Worship: A Lifestyle of Gratitude and Commitment
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound nature of worship and its integral role in our lives as followers of Christ. Worship is not merely an activity confined to Sundays or a set of rituals; it is a lifestyle, a continuous expression of our relationship with Jesus. We are inherently designed to worship, and the question is not whether we will worship, but what or whom we will worship. Our worship should be a natural outflow of our gratitude for who God is and what He has done in our lives.
We examined the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, highlighting three distinct expressions of worship. Martha's service, though initially fraught with anxiety, evolved into a genuine act of worship as she learned to balance her duties with spending time with Jesus. Lazarus exemplified the importance of simply being in God's presence, practicing the presence of God by setting aside distractions and focusing solely on Jesus. Mary's extravagant act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume demonstrated that true worship is both costly and personal, requiring us to pour out our lives fully before God.
Worship is not about us—our feelings, our circumstances, or our preferences. It is about God and His unchanging nature. Even in the midst of life's challenges, our worship should remain steadfast, rooted in the revelation of who God is. True worship may cost us our time, resources, and even our dignity, but it is a reflection of our love and commitment to God. As we spend time in prayer and fellowship with Jesus, our lives become a living testimony, a natural expression of worship that draws others to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is a lifestyle, not an activity. It is a continuous expression of our relationship with Jesus, flowing naturally from our gratitude for who He is and what He has done. Worship is not confined to Sundays but is reflected in our everyday lives, words, thoughts, and deeds. [10:03]
- True servanthood is an expression of worship. Like Martha, we must learn to balance our service with spending time with Jesus. Our service should flow from a heart of gratitude, not from a need to impress or out of anxiety. [21:17]
- Practicing the presence of God, as Lazarus did, involves setting aside distractions and spending quality time with Jesus. It requires intentionality and planning, prioritizing our time with Him above all else. [30:38]
- True worship is costly and personal. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume shows that worship requires us to pour out our lives fully before God, holding nothing back. It is a reflection of our love and commitment to Him. [41:38]
- Worship is about God, not us. It is rooted in the revelation of who He is, not in our circumstances or feelings. Even in difficult times, our worship should remain steadfast, as it is a testament to our faith and trust in God's unchanging nature. [28:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - The Plot Against Jesus
[03:33] - Mary's Extravagant Worship
[05:49] - The Call to Corporate Worship
[06:34] - The DNA of Worship
[07:20] - Worship and Prayer
[08:16] - Expressions of Worship
[09:11] - The Object of Our Worship
[10:03] - Worship as a Lifestyle
[11:09] - Worship Beyond Sundays
[11:52] - Jesus at Home with Friends
[12:24] - Would Jesus Feel Comfortable?
[13:12] - The Dinner Party
[14:07] - Natural Response to Jesus
[15:26] - True Worship from Revelation
[16:32] - Worship in Everyday Life
[17:29] - Three Expressions of Worship
[18:19] - Martha's Servanthood
[19:28] - Martha's Transformation
[21:17] - The Balance of Service and Worship
[22:23] - The Heart of Service
[23:18] - Martha's Learned Balance
[24:42] - Service as Worship
[25:51] - The Highest Calling: Servanthood
[26:34] - Worship as a Lifestyle
[27:14] - Worship Despite Circumstances
[28:10] - Worship and Gratitude
[29:27] - Lazarus' Expression of Worship
[30:38] - Practicing the Presence of God
[31:28] - Quality Time with Jesus
[32:15] - Distractions in Worship
[32:54] - Prioritizing Time with Jesus
[33:15] - Scheduled Time with Jesus
[34:10] - The Importance of Time
[35:17] - Love is Spelled T-I-M-E
[36:53] - Clearing Our Agenda for God
[37:52] - Addicted to Jesus
[38:34] - Lazarus as a Living Testimony
[40:44] - Mary's Extravagant Worship
[41:38] - The Cost of Worship
[42:25] - Worship and Surrender
[44:00] - True Worship is Costly
[45:00] - Worship and Giving
[45:49] - The Price of Worship
[46:36] - Criticism in Worship
[47:41] - The Measure of Worship
[48:19] - Mary's Prophetic Worship
[49:19] - Personal Worship and Loyalty
[50:07] - The Choice to Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Nature of Worship
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-11
- Luke 10:38-42
- 1 Chronicles 21:24
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 12:1-11, what are the different expressions of worship demonstrated by Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? How do these expressions reflect their relationship with Jesus? [03:33]
2. According to Luke 10:38-42, how does Jesus respond to Martha's anxiety about serving? What does this reveal about the balance between service and worship? [21:17]
