Embracing True Worship: Surrendering to Jesus as Lord

 

Summary

In this sermon, I was reminded of the simplicity of worship and the importance of surrendering our lives to God. Worship is not just about singing praises or saying beautiful words about God, it's about acknowledging Him as the Lord of our lives and surrendering ourselves to Him. It's about bowing down at His feet and acknowledging that He is in charge of our lives. Worship becomes easier the more we know Him and the more we realize that He is with us. We need to be conscious of His presence and acknowledge it in our daily lives.

The sermon also emphasized the importance of acknowledging Jesus as the Lord of our lives. It's not enough to just believe in Jesus, we need to acknowledge Him as the Lord of our lives. He is either the Lord of everything in our lives or He's not the Lord at all. Worship is born out of love and to love Him, we need to know His character. That's why it's important to go to the Word and find Him in the Word. The more time we spend with Him, the easier it is to worship and praise Him.

Key takeaways:
- Worship is not just about singing praises or saying beautiful words about God, it's about acknowledging Him as the Lord of our lives and surrendering ourselves to Him ([01:03:52]).
- We need to be conscious of God's presence and acknowledge it in our daily lives ([01:07:29]).
- It's not enough to just believe in Jesus, we need to acknowledge Him as the Lord of our lives ([01:01:46]).
- To love God and worship Him, we need to know His character. That's why it's important to go to the Word and find Him in the Word ([01:09:09]).
- The more time we spend with God, the easier it is to worship and praise Him ([01:10:34]).

Study Guide

Main Points from the Sermon:

1. Worship is more than singing; it's obedience and full-time service to God. It's born out of love and understanding of His character, which we can learn through His Word. We should seek to find Him in the Word, not just the law. ([01:08:19])

2. Worship is a simple act, but it can be difficult because it requires surrendering our lives to God. It's not just about acknowledging Him as Lord, but truly letting Him be the Lord of our lives. ([01:03:52])

3. Worship becomes easier the more we know God and the more we are conscious of His presence. Our lives should be a continuous act of worship. ([01:06:43])

4. Jesus should be the Lord of all aspects of our lives. Meditating on who He is and what He has done for us can help us in our worship. ([59:21])

Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:

1. John 4:23-24 - This passage talks about true worshipers worshiping the Father in spirit and truth.
2. Romans 12:1-2 - This passage encourages believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is their true and proper worship.

Discussion Guide:

Observation Questions:
1. What does the speaker mean when he says that worship is more than singing?
2. How does the speaker describe the act of surrendering our lives to God in worship?
3. What does it mean to be "presence conscious" in the context of worship?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God's character through His Word enhance our worship?
2. What does it mean to let Jesus be the Lord of all aspects of our lives?
3. How does Romans 12:1-2 relate to the speaker's point about our lives being a continuous act of worship?

Application Questions:
1. How can you make your life a continuous act of worship to God?
2. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's character through His Word?
3. Can you share a time when you truly surrendered an aspect of your life to God in worship? How did that experience impact your relationship with Him?

Devotional

Day 1: Acknowledge His Presence

In our daily lives, we often forget to acknowledge the presence of God. This sermon reminds us that God is always with us, and we should be conscious of His presence. By setting reminders or taking moments throughout the day to thank Him and acknowledge His presence, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. This practice can help us to worship Him throughout the day, not just during specific times of prayer or church services. [01:07:29]

Bible passage: Exodus 33:14 - "And He said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"

Reflection: How can you incorporate moments of acknowledging God's presence into your daily routine?

Day 2: Worship is More Than Singing

Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services. It's about surrendering our lives to God and acknowledging Him as our Lord. This means giving Him control over every aspect of our lives and seeking His will in all we do. Worship is a lifestyle, not just an activity. [01:03:52]

Bible passage: 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: In what areas of your life do you struggle to surrender to God? How can you work towards giving Him control in these areas?

Day 3: Know His Character

To truly worship God, we need to know His character. This means spending time in His Word and seeking to understand who He is. The more we know about God, the easier it is to worship Him. This sermon encourages us to study the names of God and understand their meanings as a way to deepen our understanding of His character. [01:10:34]

Bible passage: Psalm 9:10 - "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Reflection: Choose one name of God and spend some time studying its meaning. How does this name reflect God's character and how can it deepen your worship?

Day 4: Worship Him in Spirit

Worship is not just about the words we say or the songs we sing. It's about the posture of our hearts towards God. This sermon reminds us that we should worship God in spirit, acknowledging Him as our Lord and surrendering our lives to Him. [01:00:08]

Bible passage: John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart posture of worship towards God? What does it look like for you to worship God in spirit?

Day 5: Understand His Law

Understanding God's law is not just about following rules. It's about understanding His character and His desires for us. This sermon encourages us to study God's law not as a set of restrictions, but as a revelation of who God is. [01:11:12]

Bible passage: Psalm 119:34 - "Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart."

Reflection: How can you approach studying God's law with a mindset of understanding His character? How does understanding His law deepen your worship?

Quotes

1. "Through the law, you get to know Him. By obeying the law, by knowing why He wrote what He wrote, you understand God." - 01:11:10

2. "Worship is more than singing. It's obedience. Immerse yourself in Him and don't be a part-time employee. Work for Him full time, worship Him full time, serve Him full time. Acknowledge Him as your Lord full time." - 01:06:57

3. "He is either Lord of all or He's not Lord at all. He's the Lord of everything in my life or He's not the Lord at all. Is He the master? Is He the king of your life?" - 57:45

4. "The reason why it's so hard for some people to worship is because it's hard for them to surrender their lives. They don't really want to throw themselves down. They don't really want to acknowledge Him as Lord." - 01:02:18

5. "Worship becomes easier the more we know Him and the more we really realize that He is with us. We need to be presence conscious. Be conscious of His presence." - 01:06:43