Reorienting Our Hearts: Centering Worship on Christ
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a community to intentionally pause and reorient our hearts and minds around Jesus Christ. In a world that constantly demands our attention and busyness, we chose to be still, to remember that God is God and we are not. We acknowledged that while we often strive for control in our lives, true peace and joy come from surrendering to the One who reigns above it all. Through worship, prayer, and moments of silence, we opened ourselves to God’s presence, inviting Him to speak to us both individually and as a church family.
We reflected on the reality that everyone worships something, but it is our choice to center our worship on Jesus. By doing so, we experience the fullness of life He offers—a life that cannot be taken away, regardless of our circumstances. We prayed for God to thin the veil between us and Himself, recognizing that it is often our own barriers that keep us from deeper intimacy with Him. In stillness, we asked the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God, and we invited Him to speak words of encouragement, challenge, or direction.
As a practical expression of listening, we took time to share words or impressions that God placed on our hearts, both for ourselves and for our community. This act of collective reflection reminded us that God is actively at work among us, shaping us by His Spirit and producing fruit such as love, peace, patience, and gentleness. We concluded by participating in a church-wide survey, a “snapshot” that helps us discern where we are as a community and how God is leading us into the future. Through all these practices, we reaffirmed our commitment to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to listen for His voice, and to walk together in faith and hope.
Key Takeaways
- True worship is not just about singing or attending church, but about intentionally orienting every part of our lives around Jesus. In a world full of distractions and competing loyalties, choosing to center our hearts on Christ is a daily act of surrender and trust. This reorientation brings clarity and purpose, reminding us who truly sits on the throne of our lives. [22:45]
- Stillness before God is a spiritual discipline that opens us to His presence and voice. When we quiet our souls and set aside our need for control, we create space for God to speak, heal, and guide us. In the silence, we are reminded that He is God and we are not, and that His wisdom far surpasses our own understanding. [25:33]
- The barriers that separate us from God are often of our own making—habits, fears, or distractions that we allow to come between us and Him. Praying for God to “thin the veil” is an act of humility, inviting Him to reveal and remove anything that hinders our relationship. This vulnerability before God leads to deeper intimacy and peace. [27:43]
- Listening for God’s voice is not just an individual pursuit, but a communal one. When we share what God is saying to us—whether a word, a scripture, or an impression—we build each other up and discern together how the Spirit is leading our community. This practice fosters unity and helps us recognize the diverse ways God speaks among us. [31:10]
- Regular reflection on who we are as a church community is vital for spiritual growth and faithful stewardship. By taking time to “take a snapshot” of our congregation, we honor the stories and journeys of each person, and we seek God’s direction for the future. This collective discernment ensures that our mission remains aligned with God’s purposes and that we move forward together in hope. [01:10:27]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[20:43] - Celebrating Life Over Death
[22:45] - Choosing Whom We Worship
[25:33] - The Power of Stillness
[26:28] - Personal Reflection and Prayer
[27:43] - Thinning the Veil: Removing Barriers
[28:36] - Inviting the Holy Spirit
[30:02] - Listening for God’s Word
[31:10] - Sharing What God Is Saying
[32:42] - Community Reflection
[34:55] - Worship: How Great Thou Art
[01:09:53] - Reflecting on Our Church Community
[01:10:27] - The Five-Year Church Snapshot
[01:13:36] - Gratitude and Closing
[01:16:30] - End
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Reorienting Our Lives Around Jesus
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### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
2. Zechariah 2:13
“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” [22:45]
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Zechariah 2:13, what is the reason given for being silent before the Lord? [22:45]
2. In the sermon, what are some of the ways the church practiced stillness and listening for God’s voice together? [25:33]
3. What does the pastor say about the things that create a “veil” between us and God? Who is responsible for these barriers? [27:43]
4. What fruit of the Spirit did the pastor mention as evidence of God’s presence among the community? [34:55]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might God ask us to “be still” or “be silent” before Him? What does this reveal about our relationship with Him? (Psalm 46:10, Zechariah 2:13)
2. The sermon says, “everyone worships something, but it is our choice to center our worship on Jesus.” What are some things people might worship instead of Jesus, and why is this choice so important? [22:45]
3. The pastor prayed for God to “thin the veil” between us and Himself. What does it mean for God to “thin the veil,” and how does this relate to our own actions or attitudes? [27:43]
4. When the church shares what God is saying to them as a group, how does this help the community grow in unity and faith? [31:10]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about intentionally pausing to reorient our hearts around Jesus. What is one practical way you could create space for stillness with God in your daily or weekly routine? [25:33]
2. The pastor said, “everyone worships something.” Is there something in your life right now that is competing for your attention or loyalty instead of Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [22:45]
3. The prayer asked God to reveal any “veils” or barriers we have put between ourselves and Him. Can you identify a habit, fear, or distraction that is keeping you from deeper intimacy with God? What step could you take this week to address it? [27:43]
4. The church practiced listening for God’s voice and then sharing words or impressions with each other. Have you ever sensed God speaking to you—through a word, scripture, or impression? How could you share that with someone in your life or in this group? [31:10]
5. The fruit of the Spirit—love, peace, patience, gentleness—was mentioned as evidence of God’s work among us. Which of these do you most want to see grow in your life right now? What is one specific action you could take to cultivate it this week? [34:55]
6. The church took a “snapshot” to reflect on who they are as a community and where God is leading them. When was the last time you reflected on your own spiritual journey? What is one area where you sense God inviting you to grow or change? [01:10:27]
7. The sermon ended with a commitment to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and walk together in faith and hope. What is one way you can encourage someone else in this group to keep going in their faith this week? [01:13:36]
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Devotional
Day 1: Death Has Lost Its Grip—Celebrating Life in Christ
Because of Jesus, we have been given eternal life that cannot be taken away, no matter what circumstances we face. This truth brings deep joy and gratitude, overflowing into praise and worship. When we remember that death no longer holds power over us, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and a renewed sense of hope. Let this assurance anchor your soul today, knowing that Christ’s victory is your victory. [20:43]
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV)
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reflection: What is one way you can express gratitude to God today for the eternal life and victory over death you have in Jesus?
