Transformative Worship: Encountering God and Embracing Change
Summary
Summary:
Good morning, church. Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Brian and Shelby Gilbert to our congregation. Shelby, a Duke University Divinity School student, has felt God's call towards pastoral ministry and will be serving as a ministerial intern here at Asbury until Easter Sunday. We prayed over Shelby and Brian, asking for God's blessings and guidance as they embark on this journey with us.
We are in a season of examining worship and its impact on our lives and the church. Worship is not about receiving blessings but about glorifying God, encountering Jesus, and experiencing transformation. We reflected on Acts 3:1-10, where Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. This story illustrates the transformative power of worship and the Holy Spirit. The lame man, who had been begging for alms, received a miraculous healing that changed his life forever.
Tony Campolo's story about a man with cancer who found peace and joy through prayer, despite not being cured, reminds us that God is a God of transformation. Rick Warren's words, "I want God to change my circumstances. God wants to change me," emphasize that worship is about allowing God to transform us.
We must come to worship with an open heart, expecting to encounter Jesus and be transformed. Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, God has a blessing for each of us. Worship is an opportunity to receive God's love, peace, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We should never take worship for granted but always seek to gather with the people of faith, knowing that God is always moving and shaping us.
David Nasser's story of transformation from a Muslim background to a Christian leader highlights the power of worship and the love of other Christians. His journey reminds us that God is always at work, transforming lives through worship and community.
As we continue to worship, let us come with great expectations, knowing that we are worshiping an audience of one, encountering Jesus, and being transformed by the Holy Spirit. May we never take worship for granted and always seek to be molded into the people God desires us to be.
Key Takeaways:
1. Worship as a Transformative Experience:
Worship is not about receiving blessings but about glorifying God and encountering Jesus. When we gather in worship, we should expect transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation can manifest in various forms, such as physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. [35:38]
2. God's Call to Ministry:
Shelby Gilbert's journey from considering chaplaincy to feeling called to pastoral ministry reminds us that God has a unique calling for each of us. We must be open to His guidance and willing to step into the roles He has prepared for us, trusting that He will equip us for the journey. [09:39]
3. The Power of Prayer and Community:
Tony Campolo's story of a man with cancer finding peace through prayer highlights the importance of prayer and community in our spiritual journey. Even when physical healing does not occur, God can bring emotional and spiritual healing, transforming our hearts and minds. [42:56]
4. Expecting the Unexpected:
The story of the lame man at the temple gate teaches us to come to worship with an open heart, ready to receive whatever blessing God has for us. We may come seeking one thing, but God may have a different, greater blessing in store for us. [57:38]
5. The Role of Worship in Our Lives:
Worship is a vital part of our spiritual journey, providing an opportunity to encounter Jesus and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. We should never take worship for granted but always seek to gather with the people of faith, knowing that God is always moving and shaping us. [59:58]
YouTube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[09:39] - Introduction of Brian and Shelby Gilbert
[10:56] - Prayer for Shelby and Brian
[35:38] - Examining Worship and Its Impact
[36:30] - Worshiping an Audience of One
[37:15] - Prayer for Removing Challenges
[38:15] - Reading from Acts 3:1-10
[39:25] - The First Story of Transformation
[40:36] - Healing of the Lame Man
[41:45] - Prayer for Transformation
[42:56] - Tony Campolo's Story of Healing
[46:19] - Rick Warren on Transformation
[48:07] - Peter and John at the Temple
[50:11] - The Importance of Giving
[52:19] - The Power of Intentionality
[54:08] - The Story of Blind Bartimaeus
[55:22] - Expecting Transformation in Worship
[57:38] - Expecting the Unexpected
[59:58] - The Role of Worship in Our Lives
[01:02:49] - Encountering Jesus in Worship
[01:04:00] - David Nasser's Story of Transformation
[01:12:06] - Paul's Words on Transformation
[01:13:07] - The Importance of Worship
[01:14:53] - Final Prayer and Blessing
[01:15:30] - Sending Off Delegates to Costa Rica
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 3:1-10: The story of Peter and John healing the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man at the temple gate, and how long had he been in that condition? ([39:25])
2. How did Peter and John respond to the man's request for alms? ([40:36])
3. What was the immediate reaction of the man after he was healed? ([40:36])
4. How did the people around the temple react when they saw the healed man? ([40:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the healing of the lame man at the temple gate teach us about the power of the Holy Spirit in worship? ([39:25])
