Worship as a Lifestyle: Living a Gospel Legacy
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Integrity Church family. Today, we delve into Ephesians 5, focusing on the theme of worship and how it ties into leaving a gospel legacy. Worship is not just about singing; it’s a lifestyle, a position of the heart that permeates every aspect of our lives. We explored the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4, where Jesus reveals that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. This story underscores that worship is the reason for our existence and is not limited to Sunday services but extends to our daily lives.
Ephesians 5 teaches us that to live a life of worship, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not a one-time event but a continuous process of being in God's presence. Paul emphasizes that our walk with Jesus is not about doing but about being—being with the Lord, being filled with His Spirit, and letting His Word dwell in us richly. This is the foundation of a life of worship and the key to leaving a gospel legacy.
We also discussed the importance of community and how being with other believers helps us grow in our faith. The early church prioritized being with the Lord over doing, and their actions flowed from their time spent in His presence. Similarly, our doing should come from the overflow of our being with the Lord.
Finally, we looked at practical ways to be filled with the Holy Spirit: singing, giving thanks, living in community, and saturating ourselves in God's Word. These practices help us to be present with God and others, enabling us to live a life of worship that is vibrant and impactful.
### Key Takeaways
1. Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not confined to singing on Sundays; it’s a lifestyle that involves every aspect of our lives. True worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth, as Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman. This means our daily actions, thoughts, and interactions should reflect our worship of God. [30:20]
2. Being Over Doing: Our walk with Jesus is more about being with Him than doing for Him. Jesus modeled this by spending time with the Father before engaging in ministry. Similarly, our actions should flow from our time spent in God's presence. This shift from doing to being is crucial for spiritual growth and leaving a gospel legacy. [34:11]
3. Filled with the Holy Spirit: To live a life of worship, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not about losing control but gaining a greater awareness of God's presence. It brings boldness, joy, and a sense of being alive in Christ. Being filled with the Spirit means allowing God's Word to dwell in us richly. [45:48]
4. Community and Accountability: Living in community with other believers is essential for spiritual growth. We need people who can speak into our lives, challenge us, and encourage us. This mutual submission and accountability help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live a life of worship. [58:42]
5. Practical Steps to Worship: Practical ways to be filled with the Holy Spirit include singing, giving thanks, living in community, and immersing ourselves in God's Word. These practices help us to be present with God and others, enabling us to live a vibrant and impactful life of worship. [59:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:53] - Introduction to Gospel Legacy
[27:25] - Prayer and Community
[28:17] - Ephesians 5:15-21
[29:09] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
[30:20] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[31:22] - Worship as a Lifestyle
[32:11] - Filled with the Holy Spirit
[33:16] - Walking with Jesus
[34:11] - Being Over Doing
[35:26] - Early Church Priorities
[37:17] - Making the Best Use of Time
[38:27] - Understanding God's Will
[40:21] - Sanctification and God's Will
[41:07] - Filled with the Holy Spirit vs. Drunkenness
[45:48] - Boldness from the Holy Spirit
[47:20] - Joy and Gladness in the Spirit
[49:31] - Being Present with God and Others
[51:07] - Command to Be Filled with the Spirit
[52:28] - Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5
[55:23] - Greater Sense of God's Presence
[56:07] - Singing as Worship
[58:06] - Giving Thanks and Testifying
[58:42] - Community and Accountability
[59:55] - Saturating in God's Word
[01:00:32] - Invitation to Believe and Be Filled
[01:01:13] - Closing Prayer and Response
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 5:15-21
- John 4:23-24
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 5:15-21, what are the specific instructions Paul gives to the believers about how they should live their lives?
2. In John 4:23-24, what does Jesus say about the kind of worshipers the Father seeks?
3. What are some practical ways mentioned in the sermon to be filled with the Holy Spirit? [59:55]
4. How does the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman illustrate the concept of worship as a lifestyle? [30:20]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, as described in John 4:23-24? How does this apply to our daily lives?
2. How does the concept of "being over doing" change our approach to spiritual growth and ministry? [34:11]
3. What is the significance of being filled with the Holy Spirit in the context of living a life of worship, according to Ephesians 5:18-21?
4. How does living in community with other believers contribute to our spiritual growth and ability to live a life of worship? [58:42]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily actions, thoughts, and interactions. How can you make them more reflective of a lifestyle of worship? [31:22]
2. Think about your current spiritual practices. How can you shift your focus from "doing" to "being" with the Lord? What changes might you need to make? [34:11]
3. Identify one practical step you can take this week to be filled with the Holy Spirit, such as singing, giving thanks, or immersing yourself in God's Word. How will you implement this step? [59:55]
4. Consider your involvement in your church community. How can you deepen your relationships with other believers to foster mutual growth and accountability? [58:42]
5. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt distant from God. What specific actions can you take to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into that area of your life? [51:07]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of giving thanks into your daily routine? Share one thing you are thankful for and how you can express that gratitude to God and others. [57:19]
7. Think of a person in your life who might be considered an "outcast" or overlooked. How can you show them the love and acceptance that Jesus showed the Samaritan woman? [30:20]
Devotional
### Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is not confined to singing on Sundays; it’s a lifestyle that involves every aspect of our lives. True worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth, as Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman. This means our daily actions, thoughts, and interactions should reflect our worship of God. Worship is the reason for our existence and is not limited to Sunday services but extends to our daily lives.
Ephesians 5 teaches us that to live a life of worship, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not a one-time event but a continuous process of being in God's presence. Paul emphasizes that our walk with Jesus is not about doing but about being—being with the Lord, being filled with His Spirit, and letting His Word dwell in us richly. This is the foundation of a life of worship and the key to leaving a gospel legacy. [30:20]
John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you incorporate worship into your everyday actions and interactions today?
