Worship: Our Response and Mission as the Church
Summary
Good morning, Living Faith. Today, we continue our fall sermon series, "We Are the Church," by focusing on the vital role of worship in shaping our church's purpose and activities. Worship is not confined to a building; it is the collective expression of our faith as the body of Christ. Drawing from Acts 2 and Hebrews 10, we explore how worship should guide us to look up to God, look within ourselves, and look around to others.
In Acts 2, we see the early church as a worshiping community, gathering in temple courts and homes, praising God with glad and sincere hearts. This model prompts us to ask how our worship today should shape our church's purpose. Hebrews 10 provides a template for worship, emphasizing that God has taken the initiative through Jesus Christ, allowing us to enter His presence with confidence. Worship is our response to this divine initiative, acknowledging and experiencing what God has done for us.
Worship involves looking up to God, recognizing that through Jesus, we have access to His presence. It is a Christ-centered worship that celebrates the new covenant, where Jesus, our great high priest, intercedes for us. This understanding should inspire us to worship with gratitude and confidence, knowing that God has welcomed us into fellowship with Him.
Looking within ourselves during worship is crucial. Hebrews 10 encourages us to draw near to God with sincere hearts, allowing the salvation of Christ to penetrate every aspect of our lives. Worship should strengthen our faith, cleanse our consciences, and assure us of our hope in God. It is a time to profess our faith and engage fully with our hearts, minds, and bodies.
Finally, worship should lead us to look around and encourage one another. Hebrews 10 urges us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, emphasizing the importance of gathering together. As we worship, we should be mindful of those around us, offering encouragement and support. Worship should also mobilize us to reach out to those who do not yet know Christ, sharing the gospel beyond the church walls.
As we gather to worship, let us remember that we are entering the mission field when we leave. Worship equips us to be the church in the world, making a difference for Christ wherever we are.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is a response to God's initiative through Jesus Christ, allowing us to enter His presence with confidence. It is a Christ-centered act that acknowledges and celebrates the new covenant, where Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest. [09:13]
- Looking within during worship is essential for spiritual growth. It involves bringing our whole selves—hearts, minds, and bodies—into worship, allowing the salvation of Christ to cleanse and assure us. This introspection strengthens our faith and helps us profess our hope in God. [26:30]
- Worship should lead us to look around and encourage one another. Gathering together is vital for spurring each other on toward love and good deeds. As we worship, we should be mindful of those around us, offering support and encouragement. [28:55]
- Worship is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation. In biblical worship, we are all on the playing field, with God as the audience. This perspective shifts our focus from performance to participation, emphasizing the importance of engaging fully in worship. [20:47]
- Worship should mobilize us to reach out to those who do not yet know Christ. It equips us to be the church in the world, sharing the gospel beyond the church walls. As we gather to worship, we are reminded that we are entering the mission field when we leave. [30:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:16] - Introduction to Worship
[06:11] - Looking Up to God
[07:08] - The New Covenant in Worship
[09:13] - Entering God's Presence
[12:28] - Confidence in Worship
[15:50] - What is Worship?
[19:11] - Worship and Sports Analogy
[20:04] - Participation in Worship
[20:47] - Biblical Worship
[26:30] - Looking Within Ourselves
[27:34] - Assurance in Worship
[28:55] - Looking Around to Others
[29:48] - Mobilizing for Mission
[30:48] - Entering the Mission Field
[33:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "We Are the Church: The Role of Worship"
Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:46-47
- Hebrews 10:19-25
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 2:46-47, what activities characterized the early church's worship gatherings?
2. In Hebrews 10:19-25, what reasons are given for why believers can enter God's presence with confidence?
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as our great high priest in the context of worship? [09:13]
4. What are the three directions we are encouraged to look during worship, as mentioned in the sermon? [06:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of worship as a response to God's initiative through Jesus Christ change the way we approach worship? [09:13]
2. What does it mean to "look within" during worship, and how can this practice impact our spiritual growth? [26:30]
3. How does the analogy of worship as a "playing field" rather than a "spectator sport" challenge our current understanding of participation in worship? [20:47]
4. In what ways does worship equip us to engage with the world as the church beyond the walls of the building? [30:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal worship experience. How can you ensure that you are actively participating rather than just observing during worship services? [20:47]
2. When you "look within" during worship, what areas of your life do you feel need more alignment with the teachings of Christ? How can you address these areas this week? [26:30]
3. Consider the people in your life who may not know Christ. How can your worship experience inspire you to reach out to them with love and the message of the gospel? [30:48]
4. How can you encourage and support others in your church community during worship, especially those who may be struggling in their faith? [28:55]
5. Think about the last time you felt truly confident in God's presence during worship. What contributed to that feeling, and how can you cultivate it more regularly? [12:28]
6. Identify one way you can "look around" during worship to spur others on toward love and good deeds. What specific action can you take this week to encourage someone in your church? [28:55]
7. As you leave church services, how can you remind yourself that you are entering the mission field? What practical steps can you take to live out your faith in your daily life? [30:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Response to Divine Initiative
Worship is a profound response to God's initiative through Jesus Christ, allowing believers to enter His presence with confidence. It is a Christ-centered act that acknowledges and celebrates the new covenant, where Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest. This understanding should inspire worship with gratitude and confidence, knowing that God has welcomed us into fellowship with Him. Worship is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt response to the grace and love God has shown us through Jesus. It is an opportunity to express our faith and devotion, recognizing the privilege of being in God's presence. [09:13]
Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: How can you intentionally express gratitude and confidence in your worship today, acknowledging the privilege of entering God's presence through Jesus?