2. How does Tony Campolo's story of the man with cancer illustrate the concept of spiritual healing even when physical healing does not occur? ([42:56])
3. In what ways does the story of David Nasser highlight the transformative power of worship and community? ([01:04:00])
4. How does Rick Warren's statement, "I want God to change my circumstances. God wants to change me," relate to the overall message of the sermon? ([46:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a transformation through worship. What was the situation, and how did it change you? ([35:38])
2. Shelby Gilbert felt a call to pastoral ministry. Have you ever felt a specific calling from God? How did you respond to it? ([09:39])
3. Tony Campolo's story emphasizes the importance of prayer and community. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and community support in your life? ([42:56])
4. The lame man at the temple gate received more than he expected. How can you come to worship with an open heart, ready to receive whatever blessing God has for you? ([57:38])
5. Worship is described as an opportunity to encounter Jesus and be transformed. What steps can you take to ensure you never take worship for granted? ([59:58])
6. David Nasser's story shows the impact of Christian love and community. How can you be a source of transformation for someone in your community? ([01:04:00])
7. Reflect on the fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the sermon. Choose one aspect (love, peace, patience, etc.) and identify a specific action you can take this week to cultivate it in your interactions with others. ([01:00:56])
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Transformative Encounter
Worship is not merely about receiving blessings but about glorifying God and encountering Jesus. When we gather in worship, we should expect transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation can manifest in various forms, such as physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. The story of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful in Acts 3:1-10 illustrates this transformative power. Peter and John, through the Holy Spirit, healed the man, changing his life forever. This miraculous event underscores that worship is an opportunity to experience God's transformative power in our lives. [35:38]
Acts 3:6-8 (ESV): "But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need transformation. How can you open your heart to encounter Jesus in worship and allow the Holy Spirit to bring about that change?
Day 2: Embracing God's Call to Ministry
Shelby Gilbert's journey from considering chaplaincy to feeling called to pastoral ministry reminds us that God has a unique calling for each of us. We must be open to His guidance and willing to step into the roles He has prepared for us, trusting that He will equip us for the journey. Shelby's story is a testament to the importance of listening to God's voice and being obedient to His call, even when it leads us in unexpected directions. This openness to God's call can lead to profound personal and communal transformation. [09:39]
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to a specific task or role. How did you respond, and what steps can you take today to be more open to His guidance in your life?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer and Community
Tony Campolo's story of a man with cancer finding peace through prayer highlights the importance of prayer and community in our spiritual journey. Even when physical healing does not occur, God can bring emotional and spiritual healing, transforming our hearts and minds. This story reminds us that prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God and finding peace, even in the midst of suffering. The support of a faith community can also provide strength and encouragement during difficult times. [42:56]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you support them through prayer and community today?
Day 4: Expecting the Unexpected in Worship
The story of the lame man at the temple gate teaches us to come to worship with an open heart, ready to receive whatever blessing God has for us. We may come seeking one thing, but God may have a different, greater blessing in store for us. This story encourages us to approach worship with a sense of expectancy, knowing that God can work in unexpected ways to bring about transformation in our lives. [57:38]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God surprised you with an unexpected blessing. How can you cultivate an open heart and a sense of expectancy in your worship today?
Day 5: The Role of Worship in Our Lives
Worship is a vital part of our spiritual journey, providing an opportunity to encounter Jesus and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. We should never take worship for granted but always seek to gather with the people of faith, knowing that God is always moving and shaping us. Worship is not just a routine activity but a profound encounter with the divine that can shape our lives in significant ways. [59:58]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you make worship a more intentional and transformative part of your life? What steps can you take to ensure you are fully present and engaged during worship?
