Renewal Through Worship, Confession, and Humility
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound nature of worship and the necessity of confession for a true renewal of our relationship with God. Worship is not limited to music or singing; it encompasses the reading and understanding of God's Word, as well as the act of confession. I shared the story of John Gray, a man from our church who, during a prayer meeting, openly confessed his sins to God, leading others to do the same. This act of humility and confession resulted in a powerful worship experience for all present.
I emphasized the importance of seeing ourselves and God clearly. When we read the Bible, it acts as a mirror, reflecting our true selves and revealing areas where we fall short. This reflection should lead us to confession and a deeper understanding of who God is—a God of justice, truth, love, and mercy. By recognizing our own stubbornness and disobedience, we can approach God with a humble heart, ready to make things right.
I also discussed the significance of fasting, as demonstrated by the children of Israel in Nehemiah 9. Fasting, along with wearing sackcloth and putting dust on oneself, was an outward expression of an inward humility and a desire to confess and draw closer to God. This practice is not about putting on a show but about genuinely seeking to renew our relationship with God.
As we approach Easter, the holiest time of the year, it is a time to reflect on the cross, the hope of resurrection, and to renew our faith. I shared how people of other faiths, such as Jews and Muslims, take their holy days seriously, dedicating time to prayer and fasting, and how we, as Christians, should be inspired to do the same with even greater fervor, given that we serve the one true God.
The message concluded with a call to action, urging each person to examine their own life for stubbornness and to be willing to confess and seek God's help. True revival in our church and nation can only happen when we are collectively right with God.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is more than music; it is an offering of our hearts to God. True worship involves a sacrifice of something precious, as Abraham did with Isaac, and it requires us to give up our pride and confess our sins to God. This act of surrender is a powerful form of worship that can lead to a profound experience of God's presence. [07:48]
- Confession is not just about admitting wrongdoing; it is about recognizing our need for God's mercy and grace. When we confess, we acknowledge our human frailty and our dependence on God's forgiveness. This humility opens the door to a deeper relationship with God and allows us to experience His love and mercy in a more meaningful way. [21:27]
- Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can bring us closer to God. By temporarily giving up something we enjoy, we create space to focus on our relationship with God. Fasting is not about the physical act itself but about the intention behind it—to seek God with a sincere heart and to make room for Him in our lives. [13:01]
- The practice of wearing sackcloth and ashes, as seen in Nehemiah 9, symbolizes a genuine recognition of our sinfulness and a desire to repent. While we may not literally wear sackcloth today, the principle remains: we must be willing to show our true selves before God, stripped of pretenses, and ready to make things right with Him. [15:03]
- True revival begins with personal renewal. It is not enough for a portion of the church to seek God; we need a collective movement towards confession and righteousness. Revival starts in the house of God, with each individual examining their own heart and aligning it with God's will. Only then can we expect to see a transformation in our church and nation. [45:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 9:1-3 (NIV)
> "On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God."
2. Genesis 22:5 (NIV)
> "He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.'"
3. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
> "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the Israelites take to show their humility and desire to confess in Nehemiah 9:1-3?
2. In Genesis 22:5, what did Abraham mean by "worship" when he spoke to his servants?
3. According to 1 John 1:9, what is the result of confessing our sins to God?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites included fasting, wearing sackcloth, and putting dust on their heads as part of their confession process? [14:00]
2. How does Abraham's act of worship in Genesis 22:5 expand our understanding of what worship can entail beyond music and singing? [07:48]
3. What does 1 John 1:9 suggest about God's character in relation to our confession and His forgiveness? [21:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you address that distance, and what role did confession play in your journey back to Him? [02:23]
2. The sermon mentioned that true worship involves a sacrifice of something precious. What is something you hold dear that you might need to surrender to God as an act of worship? [07:48]
3. Fasting was highlighted as a way to draw closer to God. Have you ever fasted? If so, what was the experience like? If not, what might you consider fasting from to focus more on your relationship with God? [13:01]
4. The Israelites wore sackcloth and put dust on their heads to show their humility and repentance. While we may not do this literally today, what are some modern ways we can show our genuine repentance and humility before God? [15:03]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of personal and collective confession for true revival. How can you encourage and participate in a culture of confession within your small group or church community? [45:45]
6. As we approach Easter, how can you make this season a time of genuine reflection and renewal of your faith? What specific steps will you take to focus on the cross and the hope of resurrection? [00:25]
7. The pastor shared a story about a powerful prayer meeting where open confession led to a profound worship experience. How can you create or participate in similar opportunities for open and honest confession in your spiritual community? [42:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Heartfelt Worship Beyond Music
Worship is an intimate and profound expression of one's love and reverence for God. It goes far beyond the bounds of music and song, reaching into the very essence of one's faith and devotion. True worship is found in the daily offerings of our hearts to God, in the sacrifices we make, and in the humility we show before Him. It is about laying down our pride and coming before God with open and honest hearts, ready to confess our sins and shortcomings. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, we too are called to offer something precious in our worship—our will and our way. This act of surrender is not just a powerful form of worship but a transformative experience that draws us closer to the divine presence of God [07:48].
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king." - 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Reflection: What is one thing you can sacrifice this week as an act of worship to God, and how can you implement this sacrifice in your daily routine?