### Day 2: Being Over Doing
Our walk with Jesus is more about being with Him than doing for Him. Jesus modeled this by spending time with the Father before engaging in ministry. Similarly, our actions should flow from our time spent in God's presence. This shift from doing to being is crucial for spiritual growth and leaving a gospel legacy.
The early church prioritized being with the Lord over doing, and their actions flowed from their time spent in His presence. Similarly, our doing should come from the overflow of our being with the Lord. This means that our primary focus should be on our relationship with God, allowing His presence to guide our actions and decisions. [34:11]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your current priorities. Are you more focused on doing for God or being with God? How can you shift your focus to prioritize being with Him today?
### Day 3: Filled with the Holy Spirit
To live a life of worship, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not about losing control but gaining a greater awareness of God's presence. It brings boldness, joy, and a sense of being alive in Christ. Being filled with the Spirit means allowing God's Word to dwell in us richly.
This filling is a continuous process of being in God's presence. Paul emphasizes that our walk with Jesus is not about doing but about being—being with the Lord, being filled with His Spirit, and letting His Word dwell in us richly. This is the foundation of a life of worship and the key to leaving a gospel legacy. [45:48]
Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to be more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life? How can you allow God's Word to dwell in you more richly?
### Day 4: Community and Accountability
Living in community with other believers is essential for spiritual growth. We need people who can speak into our lives, challenge us, and encourage us. This mutual submission and accountability help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live a life of worship.
The early church prioritized being with the Lord over doing, and their actions flowed from their time spent in His presence. Similarly, our doing should come from the overflow of our being with the Lord. This means that our primary focus should be on our relationship with God, allowing His presence to guide our actions and decisions. [58:42]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for spiritual accountability and encouragement? How can you be a source of encouragement to someone else today?
### Day 5: Practical Steps to Worship
Practical ways to be filled with the Holy Spirit include singing, giving thanks, living in community, and immersing ourselves in God's Word. These practices help us to be present with God and others, enabling us to live a vibrant and impactful life of worship.
Ephesians 5 teaches us that to live a life of worship, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not a one-time event but a continuous process of being in God's presence. Paul emphasizes that our walk with Jesus is not about doing but about being—being with the Lord, being filled with His Spirit, and letting His Word dwell in us richly. This is the foundation of a life of worship and the key to leaving a gospel legacy. [59:55]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can you incorporate singing, giving thanks, and immersing yourself in God's Word into your daily routine?
Quotes
1. "Worship is why we live. Worship is why we were created. A.W. Tozer says, Worship is man's full reason. Worship is man's full reason for existence. Worship is why we are born and why we are born again. I love that. Now, I hope you understand that this statement, just by that statement alone, that when we say worship, we don't mean just singing. Now, singing is a part of worship, but worship is a position of our heart. It's a lifestyle." [31:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In order for you and I to live our life as worshipers of God, we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, the problem is we don't often know what that means. Because I can't think of many things in the Bible that has been miscommunicated and often, even times, abused of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But we cannot live a life of worship without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet, we seldom know what it means." [32:11] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's not about doing. It's really about being with the Lord. You tracking? That's what he's saying. It's not about doing. It's about being with the Lord. And that's actually the model that Jesus himself set up for us. Jesus didn't wake up in the morning and start doing. What did Jesus start doing? He started being. He started being with the Father." [34:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "However, what I'm saying is doing should come from the overflow of our being with the Lord. Especially if we want to grow healthy and be growing disciples of Jesus Christ. And this is what it means. As Paul says, make the best use of your time. It's about being with the Lord. Kevin DeYoung in a book, Crazy Busy, he says, we have to believe that the most significant opportunity before us every day is the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. That's what it means to make the best use of your time." [37:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So what it means to be filled with the Spirit, according to Paul in Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5, is to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. You have all the Holy Spirit that you're ever going to get if you're a believer in Jesus Christ, but what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? It's allowing, inviting the presence of God in your life by allowing his word to saturate, saturate your life. Are you tracking? It's experiencing him more richer and fuller." [54:27] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Friends, can I just tell you, that is worship. That is a life of worship. People see something different. People see that you are alive in Christ. Church, don't you want this? Like, don't you want to feel alive for me? I want to be present. I want to be present with my friendships. I want to be present with my sons. I want to be present with my wife. I want to be present and be thankful in all circumstances. I want people to experience my joy and gladness in Christ." [48:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I want to be aware of sin in my life. I don't want to be prideful. I don't want to have blind spots. I don't want to be callous to sin. I want to be quick to confess. I want to be quick to confess and to repent. I want to be quick to and be humble when I'm challenged or called out in my sin. I want to know and believe that he is good and that he is sovereign. Even when I'm in traffic, I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to praise God when I don't get somewhere on time because I trust that he has something better and he's with me." [50:13] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Ask him to show you what you need to know that he is present and not far away but near. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir and move in your heart so that you would be filled with the word of God. With his Holy Spirit. So this morning, what's blocking you being filled with the Holy Spirit? Perhaps it's sin in your life that maybe needs to come to the light, that you need to confess that you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Maybe it's unbelief." [59:55] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus told the woman at the well, the father is seeking such worshipers who would worship in spirit and in truth. And this would go to everyone. No one is excluded from being invited into the presence of God and to be a worshiper of him. So may we worship him today in spirit and in truth. Amen, church." [01:01:13] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so, Father, I pray for everyone, the sound of my voice, everyone in this room, everyone who is listening online right now that does not have a relationship with you, who does not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in their life. I pray right now. I pray right now that you would save them. I pray right now that you would grant them faith to repent and to believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross." [01:01:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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