True Worship: Surrendering to God's Presence and Will
Summary
In our journey with the Lord, we come to understand that worship is not merely a routine or a set of songs we sing on a Sunday morning. Worship is the act of surrendering our control to God, of abandoning ourselves to His will and His ways. It is in this act of surrender that we truly encounter God and experience His presence in our lives.
The tabernacle in the Old Testament was a physical representation of our spiritual journey towards intimacy with God. The outer court was noisy and represented a closeness to God without intimacy. The inner court, where the priests changed the showbread, symbolized a deeper level of worship. However, it was the Holy of Holies, where the high priest entered once a year on the Day of Atonement, that represented the ultimate intimacy with God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil to the Holy of Holies was torn, signifying that God's presence was now accessible to all who would receive Christ. We become the dwelling place of God, the new Holy of Holies, when we invite Jesus into our lives.
True worship involves giving up control. It is a decision to let go of our fears, our need to manage our image, and our pride. It is a choice to trust God fully, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones in worship. We are encouraged to stop worrying about what others think and to focus on our personal expression of love and adoration for the Lord.
Our relationship with God is initiated by Him. Jesus came to us, offering salvation and an invitation to draw near. As we come closer to God, we are called to wash our hands of double-mindedness and to become faithful. Worship is primarily about ministering to the Lord, not about what we receive, although God does bless us in the process.
The desire of the Lord is that we may know Him and that He may know us. This is a relationship that goes beyond mere knowledge; it is about experiencing God's presence and power in our lives. We are reminded of Paul's desire to know Christ and to experience the power of His resurrection, even sharing in His sufferings.
In summary, true worship is about abandoning ourselves to God, trusting in His character, and allowing Him to take control. It is in this place of surrender that we find true peace, joy, and the answers we seek.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is not a passive act but an active surrender to God's will. It is in the giving up of our control that we truly honor and glorify Him. When we let go and trust in His sovereignty, we open ourselves to the fullness of His presence and the transformative power of His love. [09:26]
- The tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion symbolizes the open invitation for us to become intimate with God. We are called to be the living temples where His Spirit dwells. This profound truth should inspire us to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, as carriers of His divine presence. [07:40]
- Our approach to God must be one of humility and a contrite heart. It is not about the outward expressions of worship, but the inward posture of our hearts. True worship is characterized by a genuine desire to know God more deeply and to make His will our own. [03:32]
- The experiences we have with God should not be one-time events but a continuous journey of encounters that shape and mold us. Each encounter is an opportunity for growth, healing, and a deeper understanding of His grace and mercy in our lives. [06:02]
- The act of worship is a declaration of our trust in God's character. As we grow in our knowledge of who He is, our trust deepens, and our worship becomes more authentic. It is through this process that we learn to abandon ourselves fully to His care, knowing that He is faithful and true. [29:51]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 40:3 - "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him."
2. James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
3. Philippians 3:10 - "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 40:3 suggest happens when God puts a new song in our mouths? How does this relate to the concept of trust? [02:54]
2. According to James 4:8, what actions are required from us to draw near to God? [03:32]
3. In Philippians 3:10, what are the two main desires Paul expresses about his relationship with Christ? [05:24]
4. How does the tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion symbolize our access to God? [07:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of surrendering control in worship reflect our trust in God's character? [10:07]
2. What does it mean to abandon ourselves to God in worship, and why is this important for experiencing His presence? [09:26]
3. How can the progression from the outer court to the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament tabernacle be seen as a metaphor for our spiritual journey towards intimacy with God? [06:35]
4. Why is it significant that worship is primarily about ministering to the Lord rather than what we receive from it? [04:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to surrender control to God. What fears or concerns held you back, and how can you address them in future worship experiences? [10:07]
2. How can you create a personal atmosphere of worship in your daily life that encourages abandoning yourself to God? What practical steps can you take this week? [19:30]
3. Think about your current approach to worship. Are there any aspects of your image or pride that you need to let go of to worship God more freely? [17:07]
4. How can you actively remind yourself of God's character and faithfulness to deepen your trust in Him during worship? [29:51]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need to relinquish control to God. What specific action can you take this week to demonstrate your trust in Him? [32:54]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to abandon themselves in worship? Share one way you plan to support someone in their worship journey. [11:21]
7. Reflect on the idea that our relationship with God is initiated by Him. How does this truth impact your understanding of worship and your response to His invitation? [03:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrender as True Worship
True worship is not a passive act but an active surrender to God's will. It is in the giving up of our control that we truly honor and glorify Him. When we let go and trust in His sovereignty, we open ourselves to the fullness of His presence and the transformative power of His love. [09:26]
"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands." - Psalm 63:3-4
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 2: Intimacy with God Unveiled
The tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion symbolizes the open invitation for us to become intimate with God. We are called to be the living temples where His Spirit dwells. This profound truth should inspire us to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, as carriers of His divine presence. [07:40]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice that honors your identity as a living temple of God's Spirit?