Day 2: Introspection in Worship for Spiritual Growth
Looking within during worship is essential for spiritual growth. It involves bringing our whole selves—hearts, minds, and bodies—into worship, allowing the salvation of Christ to cleanse and assure us. This introspection strengthens our faith and helps us profess our hope in God. Worship is a time to draw near to God with sincere hearts, allowing His transformative power to penetrate every aspect of our lives. It is an opportunity to reflect on our spiritual journey, seeking to align our lives more closely with God's will and purpose. [26:30]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in worship today, seeking His cleansing and assurance?
Day 3: Encouragement and Community in Worship
Worship should lead us to look around and encourage one another. Gathering together is vital for spurring each other on toward love and good deeds. As we worship, we should be mindful of those around us, offering support and encouragement. Worship is not just a personal experience but a communal one, where believers come together to strengthen and uplift each other. It is an opportunity to build relationships, share burdens, and celebrate victories, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the body of Christ. [28:55]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage and support today, and how can you do so in a meaningful way during worship?
Day 4: Active Participation in Worship
Worship is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation. In biblical worship, we are all on the playing field, with God as the audience. This perspective shifts our focus from performance to participation, emphasizing the importance of engaging fully in worship. Worship is an opportunity to actively engage with God, offering our praise, prayers, and presence as a living sacrifice. It is a time to be fully present, setting aside distractions and focusing on the One who is worthy of all honor and glory. [20:47]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure you are actively participating in worship today, rather than merely observing?
Day 5: Worship as a Catalyst for Mission
Worship should mobilize us to reach out to those who do not yet know Christ. It equips us to be the church in the world, sharing the gospel beyond the church walls. As we gather to worship, we are reminded that we are entering the mission field when we leave. Worship is a catalyst for mission, inspiring us to live out our faith in tangible ways and share the love of Christ with others. It is a call to action, challenging us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His hope and healing. [30:48]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you let your light shine in your community today, using worship as a catalyst for sharing the gospel with those around you?
Quotes
1) "As we gather for worship, we should be looking up to God to experience our salvation in Jesus Christ, to experience it on a daily but certainly weekly basis as we gather as the body of Christ. And here is the thing, in Christian worship, God has already given us the power to do that. And so we're going to see that. taken the initiative. And in Christian worship, we acknowledge and we experience what God has already done for us. He has taken the initiative." [07:08] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Christian worship is recognizing that we enter into God's presence because God took the initiative and brought us close to him. We come close to God by the blood of Jesus and by his body. And we worship now through the great high priest, Jesus, who now is the mediator for all of us forever, not just once a year entering into a temple once. No, he is forever interceding for us. So when you understand the elements of the old and you see how Jesus fulfills the new, you see the new covenant is far, far, far newer and better." [12:28] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Worship is putting the value you hold for something or someone on display. You are saying to those around you, I value, I ascribe worth to God and all he's done for me. When you come to worship, that is what you are doing if you're doing it biblically. You might say, well then why should I worship? Well, it flows from it because if God has done this for us as his people, it's only the right thing for us to do." [15:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "In biblical worship, where are you in the stadium? Now, think about that for a second, because in many contemporary worship, guess what? You are instructed, you are encouraged to be in the stands. You're encouraged to sit back and watch the show. I'm not trying to be critical of anyone or anything. I'm just saying, think about it. You see that in some instances, it's like, I'm back here, I'm the audience. And I'm like, yeah, good set. Yeah, they could do better. Pastor, yeah, a little boring today. And you're just, you're there, you're evaluating, you're watching, you're an observer. You're not a participant. You're in the stands." [20:04] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Who's on the playing field in biblical worship? We all are. We're all the players. Yeah, there may be coaches, like pastors and worship leaders who help coach us and lead us and we get into a holy huddle we say okay let's worship Jesus one two three and we get on and we we're on the field and we're and and we're worshiping we're playing the game to use that analogy you're out there doing it who's in the stands God who's the object of our worship God who's receiving the worship God it and and what does the bible say worship is a sweet aroma to God he's the object he's he's delighted in our praises." [20:47] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "If you come into church service, and you just go through it routinely without bringing your heart and your conscience and your mind into it at all, and you walk out and you say, I don't feel any different, guess what? I'm not surprised. As good as this sermon is, as good as the worship, I mean, what I'm saying is, is we all have to bring ourselves to the game. And when we do, God can do amazing things within us. He can change both our assurance, our experience, and our profession." [27:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. What's the day? The day is the coming of our Lord. As we see that approaching, we should not scatter, but we should gather. And we should look up to God, look within, but also look around. And when we look around, what are we to look for? We're to look for people to encourage." [28:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Worship should mobilize us, energize us to be able to go out beyond the four walls and actually make a difference in the lives of those around us who don't even know Christ yet. Worship should be that encouragement that we need each and every week to be able to be more faithful in that duty during the course of our week." [29:48] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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