Wholehearted Worship: Rising Above Resistance and Rejection
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker emphasizing the importance of rising above resistance to fulfill one's purpose. The speaker uses the story of David as an example, highlighting the various tests he faced, including the test of time, character, motivation, and servitude. The speaker particularly focuses on the test of misunderstandings, using the instance where David's wife despised him for his exuberant worship of the Lord. The speaker encourages the audience to understand that as they grow and are elevated by God, they will face similar tests from those closest to them.
The speaker then delves into David's personal struggles with identity, recounting how he was dismissed by his father and faced rejection from his siblings. Despite these challenges, David is portrayed as more than just King David, as he leads the people of God to Jerusalem with the presence of God through the Ark of the Covenant. The speaker emphasizes that each individual is more complex than the titles they are referred to by, comparing the audience to David and highlighting the various roles and titles they may hold in their lives.
The sermon then discusses the concept of wholehearted worship using the story of David in 2 Samuel chapter 6. The speaker emphasizes that although David is seen as a warrior king on the outside, he still has to deal with rejection and longing on the inside. When David finally retrieves the Ark of the Covenant, he engages in spirited celebration and wholehearted worship. The speaker highlights that worship should not just be seen as a lifestyle, but as a dedicated and unwavering devotion, even if it means slowing down one's life.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching new beginnings with humility, urging the congregation to give God the glory as He leads them from one level to another, providing blessings and opportunities. The sermon also highlights the image of David entering the city dancing and leaping, which serves as a lesson about expressing joy and gratitude in the midst of new beginnings. The speaker concludes this portion of the sermon by inviting the congregation to engage intellectually and emotionally in the sermon series.
The sermon concludes with the speaker emphasizing the importance of wholehearted worship and the power of worshiping together as a community. The speaker encourages the congregation to change their garments, metaphorically referring to letting go of worldly distractions and focusing on true worship. David's act of changing his garments symbolizes his shift from his kingly attire to a linen ephod, representing the Priestly office and access to God. The speaker calls on the audience to become true worshippers, expressing their value and worthiness of God through wholehearted worship.
Key Takeaways:
- Rising above resistance is crucial to fulfilling one's purpose. Like David, every leader will face various tests, including misunderstandings from those closest to them. It's important to understand that growth and elevation by God will come with these tests. [01:06:12]
- Each individual is more complex than the titles they are referred to by. Despite facing rejection and dismissal, David was more than just King David. He led the people of God to Jerusalem with the presence of God through the Ark of the Covenant. [46:27]
- Wholehearted worship is not just a lifestyle, but a dedicated and unwavering devotion. David's retrieval of the Ark of the Covenant and his spirited celebration symbolize this concept. Worship requires slowing down one's life and dedicating oneself completely to God. [49:36]
- Approaching new beginnings with humility is important. As God leads us from one level to another, providing blessings and opportunities, we should give Him the glory. David's joyous entry into the city serves as a lesson about expressing joy and gratitude in the midst of new beginnings. [49:32]
- Wholehearted worship requires letting go of worldly distractions and focusing on true worship. David's act of changing his garments symbolizes his shift from his kingly attire to a linen ephod, representing the Priestly office and access to God. The congregation is called to become true worshippers, expressing their value and worthiness of God through wholehearted worship. [56:41]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Samuel 6:13-22
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did David take when the Ark of the Lord had gone six paces? ([36:42])
2. How did David's wife, Michal, react to his dancing and leaping before the Lord? ([37:30])
3. What did David wear while dancing before the Lord, and what is the significance of this garment? ([55:11])
4. How did David respond to Michal's criticism of his worship? ([38:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think David chose to sacrifice oxen and fatlings every six paces as they carried the Ark of the Lord? What does this signify about his approach to worship? ([49:36])
2. How does David's act of changing his garments to a linen ephod symbolize his shift in identity and role during worship? ([55:11])
3. What can we learn from David's response to Michal's misunderstanding and criticism of his worship? How does this reflect the tests of leadership mentioned in the sermon? ([38:19])
4. How does the concept of wholehearted worship, as demonstrated by David, challenge our modern understanding of worship as a lifestyle? ([48:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced resistance or misunderstanding from those closest to you while trying to fulfill your purpose. How did you handle it, and what could you learn from David's example? ([01:06:12])
2. David's personal struggles with identity and rejection did not stop him from leading the people of God. How can you rise above your own personal challenges to fulfill your God-given purpose? ([46:27])
3. Wholehearted worship requires slowing down and dedicating oneself completely to God. What practical steps can you take this week to engage in more wholehearted worship? ([49:36])
4. David approached new beginnings with humility and gave God the glory. How can you practice humility in your current season of life and give God the glory for your blessings and opportunities? ([49:32])
5. David's act of changing his garments symbolizes letting go of worldly distractions. What are some "garments" or distractions in your life that you need to change or let go of to focus on true worship? ([56:41])
6. How can you encourage and lead others in your community to engage in wholehearted worship together, as David did with the house of Israel? ([57:24])
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to rise above resistance. What steps can you take to overcome this resistance and stay focused on your purpose? ([01:03:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Rising Above Resistance
As we grow and are elevated by God, we will face various tests, including misunderstandings from those closest to us. Like David, we must rise above these challenges to fulfill our purpose. This requires understanding and accepting that growth and elevation by God will come with these tests. [01:06:12]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you rise above it and what did you learn about your purpose in the process?
