Intentional Worship: Celebrating Community and God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Worship

Our approach to Sunday gatherings should be intentional and purposeful, not casual or routine. By treating these times as sacred and significant, we honor God and foster a deeper spiritual connection. Many of us have grown accustomed to treating church as a routine, often arriving late, distracted, and critical of the service. This casual attitude can lead us to treat Sunday worship like a buffet, picking and choosing what we like and disregarding the rest. However, this mindset can harm both our spiritual growth and the unity of the church body. Instead, we should approach Sunday gatherings with intentionality and purpose, much like attending a wedding. At a wedding, we don't focus on the food or our personal preferences; we are there to celebrate a significant union. Similarly, our Sunday services should be a celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection, a time to join in something much bigger than ourselves. [05:28]

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind before attending church this Sunday to ensure you are fully present and engaged in worship?

Day 2: Community Celebration

Sunday services are a communal celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection. This is a time to join together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating something much bigger than ourselves. God loves celebrations, as evidenced by the numerous festivals He commanded the Israelites to observe and the Sabbath He instituted. These were times to remember and celebrate God's provision and acts. In our modern context, practices like communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ and the joy of welcoming new believers into the fold. Ultimately, the reason we gather on Sundays is to meet with God alongside our community. It's not about the music or the sermon quality, which can be found elsewhere, but about a real encounter with God and a genuine celebration with our brothers and sisters in Christ. [06:56]

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." (Acts 2:42-43 ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of community and celebration in your church this Sunday?

Day 3: God's Love for Celebrations

God has always valued celebrations, as seen in the festivals He commanded and the Sabbath He instituted. These times were meant to remember and celebrate His provision and acts, reminding us of the importance of communal joy and worship. Reflecting on our Sunday gatherings, it's essential to consider how we approach these sacred times. Many of us have grown accustomed to treating church as a routine, often arriving late, distracted, and critical of the service. This casual attitude can lead us to treat Sunday worship like a buffet, picking and choosing what we like and disregarding the rest. However, this mindset can harm both our spiritual growth and the unity of the church body. Instead, we should approach Sunday gatherings with intentionality and purpose, much like attending a wedding. [06:56]

"On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest." (Leviticus 23:39 ESV)

Reflection: What are some ways you can incorporate the joy of God's celebrations into your daily life?

Day 4: Physical Reminders of Unity

Practices like communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ. They are not just rituals but celebrations of our shared faith and the joy of welcoming new believers into the community. God loves celebrations, as evidenced by the numerous festivals He commanded the Israelites to observe and the Sabbath He instituted. These were times to remember and celebrate God's provision and acts. In our modern context, practices like communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ and the joy of welcoming new believers into the fold. Ultimately, the reason we gather on Sundays is to meet with God alongside our community. [06:56]

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV)

Reflection: How do the practices of communion and baptism deepen your understanding of unity in Christ?

Day 5: True Purpose of Church

The true purpose of attending church is to meet with God alongside our community. It's not about the quality of music or sermons, which can be found elsewhere, but about a real encounter with God and a genuine celebration with our spiritual family. Reflecting on our Sunday gatherings, it's essential to consider how we approach these sacred times. Many of us have grown accustomed to treating church as a routine, often arriving late, distracted, and critical of the service. This casual attitude can lead us to treat Sunday worship like a buffet, picking and choosing what we like and disregarding the rest. However, this mindset can harm both our spiritual growth and the unity of the church body. Instead, we should approach Sunday gatherings with intentionality and purpose, much like attending a wedding. [06:56]

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15 ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your focus during church services is on encountering God and celebrating with your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Reflecting on our Sunday gatherings, it's essential to consider how we approach these sacred times. Many of us have grown accustomed to treating church as a routine, often arriving late, distracted, and critical of the service. This casual attitude can lead us to treat Sunday worship like a buffet, picking and choosing what we like and disregarding the rest. However, this mindset can harm both our spiritual growth and the unity of the church body.

Instead, we should approach Sunday gatherings with intentionality and purpose, much like attending a wedding. At a wedding, we don't focus on the food or our personal preferences; we are there to celebrate a significant union. Similarly, our Sunday services should be a celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection, a time to join in something much bigger than ourselves.

God loves celebrations, as evidenced by the numerous festivals He commanded the Israelites to observe and the Sabbath He instituted. These were times to remember and celebrate God's provision and acts. In our modern context, practices like communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ and the joy of welcoming new believers into the fold.