Quotes
1. "We are in a season where we are examining worship, the impact of worship, where we're reflecting on what does worship mean for our lives? What does worship mean for the church? What does worship mean for the glory of God's kingdom? Today, we turn to our final message in this series. We've talked about how the great expectation is that we're actually worshiping an audience of one. We are not here to receive and receive and receive. We're not here. We're not here for God necessarily to bless us. We are here to worship the creator, the sustainer, the redeemer of the world." [35:38] (50 seconds)
2. "As we encounter our Lord and savior, as we encounter his spirit, the power of the Holy spirit, then our last expectation is that when we worship together, we will experience transformation." [36:30] (17 seconds)
3. "Friends, our God is all about change. He's a change God. He's a God of transformation. He doesn't leave us where we are. Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church and the author of Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Church, 40 Days of Finding Purpose, he said this about transformation. He said, He said, I want God to change my circumstances. God wants to change me. Right? I want to change my circumstances. God wants to change me." [46:19] (41 seconds)
4. "It's about encountering Jesus and it's about letting Jesus and His power, the power of His Spirit, change our lives. Friends, may we never take worship as an opportunity to experience Jesus, to experience the Holy Spirit, to experience change, to experience change and transformation. May we never take it for granted." [47:32] (26 seconds)
5. "What do you want me to do for you? Friends, I want you to ponder that question. What do you want me to do for you? As we gather for worship every Sunday, as we come together, any time we gather in community on this property, I hope that we're not only seeking the audience of one, but we're also seeking what he can do for us. What do you want me to do for you? We need to name it. We need to call it out. We need to beg for it. We need to ask him. And we need to come with that type of anticipating heart." [55:22] (40 seconds)
6. "Friends, if we want to make sure we're getting all of the blessing God has for us, worship is so important. Whether we're in town, whether we're out of town, whether we're in country or out of the country, may we always seek together with the people of faith because we never know when God will have an extra blessing for us. What do you want me to do for you? Jesus says." [57:01] (32 seconds)
7. "A second point about this passage is to expect, to expect transformation. But to not assume what the transformation will be. Right? That lame man, he didn't go to the temple that morning knowing that he would walk or even anticipating. You know, maybe some days they put him beside the healing pool that was down near the temple. If you ever go to Israel, we'll go to the healing pool. Maybe even touch the water, maybe even get in. But he, sometimes his family and friends took him there. But this wasn't that day. And so he probably had in his mind nothing, no thoughts about healing at all. Just that he needed God's help. And he needed it in the form of provision. And boy did God bless him." [58:10] (60 seconds)
8. "May we never take this worship experience for granted. May we have a great expectation every time we gather together that we're worshiping an audience of one, that He is here, that the Lord Jesus, the risen Lord, is here. We sang about it today. He's right here with us as we sing, as we lift up our prayers, as we hear His living word, as we hear it interpreted. Jesus is here. And may we never discount that Jesus wants to give us a touch, that Jesus wants to transform our lives, that Jesus wants to better change us, into the people He desires us to be." [01:02:49] (50 seconds)
9. "May we never take for granted what God is doing in our midst. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18, he talks about that all of us, the veil has been removed and we all who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory. When Moses came down from the mountain he had encountered the glory of the Lord and his face shone so brightly he had to put a veil on so people could look at him. And that veil became a synonym for the law and so it was considered that they were veiled in the law. But by the law you fell short and you failed time and time again. We who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory, the glory of the Holy Spirit, the glory of encountering Jesus which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." [01:13:07] (65 seconds)
10. "May we never take worship for granted. May we come expecting to worship an audience of one. May we come expecting to encounter Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit. May we come knowing that God's not finished with us yet. We are works in progress. Clay on the potter's wheel. And he wants to transform our lives. He wants to give us a blessing. May we never take it for granted." [01:13:49] (36 seconds)
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