3. In 1 Chronicles 21:24, David insists on paying for the land to build an altar. How does this relate to the concept of worship being costly, as discussed in the sermon? [44:00]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of gratitude in worship, and how is this reflected in the actions of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? [14:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of intentionality in worship, as seen in Lazarus' practice of being in God's presence? How can this be applied to modern-day worship practices? [30:38]
2. How does the sermon interpret Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume as a personal and prophetic act of worship? What does this teach about the nature of true worship? [41:38]
3. The sermon mentions that worship is not about our circumstances or feelings but about God's unchanging nature. How can this perspective change the way one approaches worship during difficult times? [28:10]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that worship is a lifestyle rather than an activity? What are some practical ways this can be lived out in daily life? [10:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. In what ways does it reflect a continuous expression of worship, and where might there be room for growth? [10:03]
2. Consider the balance between service and worship in your life. Are there areas where you might be serving out of obligation rather than gratitude? How can you realign your service to be an act of worship? [21:17]
3. Identify distractions in your life that prevent you from spending quality time with Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize these distractions and prioritize your relationship with Him? [32:15]
4. Think about a recent situation where you felt challenged to worship despite difficult circumstances. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to maintain a steadfast worship? [28:10]
5. Mary's worship was both costly and personal. What is something valuable in your life that you might be holding back from God? How can you offer it as an act of worship this week? [41:38]
6. How can you incorporate intentional times of practicing the presence of God, like Lazarus, into your daily routine? What might this look like practically for you? [30:38]
7. Reflect on the idea that love is spelled T-I-M-E. How can you prioritize spending time with Jesus in the coming week, and what changes might you need to make to your schedule to do so? [36:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is not just an event or a ritual confined to Sundays; it is a continuous expression of our relationship with Jesus. It flows naturally from our gratitude for who He is and what He has done in our lives. Worship should permeate every aspect of our daily lives, influencing our words, thoughts, and deeds. It is a reflection of our love and commitment to God, and it draws others to Him. As we live out our faith, our lives become a living testimony of worship. [10:03]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, making it a natural part of your lifestyle rather than just a Sunday activity?
Day 2: True Servanthood as Worship
True servanthood is an expression of worship. Like Martha, we must learn to balance our service with spending time with Jesus. Our service should flow from a heart of gratitude, not from a need to impress or out of anxiety. When we serve others, we are serving God, and this becomes an act of worship. It is important to find a balance between our duties and our devotion, ensuring that our service is rooted in love and gratitude. [21:17]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you serve others this week as an act of worship, ensuring that your service is rooted in gratitude and not obligation?
Day 3: Practicing the Presence of God
Practicing the presence of God, as Lazarus did, involves setting aside distractions and spending quality time with Jesus. It requires intentionality and planning, prioritizing our time with Him above all else. By doing so, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and become more attuned to His voice and guidance. This practice helps us to remain focused on what truly matters and strengthens our faith. [30:38]
"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." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions can you eliminate from your life to spend more intentional time in God's presence this week?
Day 4: The Cost of True Worship
True worship is costly and personal. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume shows that worship requires us to pour out our lives fully before God, holding nothing back. It is a reflection of our love and commitment to Him. Worship may cost us our time, resources, and even our dignity, but it is a testament to our faith and trust in God's unchanging nature. [41:38]
"And David said to Ornan, 'No, but I will buy it for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.'" (1 Chronicles 21:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from fully worshiping God? What would it look like to pour out your life fully before Him?
Day 5: Worship Rooted in God's Nature
Worship is about God, not us. It is rooted in the revelation of who He is, not in our circumstances or feelings. Even in difficult times, our worship should remain steadfast, as it is a testament to our faith and trust in God's unchanging nature. By focusing on God's character and promises, we can worship Him with a heart full of gratitude and trust, regardless of our situation. [28:10]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you focus on God's unchanging nature and promises to maintain a heart of worship, even when facing challenges or difficult circumstances?