Ultimately, the reason we gather on Sundays is to meet with God alongside our community. It's not about the music or the sermon quality, which can be found elsewhere, but about a real encounter with God and a genuine celebration with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As we move forward, let's be intentional in our worship and celebration, fully engaging in the communal experience that church offers.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Intentional Worship: Our approach to Sunday gatherings should be intentional and purposeful, not casual or routine. By treating these times as sacred and significant, we honor God and foster a deeper spiritual connection. [05:28]
2. Community Celebration: Sunday services are a communal celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection. This is a time to join together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating something much bigger than ourselves. [06:56]
3. God's Love for Celebrations: God has always valued celebrations, as seen in the festivals He commanded and the Sabbath He instituted. These times were meant to remember and celebrate His provision and acts, reminding us of the importance of communal joy and worship. [06:56]
4. Physical Reminders of Unity: Practices like communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ. They are not just rituals but celebrations of our shared faith and the joy of welcoming new believers into the community. [06:56]
5. True Purpose of Church: The true purpose of attending church is to meet with God alongside our community. It's not about the quality of music or sermons, which can be found elsewhere, but about a real encounter with God and a genuine celebration with our spiritual family. [06:56]
### [06:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:32] - Casual Approach to Church
[03:57] - Buffet Mentality
[05:28] - Intentional Worship
[06:56] - Celebrating Together
[08:00] - God's Love for Celebrations
[09:30] - Physical Reminders of Unity
[10:45] - True Purpose of Church

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are some common distractions people face when attending Sunday services? [02:32]
How does the sermon describe the "buffet mentality" towards Sunday gatherings? [03:57]
What are the key elements of a wedding celebration that the sermon suggests we should emulate in our Sunday gatherings? [05:28]
According to the sermon, what are some physical reminders of our unity in Christ? [06:56]

Interpretation Questions

How does Hebrews 10:24-25 encourage us to approach our Sunday gatherings differently than we might currently be doing?
In what ways does Psalm 122:1 reflect the attitude we should have towards attending church?
How do the practices of communion and baptism serve as physical reminders of our unity in Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [06:56]
What does the sermon suggest is the true purpose of attending church, and how does this align with the Bible passages we read? [06:56]

Application Questions

Reflect on your typical Sunday morning routine. What specific changes can you make to approach Sunday gatherings with more intentionality and purpose? [02:32]
Think about a recent Sunday service you attended. Did you find yourself treating it like a buffet, picking and choosing what you liked? How can you shift your mindset to fully engage in the entire service? [03:57]
How can you contribute to the communal celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection during Sunday services? What specific actions can you take to foster a sense of unity and joy? [05:28]
God loves celebrations and has instituted various festivals and the Sabbath for His people. How can you incorporate a sense of celebration and remembrance into your weekly routine, not just on Sundays? [06:56]
Communion and baptism are significant practices in the church. How can you prepare your heart and mind to fully participate in these sacraments, recognizing their importance in our shared faith? [06:56]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of meeting with God alongside our community. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of community within your church? Are there specific people you can reach out to or activities you can join to strengthen these bonds? [06:56]
Reflect on the reasons you attend church. Is it for the music, the sermon, or something else? How can you realign your focus to prioritize a genuine encounter with God and a celebration with your spiritual family? [06:56]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "Sunday gatherings are a really special time when we get to come together with our community, our brothers and sisters, and the body of Christ, and we get to celebrate and worship God together. I think most of us approach this time on Sundays pretty casually. Many of us have grown up in church our whole lives. Church is just what we do. It's a routine." [01:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What if we started approaching our Sunday gatherings this way? Like we weren't there just to go through the motions or to judge what's happening, but we chose to be intentional. What if we walked into our Sunday services with purpose and direction? What if we stepped into something much bigger than ourselves and joined in celebrating who Jesus is and what he's done for us and all of creation?" [05:28] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "See, God loves a good party. Jesus's first miracle was at a wedding celebration. God commands seven different yearly festivals that were mandatory for the Israelites to celebrate. In the Torah, each one has to do with commemorating something that God's done for them. He clearly wants his people to celebrate. He also gave them the Sabbath every single week." [06:20] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The reason we go to church is to meet with God alongside our brothers and sisters. That's the thing that you can't get anywhere else. A real encounter, a real celebration alongside our community. We go to church to love God and to love people." [07:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "Approaching Sunday morning gatherings like a buffet will harm you, and it will harm the body of Christ. What if we were more intentional about the way that we approach Sunday gatherings? What if we approached it more like a wedding? You don't get to choose the food. They might even serve fish, but you hate fish. Are you going to refuse to dance or to eat cake or to talk to the bride and groom just because they served you something you didn't like?" [04:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we take communion together, this is a physical reminder that we share in the body and blood of Jesus and that he is where, we find our unity. When we observe baptism, we are celebrating a prodigal son that has finally come home." [06:56] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So let me ask you something. Why do you go to church? If it's for good music, you can find music that you like better at bigger churches within 10 miles of ABC. If it's for speaking, you can find sermons that you prefer more on a TED talk, or you can listen to some of the best preachers in the world with just a few clicks of a mouse." [07:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "See, I think our default human setting is that we approach Sunday gatherings like we would a buffet. We grab our plates and we start loading up on the food that we like. At a buffet, we might go over to the food serving area and we might grab some chicken or maybe some shrimp. Oh, there's fish. I hate fish, so I don't want any of that." [03:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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