True Worship: A Heart Devoted to God

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Superior Ways

Description: David's decision to transport the Ark of the Covenant according to God's instructions, rather than his own, teaches us that God's ways, though they may seem restrictive, are always superior. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our finances and worship practices. Trusting and obeying God's ways brings blessings and aligns us with His will. David's journey with the Ark symbolizes the importance of continually turning back to God and recognizing that His methods, even when they seem difficult or counterintuitive, are ultimately for our good. Reflecting on this can help us understand that God's guidance is always aimed at our well-being and spiritual growth. [01:07:50]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to follow your own way instead of God's. How can you trust and obey God's guidance in this area today?

Day 2: Worship as a Heart Posture

Description: True worship goes beyond singing songs or outward expressions; it is a posture of the heart. David's worship was not about the external act but about his internal devotion and gratitude towards God. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our worship is genuine and not merely performative. Worship should be an outpouring of our love and gratitude towards God, reflecting a heart that is fully devoted to Him. By focusing on the internal rather than the external, we can cultivate a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. [47:22]

Psalm 51:17 (ESV): "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Reflection: When you worship, do you focus more on the external actions or the internal state of your heart? How can you shift your focus to ensure your worship is genuine?

Day 3: Worship Without Seeking Attention

Description: David's extravagant worship was not about drawing attention to himself but about honoring God. In our worship, we must avoid the trap of seeking attention or validation from others. True worship focuses solely on God and is an expression of our love and reverence for Him. This means that our acts of worship should be directed towards God alone, without any desire for recognition or praise from others. By keeping our focus on God, we can ensure that our worship remains pure and sincere. [01:16:46]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent acts of worship. Are there moments where you sought attention or validation from others? How can you refocus your worship to be solely for God?

Day 4: Worship Without People Pleasing

Description: David did not alter his worship to please his wife or anyone else. Similarly, our worship should not be influenced by the opinions or expectations of others. Whether we are extroverted or introverted, our worship should be directed towards God and not shaped by a desire to please people. This means being true to our own expressions of worship, regardless of how others might perceive them. By prioritizing God's approval over human approval, we can worship in a way that is authentic and pleasing to Him. [01:21:19]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Reflection: Are there ways in which you alter your worship to fit the expectations of others? How can you ensure your worship is directed towards pleasing God alone?

Day 5: Worship Without Manipulating God

Description: Worship should not be used as a tool to manipulate God into blessing us. David's worship was a response to God's presence and blessings, not a means to an end. Our worship should be an outpouring of our love and gratitude towards God, free from ulterior motives. This means worshiping God for who He is, not for what we can get from Him. By maintaining a pure heart in our worship, we can develop a more genuine and fulfilling relationship with God. [01:24:55]

James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for worship. Are there times when you worship with the hope of receiving something in return? How can you shift your focus to worship God purely out of love and gratitude?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrated Miss Darlene Goodson's 80th birthday, acknowledging her as a blessing to our church community. We also highlighted our commitment to World Missions, particularly supporting Jason and Katrina Bickett, who have deep roots in our congregation. We encouraged everyone to consider supporting them financially as they continue their mission work.

We then transitioned into our new series titled "Abandoned," focusing on worship. The series aims to clarify misconceptions about praise and worship, emphasizing that they are distinct acts with specific purposes. We also discussed the importance of understanding what is acceptable in corporate worship according to God's standards, rather than human opinions.

I shared a personal story about dealing with cellulitis, which served as a humorous yet humbling reminder of the pain others endure. This led into the main message, where we explored 2 Samuel 6 and the story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. David's actions, including his extravagant worship, were not about seeking attention or pleasing people but were acts of genuine devotion to God.

David's journey with the Ark teaches us that God's ways are always better, even when they seem restrictive. His method of taking six steps and then sacrificing to the Lord symbolizes the importance of continually turning back to God. David's worship was characterized by a heart of gratitude and a willingness to be undignified for the sake of honoring God.