Quotes
1. "From the knowledge of who He is. And what He's done. You see, worship is something that you cannot help. We are designed to worship. And every single person in this room will worship. The question is, what will we worship? Everything that's in our DNA is put in us from our Creator Himself. The desire to worship. And every single person will worship something or someone. It might even be yourself. But every single person in this room will worship something or someone. Why? Because you can't help it. Because it's in your DNA to do so. It's what you're created for." [00:06:06] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Worship is not something that we do. Yes, we come together and we worship carefully, but it's not an activity. It is a lifestyle. Worship is a lifestyle. It's a natural expression of a relationship that we are in. You see, I go to the football game. When I go to the football game, I wear my Albion shirt, but that's not the only place I wear it. I wear it when I go shopping. I wear it when I'm on holiday. And yet we wear our colors in church on a Sunday, and for the rest of the week, you wouldn't even know we go to church because our lives are not an expression of worship to God. Sometimes they are anything but." [00:10:20] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, how we do our job is an expression of worship. How we treat our children is an expression of worship. How we treat our spouse is an expression of worship. How we relate, how we react, it's all an expression of worship. Because worship is an outward expression of what is within. Our reading this morning. Jesus is in the home of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Now he went there because he was under the threat of death. So Jesus went there, and I get the impression, and it's true, that Jesus went there many, many times. Why? Because Jesus felt comfortable there." [00:11:22] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What you've been doing at home, what you've been doing all week, we should come with the attitude of being ready to worship the minute we walk through them doors because our lifestyle is I've got a lifestyle of worship to God. Why? Because I pray and I spend time with him and he rubs off on me. I get to know a little bit about him so then I can praise him. And there's never a reason, my nan said, there's no excuse, there's no reason for not praising the Lord. No reason. No reason. No excuse. I'll beat you down now the week I've had. Since when's worship got anything to do with you? When's it about you?" [00:14:23] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Worship is a lifestyle flowing from spending time in worship, prayer, and fellowship with Jesus. It doesn't come any other way. If we can't do it at home, we'll never do it at church. If we don't do it at home, we'll never do it at church. It depends on us. It depends on our week. It depends on our day. No, we don't. It depends on who He is. We've been celebrating it this morning. You can have the worst week you've ever had. I've had a bad week this week, but I'm telling you, what we celebrated over there in communion this morning is a reason to praise the Lord." [00:27:09] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When we serve Jesus out of an attitude of gratitude to Him, and it's about Him and not us, then it becomes an expression of worship to Him and for Him. But Jesus was used to visiting their home, and they were used to spending time with Jesus. So her service was now out of an attitude of gratitude to Jesus and not a need to impress. It was all about Him. And not her. Worship is a lifestyle flowing from spending time in worship, prayer, and fellowship with Jesus. Like I said, if we can't do it at home, we'll never do it." [00:29:34] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You see, if we want to spend time with Jesus and really know Jesus, then every other distraction that gets in the way, that hinders us from spending quality time with him, really needs to be moved aside. Because I guarantee you, if I'm trying to spend time with Jesus with the telly on, I'm kind of half listening to Jesus and half watching the telly. When was the last time you spent time with Jesus alone and not yourselves? When was the last time you spent time alone with Jesus without your phone? And I'm speaking to myself." [00:31:54] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Because I'm more interested in Him than what He could do for me. You see, if He never done another thing for me for the rest of my life, what He has done for me up to this point is enough for me to worship Him. I do ask Him for things, of course. What I'm saying is that's not my first. Point. There's a time for our requests and petitions. But when was the last time you sat with Jesus just to be with Jesus? It's difficult, I know, but scheduled time with Jesus is a necessity. It's a must if our lives are to be a natural expression of" [00:33:26] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "See, Lazarus is a perfect example of an expression of worship. He's just sitting, enjoying Jesus' presence. He's drawing near to him and questioning, and having a conversation, and can you imagine the conversation? This guy was dead. week could you imagine the conversation well I was talking to Moses last week because he would have got to paradise which is where the thief on the cross went because before Jesus rose from the dead that's where they went and he would have seen Moses and Moses and David and then I could hear Lazarus" [00:38:48] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Imagine that conversation think of the gratitude I had he was dead and now he's alive and in the midst of all this overflow of gratitude and thankfulness for Jesus he's witnessing how do I know he's witnessing because the Bible says that the people came to see him and through him being a living testimony to Jesus many were saved so if you want to be a living testimony to Jesus spend time with him there's no other way no other way if I want to be a living example of Jesus I've gotta spend time with him and if I want to spend more time with him" [00:39:40] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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