Realigning Our Lives Through Worship and Identity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today's gathering was a powerful reminder of the centrality of Jesus in our lives and the importance of worship. We began by lifting our voices in praise, acknowledging Jesus as the King and the center of it all. This time of worship was not just about singing but about realigning our hearts and minds to focus on Jesus' lordship over our lives. We declared together, "Jesus, I give you that place," emphasizing the need to continually surrender to His authority.
We also discussed the concept of "Operation Make Some Noise," a church initiative aimed at revitalizing our community presence post-COVID. This involves not just physical signs and events but also a spiritual awakening within us. We are called to stir up the gift of God within us, to believe for big things, and to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This spiritual noise is essential for creating an atmosphere of vibrant and deep worship that can impact everyone who walks through our doors.
The sermon then transitioned into a discussion on financial stewardship, using Proverbs 3:5-6 as a foundation. We were reminded to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, especially in the context of our finances. This trust involves acknowledging God in all our ways, including our financial decisions, and believing that He will make our paths successful.
Finally, we delved into the profound theological truths of our identity in Christ. We explored the dual reality of Christ being in us and us being in Christ. This understanding transforms how we live, as we realize that we were in Christ in His death, resurrection, and ascension. This means that our old sinful nature is dead, and we now live a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. All the promises of God are "Yes" in Christ, and we are called to say "Amen" to these promises, living out our new identity with confidence and faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Worship Realigns Our Hearts: Worship is not just about singing songs; it's a powerful act that realigns our hearts and minds to focus on Jesus' lordship over our lives. When we declare "Jesus, I give you that place," we are surrendering our will and acknowledging His authority, which brings peace and clarity to our lives. [25:43]
2. Operation Make Some Noise: This initiative is about more than just physical outreach; it's a call to spiritual awakening. We are encouraged to stir up the gift of God within us, to believe for miracles, and to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual noise creates an atmosphere of vibrant worship that can transform lives. [37:33]
3. Trust in God's Financial Provision: Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, especially in our finances. By acknowledging God in all our ways, including our financial decisions, we invite His guidance and provision, ensuring that our paths are made successful. [42:45]
4. Our Identity in Christ: Understanding that we are in Christ and He is in us transforms how we live. We were in Christ in His death, resurrection, and ascension, meaning our old sinful nature is dead, and we now live a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new identity allows us to claim all the promises of God with confidence. [51:23]
5. All God's Promises Are Yes in Christ: Every promise in the Bible is "Yes" in Christ, and we are called to say "Amen" to these promises. This means that we can live out our new identity with confidence, knowing that we qualify for all the help of heaven, not because of our own merits but because of what Jesus has done. [01:04:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:29] - Moment of Worship
[25:43] - Surrendering to Jesus' Lordship
[26:17] - The Power of Extended Worship
[34:35] - Community and Visitors
[35:41] - Operation Make Some Noise
[37:33] - Spiritual Awakening and Outreach
[42:45] - Trusting God with Finances
[47:28] - Proverbs 3:5-6 in Financial Context
[49:59] - Our Identity in Christ
[51:23] - Christ in Us and Us in Christ
[57:10] - Dying and Rising with Christ
[01:03:56] - All Promises Are Yes in Christ
[01:11:47] - Living Out Our New Identity
[01:21:03] - Divine Power and Promises
[01:29:21] - Closing Prayer and Confession
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. 2 Corinthians 1:20: "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."
3. Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to do with our hearts and understanding, especially in the context of our finances? [42:45]
2. According to 2 Corinthians 1:20, what is the significance of God's promises being "Yes" in Christ? [01:04:49]
3. How does Galatians 2:20 describe the transformation of a believer's life in Christ? [59:17]
4. What was the main purpose of the "Operation Make Some Noise" initiative discussed in the sermon? [37:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding apply to financial stewardship? [42:45]
2. What does it mean for all of God's promises to be "Yes" in Christ, and how should this affect our daily lives? [01:04:49]
3. In what ways does understanding our identity in Christ, as described in Galatians 2:20, change our approach to living a Christian life? [59:17]
4. How can the concept of "Operation Make Some Noise" be seen as a call to spiritual awakening within the church community? [37:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Worship is described as a way to realign our hearts and minds to focus on Jesus' lordship. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [25:43]
2. "Operation Make Some Noise" encourages us to stir up the gift of God within us. What specific steps can you take this week to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit in your life? [37:33]
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 emphasizes trusting God with our finances. What financial decisions do you need to surrender to God, and how can you practically do this? [42:45]
4. Understanding that we are in Christ and He is in us transforms how we live. What old habits or mindsets do you need to "put off" to fully embrace your new identity in Christ? [51:23]
5. The sermon mentioned that all God's promises are "Yes" in Christ. Identify one promise from the Bible that you need to claim in your life right now and explain how you will say "Amen" to it. [01:04:49]
6. Reflect on the idea that our old sinful nature is dead and we now live a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. How can this truth change the way you handle challenges and temptations? [57:10]
7. The sermon discussed the importance of creating an atmosphere of vibrant worship. How can you contribute to this atmosphere in your church or small group? [37:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Realigns Our Hearts
Worship is not just about singing songs; it's a powerful act that realigns our hearts and minds to focus on Jesus' lordship over our lives. When we declare "Jesus, I give you that place," we are surrendering our will and acknowledging His authority, which brings peace and clarity to our lives. Worship is a time to recalibrate our spiritual compass, ensuring that Jesus remains at the center of everything we do. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a continual process of yielding to His lordship, allowing Him to guide and direct our paths. [25:43]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to Jesus today? How can you make worship a daily practice to realign your heart and mind to His lordship?
Day 2: Operation Make Some Noise
This initiative is about more than just physical outreach; it's a call to spiritual awakening. We are encouraged to stir up the gift of God within us, to believe for miracles, and to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual noise creates an atmosphere of vibrant worship that can transform lives. By actively participating in this initiative, we are not only revitalizing our community presence but also igniting a spiritual revival within ourselves and our church. [37:33]
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV): "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to stir up the gift of God within you? How can you contribute to creating an atmosphere of vibrant worship in your community?
Day 3: Trust in God's Financial Provision
Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, especially in our finances. By acknowledging God in all our ways, including our financial decisions, we invite His guidance and provision, ensuring that our paths are made successful. Trusting God with our finances means recognizing that He is our ultimate provider and that His wisdom surpasses our own. [42:45]
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: In what ways can you trust God more with your finances? What practical steps can you take to acknowledge Him in your financial decisions today?
Day 4: Our Identity in Christ
Understanding that we are in Christ and He is in us transforms how we live. We were in Christ in His death, resurrection, and ascension, meaning our old sinful nature is dead, and we now live a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new identity allows us to claim all the promises of God with confidence. Embracing this truth changes our perspective and empowers us to live out our faith boldly. [51:23]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you live daily? What is one promise of God that you need to claim with confidence today?
Day 5: All God's Promises Are Yes in Christ
Every promise in the Bible is "Yes" in Christ, and we are called to say "Amen" to these promises. This means that we can live out our new identity with confidence, knowing that we qualify for all the help of heaven, not because of our own merits but because of what Jesus has done. Embracing this truth empowers us to walk in faith, trusting that God's promises are true and applicable to our lives. [01:04:49]
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to say "Amen" to today? How can you live out this promise with confidence, knowing that it is fulfilled in Christ?
