Living Worship: Embracing Truth and Community in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Worship Must Be Grounded in Truth

True worship is centered on God and anchored in His revealed truth.

John 4:24 says, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Jesus, in His conversation with the woman at the well, redirects the focus of worship from external traditions and locations to the essential need for truth. Worship is not about rituals, preferences, or cultural habits, but about encountering God as He truly is, through the truth He has revealed. This means our gatherings, songs, prayers, and teaching must all be rooted in the reality of who God is and what He has spoken, not just in what feels good or familiar. When we gather, let us remember that our highest aim is to honor God by worshiping Him in spirit and in truth, seeking to know Him as He has made Himself known. [44:01]

John 4:24 (ESV):
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed personal preferences or traditions to shape your worship more than God’s truth? How can you intentionally re-center your worship on God’s revealed truth this week?

Day 2: All Scripture Points to Jesus

The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, ultimately reveals and points us to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself taught that the Scriptures are not an end in themselves, but are meant to lead us to Him. In John 5:39-40, He rebukes the religious leaders for searching the Scriptures but missing the One to whom they point. From the Law and the Prophets to the Gospels and the letters, every part of the Bible is designed to reveal the character, mission, and saving work of Jesus. When we read, study, or hear the Word preached, we are invited to see how every story, command, and promise finds its fulfillment in Christ. This transforms our reading from a mere academic exercise into a living encounter with the Savior Himself. [48:40]

John 5:39-40 (ESV):
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

Reflection: The next time you read or hear a passage of Scripture, ask yourself: How does this point me to Jesus? What new aspect of Christ’s character or work is being revealed to me today?

Day 3: The Preaching of God’s Word Unites and Matures the Church

Faithful teaching from Scripture creates unity and spiritual growth within the church community.

When the early church gathered, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, which was central to their worship and life together. This shared engagement with God’s Word brought them together as a family, fostering unity and providing the foundation for discipleship and maturity. Preaching is not just about information transfer; it is about transformation—helping us grow into mature followers of Jesus who are equipped to live out our faith. As we listen, discuss, and apply the Word together, we are shaped into a people who reflect Christ to the world. [57:51]

Acts 2:42 (ESV):
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you invite to discuss this week’s sermon or Bible passage with you? How might this shared study help you both grow in unity and maturity?

Day 4: The Word of God Corrects, Convicts, and Sanctifies

God’s Word, faithfully proclaimed, is the means by which the Holy Spirit convicts, corrects, and transforms us.

Scripture is not just a source of encouragement; it is also the standard by which our lives are measured and corrected. Through the preaching and teaching of the Word, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin, challenges our misunderstandings, and calls us to deeper obedience. Sometimes this process is uncomfortable, but it is always for our good—shaping us to be more like Jesus. We are called not only to hear the Word, but to let it change us, even when it means being rebuked or redirected. [01:05:57]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV):
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: Is there a recent sermon or passage of Scripture that made you uncomfortable or challenged you? What specific step can you take today to respond to God’s correction or conviction?

Day 5: Personal Engagement with Scripture is Essential

Hearing the Word preached should inspire us to study and examine the Scriptures for ourselves.

The Bereans were commended for eagerly receiving the Word and then examining the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true. God calls each of us not to be passive listeners, but active participants—testing, studying, and applying His Word in our own lives. This personal engagement guards us from error, deepens our faith, and ensures that our worship is truly grounded in truth. Let the teaching you receive on Sunday be a starting point for your own exploration and growth throughout the week. [01:11:41]

Acts 17:11 (ESV):
"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

Reflection: Set aside a specific time this week to read and reflect on a passage from Sunday’s message. What new insight or question arises as you study it for yourself?

Sermon Summary

The one we magnify in worship is also the one who calls us friend, who carries our burdens, and who walks with us in every moment. This is the heart of our gathering: to remember Jesus’ nearness, his power, and his invitation to walk closely with him—not just in moments of worship, but in the everyday rhythms of our lives. Our worship is not confined to a single hour or a single room; it is meant to shape how we live, with humility, courage, and a deep desire to reflect Christ well.

As a church, we are called to be more than a weekly gathering. We partner with ministries like Athletes in Action, recognizing that God is at work in places we might not expect—on campuses, in sports, and through relationships. The story of Athletes in Action in Quebec is a testimony to how God uses ordinary people, unlikely candidates, to reach others through the universal languages of sport, food, and community. The invitation is open for all of us to participate, whether by serving, sharing a meal, or simply being present in the lives of others.

At the core of our worship is the pursuit of truth. We gather not as a social club or a charitable organization, but as a people seeking to worship God in spirit and in truth. Jesus himself taught that true worship is grounded in truth, and he identified God’s word as that truth. The authority of Scripture—both Old and New Testaments—comes from Christ, who affirmed and fulfilled the Scriptures and commissioned his followers to teach as he taught.

