Rekindling Passion for the Cross Through Worship

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound and timeless truth of Christ crucified, emphasizing the importance of internal spiritual maturity over external stimulation. We began by reflecting on the power of worship and the joy of joining with the heavenly chorus in praising God. This act of worship is not just a ritual but a profound connection with the divine, reminding us of the eternal significance of the cross. If the thought of Christ's sacrifice no longer moves us, it is a call to examine our hearts and rekindle our passion for the gospel.

We discussed the shift in church culture over the decades, where the focus has moved from the simple, powerful proclamation of God's Word to a reliance on dynamic presentations and external motivators. This shift has placed undue pressure on leaders to entertain rather than simply declare the truth. Historically, believers approached worship with reverence, preparing their hearts to encounter God. Today, we are challenged to return to that place of awe and anticipation, where the Word of God alone is enough to stir our hearts.

Paul's example of coming in weakness, fear, and trembling serves as a reminder of the gravity of preaching the gospel. It is not about eloquence or human wisdom but about the demonstration of the Spirit's power. This power transforms lives, leading to genuine, lasting change. We are called to rely on the Spirit, recognizing our own limitations and the immense responsibility of conveying the message of the cross.

As we read the account of Christ's crucifixion, we are invited to feel the weight of His sacrifice anew. The story of Jesus' suffering and death is not just historical but deeply personal, calling us to respond with our whole lives. In a world that often numbs our emotions, we are encouraged to allow the Word of God to pierce our hearts, leading us to a place of genuine surrender and commitment to follow Jesus as Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- Worship is a profound act of joining with heaven in praising God, reminding us of the eternal significance of the cross. If the thought of Christ's sacrifice no longer moves us, it is a call to examine our hearts and rekindle our passion for the gospel. [14:58]

- The shift in church culture from simple proclamation to dynamic presentations has placed undue pressure on leaders to entertain. We are challenged to return to a place of awe and anticipation, where the Word of God alone is enough to stir our hearts. [18:12]

- Paul's example of coming in weakness, fear, and trembling highlights the gravity of preaching the gospel. It is not about eloquence or human wisdom but about the demonstration of the Spirit's power, which transforms lives and leads to genuine, lasting change. [22:32]

- The story of Jesus' suffering and death is deeply personal, calling us to respond with our whole lives. In a world that often numbs our emotions, we are encouraged to allow the Word of God to pierce our hearts, leading us to genuine surrender and commitment. [50:21]

- We are made to feel, weep, and rejoice, but modern distractions can numb our humanity. We must ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His, allowing us to experience the crucifixion and our salvation anew, with a love that is continually stirred by His Word. [51:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:29] - Joining Heaven in Worship
- [15:22] - The Tragedy of a Numb Heart
- [16:18] - Maturing Beyond External Hype
- [17:24] - The Shift in Church Culture
- [18:59] - Preparing Our Hearts for Worship
- [20:04] - Paul's Example of Weakness
- [22:06] - The Power of the Spirit
- [23:08] - The Fear of God in Preaching
- [24:17] - Eternal Destinies at Stake
- [26:09] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
- [27:06] - The Spirit's Indwelling
- [28:13] - The Divine Encounter
- [29:45] - Faith in the Power of God
- [31:39] - A Lasting Transformation
- [32:33] - Replacing Prayer with Talent
- [34:39] - The Power of Simplicity
- [35:25] - Reading the Crucifixion Story

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
2. Luke 22:39-47

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, how does Paul describe his approach to preaching the gospel? What does he emphasize as the source of power in his message?

2. According to the sermon, what shift in church culture has occurred over the decades, and how has it affected the way leaders present the gospel? [17:24]

3. In Luke 22:39-47, what significant event takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, and how does Jesus respond to the situation?

4. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in connecting with the divine and reminding us of the significance of the cross? [14:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Paul's example of coming in "weakness, fear, and trembling" teach us about the nature of preaching and the reliance on the Spirit's power? [22:32]

2. How does the sermon suggest that modern distractions can numb our emotions, and what impact does this have on our spiritual lives? [51:13]

3. In what ways does the sermon challenge us to return to a place of awe and anticipation in worship, where the Word of God alone is enough to stir our hearts? [18:12]

4. How does the story of Jesus' suffering and death in Luke 22:39-47 call us to respond with our whole lives, according to the sermon? [50:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current approach to worship. Do you find yourself relying on external stimulation to feel connected to God? How can you cultivate a deeper internal spiritual maturity? [15:22]

2. Consider the shift in church culture discussed in the sermon. How can you personally contribute to a church environment that values the simple proclamation of God's Word over dynamic presentations? [17:24]

3. In what ways can you allow the Word of God to pierce your heart and lead you to genuine surrender and commitment to follow Jesus as Lord? [50:21]

4. Identify any modern distractions in your life that may be numbing your emotions and hindering your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus on your relationship with God? [51:13]

5. How can you emulate Paul's example of relying on the Spirit's power in your own life, especially when sharing the gospel with others? [22:32]

6. Reflect on a time when the story of Christ's crucifixion deeply moved you. How can you rekindle that passion and allow it to impact your daily life and decisions? [14:58]

7. What practical steps can you take this week to prepare your heart for worship, ensuring that you approach it with reverence and anticipation? [18:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Rekindling Passion for the Gospel
Worship is a profound act of joining with heaven in praising God, reminding us of the eternal significance of the cross. If the thought of Christ's sacrifice no longer moves us, it is a call to examine our hearts and rekindle our passion for the gospel. Worship is not merely a ritual but a deep connection with the divine, inviting us to experience the joy of joining the heavenly chorus. When our hearts grow numb to the sacrifice of Christ, it signals a need for introspection and renewal of our spiritual fervor. The cross is central to our faith, and its significance should continually stir our hearts and inspire our devotion. [14:58]

"Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: 'We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.'" (Lamentations 3:41-42, ESV)

Reflection: When was the last time you felt deeply moved by the story of Christ's sacrifice? What steps can you take today to rekindle your passion for the gospel?


