True Worship: Embracing the Holy Spirit's Power
Summary
In our time together, we explored the essence of true worship and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Worship is not merely an act performed in the presence of others; it is a deep, personal connection with God that should resonate within us even when we are alone. The question we must ask ourselves is whether our private worship mirrors the passion and sincerity we display in public. True worship is about making ourselves nothing and making Jesus everything, allowing our spirit to cry out to God with genuine affection and longing.
We delved into the profound truth that when the Holy Spirit enters our lives, it ignites a passion for God that transcends all other affections. This divine presence compels us to love God above all else, even more than our closest relationships or personal interests. The Holy Spirit's indwelling should naturally lead us to a life of righteousness, where sin becomes incompatible with our new nature. If we find ourselves continually practicing sin, it is a sign that we need to examine whether the Spirit truly resides within us.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of living a life that reflects the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This means not only refraining from sin but also actively engaging in the mission of making disciples and serving the church. The Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of Christ, and this should be evident in our daily lives. We are called to manifest the Spirit's gifts for the common good, contributing to the strength and unity of the church.
Finally, we were challenged to remove the "life jackets" of external supports and examine whether we can spiritually "swim" on our own. This metaphor serves as a reminder to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than external props to sustain our faith. It is crucial to assess whether our relationship with God is genuine and self-sustaining, driven by an internal desire to know and serve Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Authentic Worship: True worship is not confined to public gatherings but is a personal, heartfelt connection with God that should be evident even when we are alone. It is about making Jesus the center of our lives and allowing our spirit to cry out to Him with genuine affection. [00:34]
2. Holy Spirit's Transformative Power: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit should ignite a passion for God that surpasses all other affections. This divine presence compels us to love God above all else and live a life of righteousness, where sin becomes incompatible with our new nature. [01:54]
3. Manifesting the Spirit's Gifts: The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of Christ and to serve the church. We are called to manifest the Spirit's gifts for the common good, contributing to the strength and unity of the church. [09:51]
4. Examining Our Spiritual State: We must assess whether our relationship with God is genuine and self-sustaining, driven by an internal desire to know and serve Him. Removing external supports allows us to rely on the Holy Spirit to sustain our faith. [14:30]
5. Living a Life of Righteousness: If we find ourselves continually practicing sin, it is a sign that we need to examine whether the Spirit truly resides within us. A life of righteousness is a natural outcome of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. [29:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - The Essence of Worship
- [00:34] - Worship in Solitude
- [01:12] - The Thrill of Prayer
- [02:13] - Affection for God
- [03:25] - David's Desire for God
- [04:18] - Reading from 1 John
- [05:23] - Children of God vs. Children of the Devil
- [06:50] - The Holy Spirit's Role
- [09:10] - Power to Witness
- [10:12] - Manifesting Spiritual Gifts
- [13:10] - Relying on the Holy Spirit
- [14:30] - Spiritual Life Jackets
- [17:00] - Unity in the Church
- [19:25] - Personal Challenge
- [29:11] - The Reality of Spiritual Allegiance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 3:5-10
2. Matthew 10:37
3. Philippians 1:27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 3:5-10, what is the relationship between abiding in Christ and sinning? How does this passage describe the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil? [04:18]
2. In Matthew 10:37, what does Jesus say about the level of affection we should have for Him compared to our closest relationships? [02:13]
3. How does Philippians 1:27 describe the manner in which believers should live their lives? What does it mean to stand firm in one spirit? [17:23]
4. What metaphor did the pastor use to describe relying on external supports in our spiritual lives, and what was the challenge presented to the congregation? [14:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to ignite a passion for God that surpasses all other affections, as mentioned in the sermon? How might this manifest in a believer's life? [01:54]
2. How does the concept of "making ourselves nothing and making Jesus everything" challenge common perceptions of worship? What might this look like in both public and private worship settings? [00:15]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of manifesting the Spirit's gifts for the common good. How can this contribute to the strength and unity of the church? [10:12]
4. What does it mean to "remove the life jackets" of external supports in our faith journey? How can this metaphor help us assess the authenticity of our relationship with God? [14:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your private worship time. Does it mirror the passion and sincerity you display in public worship? What changes can you make to deepen your personal connection with God? [00:34]
2. Consider the relationships and interests in your life. Are there any that you love more than God? How can you realign your affections to prioritize your relationship with Him? [02:13]
3. Identify a spiritual gift you believe the Holy Spirit has given you. How can you use this gift to serve your church community and contribute to its unity and strength? [10:12]
4. Think about the "life jackets" or external supports you rely on in your spiritual life. What steps can you take to rely more on the Holy Spirit and less on these external props? [14:30]
5. Examine your life for any ongoing sin. What practical steps can you take to address these areas and live a life of righteousness, as a natural outcome of the Holy Spirit's presence? [29:26]
6. How can you actively engage in the mission of making disciples in your daily life? Identify one person you can reach out to this week to share your faith or invite to a church event. [09:51]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "afloat" due to external influences. How can you cultivate a self-sustaining faith that thrives even when these influences are removed? [14:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Beyond the Public Eye
True worship is a profound, personal connection with God that transcends public displays and resonates deeply within us, even in solitude. It is not merely an act performed in the presence of others but a heartfelt devotion that makes Jesus the center of our lives. Authentic worship involves allowing our spirit to cry out to God with genuine affection and longing, making ourselves nothing and Jesus everything. This personal worship should mirror the passion and sincerity we display in public, challenging us to examine whether our private worship aligns with our public expressions. [00:34]
Psalm 63:1-2 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper, more personal worship experience with God when you are alone this week?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit's Passionate Indwelling
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit ignites a passion for God that surpasses all other affections, compelling us to love Him above all else. This divine presence transforms our hearts, leading us to a life of righteousness where sin becomes incompatible with our new nature. If we find ourselves continually practicing sin, it is a sign that we need to examine whether the Spirit truly resides within us. The Holy Spirit's transformative power should naturally lead us to prioritize our relationship with God over our closest relationships or personal interests. [01:54]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with sin. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this area and align it with God's righteousness?