Preaching and teaching from God’s word is central to our worship because it unites us, matures us, convicts and sanctifies us, corrects our misunderstandings, connects us to divine authority, and stimulates our own study of Scripture. This is not about elevating the preacher, but about grounding our lives and our worship in the truth that God has revealed. We are called to value thoughtful, skilled preaching and to hold those who teach accountable, always measuring what is taught against the whole counsel of God’s word. Our worship, in all its forms, must be rooted in the truth that points us to Jesus and transforms us into his likeness.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is both the object of our worship and the friend who walks with us. True worship is not just about singing or listening, but about living in daily relationship with Christ, allowing his presence to shape our humility, courage, and desire to reflect him in every aspect of life. [25:34]
2. God often works through unexpected people and places, using the universal languages of sport, food, and community to reach hearts. Our willingness to serve, even in simple ways, can become a powerful means for others to encounter Jesus and experience transformation. [30:43]
3. The foundation of our worship is truth, and that truth is found in God’s word. Jesus affirmed the authority of Scripture and taught that all of it points to him. Our gatherings must be centered on the faithful teaching of the Bible, not as an end in itself, but as a means to encounter Christ and be conformed to his image. [45:59]
4. Preaching and teaching from Scripture is not merely a tradition, but a vital practice that unites the church, matures believers, convicts hearts, and corrects misunderstandings. The proclamation of God’s word is a primary way the Holy Spirit brings conviction, sanctification, and growth in the life of the church. [56:35]
5. Every believer is called to engage personally with God’s word, not just to receive teaching passively. The goal of preaching is to stimulate deeper study, reflection, and obedience, so that the truth of Scripture becomes a living reality in our lives and communities. We must hold our teachers accountable and measure all teaching against the whole counsel of God’s word. [71:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:58] - Opening Prayer: Jesus Our Friend
[26:56] - Announcements and Dismissal of Children
[28:13] - Athletes in Action: Ministry Update
[31:20] - God at Work Through Sports Ministry
[33:49] - Invitation to Serve and Get Involved
[36:15] - Prayer for Athletes in Action
[38:45] - Reflections on Worship Traditions
[41:21] - The Center of Worship: Preaching and Truth
[45:59] - Why Preaching Matters: Authority of Scripture
[50:00] - All Scripture Points to Jesus
[53:16] - Teaching as the Heart of Early Church Worship
[56:35] - What Preaching Accomplishes
[72:55] - Approaches to Preaching: Tradition and Practice
[80:59] - Valuing and Holding Accountable Preaching
[86:06] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 4:23-24 (ESV) — > "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

2. 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)
> "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

3. Acts 17:11 (ESV)
> "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

Observation Questions

In John 4:23-24, what does Jesus say is required of true worshipers? What does it mean to worship “in spirit and truth”?
According to 2 Timothy 4:2, what are the responsibilities of someone who preaches or teaches God’s word?
In Acts 17:11, how did the Bereans respond to the teaching they received? What stands out about their approach?
The sermon described worship as something that shapes our daily lives, not just what happens in a church service. What examples were given of how worship can go beyond Sunday mornings? [[25:34]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasizes both “spirit” and “truth” in worship? What might happen if one is missing? [[44:01]]
The sermon said that preaching and teaching from Scripture is central because it unites, matures, convicts, and corrects us. Why is it important for a church to be grounded in the authority of God’s word rather than just tradition or personality? [[45:59]]
The Bereans were praised for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what they were taught was true. What does this say about the role of personal Bible study in the life of a believer? [[01:11:41]]
The story of Athletes in Action in Quebec was shared as an example of God working in unexpected places and through ordinary people. What does this teach us about how God can use us in our everyday lives? [[30:43]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Our worship is not confined to a single hour or a single room; it is meant to shape how we live, with humility, courage, and a deep desire to reflect Christ well.” What is one area of your daily life where you want your worship of Jesus to make a difference this week? [[25:34]]
Athletes in Action uses the “universal languages” of sport, food, and community to reach people. What is one ordinary activity or interest in your life that God could use to connect with others? How might you invite someone into that this month? [[30:43]]
The sermon challenged us to value thoughtful, skilled preaching and to hold teachers accountable by measuring everything against God’s word. How do you personally engage with sermons or Bible teaching? Do you take notes, ask questions, or check the Scriptures for yourself? What could you do to be more active in this? [[01:11:41]]
The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily.” What would it look like for you to make personal Bible reading a regular part of your week? What is one small step you could take to start or grow in this habit? [[01:11:41]]
The sermon said, “Preaching and teaching from God’s word is central to our worship because it unites us, matures us, convicts and sanctifies us, corrects our misunderstandings, connects us to divine authority, and stimulates our own study of Scripture.” Which of these do you most need in your life right now, and why? [[56:35]]
The pastor encouraged the church to serve in simple ways—like sharing a meal or being present in someone’s life. Is there a person or group God is putting on your heart to serve or encourage this week? What is one practical thing you could do? [[33:49]]
The sermon reminded us that “every believer is called to engage personally with God’s word, not just to receive teaching passively.” What is one question or topic from this week’s sermon or Bible reading that you want to explore further on your own? [[01:11:41]]

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