Day 3: Humility in Approach
Our approach to God must be one of humility and a contrite heart. It is not about the outward expressions of worship, but the inward posture of our hearts. True worship is characterized by a genuine desire to know God more deeply and to make His will our own. [03:32]
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" - Isaiah 57:15
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate a humble and contrite heart in your daily interactions with others?
Day 4: Continuous Encounters with God
The experiences we have with God should not be one-time events but a continuous journey of encounters that shape and mold us. Each encounter is an opportunity for growth, healing, and a deeper understanding of His grace and mercy in our lives. [06:02]
"And they were continually in the temple blessing God." - Luke 24:53
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you felt God's presence? How can you seek to recognize and cherish these encounters more regularly?
Day 5: Trust in God's Character
The act of worship is a declaration of our trust in God's character. As we grow in our knowledge of who He is, our trust deepens, and our worship becomes more authentic. It is through this process that we learn to abandon ourselves fully to His care, knowing that He is faithful and true. [29:51]
"Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." - Psalm 9:10
Reflection: Reflect on a time when trusting in God's character brought you through a difficult situation. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him more in your current circumstances?
Quotes
- "True worship is abandoning our control of our life to God really that's that's really what true worship is and really we I don't believe we really truly worship if we don't abandon control of our life to God." [10:46] (Download | )
- "You encounter God when you abandon yourself in worship... I'm not talk about running around spinning a scar for flag and with the attitude of woo look at me look at me... but I have been in some Services where I've watched people abandon themselves to God and it was glorious." [11:21] (Download | )
- "Abandon means to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in... to give up the control or influence of another person or agent... to truly worship I believe we need to abandon ourselves to God." [15:53] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "A simple definition is abandoning worship is an unmeasured uncalculated unconditional expression from the heart and directed to and or expressing your passion for the Lord." [17:07] (Download | )
- "They enter the mystery abandoning themselves to God... that is what worship is and sadly some people during the worship portion of the service or singing but that you know you can sing and lip sync a song but not really abandon yourself to God." [09:26] (Download | )
- "To really trust God more we have to know his character... the more we know his character the more we can trust him... to abandon ourselves more in worship fully trusting him." [29:51] (Download | )
- "When Jesus died on the cross and he said it is finished that thick veil in the temple that the priest could only go in once a year was ripped from top to bottom and what did that mean God was saying it's open it's open now I want to come and abide within you." [07:40] (Download | )
- "I want to say that many times friends we miss this we miss people come to church and they leave sadly without being touched by God that's not the purpose of church for you to come and do a religious Duty your purpose of church if you come to experience God." [18:54] (Download | )
- "God is looking for us to get to a place where we abandon ourselves in Trust In Worship to the Lord... you encounter God when you abandon yourself in worship." [10:46] (Download | )
- "Stop worrying about what others think about you during worship... I am here to to get a hold of God corporately I I I need to get a hold of God and if it's a distraction for you be in the back we got plenty of room up front." [20:05] (Download | )
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?