Day 3: Empowered to Serve and Witness
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of Christ and to serve the church, calling us to manifest the Spirit's gifts for the common good. This empowerment is not just about refraining from sin but actively engaging in the mission of making disciples and contributing to the strength and unity of the church. Our daily lives should reflect the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, as we are called to use our gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ. [09:51]
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Reflection: What spiritual gift has God given you, and how can you use it this week to serve your church community or someone in need?
Day 4: Relying on the Spirit, Not External Supports
We are challenged to remove the "life jackets" of external supports and examine whether we can spiritually "swim" on our own. This metaphor serves as a reminder to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than external props to sustain our faith. It is crucial to assess whether our relationship with God is genuine and self-sustaining, driven by an internal desire to know and serve Him. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can ensure that our faith is not dependent on external circumstances or supports. [14:30]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: What external supports do you rely on for your faith, and how can you begin to trust more in the Holy Spirit to sustain you?
Day 5: A Life of Righteousness
Living a life of righteousness is a natural outcome of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. If we find ourselves continually practicing sin, it is a sign that we need to examine whether the Spirit truly resides within us. The Holy Spirit's indwelling should lead us to a life where sin becomes incompatible with our new nature, compelling us to love God above all else. This transformation calls us to reflect on our spiritual state and ensure that our relationship with God is genuine and self-sustaining. [29:26]
1 John 3:9-10 (ESV): "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits and actions. Are there areas where you need to align more closely with a life of righteousness? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this transformation?
Quotes
True worship is not confined to public gatherings but is a personal, heartfelt connection with God that should be evident even when we are alone. It is about making Jesus the center of our lives and allowing our spirit to cry out to Him with genuine affection. [00:34:35]
The Bible says when the Holy Spirit enters into you, something happens where your spirit from within just cries out Abba Father. Like when you're alone, something's supposed to happen where you are alone in your room or just God, this is the greatest time of the day. [01:38:57]
If you love your father, mother, your wife, your kids more than you love me, you're not worthy of me. This affection and when I talk to people who go to church services and call themselves Christians, it's like wow, I can tell you really love your wife. [02:17:38]
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he's been born of God. [05:04:49]
When the Holy Spirit comes, you're gonna receive power to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, to ends the earth. You guys, when the spirit entered into me, I wanted to make disciples. It drives me crazy if I'm having no impact on people. [09:16:01]
The Bible says that if you really have the spirit in you, then the Bible says that you have a gift from God. In fact, it says a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. That's why when I became a Christian, no one had to beg me to serve in the church. [10:01:61]
Why are pastors begging you to serve in the church? Why are they begging you to get rid of the sin in your life? Why are they begging you to get along with God? Why are they begging you to make disciples? If the Spirit is in you, this should be your very desire. [12:51:98]
I want to challenge you to get alone tonight, tomorrow morning, tomorrow night, whenever, and take your lifejacket off. It's just you and God. You and God. And I want to ask you, does anything inside of you come out where you just start crying out for Him? [19:42:58]
If you find that there's nothing going on inside that comes from you, the love for God, the desire to serve His church, the desire to be His witness, the desire to kill the sin in your own life, it's very possible the Holy Spirit is not in your life. [31:05:71]
The Bible makes things very clear. There are children of God and there are children of the devil. And I feel like for too long in the church, we almost act like there's a giant neutral spot. No, the Bible makes it clear. You're either of God or you're of the devil. [29:43:72]
The Bible says the whole world, first John 5, is under the grasp of the evil one. The whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Ephesians says we were dead in our trespasses and sins, but listen to what it says: we were following our own desires. [29:50:74]
Father, I pray that you would open the eyes, the eyes of the heart of everyone here and show them, God, today if the Spirit is in them, if they themselves cry out to you, Abba Father. And God, I pray if there's nothing inside that you would by your mercy. [32:17:66]
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