We concluded by challenging everyone to examine their own worship practices. True worship is not about seeking attention, pleasing people, or manipulating God. It's about a heart fully devoted to Him. As we continue this series, let's allow God to pull us out of our worship comfort zones and worship Him in the way He desires.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Ways Are Always Better: David's decision to transport the Ark according to God's instructions, rather than his own, teaches us that God's ways, though they may seem restrictive, are always superior. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our finances and worship practices. Trusting and obeying God's ways brings blessings and aligns us with His will. [67:50]
2. Worship is a Posture of the Heart: True worship goes beyond singing songs or outward expressions; it is a posture of the heart. David's worship was not about the external act but about his internal devotion and gratitude towards God. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our worship is genuine and not merely performative. [47:22]
3. Abandoned Worship is Not Attention Seeking: David's extravagant worship was not about drawing attention to himself but about honoring God. In our worship, we must avoid the trap of seeking attention or validation from others. True worship focuses solely on God and is an expression of our love and reverence for Him. [76:46]
4. Abandoned Worship is Not People Pleasing: David did not alter his worship to please his wife or anyone else. Similarly, our worship should not be influenced by the opinions or expectations of others. Whether we are extroverted or introverted, our worship should be directed towards God and not shaped by a desire to please people. [81:19]
5. Abandoned Worship is Not God Manipulating: Worship should not be used as a tool to manipulate God into blessing us. David's worship was a response to God's presence and blessings, not a means to an end. Our worship should be an outpouring of our love and gratitude towards God, free from ulterior motives. [01:24:55]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:58] - Celebrating Miss Darlene's 80th Birthday
[34:51] - Legacy Lane: World Missions
[35:34] - Supporting Jason and Katrina Bickett
[36:37] - Ways to Give
[37:23] - Impact of Consistent Giving
[38:21] - Prayer for the Offering
[41:27] - Introduction to "Abandoned" Series
[42:19] - The Practicality of Proverbs
[43:04] - Personal Story: Dealing with Cellulitis
[44:51] - Why a Worship Series?
[45:42] - Misconceptions About Praise and Worship
[46:32] - Acceptable Worship in God's Eyes
[47:22] - Worship as a Posture of the Heart
[48:04] - Breaking Denominational Walls
[49:44] - Expressive Worship Across Denominations
[50:47] - Defining Abandoned Worship
[52:25] - Historical Context: 2 Samuel 6
[55:24] - The Ark of the Covenant
[59:35] - David's Journey with the Ark
[67:50] - God's Ways Are Always Better
[76:46] - Abandoned Worship is Not Attention Seeking
[81:19] - Abandoned Worship is Not People Pleasing
[84:55] - Abandoned Worship is Not God Manipulating
[88:02] - Challenge: Examine Your Worship Practices
[89:39] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Samuel 6:12-15 (NIV) — > "Now King David was told, 'The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.' So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets."

Observation Questions

What specific actions did David take when transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? ([01:02:55])
How did David express his worship as the Ark was being brought to the City of David? ([01:08:22])
What was Michal's reaction to David's worship, and how did she express her feelings? ([01:10:40])
What was David's response to Michal's criticism of his worship? ([01:14:04])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think David chose to follow God's specific instructions for transporting the Ark after initially using a new cart? ([01:02:55])
How does David's willingness to be undignified in his worship challenge common perceptions of how worship should be conducted? ([01:15:00])
What does David's response to Michal reveal about his priorities in worship? ([01:14:04])
How can the story of David's worship in 2 Samuel 6 help us understand the importance of genuine worship over performative acts? ([01:07:50])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own worship practices. Are there ways in which you might be seeking attention or validation from others rather than focusing solely on God? How can you shift your focus? ([01:16:46])
Have you ever altered your worship to please others or fit into their expectations? How can you ensure that your worship remains directed towards God and not influenced by the opinions of others? ([01:21:19])
Think about a time when you tried to do things your way instead of following God's instructions. What was the outcome, and how can you apply the lesson that "God's ways are always better" in your current situation? ([01:07:50])
David's worship was characterized by a heart of gratitude and a willingness to be undignified for God. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life and express it through your worship? ([01:08:22])
Examine your motives for worship. Are there any ulterior motives, such as trying to manipulate God into blessing you? How can you purify your intentions to ensure your worship is a genuine outpouring of love and gratitude? ([01:24:55])
How can you allow God to pull you out of your worship comfort zone this week? What specific steps can you take to worship Him in the way He desires, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar? ([01:28:02])
David's journey with the Ark involved continual sacrifices and turning back to God. What are some practical ways you can continually turn back to God in your daily life, especially in your worship practices? ([01:03:48])

