Obedience, Worship, and Servanthood: A Call to Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today's message emphasizes the importance of obedience and worship in our walk with God. God is not impressed by our titles or positions within the church; what moves Him is our obedience and faith. Obedience often requires faith because it involves trusting God without knowing all the details. Jesus serves as our ultimate example of how to live a life fully human yet fully submitted to God. He faced temptations and challenges just like us but overcame them by relying on the Word of God.
The sermon also highlights the significance of worship, particularly through singing. Singing to the Lord is a command found throughout Scripture, and it is an act of worship that everyone is called to participate in, regardless of their singing ability. Worship is not about performance but about giving glory to God and acknowledging His goodness and faithfulness.
Furthermore, the message calls us to serve others humbly, just as Jesus did. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in servanthood. We are reminded that our gifts and talents are given by God for His pleasure and purposes, not for our own glory. The presence of God is most powerfully felt when we humble ourselves, lay down our egos, and focus on serving Him and others.
The sermon concludes with a powerful call to worship, encouraging everyone to sing and declare the glory of the Lord, creating an atmosphere where God's presence can move freely and bring healing and transformation.
### Key Takeaways
1. Obedience Requires Faith: Obedience to God often means stepping out in faith without knowing all the details. It involves trusting God’s plan and taking the next step He reveals to us. This kind of faith pleases God and aligns us with His will. [01:50]
2. Jesus as Our Example: Jesus lived a fully human life to show us how to live in complete submission to God. He faced temptations and challenges but overcame them by relying on the Word of God. This demonstrates that we, too, can live a victorious life through obedience and faith. [07:15]
3. The Power of Worship: Worship, especially through singing, is a powerful act of obedience and faith. It is not about how well we sing but about our heart's posture towards God. Singing praises to God invites His presence and brings spiritual breakthroughs. [13:00]
4. Servanthood is True Greatness: True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet and serving those around Him. We are called to lay down our egos and serve humbly, following His example. [41:06]
5. Creating an Atmosphere for God's Presence: When we worship and serve with humility, we create an atmosphere where God's presence can move freely. This brings healing, transformation, and a deeper sense of God's glory in our midst. Our collective voices in worship can shake the foundations and invite God's glory to fill the space. [45:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Obedience Takes Faith
[03:02] - Understanding Theology Through Jesus
[05:30] - Jesus' Humanity and Temptation
[07:15] - Using the Word Against Temptation
[09:06] - Jesus Came to Serve
[11:12] - The Duty of All Believers
[13:00] - The Call to Worship
[15:30] - Singing Praises to God
[17:46] - The Power of Simple Worship
[20:09] - Worship with Expectation
[23:28] - Gifts for God's Pleasure
[26:39] - Letting Go of Idols
[31:13] - The Glory of the Lord
[35:10] - Crying Out in Worship
[39:14] - Serving with Humility
[45:13] - Shaking the Foundations with Worship
[50:48] - Experiencing God's Tangible Glory
[55:30] - Humbling Ourselves Before God
[58:55] - Welcoming God's Presence
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
2. Philippians 2:5-8 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
3. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God?
2. How did Jesus demonstrate servanthood according to Philippians 2:5-8?
3. What does Psalm 96:1-2 command us to do, and why is this significant in the context of worship? [13:00]
4. In the sermon, what is emphasized as more important to God than titles or positions within the church? [01:50]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does obedience to God require faith, and how does this align with Hebrews 11:6? [01:50]
2. How does Jesus' example of humility and servanthood in Philippians 2:5-8 challenge our own attitudes towards serving others? [09:06]
3. What role does singing play in worship according to Psalm 96:1-2, and how does this act of worship invite God's presence? [13:00]
4. How can the act of worship, particularly through singing, create an atmosphere for God's presence to bring healing and transformation? [45:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to step out in faith without knowing all the details. How did this experience strengthen your trust in God? [01:50]
2. Jesus served others humbly, even washing His disciples' feet. What are some practical ways you can serve others in your community or church this week? [09:06]
3. Worship is not about performance but about giving glory to God. How can you shift your focus from how well you sing to the heart posture of your worship? [13:00]
4. Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle with pride or ego. How can you practice humility and servanthood in that area? [41:06]
5. When was the last time you felt God's presence during worship? What was different about that experience, and how can you cultivate a similar atmosphere in your daily life? [45:13]
6. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from an act of service. What specific action can you take this week to serve them humbly, following Jesus' example? [09:06]
7. How can you incorporate more singing and worship into your daily routine, even if you don't consider yourself a good singer? What impact do you think this will have on your spiritual life? [13:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Without Knowing All the Details
Obedience to God often requires stepping out in faith, even when we don't have all the information. This kind of faith means trusting in God's plan and taking the next step He reveals to us. It is an act of surrender, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. When we obey without knowing all the details, we demonstrate our trust in God's wisdom and timing. This kind of faith pleases God and aligns us with His will. [01:50]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith without knowing all the details? How can you take a practical step of obedience today?
Day 2: Jesus' Example of Overcoming Temptation
Jesus lived a fully human life to show us how to live in complete submission to God. He faced temptations and challenges just like we do but overcame them by relying on the Word of God. This demonstrates that we, too, can live a victorious life through obedience and faith. By following Jesus' example, we learn to use Scripture as our weapon against temptation and to trust in God's strength rather than our own. Jesus' life is a testament to the power of living in alignment with God's will. [07:15]
Matthew 4:4 (ESV): "But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Reflection: Think about a recent temptation you faced. How can you use Scripture to combat similar temptations in the future? What specific verse can you memorize to help you in times of struggle?
