Worship as a Lifestyle: Glorifying God in All Things
Summary
In today's teaching, I focused on the multifaceted nature of worship and how it frames our entire existence. Worship is not confined to music or Sunday services; it is a lifestyle that encompasses every action and thought, as we are called to do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). I delved into the concept of humanism and its subtle ways of distorting worship, highlighting three faces of humanism: seeking goodness without God, using God for personal gain, and using God to find one's life instead of losing one's life to find God. These distortions invert the true purpose of worship and can lead us to a place where we are essentially asking God to worship us.
I emphasized the importance of the Word of God in discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts, allowing us to align our will with God's and to use His promises for His glory rather than our own gain. I also shared my personal conviction that the Word of God must become flesh in my life before I can impart it to others, ensuring that my teaching is not just theoretical but a testimony of lived experience.
Drawing from the story of Herod in Acts 12:21-24, I illustrated the consequences of not giving glory to God and the importance of acknowledging Him before others. I outlined several ways to glorify God, including reserving all glory for Him, thanking Him, boasting in Him, rejoicing in Him, seeking His glory instead of man's, acknowledging Him before men, and bearing the fruit of faith. I also touched on the upcoming sermon series "That They Bear Much Fruit," which will explore the connection between worship, faith, and glorifying God.
Finally, I concluded with a call to consider how we might glorify God in our current situations and to seek His guidance on the type of worship He desires from us in this season of our lives. I encouraged the congregation to view their lives through the lens of glorifying God, which would make heaven a smaller adjustment and transform our understanding of worship.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is an all-encompassing lifestyle that goes beyond songs and services; it is about doing everything for God's glory. This perspective challenges us to examine our daily actions and attitudes, ensuring they align with the heart of worship. [01:24:26]
- The Word of God is a discerning tool for our thoughts and intents, helping us to distinguish between what is of the Spirit and what is of the soul. Engaging with Scripture in this way can transform our understanding of God's promises and our motives for following Him. [01:27:11]
- Humanism can subtly distort our worship by promoting self-actualization over self-sacrifice. We must be vigilant against the temptation to use God for our purposes rather than losing our lives to find Him. This inversion of worship must be recognized and corrected. [01:28:13]
- Acknowledging God before others is a powerful act of worship. Whether through our words or actions, giving God the glory in public settings can have a profound impact on those around us and on our own faith journey. [01:48:25]
- Bearing the fruit of faith is a means of glorifying God. As we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, our lives will naturally produce works that honor God and demonstrate our discipleship. This fruitfulness is not for our own benefit but for the glory of the Father. [01:53:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
2. Acts 12:21-24 - "On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, 'This is the voice of a god, not of a man.' Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish."
3. John 15:7-8 - "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 10:31, what should be the motivation behind all our actions? How does this align with the sermon’s message about worship as a lifestyle? [01:24:26]
2. In Acts 12:21-24, what was the consequence of Herod not giving glory to God? How does this story illustrate the importance of acknowledging God before others? [01:48:25]
3. What does John 15:7-8 say about the relationship between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit? How does this relate to glorifying God? [01:53:35]
4. The sermon mentioned three faces of humanism that distort worship. Can you list and briefly describe them? [01:28:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of doing everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) challenge our daily actions and attitudes? What practical changes might this require in your life? [01:24:26]
2. Reflecting on Herod’s story in Acts 12:21-24, why do you think it is significant to give glory to God publicly? What might be the impact on others when we do so? [01:48:25]
3. John 15:7-8 speaks about bearing fruit as a way to glorify God. What kind of "fruit" do you think this passage is referring to, and how can it be evident in a believer’s life? [01:53:35]
4. The sermon highlighted the subtle ways humanism can distort our worship. How can we recognize and correct these distortions in our own lives? [01:28:13]
### Application Questions
1. Think about your daily routine. How can you intentionally do even the mundane tasks for the glory of God? What specific changes can you make to ensure your actions reflect a heart of worship? [01:24:26]
2. Have you ever found yourself seeking approval or glory from others rather than from God? How can you shift your focus to seek God’s glory in your interactions and decisions? [01:44:02]
3. In what ways can you publicly acknowledge God in your life, similar to how Herod failed to do so? Share a recent experience where you had the opportunity to give glory to God in front of others. [01:48:25]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of the Word of God in discerning our thoughts and intents. How can you incorporate more Scripture into your daily life to help align your will with God’s? [01:27:11]
5. Reflect on a time when you might have used God for personal gain or self-actualization. How can you shift your perspective to lose your life for God’s sake instead? [01:28:13]
6. Bearing the fruit of faith is a way to glorify God. Identify one area in your life where you can step out in faith this week. What specific action will you take to demonstrate your trust in God? [01:53:35]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to consider how we might glorify God in our current situations. What is one specific way you can glorify God in a challenging situation you are facing right now? [01:50:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle Choice
Worship extends far beyond the confines of music or a weekly church service; it is an intentional choice to live a life that honors God in every aspect. This means that every thought, word, and deed is an opportunity to demonstrate reverence and adoration for the Creator. It's about making a conscious decision to align one's daily actions and attitudes with the heart of worship, ensuring that they reflect a commitment to glorifying God. This perspective challenges believers to examine their lives under the microscope of worship, asking whether their routines, interactions, and even their leisure activities are done in a way that brings glory to God. It's a transformative approach that turns the mundane into the sacred and the ordinary into an offering. [01:24:26]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Reflection: How can you transform a routine activity into an act of worship to God today?