Sermon Clips

1. "I believe we give it to the Lord. It's a part of our worship. And as a part of our worship, you can worship your way right on back to your seat, high-fiving some folks, hugging some necks, shaking some hands, and letting them know that you are glad that they are here. As the pastor of this church, let me say thank you for those of you who are consistent. You are consistent givers. It is because of your giving that we are able to do the things that we do every week." [36:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Worship is a posture of the heart. Okay? I see that denominational walls are breaking. They have been for a number of years. Because what happens is when people move from one city to another, it used to be that if they moved from one city to another or from one state to another, and they were Methodists, they looked for a Methodist church to attend in the new town that they moved to. If they were Pentecostal, they would look for a Pentecostal church." [47:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I would rather go to a church that I can disagree with some of what they teach. Now, I'm not talking about heresy. Please don't say I'll let everything go because I don't let everything go. But I would rather go to somebody that is an Orthodox that I can disagree with. I can agree with some of their teaching if they are alive than go to someone that I completely agree with but they're dead." [50:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God's ways are always better. Oftentimes, God's ways can seem restrictive to our human nature. Tied. Oh, God, if I had that extra 10%, do you know how much more I could do with that extra 10%? Not as much with 100% cursed as you can do 90% blessed. I can tell you that. Come on. Come on. Right? God's ways can seem restrictive at times to our human nature until we understand that God's ways are always better." [01:07:06] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "David said, it may not fit into your paradigm but I don't care about your paradigm. I'm going to worship God with abandon. I'm going to give you three quick points about what abandonment... Abandoned worship is not before we spend the rest of this series talking about what abandoned worship is. Are you ready? Three things. It's going to be quick. It's 11, 13, 14. I'm going to have you out of here by 12, 30. Just kidding. I'm just kidding." [01:15:00] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Abandoned worship is not attention seeking. David was not trying to get the attention of the people in the city or else he would have acted like a king. He was simply and extravagantly praising God out of a heart of gratitude. Y'all with me? Too often people who want attention become emotionally extravagant, not out of a heart of gratitude towards God, but hoping others will gather around them." [01:16:46] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Abandoned worship is not people pleasing. David never apologized for embarrassing his wife. He defended his position despite the fact that she despised it. Can I tell you, abandoned worship is not coming to the front because I or anyone from the worship team asked you to come to the front. That's called people pleasing. It's also not sitting in your seat because you are more concerned about what the people around you are thinking because that is people pleasing." [01:21:19] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Abandoned worship is not God manipulating. David wasn't trying to get God to bless Israel or his kingship by acting extravagantly. He was overcome with joy that the ark was being brought back to where it belonged. Now the fact is is by the ark being where it was, there was blessing that was associated. So I'm not saying that we don't celebrate God's blessing. It's we don't go into, well, you know what, I'm going to show up today and I'm going to run to the front and I'm going to clap extra loud and I'm going to lift my hands extra high and I might bounce a little bit because if I do extra, then God might." [01:24:32] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I'm asking you to check your heart this week. As we continue Mindset Reset, I'm asking you to check your heart and allow the Spirit to access how and why you worship the way you do. You go, well, you know, I don't worship very loudly because I'm just not an extroverted person. Yeah, well, I'm not either. It is not my personality. Ask my wife. We've been to several concerts and how many concerts have I jumped out into the aisle and started dancing at? Zero. Zero. That is not my personality. But I understand the difference between worship." [01:25:32] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I'm asking you to allow the Lord to pull you out of your worship comfort zone. Here's the one thing I am going to ask. As you seek God this week, as you meditate and allow Him to bring to light why you worship the way you do and allow Him to put His finger on the areas that need some change, would you also go, God, would when we gather next Sunday, how do you want me to worship? And would you be open to Him pulling you out of your worship comfort zone?" [01:28:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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