Day 3: The Heart of Worship Through Singing
Worship, especially through singing, is a powerful act of obedience and faith. It is not about how well we sing but about our heart's posture towards God. Singing praises to God invites His presence and brings spiritual breakthroughs. When we worship with a sincere heart, we create an atmosphere where God's presence can move freely, bringing healing and transformation. Worship is a way to declare God's goodness and faithfulness, and it shifts our focus from our circumstances to His greatness. [13:00]
Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"
Reflection: How can you incorporate singing into your daily worship routine, even if you don't consider yourself a good singer? What song can you sing today to express your gratitude and love for God?
Day 4: Serving Others with Humility
True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet and serving those around Him. We are called to lay down our egos and serve humbly, following His example. Serving others is not about seeking recognition or praise but about reflecting the love and humility of Christ. When we serve with a genuine heart, we honor God and demonstrate His love to those around us. [41:06]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve humbly this week? What specific action can you take to show them the love of Christ through your service?
Day 5: Creating an Atmosphere for God's Presence
When we worship and serve with humility, we create an atmosphere where God's presence can move freely. This brings healing, transformation, and a deeper sense of God's glory in our midst. Our collective voices in worship can shake the foundations and invite God's glory to fill the space. By focusing on God and laying down our egos, we open the door for His presence to work powerfully among us. Worship and service are not just individual acts but communal ones that invite God's tangible glory. [45:13]
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (ESV): "And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,' the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an atmosphere of worship and humility in your church or home? What practical steps can you take to invite God's presence into your daily life and community gatherings?
Quotes
1. "Obedience takes a lot of faith. Because obedience... doesn't know the why. And as soon as I make it about me, I've missed God. Because he doesn't always tell me why. A lot of times, he doesn't even tell me how. That's called faith. If you knew the how, you'd do it yourself. And you'd mess it up. And so God will give you just enough information to take the next step. That's all he wants out of you, is the next step. The obedience." [01:50] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus came through the womb of a woman. So he could be perfectly human in front of us. And live life as a human being. Because if he lived life as God, there's no comparison and he's not an example for me. I can't compete with God. So he came as a human being through the womb of a woman. See that's how... Listen. Jesus always comes through the right door. The devil came through a serpent. But Jesus came through a womb man. Woman. A human with a womb." [05:30] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He used the word. He came back with the word every time. He spoke from the word. He spoke from the power of the word. And he showed the power of the word. He showed us. What was he showing us? He was showing us how to live fully human but fully submitted to Father. And by that, he said, you can do this too. Because if I can do it as a human being, you can do it as a human being. You can do this." [07:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We all say we came to serve until a baby throws up in the floor and somebody asks you to clean it up. It's amazing how spiritual we can get. In front of each other. We can be all up in here just, oh, hallelujah. I used to see, I'm going to say it like it is. Thank you. Hold on. used to be a lady that used to come to this church and every service she would get right here. When I was single. Don't say nothing. Don't be ugly. And oh, she would just worship, just worship, just worship. And every now and then she'd go like this to see if I was watching her." [10:09] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Nobody is above worship. Nobody is too good to worship. Nobody is too good to sing. You sing before the Lord. You say, but I don't sing very good. He didn't say, if you sing very good, worship me. He just said, worship me. Are you hearing what I'm saying? Let me just show you something. Let me show you this real quick. Pastor Steven, you know that little song? Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah." [13:00] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The reason we have a praise team up here and we sit out here is so we can cry one to another. We call it leading. And they do a fabulous job of leading. did an excellent job today of leading us in the presence. What we have to shift is our part. Are y'all with me? We have to shift our part. We have to get better at crying back. We have to get better at saying back to them what they're saying to us." [35:10] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The Bible says their voices shook the temple to its foundations. Their voices, their voices, their voices, y'all shook the temple. We sometimes think it was because God. Was in the house that the temple shook. It wasn't because God was in the house because God is everywhere. If that was the case, everything would be shaken all the time. Your car would be shaken so bad. When you're trying to drive home, you would think all your tires are out of alignment because God is in your car. He's going to get in your car with you." [36:57] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You sometimes you got to lay all your stuff down to look at your neighbor. Say lay it all down. Come on. Just tell us. Tell somebody else. Say lay it all down. Become a servant. Somebody say become a servant. Become a servant. If you're disappointed, be a servant. If you're angry, be a servant. If you're hurt, be a servant. If you're going through problems, still be a servant. Because you can't ever get away from being a servant. Because if you want to be the greatest of all, you got to be the servant of all." [40:25] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Do you think it hurts my ego to walk around here in the morning early on Sunday morning? And flush toilets that people didn't flush? Spray disinfectant on toilets that looked like they needed? Wipe out sinks? You think that hurts my feelings? It's a joy. You know why? Because I'm trying to make it clean and pure. So that when people come in, they don't have stuff distracting them from the presence of the Almighty God." [41:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "In His presence, there's no big guys, and there's no little bitty yous. Come on, y'all. We're all the same height in His presence. At the foot of the cross, we're all the same size. Come on, y'all. Hear what I'm saying. In the glory of the Lord, your title don't matter. In the glory of the Lord, your significance is greatly reduced, because He's all that matters. The doorposts of the temple shook because somebody dared open their mouth and tell God what He had already told them about Himself." [53:52] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?