Transforming Worry into Worship Through Surrender and Gratitude
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound connection between worship and worry. We began by acknowledging that everyone has fears, whether they are tangible like spiders or more abstract like the fear of the unknown. Fear can paralyze us, much like my childhood experience with the tarantulas. This paralysis is akin to what worry does to our spiritual lives. The term "worry" itself originates from an old English word meaning to choke or suffocate, which vividly describes how worry can stifle our ability to live freely and worship fully.
We delved into the idea that true worship requires surrender. Until we abandon our will to God's will, our desires to His desires, and our strength to His strength, we cannot fully worship. Worry steals our worship because it shifts our focus from God's greatness to our problems. Worship, on the other hand, is about ascribing worth to God, recognizing His power, and celebrating His deeds in our lives. When we worry, we are not truly worshiping because our minds are preoccupied with our fears rather than God's faithfulness.
We also discussed the importance of daily worship, not just on Sundays. Worship should be a continuous act of recognizing God's worth in every aspect of our lives. The song "Doxology" by Thrive Music encapsulates this idea beautifully, reminding us that God has done great things and is not done yet. We are here on this earth to worship Him, and this should be reflected in our daily lives.
Joy, unlike happiness, is not dependent on external circumstances but on the internal presence of the Holy Spirit. This joy allows us to worship God with gladness, even in the midst of trials. We are called to trust in the steadfastness of God's love, which endures forever. This trust enables us to face life's challenges without fear or worry.
Finally, we emphasized the need to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing God's blessings in both small and large ways. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and acknowledging this helps us to live a life of continuous worship. By doing so, we defeat worry and live in the joy and peace that God intends for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Worry Paralyzes Worship: Worry can choke our spiritual lives, making it difficult to focus on God. When we worry, we are not truly worshiping because our minds are preoccupied with our fears rather than God's faithfulness. Worship requires us to shift our focus from our problems to God's greatness. [41:24]
2. Surrender Precedes Worship: True worship requires us to surrender our will, desires, and strength to God. Until we do this, we cannot fully worship. Surrendering to God allows us to trust Him completely, which is essential for genuine worship. [43:45]
3. Daily Worship: Worship should not be confined to Sundays but should be a continuous act of recognizing God's worth in every aspect of our lives. This daily worship helps us to live in a state of gratitude and joy, acknowledging God's blessings continuously. [46:04]
4. Joy vs. Happiness: Joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on the internal presence of the Holy Spirit. This joy allows us to worship God with gladness, even in the midst of trials. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is enduring because it is rooted in our relationship with God. [49:42]
5. Cultivating Gratitude: Recognizing God's blessings, both small and large, helps us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and acknowledging this helps us to live a life of continuous worship. By doing so, we defeat worry and live in the joy and peace that God intends for us. [01:06:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:08] - Introduction to Fear and Worry
[38:51] - Childhood Fear Story
[41:24] - The Paralyzing Effect of Worry
[42:26] - The Importance of Surrender
[43:45] - Worry Steals Worship
[45:21] - Daily Worship and the Doxology
[46:44] - God's Continuous Work
[47:20] - Created to Worship
[48:20] - Joy vs. Happiness
[49:42] - Joy in Worship
[50:58] - Trusting God's Enduring Love
[52:14] - God's Mercy and Grace
[53:35] - Trials and Trust
[55:28] - Overcoming Worry with Trust
[56:25] - God's Comfort in Hard Times
[57:18] - The Doxology Explained
[58:47] - Recognizing God's Blessings
[01:00:24] - Worship and Worry
[01:01:12] - Every Good Gift is from Above
[01:02:22] - Worship Defeats Worry
[01:03:56] - God's Divine Blessings
[01:06:18] - Cultivating Gratitude
[01:07:09] - Salvation Invitation
[01:08:30] - Hope for the Future
[01:09:35] - Living a Life of Integrity and Worship
[01:10:27] - Worthiness of God
[01:11:21] - Worship Together
[01:16:38] - Prayer of Commitment
[01:17:43] - Invitation to Trust Christ
[01:19:30] - Overcoming Worry with Worship
[01:20:14] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV) - "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."