Day 2: Be Still and Know—Embracing God’s Sovereignty
In the midst of our busy and often chaotic lives, we are called to pause, be still, and remember that God is in control. No matter how much we try to manage or control our circumstances, it is Jesus who reigns above it all. Taking intentional moments of stillness allows us to realign our hearts, acknowledge His sovereignty, and find peace in His presence. [22:45]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Reflection: When can you intentionally pause today to be still before God and acknowledge His control over your life?
Day 3: Silent Before the Lord—Attentiveness in God’s Presence
There is a sacredness in silence before God, a posture of reverence and attentiveness that opens our hearts to hear His voice. Just as a teacher asks for quiet so students can listen and learn, God invites us to quiet our souls so we can pay attention to what He is saying to us individually and as a community. In these moments of silence, we become more aware of His presence and guidance. [25:33]
Zechariah 2:13 (ESV)
“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Reflection: What distractions can you set aside today to create space for silent attentiveness to God’s voice?
Day 4: Removing the Veil—Opening Our Hearts to God
We often create barriers between ourselves and God—veils of our own making that steal our peace and hinder deeper love. Yet God desires nothing to stand between us and Him. By inviting the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal these barriers, we can ask God to thin the veil and open ourselves fully to His presence, love, and gentle correction. [27:43]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
“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!”
Reflection: What is one barrier you sense between you and God today, and how can you invite Him to remove it?
Day 5: Listening for God’s Word—Personal and Communal Reflection
God speaks to us both as individuals and as a community, often placing a word or impression on our hearts that can guide, encourage, or challenge us. By taking time to reflect and listen, we become more receptive to the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit. Sharing these words with others can also build up the church and help us discern God’s direction together. [31:10]
James 1:22 (ESV)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Reflection: What word or impression do you sense God speaking to you today, and how can you act on it or share it with someone else?
Quotes
We can pay attention to what God might be saying to us as individuals, maybe to us as families, and us as a church community. [00:26:13] (15 seconds)
And so we're going to do that in several ways this morning. But to begin with, we're going to stop and pause and just spend a few moments in personal reflection with God, with just us and Him. Is that all right? [00:26:28] (20 seconds)
There's a prayer that we're going to start with, and it's going to come on the screen. I'm going to read it to us. It's by a New Zealand poet, theologian, songwriter, Amstron Coleman. And we're going to see that on the screen now. We're going to read that together. [00:27:09] (19 seconds)
That you would remove anything that stands between us and you. Lord, you put nothing in between us, Lord, but we put things there for whatever reason. [00:28:11] (17 seconds)
And as we continue to allow just a couple more moments, I wonder if you can sum up, maybe there's a word that God is laying on your heart. [00:31:19] (17 seconds)
now i wonder if you'd be willing to share and we're going to do this in a way that's anonymous but we can all participate uh we're going to do um have an opportunity to scan a qr code that's going to be on the screen and if you had a particular word that stood out to you or a particular word that you think could summarize what god was saying we'd love you to share that with us and we gave our online community the opportunity to do this a few minutes ago in our service so hopefully they're traveling along and tracking with us we're going to put that on the screen right now as well and i encourage you to scan that code uh we're going to it's not going to take too long so i encourage you if you want to participate you do that as quickly as you can and then we're going to see uh some of the words that god might be saying to us as people [00:32:42] (61 seconds)
As we continue to keep this up for a little bit longer, we're going to continue to orient ourselves, continue to worship. The team are going to sing a beautiful song that encourages us to set our eyes on Him. [00:35:14] (19 seconds)
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