Day 2: The Humility of Confession
Confession is a sacred act that acknowledges our human limitations and our profound need for God's grace and mercy. It is not merely an admission of wrongdoing but a recognition of our dependence on God's forgiveness and love. When we confess, we are not just saying we have failed; we are admitting that we are incapable of living righteously without divine intervention. This humility is what opens the door to a deeper relationship with God, allowing us to experience His love and mercy in a more profound and meaningful way. It is in the moments of our greatest vulnerability that we often feel the closest to God, as we lay bare our souls and seek His healing and restoration [21:27].
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:8-9
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you fell short of God's standards. How can you approach God with a humble heart and confess this sin today?
Day 3: Fasting as Spiritual Focus
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that serves as a means to draw nearer to God. It involves the voluntary abstinence from something enjoyable, such as food or entertainment, to create space for spiritual reflection and connection with God. The act of fasting is not about the physical deprivation itself but about the intention behind it—to earnestly seek God with a sincere heart and to prioritize our spiritual well-being over our physical desires. By setting aside our earthly pleasures, we make room for God in our lives and open ourselves up to His guidance and wisdom. Fasting is a time to refocus our lives on God and to rekindle our passion for His presence [13:01].
"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. - Joel 2:12-13
Reflection: What is one thing you can fast from this week to create more space for God in your life, and what will you do with the time or resources freed up by this fast?
Day 4: Genuine Repentance and Humility
The practice of wearing sackcloth and ashes, as seen in the time of Nehemiah, was a powerful symbol of repentance and humility. It represented a genuine recognition of one's sinfulness and a heartfelt desire to turn back to God. Today, while we may not wear sackcloth, the principle of coming before God in true humility remains. It is about stripping away our pretenses, acknowledging our need for God's mercy, and being willing to make things right with Him. This act of repentance is not for show but a personal and sincere declaration of our intention to change and to live in a way that honors God [15:03].
"Yet when they were ill, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my chest." - Psalm 35:13
Reflection: In what ways have you been wearing a 'mask' to appear righteous before others? How can you practice genuine repentance and humility before God today?
Day 5: Personal Renewal for Revival
True revival begins with personal renewal. It is not sufficient for only a portion of the church to seek God; a collective movement towards confession and righteousness is necessary. Revival starts in the house of God, with each individual examining their own heart and aligning it with God's will. When we collectively turn to God with repentant hearts, we pave the way for a transformation in our church and nation. Personal renewal involves a deep introspection of our lives, a willingness to confess our sins, and a commitment to live according to God's precepts. Only through this process can we hope to experience a true and lasting revival [45:45].
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalm 139:23-24
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need personal renewal, and what practical steps can you take this week to begin this process of revival?
Quotes
"When you read the Word of God, it always pinpoints something out that I'm doing wrong, amen? I cannot not read the Bible, and how many are like that, amen? Where I get nailed on a daily basis, amen? Or the scripture, I'll hear a sermon. But you know, a lot of people are like this, and I'm going to start out with this little object lesson here." [02:43]
"A deep renewal, if we're ever going to have that renewal, if we're going to make our love life back to God here, what we need to be here, it requires an honest confession and humble enough to realize that we need him. Do you realize you need God? You know, God will make you realize you need him." [17:53]
"Fasting is very good for you. Fasting is something every Christian should do. If you're diabetic or you have a problem here, I think you could give up your favorite TV show for a while and get close to God. It's a shame that the Muslims fast more than Christians here, and we can't, in America, can't give up some things for God here." [13:01]
"But when we confess and we humble ourselves, it's actually it could actually be one of the greatest worship services that you ever have without no music, without nothing here, just the word of God, the spirit of God and the confession of God. And you could have the great presence of God like you've never seen it before." [21:27]
"We need to confess it. And we need to see here all these things right here. But look at verse 26 very quickly. Nevertheless, it says they were disobedient. Disobedient, verse 26. Rebelled against thee. Cast thy law behind their backs. Killed the prophets which testified them. They didn't like people telling the truth." [38:13]
"And let me ask you a question. Anybody know your God's merciful? If you only know that your God might be some mean God when you screw up and sin, that's your picture right here. But when you see God as a loving God and a merciful God here and you've got a clear picture of your God here, you say, hey, man, I can tell him anything." [21:27]
"Nevertheless, for thy great mercy's sake, thou did not utterly consume them nor forsake them. Verse 31. Thou art a what? Gracious and merciful God. Now, let me ask you a question. Do we serve a gracious and merciful God? Amen. Do we serve a God that's ready to forgive? Amen." [40:37]
"And again, I'm not being critical, but there was no music at all here. There was just the reading of the Bible, the confession of sin, And we need to have a fresh return of looking to our God this Easter. Who He is. He's the Redeemer. He's the Forgiver. He's the Savior of the world, amen?" [29:39]
"Worship is one form of worship. But let me give you the first cue. And you know where the first time the word worship is used in the Bible here? There was no singing involved. It was in Genesis. The first time the word worship is used is when Abraham and Isaac went up to the mountain and he said to his son, let us go up yonder in the mountain in Genesis and we're going to worship God." [07:48]
"If there's ever going to be a deep renewal with God, it requires honest confession and that we need to be humble enough that we need him. Let me say that again here. If you're ever going to have the type of relationship that you know we need to do because we all fall short, right? The Bible says, for all have sinned and did what? Come short of the glory of God here." [10:17]
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