Worship: A Lifestyle of Gratitude and Service
Summary
In a sermon series titled "More Than a Song," the speaker delves into the essence of worship, challenging the congregation to expand their understanding beyond the conventional association with music and sermons. The speaker cites George Barner's observation that many Christians struggle to define worship, emphasizing that it is a daily practice, not confined to Sunday services. Worship is portrayed as a lifestyle, a continuous act of giving God praise, regardless of circumstances. The speaker underscores that worship is about what we can give to God, not what we can get from it, and it should be an expression of gratitude, love, and recognition of God's worthiness.
The pastor shares various personal stories to illustrate the transformative power of worship. One such story is about Miss Elsie, whose stage four cancer went into remission, demonstrating God's omnipresence and power. Another story involves a woman missionary in China who, through continuous worship and gratitude, experienced miraculous healing. The speaker also recounts a personal experience at a sushi restaurant, where an Uber driver's spontaneous worship through dance reminded him of the genuine expression of faith and gratitude.
The sermon also revisits biblical accounts to further explain the nature of worship. The speaker discusses the story of a woman in the Bible who, despite her reputation, displayed profound worship by wiping Jesus' feet with her hair and anointing them with perfume. This act of humility and devotion, even in the face of judgment from others, exemplifies the depth of true worship. The speaker also references Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well, highlighting that true worshipers can worship God anywhere and in any situation, not just in a temple or church.
The speaker concludes by addressing the role of the church and individual believers in society. They assert that the church should serve the community and influence the government, rather than relying on external entities. Worship should be connected to every aspect of our lives, influencing our actions and decisions. The speaker challenges the congregation to live a worship-filled life, influenced by Christ rather than culture or politics.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship transcends the act of singing or attending church services; it is a lifestyle of recognizing and honoring God's omnipresence, power, and worthiness in every aspect of our lives. The speaker's reference to Miss Elsie's healing story serves as a testament to the belief that God is actively involved in our circumstances and that worship can be a powerful conduit for experiencing His presence and miracles. [19:54]
- The biblical account of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with her perfume and wiped them with her hair demonstrates that true worship often requires a disregard for public opinion and personal reputation. This act of worship was a profound expression of love and gratitude, showing that worship is not about us, but about giving honor to God. [34:24]
- The concept of worship as a continuous act, not limited by location or situation, is exemplified by the story of the woman at the well and the missionary in China. True worshipers can connect with God in spirit and truth anywhere, whether in a valley, on a mountain, or in everyday places like grocery stores. [25:23]
- The speaker's personal story of witnessing an Uber driver's public display of worship through dance highlights that worship can be an outward expression of an internal faith and transformation. It is a personal and heartfelt response to God's goodness, love, and the changes He has brought into our lives. [11:31]
- Worship should be the driving force behind the church's role in society, guiding its actions and influence. The church is called to serve its community and be a beacon of Christ's love, not relying on nonprofits or the government to fulfill its purpose. Worship is not just an event but a lifestyle that should permeate every action and decision we make as believers. [43:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "More Than a Song"
#### Bible Reading
1. John 4:19-24 (NIV)
> “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
2. Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)
> When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus tell the woman at the well about the future of worship? (John 4:21-24)
2. How did the sinful woman express her worship to Jesus at the Pharisee’s house? (Luke 7:37-38)
3. What was the Pharisee’s reaction to the woman’s actions, and how did Jesus respond to him? (Luke 7:39-47)
4. According to the sermon, what are some misconceptions about worship in the Western church? [03:20]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to worship God "in spirit and in truth" as Jesus described to the woman at the well? (John 4:23-24)
2. How does the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 illustrate the concept of worship as a heartfelt expression rather than a public performance? [35:05]
3. Why is it significant that the woman used her hair to wipe Jesus' feet, and what does this tell us about the nature of true worship? (Luke 7:38) [34:24]
4. How does the sermon challenge the traditional view of worship being confined to music and church services? [04:35]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: In what ways can you incorporate worship into your everyday activities, beyond just Sunday services? [05:10]
2. Think about a time when you felt judged for your expression of faith. How can the story of the sinful woman inspire you to worship God regardless of public opinion? [41:18]
3. The sermon mentioned that worship should be a continuous act. What are some practical steps you can take to maintain a posture of worship throughout your week? [04:35]
4. How can you ensure that your worship is an external expression of an internal encounter with God, rather than just a routine or performance? [10:57]
5. The speaker shared a story about an Uber driver who worshipped publicly through dance. Have you ever felt moved to worship God in a public setting? What was that experience like, and how did it impact you? [11:31]
6. How can the church better serve the community and influence society through a lifestyle of worship, as suggested in the sermon? [43:55]
7. Identify one area of your life where you can shift your focus from cultural influences to being more Christ-centered. What changes can you make this week to start this shift? [45:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle Choice
Worship is not confined to songs or church attendance; it is a daily act of acknowledging God's presence and worth in every moment. It is about offering praise to God in all circumstances, reflecting a heart of gratitude and a recognition of His sovereignty. This lifestyle of worship is exemplified by the story of Miss Elsie, whose faith in the face of cancer demonstrates that worship can be a powerful experience of God's miraculous work. [19:54]
Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of worship into your daily routine, beyond music and church services?
