:46]
- Singing is a powerful form of worship that can shift one's focus from problems to the greatness of God. Joyful singing is an act of love and adoration towards God. However, the essence of worship through singing is not about the style or the song itself but about the heart's genuine expression of love for God. [36:13]
- Prayer is a continuous act of worship that builds a relationship with God. It is not limited to formal prayer times but is an ongoing conversation throughout the day. This form of worship acknowledges God as the source and sustainer of life and is a declaration of dependence on Him. [44:06]
- Fasting is a spiritual discipline that prioritizes God over physical desires. It is a form of worship that expresses a deeper craving for God's presence and guidance than for food. Fasting is a means to quiet the flesh, awaken the spirit, and become more attuned to God's will, especially as one seeks to start the year aligned with His purposes. [53:18]
Study Guide
Bible Reading
1. Matthew 22:37-38
"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."
2. Romans 12:1-2
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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."
3. Psalm 100:2
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."
Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind according to Matthew 22:37-38?
2. In Romans 12:1-2, what are believers urged to do as their true and proper worship, and what transformation is expected of them?
3. How does Psalm 100:2 describe the attitude one should have when coming to worship the Lord?
Interpretation Questions
1. How might loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind influence a person's daily actions and decisions?
2. What could be the implications of offering one's body as a living sacrifice in the context of personal plans and ambitions?
3. Considering the call to worship with gladness in Psalm 100:2, what might be the impact of joyful worship on an individual's perspective on life's challenges?
Application Questions
1. Identify a specific moment in the upcoming week when you can consciously choose to prioritize loving God over a personal desire. What might that look like in practice?
2. Reflect on a recent decision or plan you have made. How can you align this decision with the idea of being a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this week?
3. Choose a time and place this week where you will sing a song of worship to God, focusing on His greatness rather than any current problem you are facing. What song will you choose and why?
4. Think of a situation where you typically react with frustration or impatience. What is a short prayer you can prepare to recite before encountering that situation again?
5. Plan a specific time this week to fast from a meal or a particular food. During that time, what will you pray for, and how will you seek to become more attuned to God's will?
Devotional
Day 1: Purpose Found in Divine Design
Understanding one's divine purpose eliminates the restlessness of life's aimless pursuits. When aligned with God's will, a sense of peace and direction permeates one's existence, guiding decisions and actions. This alignment is not a product of self-discovery but emerges from seeking the Creator's design for His creation. [26:09]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand the specific purpose God has designed for you this week?
Day 2: Worship as a Lifestyle of Surrender
True worship transcends rituals and emotions, manifesting as a lifestyle dedicated to delighting in God rather than self. This surrender signifies God's transformative work within, redirecting desires and plans towards His divine intentions. [31:46]
1 Peter 2:5 - "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What personal desires or plans can you surrender today to live more fully for God's pleasure?
Day 3: Singing as an Expression of Devotion
Singing to the Lord shifts focus from life's challenges to God's majesty, fostering a heart of joy and adoration. Worship through song is less about musical preferences and more about a sincere expression of love for the Creator. [36:13]
Psalm 96:1-2 - "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day."
Reflection: Can you set aside time today to sing praises to God, focusing on His attributes rather than your circumstances?
Day 4: Prayer as Continuous Worship
Prayer is an ongoing act of worship that nurtures a relationship with God, acknowledging Him as the sustainer of life. It is a declaration of dependence and a practice that should be woven into the fabric of daily life. [44:06]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional moments of prayer into your daily routine, starting today?
Day 5: Fasting to Heighten Spiritual Awareness
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that expresses a hunger for God's presence over physical sustenance. It quiets the flesh and sharpens spiritual sensitivity, preparing one to walk in alignment with God's will. [53:18]
Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Reflection: What might you fast from this week to deepen your dependence on God and attune yourself more closely to His voice?
Quotes
"If we're unsure about why God has us here, we'll do a lot of wandering around and trying a lot of different things, hoping to find peace, hoping to find something that really helps us to feel settled because we're not sure what God's will is." [26:09] (Download)
"When we know our purpose and we are settled in the fact that God has a plan and a purpose and a will for our life, and we're walking in it, there's a lot of peace in that, there's a lot of passion in that." [26:59] (Download)
"The best way to know the purpose of something is to ask the person who made it... God is the one that made us and so we're going to look to our creator and say, 'God, we need your help showing us over the next five weeks what did you create us for.'" [28:49] (Download)
"When our choices aren't to please ourselves but they're to please God, you know God has done a change in your life. You know he's done a real work in your life and you're going a different direction than you used to go." [31:46] (Download)
"If you want to know God's will, if you want to know what you're here for, it starts with worship, it starts with surrender, it starts with offering our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto him." [33:32] (Download)
"When we start living for God's pleasure, he begins to reveal his plan. That's how it works; he tells us if we'll just live for his plan, if we'll put first the first thing that he says we're on earth for, if we'll just love him with all of our will, just worship him, he'll begin to reveal his plan to us." [34:29] (Download)
"Prayer should never be our last resort; it should be our first response." [44:06] (Download)
"Fasting says this: God, I crave you more than I crave food. I hunger for food but I hunger for you even more. It's getting serious about knowing God more." [55:27] (Download)
"The purpose of fasting is to quiet our flesh and to awaken our spirit and to draw near to God, to get ourselves in the right mindset spiritually." [56:26] (Download)
"When we fast, the Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you're dry and restoring your strength. So fasting strengthens us spiritually and makes us more sensitive to God's guidance." [56:26] (Download)
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