2. James 1:17 (NIV) - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
3. Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV) - "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 100:1-2, how should we approach worshiping the Lord? What emotions and actions are highlighted?
2. What does James 1:17 tell us about the nature of God's gifts and His character?
3. In Philippians 2:10-11, what is the ultimate response of all creation to Jesus Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of joy in Psalm 100:1-2 differ from the idea of happiness as discussed in the sermon? ([49:42])
2. Why is it significant that James 1:17 emphasizes that God does not change? How does this relate to our trust in Him during times of worry? ([01:01:12])
3. What does Philippians 2:10-11 suggest about the importance of worship in the life of a believer? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on daily worship? ([46:04])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when worry paralyzed your ability to worship. How can you shift your focus from your problems to God's greatness in similar situations? ([41:24])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to surrender your will, desires, and strength to God daily? How might this surrender impact your worship? ([43:45])
3. How can you incorporate daily acts of worship into your routine, beyond just attending church on Sundays? Share specific examples. ([46:04])
4. Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you find joy in this situation through the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on external circumstances for happiness? ([49:42])
5. Identify three blessings in your life, both small and large. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude by acknowledging these blessings daily? ([01:06:18])
6. How can you remind yourself of God's enduring love during times of trial and worry? Share a personal strategy or practice that helps you trust in His steadfastness. ([50:58])
7. Consider someone in your life who may be struggling with worry. How can you encourage them to focus on worship and gratitude as a way to overcome their fears? ([01:02:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Worry Paralyzes Worship
Worry can choke our spiritual lives, making it difficult to focus on God. When we worry, we are not truly worshiping because our minds are preoccupied with our fears rather than God's faithfulness. Worship requires us to shift our focus from our problems to God's greatness. Worry steals our worship because it shifts our focus from God's greatness to our problems. Worship, on the other hand, is about ascribing worth to God, recognizing His power, and celebrating His deeds in our lives. When we worry, we are not truly worshiping because our minds are preoccupied with our fears rather than God's faithfulness. [41:24]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific worries are currently choking your ability to worship God fully? How can you shift your focus from these worries to God's greatness today?
Day 2: Surrender Precedes Worship
True worship requires us to surrender our will, desires, and strength to God. Until we do this, we cannot fully worship. Surrendering to God allows us to trust Him completely, which is essential for genuine worship. Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services; it is about a heart posture of complete surrender to God. When we hold onto our own will and desires, we are not fully open to experiencing the depth of worship that God desires for us. By surrendering, we acknowledge that God's plans and purposes are higher than our own, and we trust Him to lead us in every aspect of our lives. [43:45]
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: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Daily Worship
Worship should not be confined to Sundays but should be a continuous act of recognizing God's worth in every aspect of our lives. This daily worship helps us to live in a state of gratitude and joy, acknowledging God's blessings continuously. Worship is not limited to a specific time or place; it is a lifestyle of honoring God in everything we do. By incorporating worship into our daily routines, we keep our hearts and minds focused on God's presence and His work in our lives. This continuous worship transforms our perspective, allowing us to see God's hand in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. [46:04]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of worship into your daily routine, beyond just attending church services? What small changes can you make to recognize God's worth in your everyday activities?