Day 2: Worship Beyond Public Perception
True worship requires a heart willing to express love and gratitude to God, regardless of societal judgment or personal reputation. The biblical woman who anointed Jesus' feet with her perfume and wiped them with her hair showed a profound level of worship, focusing solely on honoring Jesus. This act of humility and devotion challenges believers to worship God with a similar disregard for public opinion. [34:24]
Luke 7:44-46 - "Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.'"
Reflection: Are there ways you have allowed the fear of judgment to hinder your expression of worship to God?
Day 3: Worship Unbound by Location
Worship is not limited to a specific place or situation; it is a continuous connection with God that can occur anywhere. The woman at the well and the missionary in China exemplify that true worshipers can engage with God in spirit and truth, regardless of their physical surroundings. This understanding of worship invites believers to find opportunities to connect with God throughout their daily lives, in any place. [25:23]
John 4:23-24 - "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
Reflection: What are some unconventional places or times where you can practice worshiping God in your everyday life?
Day 4: Worship as Personal Transformation
Worship can be an outward expression of an internal transformation, a personal and heartfelt response to God's goodness and the changes He has brought into our lives. The spontaneous worship of an Uber driver through dance is a reminder that worship is not just a private affair but can be a public declaration of faith and gratitude. [11:31]
Psalm 149:3 - "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp."
Reflection: How has your personal journey with God transformed the way you express worship both privately and publicly?
Day 5: Worship Influencing Community Engagement
The church's role in society should be driven by worship, guiding its actions and influence within the community. Worship should not be an isolated event but a lifestyle that permeates every decision and action, inspiring the church to serve and be a beacon of Christ's love without relying on external entities. This call to action is a reminder that worship has practical implications for how believers engage with the world around them. [43:55]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: In what ways can your worship inspire you to take actionable steps in serving and impacting your community?
Quotes
"True worship is a heart expression of love and adoration and admiration and even fascination for a God that does more than we could ever think or even imagine." [15:21] (Download)
"When we are worshiping God in spirit and in truth, we are worshiping a God who is omnipotent, a God who is all-powerful. There is nothing more powerful than our God." [15:57] (Download)
"To take her hair, which represents her dignity, and wipe the dirtiest part of his body with it was too important of a moment to miss. I don't have a towel, but I've got my hair, which represents my identity." [34:24] (Download)
"Worship isn't an external expression of an internal encounter; what is true worship? True worship is a heartfelt expression of love, adoration, admiration, and here it is, and even fascination and wonder and even celebration." [13:24] (Download)
"Worship is not about what I'm getting from it, it's about what I'm bringing to it because worship is not about me, it's about Him." [41:18] (Download)
"My bride is the answer; this is why I formed y'all to serve the community around you because if the church is doing what I call the church to do, we don't need the nonprofits, we don't need the government." [44:26] (Download)
"A worship-filled life is influenced by Christ, not by culture... that's what it means to be in the world but not of the world." [45:06] (Download)
"Worship is not an event, it's a lifestyle. Everything we do there needs to be worship connected to it because God deserves our praise not just on Sunday morning but every morning." [46:11] (Download)
"True worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth...they worship God wherever they are, whenever they can, however they can. These are the true worshippers who say I don't care who's looking." [26:27] (Download)
"Regardless of our physical posture, it's our heart's posture that gets God's attention. What gets God's attention is not our physical posture in praise and worship, but it's our heart's posture in praise and worship." [23:36] (Download)
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