Quotes
1. "You know, there's nothing like a good moment of worship to align our thinking and our hearts back to what matters the most. Isn't that right? Which is Jesus, his lordship, his lordship over our lives. Say this with me this morning. Say, Jesus, I give you that place. Jesus, I give you that place. Jesus, I give you that place. You are worthy. You are worthy right here in this place in Jesus' name." [25:43] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When God's here, anything can happen. And, uh, he knows the desires and the needs of our hearts. Praise the Lord for that. Hallelujah. We've been talking as a church for a couple months now about, uh, what's become termed as operation. Make some noise. You've heard the phrase and you've heard us talking about it. And, uh, this is just this feeling that we've had that, um, I know COVID was a few years ago now, but coming out of that, you know, just trying to stay alive as a church and just kind of going through different things that God was dealing with on the inside of us." [35:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Making a noise spiritually is also about us in here. Stirring up, as the Bible says. Stirring up the gift of God that is within us. To believe God for big things and to believe him for miracles. There's some miracles in our lives. And to believe him for the flame of fire. The fire of God that's on the inside. You know, the Bible talks about that. It's like the flame of the fire of God. And if you think about it, it's our own hearts that the fire of God is over. And we need to fan that into flame. Amen?" [37:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The spirit of God on the inside of you, it does matter. And there's other people that are waiting on the other side of your life being on fire for God. Hallelujah. Isn't that right? I remember in youth group days, we used to hear all the time about being on fire for God. It's like the embers of a person's relationship with God can just kind of dim. You know, and just kind of become like, just kind of, kind of, and it doesn't take much for the enemy just to kind of throw cold water on us sometimes. Isn't that true?" [38:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Some of you know this. Right? You've got to memorize. And it says, lean not on your own. What does it say? Talk to me this morning. Understanding. I want you to think about this in terms of finances. Because it is actually in a financial context in the scripture. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. And don't lean on your way, your own way of thinking. Your natural understanding. Right? And then it says, in all your ways, acknowledge him. And he shall direct your paths. Another translation says, he shall make your ways successful." [43:16] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If I trust him. Acknowledge him in all my ways. I don't lean on my understanding. I acknowledge him in all my ways. He will make our ways successful. It's a good reminder, isn't it? It's a good reminder. Because our culture, the way our financial lives oftentimes are oriented. We spend so much time. We spend so much time in the work world. Isn't that right? We've got to remember. I'm going to pull myself away from that and I'm going to trust in him. Amen. It's a good preaching, Pastor." [44:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The Bible says that you were in Christ when he died. Have you ever heard of that? Have you heard of that reality? That when Jesus died for us, are you glad this morning that was for the punishment of our sin? Isn't that cool? If you're ever tempted to think that God is mad at you about something, uh-uh. All of the wrath of God was poured out upon Jesus. All of the condemnation from sin was poured out upon Jesus when he was on the cross, huh? And so the Bible talks about it that you were in Christ when he died. Are you glad he died for you?" [53:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The Bible says this. It says sin shall not have dominion over you anymore. Think about it. kind of imperfection shall not dominate you anymore. Hallelujah. Say I died with Christ. Say it out. I died with Christ. This is true. Whether you realize it or not, we're mining the depths, the truths of what God has given us. The Bible also says this. That you were in Christ when he rose from the dead. Some of you that are struggling, struggling with like, you know, sin patterns or like, you know, ways of being that you're like, you know, I know I'm better than this, but I keep falling into it." [57:10] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So as, as Jesus rose again from the dead, so you also became a brand new person in God. Huh? That you, just the same way that you died in Christ, you rose again. So the life of God is the life that you live. I'm going to get that screen up here, Sebastian, at this point. Let's go here real quick. We've been talking about this. I want to make sure that we get it. Is this feeding your spirit this morning? Come on, come on. Two holy grunts. Glory to God. I know I said, uh, second Corinthians. We're going to go there in a moment. I want you to go. We're going to go right now to Galatians chapter, Galatians chapter two." [57:51] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "All the promises of God in him are yes. And in him, they are amen, meaning so be it. Okay? To the glory of God through us. Hallelujah. So all the promises, praise the Lord, all the promises in him are yes. Here's what this means. From his perspective, God is saying, yes to you. When you say, is that promise for me? That promise of forgiveness of sin, is that promise for me that I could stand before you completely righteous? Is that true? After all I've done, is that true? Heaven would say, yes, in Christ, it is true. Right? All the promises of God are yes in him." [01:03:56] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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