Day 2: Embracing Our Complex Identity
We are more complex than the titles we are referred to by. Despite facing rejection and dismissal, we must remember that we are more than just our titles. Like David, we are called to lead with the presence of God in our lives. [46:27]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: What are some titles you hold in your life? How do these titles align with your identity in Christ?
Day 3: Devotion in Worship
Wholehearted worship is not just a lifestyle, but a dedicated and unwavering devotion. Like David, we must slow down our lives and dedicate ourselves completely to God. This requires a spirited celebration and wholehearted worship. [49:36]
Psalm 95:6 - "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!"
Reflection: How can you incorporate wholehearted worship into your daily routine? What changes can you make to dedicate more time to God?
Day 4: Humility in New Beginnings
As God leads us from one level to another, providing blessings and opportunities, we should approach these new beginnings with humility and give Him the glory. Like David, we should express joy and gratitude in the midst of new beginnings. [49:32]
Proverbs 3:34 - "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent new beginning in your life. How did you approach it with humility and give glory to God?
Day 5: Focusing on True Worship
Wholehearted worship requires letting go of worldly distractions and focusing on true worship. Like David, we must change our garments, symbolizing a shift from worldly concerns to a focus on God. We are called to become true worshippers, expressing our value and worthiness of God through wholehearted worship. [56:41]
John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: What worldly distractions are hindering your worship? How can you let go of these distractions and focus on true worship?
Quotes
"Many of us in the room in person and in the Cyber Sanctuary are like David...privately you're just David...privately you're just Lisa...privately you're just Hony...privately you're just Jack...privately you're just Matthew...privately you're just lonen...and who you are privately is more complex than the title you're referred to by." [44:04]
"David had to learn about God not in church with everyone else but from conversations he heard as they discuss God in the town meeting spaces and dinner tables...David had to learn how to live with this father fracture...David is more than just King David." [45:39]
"Every leader has to go through the test of time, the character test of who you are, the motivation test of what's going to motivate you, the servant test of your service, the misunderstanding test, the patience test, the frustration test, the discouragement test, the warfare test, the self-will test, the vision test, the usage test, and the promotion test." #!!01:03:36!!#
"Wholehearted worship is unreserved and unwavering devotion... David finally retrieves the Ark of the Covenant and he now celebrates with spirited celebration with wholehearted worship." #!!48:04!!#
"If worship is a lifestyle, even if you have to slow down your life, you must engage in wholehearted worship." #!!48:50!!#
"Let's go into this season not high-mindedness but let's go in with just a little bit of humility that's what the text is actually trying to teach us that even though he's going to something brand new he does not go into it being all high Mighty but he goes into it being low and down below trying to give God all the honor all the glory that's due to him can we just give God the glory that's really the question of the text can we give God the glory as he takes us from level to level from job to job from house to house from car to car from crib to crib can we give God the glory as he enlarges our tents as he strengthens the curent of our belongings can we give God the glory as he gives us families and as he gives us businesses can we give God the glory that's the question even if he allows us to go beyond what we couldn't even imagine a dream can we give God the glory can can we give him the glory" (#!!01:00:55!!#)
"He takes off everything that has to do with his title and he says I'm now going to be nothing but a worshiper...is there anybody that's going to make up in your heart and mind that I'mma change my garments and I'm going to put myself in a linen ephod to show my say to God to show that God I need you." #!!55:51!!#
"It started with David by himself but like a fire it now goes through the entire congregation... they all are now traveling together shouting and giving praise to God wholeheartedly worshiping together." #!!57:24!!#
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