Day 2: Returning to Awe and Anticipation
The shift in church culture from simple proclamation to dynamic presentations has placed undue pressure on leaders to entertain. We are challenged to return to a place of awe and anticipation, where the Word of God alone is enough to stir our hearts. Historically, believers approached worship with reverence, preparing their hearts to encounter God. Today, the challenge is to strip away the distractions and rediscover the power of God's Word in its simplicity. This return to awe is not about rejecting modern methods but about prioritizing the transformative power of Scripture over external stimulation. [18:12]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart to encounter God in worship this week, focusing solely on His Word?


Day 3: The Spirit's Power in Weakness
Paul's example of coming in weakness, fear, and trembling highlights the gravity of preaching the gospel. It is not about eloquence or human wisdom but about the demonstration of the Spirit's power, which transforms lives and leads to genuine, lasting change. This approach reminds us that the effectiveness of the gospel message does not rely on human strength but on the Spirit's work. Embracing our weaknesses allows God's power to be fully displayed, leading to authentic transformation in ourselves and others. [22:32]

"And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Spirit's power rather than your own strength?


Day 4: Responding to the Personal Call of the Cross
The story of Jesus' suffering and death is deeply personal, calling us to respond with our whole lives. In a world that often numbs our emotions, we are encouraged to allow the Word of God to pierce our hearts, leading us to genuine surrender and commitment. The crucifixion is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to live in response to Christ's sacrifice. This call to surrender challenges us to examine our lives and align them with the transformative power of the cross. [50:21]

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to Jesus today?


Day 5: Experiencing the Crucifixion Anew
We are made to feel, weep, and rejoice, but modern distractions can numb our humanity. We must ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His, allowing us to experience the crucifixion and our salvation anew, with a love that is continually stirred by His Word. This call to emotional engagement with the gospel invites us to move beyond intellectual understanding to a heartfelt response. By seeking God's perspective, we open ourselves to a deeper experience of His love and the reality of the cross. [51:13]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions in your life are numbing your emotional response to the gospel, and how can you address them today?

Quotes


If the cross and thought of Christ being crucified no longer moves you that is such a tragic thing, if you need someone else a more Dynamic speaker to preach Christ crucified before you're stirred that's a dangerous thing that's a scary thought because something should be moving inside of you. [00:15:22]

The more your inner person matures the more you mature internally the less you need external hype to motivate you have you noticed that so so if Michael says Hey Francis just go in that room back there let's pray the Lord's Prayer together come on Bill let's let's take communion together yeah let's go let's go let's go. [00:16:18]

For centuries people would come and go oh we're going to break bread we're going to break bread we're going to take the cup as a as a family we're going to recite the very Lord's Prayer the same words that came out of Jesus's mouth we're going to say them together we're going to say the same liturgies. [00:17:24]

Something changed in that era where where for for centuries it was enough for someone to read from this book and just to declare the truth and lay it out when you look at the prophets they just they just said it but then something changed and now it's like now I've got to say it dynamically. [00:18:12]

Paul says when I came to you I I just resolved to know nothing I wasn't pressured by these super Apostles and their eloquent speeches I said I'm just going to come I'm going to preach Christ and him crucified in verse three he says I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. [00:20:04]

I have not come with enough weakness enough fear enough trembling I come with this confidence in the it's like I have confidence in the thing that's actually has no power and I lack confidence in the thing that actually does that I can actually read the word and there'd be power to it. [00:23:08]

It's not the fear and trem Ling of oh it's such a big crowd and people are watching from around the world I'm nervous that's not at all what Paul's talking about he's talking about a fear of God he's talking about I could actually empty the cross of its power it's about when it hits you. [00:24:17]

Paul says I come in weakness and fear and trembling because I'm I'm about to preach the gospel this could take you out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light this could you could tonight somehow God opens your eyes to his Beauty when you think wait that was my Creator on the cross. [00:26:09]

My speech and my message were not imp plausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the spirit and of power so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of God but in the power of God this is the difference between oh he was so good and and that was so powerful. [00:27:06]

I'm just concerned and I think a lot of us are that in our modern Church in America we've we've replaced prayer and fasting with Talent you know and and there's a there's a contentment with a lot of people like they're they're okay with it um but I'm also excited because it seems like something's happening. [00:32:33]

We need people people's Inner Man to be changed because when you change from the inside you don't need all the external stuff you're everything in you is going oh I'd love to be in a room breaking bread with you I'd actually prefer that I'd love to be in a room where someone's just whoa reading from that book. [00:34:39]

The Bible says that the word of God is living and active and it's sharper than a two-edged sword that somehow just the words themselves they don't return void they actually enter in you they pierce you and I just wonder maybe tonight as I was reading the story of what your god did on the cross. [00:51:13]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?