Day 4: Joy vs. Happiness
Joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on the internal presence of the Holy Spirit. This joy allows us to worship God with gladness, even in the midst of trials. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is enduring because it is rooted in our relationship with God. Unlike happiness, which can be influenced by external factors, joy is a deep-seated sense of well-being that comes from knowing and trusting God. This joy enables us to worship God with a heart full of gladness, regardless of the challenges we face. It is a testament to the steadfastness of God's love and the assurance that He is with us in every situation. [49:42]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did you experience the joy of the Lord in that situation, and how can you cultivate this joy in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Cultivating Gratitude
Recognizing God's blessings, both small and large, helps us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and acknowledging this helps us to live a life of continuous worship. By doing so, we defeat worry and live in the joy and peace that God intends for us. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have been given, fostering a spirit of thankfulness. This attitude of gratitude not only enhances our worship but also strengthens our faith, as we continually remind ourselves of God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. [01:06:18]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: Take a moment to list five specific blessings in your life, both big and small. How can you express your gratitude to God for these blessings today, and how can this practice help you overcome worry?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The reality is fear, or what we call worry, can literally choke us. It can paralyze us. It can cause us to be afraid to move or to do anything. It can take our breath away. You see, the word worry comes from an old word, an old English word from about the 1500s. It changed to have this meaning. Wigren, what it meant originally was to choke, to suffocate, or to cause to not to be able to breathe. That's what it meant. And it literally, over time, about 1600 started to mean the word worry. We started using the word worry." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Until you and I abandon, or surrender, our will to God's will, our desires to God's desires, our wants to God's wants, our ambitions to God's ambitions, our ability, our strength, our effort, to God's work in our life, until we surrender and say, God, I'm going to trust you. Bottom line, I'm just going to trust you with everything, all the time. Trust you. Until we do that, we're not going to be able to truly worship." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Worship means to show worth to. To assign or ascribe worth or value unto is the actual meaning of worship. And when we were here just a few moments ago worshiping, we were ascribing and assigning value and worth to God, and who he is, and what he's done in our lives. To the power of Jesus Christ, the blood that he shed on the cross of Calvary to give us everlasting life. The hope that we have in him, the hope of heaven that we have. All of those things." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are here to worship. I don't mean we're here right now. We're not here right now to worship. We're here on this earth to worship. You see, we were created for his glory. We were created for his honor. That's why we're called the crown of his creation. We are designed to worship him, to bless him, to ascribe worth and honor to him. The way we do that is as we recognize what he's doing in our lives for us and through us." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reason we can live without fear. The reason we can live without worry. The reason we live with hope. The reason that we're able to live and have joy in spite of our happenings. Or our circumstances. Is because we know his love endures forever. It never stops. It never ends. God's enduring love is what gives us courage to face the next day." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you have not done what we just sang about, and what JT just led us in, in worship, in surrendering, and as he prayed, and as we prayed, and asked God to help us surrender, if you have not done that, then you're going to have a hard time doing what we're going to talk about today. Because surrender, abandon, comes before the victory that we're going to share with you that we should all be experiencing every single day." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Worship doesn't just happen on Sunday. It happens every time you and I ascribe or recognize the worth, the value, the blessings, who God is. And that should be happening all day, every day in our life. It shouldn't be just a thing of formal worship that we do collaboratively. Though this is a wonderful time to have corporate worship, and I'm all about that. But it should happen every day in our life. It can't happen, though, until we've had that abandoned moment. Until we have surrendered, we can't worship." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The reason we're able to have joy. The reason we're able not to worry no matter what our circumstances are. For instance, if you've got more month than you've got money. Don't know if you've ever been there. I have. If you don't know what that means, that means you ran out before you got done. Waiting for the payday to come. If you've ever had illness. If you've ever had heartache. If you've ever been disappointed. Maybe a loved one disappointed you. Maybe you got upset about something. Maybe somebody hurt your feelings. Real things. Imagine things. Health things. All kinds of things. Work things. Family things. All those things that can bring heartache, sorrow, fear, worry, concern. All of those things can be conquered when we realize his love endures forever." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are to trust in the steadfastness of God's love. Through both trials and blessings. We're to trust in God's steadfastness. In both the trials, the heartaches that come. And the blessings. Because he loves us. He cares for us. He comforts us. He gives us a peace that passes all understanding. Now, I want to be very clear. The trials are going to come. I don't know what your trials are going to be. But they're going to come. There's going to be things that cause fear. There's going to be things that cause worry." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Worship defeats worry. Our worship, when we worship Him, we destroy the worry that comes through doubt and fear. Help your neighbor right now. Look at them and say, worship defeats worry. Say it out loud. Worship defeats worry because it does every time. It always defeats it. And all of the blessings that we have, every good gift, every perfect gift, those are God's blessings. We've got to understand that God blesses us, and they're all from Him." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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