Day 2: Discerning the Heart Through Scripture
The Word of God is not merely a collection of stories and commandments; it is a living, active force that penetrates the heart, revealing our true intentions and desires. Engaging with Scripture is a transformative experience that allows believers to discern between motivations of the Spirit and those of the flesh. This deep interaction with the Bible can shift one's understanding of God's promises, moving from a self-centered interpretation to one that seeks to honor God. It is through this lens that believers can examine their motives for following Christ, ensuring that their pursuit of Him is pure and not tainted by selfish ambition. The Word becomes a mirror reflecting the innermost parts of the soul, prompting a reevaluation of one's life in light of divine truth. [01:27:11]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need the Word of God to discern your true intentions?
Day 3: The Subtlety of Humanism in Worship
Humanism, with its focus on human interests and self-fulfillment, can subtly infiltrate worship, leading believers away from the essence of self-sacrifice that is central to the Christian faith. This distortion manifests in various ways, such as seeking goodness without God, using God for personal gain, or seeking life through God without the willingness to lose one's life for His sake. It is a reversal of the true purpose of worship, where the worshipper becomes the one who is sought after rather than the one who seeks. Believers must remain vigilant, constantly evaluating their approach to worship to ensure it is not self-serving but rather a reflection of the surrender and humility that Christ exemplified. [01:28:13]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" - Luke 9:23-24 ESV
Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to invert worship, focusing on your desires rather than God's glory?
Day 4: Publicly Acknowledging God
Acknowledging God before others is a profound expression of worship that extends beyond personal devotion into the realm of public testimony. It is an act that not only honors God but also serves as a witness to those around us. This can take many forms, from verbal acknowledgment in conversations to actions that demonstrate a commitment to God's principles. By giving God the glory in public settings, believers can have a significant impact on the world around them, inspiring others and strengthening their own faith. It is a reminder that worship is not a private affair but a declaration of God's sovereignty and grace in every sphere of life. [01:48:25]
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:32 ESV
Reflection: How can you give glory to God in a public setting this week?
Day 5: Bearing Fruit that Glorifies God
The life of a believer is meant to bear fruit that glorifies God, demonstrating the transformative power of abiding in Christ. As one remains in Him and His words take root in the heart, the natural outcome is a life that produces works honoring God. This fruitfulness is not for personal acclaim but for the glory of the Father, serving as evidence of true discipleship. It is through this process that believers can impact the world, showing the love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit that stem from a genuine relationship with Jesus. The call to bear fruit is a call to live out the faith in tangible, visible ways that point back to the Creator. [01:53:35]
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." - John 15:8 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can bear fruit in your life that will glorify God this week?
Quotes
1) "The words that I speak to you, they are spirit, right? They are truth. They are spirit. But then there's our soul, which sometimes isn't aligned with the word of God in certain ways. And so we let the word of God discern the thoughts and intents of our heart. Isn't that awesome? Notice that it says that the word of God discerns your thoughts. That's the content. But also your intents. That's the purpose." [01:26:23]
2) "Using God to find your life instead of losing your life to find God. The enemy has a stupid way of, I was going to say brilliant way, but I'm not going to give him the credit, of absolutely inverting the word of God. Like 180 degrees opposite. The start of the satanic Bible is this line. Do what thou wilt. Do what you will. That's the start of the satanic Bible. Jesus. He said, if you want to find your life, lose it." [01:28:13]
3) "None of the words that I've spoken to you in this message have... Spoken other than they've pierced my heart first. And continue to pierce my heart. Do you understand? It's scary to preach a message like this. I don't want to say scary. You can't preach a message like this without administering to you first. I personally believe that the Word of God is meant to become flesh in my life." [01:29:06]
4) "You can glorify God by bearing the fruit of faith. Yeah, that's powerful. You know, part of the wrestling that I think God was doing in us as a congregation and me releasing the benchmark drafts to you is actually he started with worship on purpose. Because the benchmarks indicate fruit that you will naturally bear and we will naturally bear if we abide in him and his word abides in us and we get about the faith business of asking." [01:54:26]
5) "Reserve all the glory for God. I'm going to just share a few verses. I'm not going to go slow enough for you to turn to them unless you've got lightning fingers. Jeremiah 9, 23 and 24. But I will say the verses, the addresses so you can find them later. Thus says the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might. Nor let the rich man glory in his riches. But let him. Him who glories glory in this." [01:37:31]
6) "You can glorify God by acknowledging him before man. You can also do the opposite by not acknowledging him before man. There's a fine line. There's a fine line. Imitate me as I imitate Christ. But there's only one that deserves any glory. Philippians 2.11 says, It says that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. When people confess Jesus is Lord, it glorifies God." [01:48:25]
7) "Another way that you can give glory to God is to rejoice in him. To rejoice in him and emphasize that word joy. I'm not giving you all the scriptures for this, of course. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I'll say rejoice. We know that, Philippians 4. Here's another one, Revelations 19.7. It says, Let us be glad and rejoice and give him glory." [01:42:57]
8) "Seek his glory instead of the glory of man. Matthew 6.2. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, don't sound a trumpet before you as hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory for men, the thoughts and the intents of the heart, that they may have glory. That they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have the reward." [01:44:02]
9) "A question you could be asking yourself is, in my current situation, how could I give God glory in a way that I've not yet given him glory in this situation? I'd propose to you, you might still be in your situation because you haven't yet learned the lesson God had for you, which is to be able to render glory to him, render worship to him in your current situation, right?" [01:50:39]
10) "The glory which you gave me, I have given them that they may be one just as we are one. You had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There was separation. Jesus had to put glory onto you so that you could be one with him. Now he's put glory onto you. And now when you give yourself to God, you're actually giving him glory." [02:08:54]
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