We are beginning a new series for the new year at church. This new series is called "Step Up." If you are a Christ follower, do you think God is calling us to step up as believers? If you believe God is calling you to step up, you can. You can concentrate on moving forward. God can do big things in small steps. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ First. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Christ First
Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14
Sometimes we need to step away from something. We might need to step away from a bad habit or a bad relationship. Maybe you need to step away from bitterness. Do you feel stuck? Then take a step into God's Word.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. - Matthew 6:33
"Our first step is to put Christ first in our lives. The only thing Christ cannot do is to be second." - Tony Evans
Present your everything to God.
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2
1. In Romans 12:1, I request is made.
God is asking us, through Paul, to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our Spiritual service of worship. If we don't hear God's Words, why would He hear our words? The Holy Spirit speaks to God's people.
2. A reason is given.
Why should we do this? God is merciful. We deserve separation, judgement, and Hell, but God is merciful. Therefore, we present our bodies to Spiritual service willingly. We don't like sacrifice. We are an entitled people, but we must know and remember that God's love is not pampering. God's love is perfecting. God wants all of you. He wants your strengths and your weaknesses. He wants everything. God wants you all the time. He wants your good days and your bad days.
Be holy and be wholly His.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? - 1 Corinthians 6:19
3. God is clear on His requirement.
Worship is not just a song or an event. Worship is a lifestyle. How do you know your worship is pure? You know your worship is pure when what you do on Sunday shows up through the week.
4. A result is seen.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2
Don't be conformed to the world. Here, God is talking about an anti-God culture and it's everywhere. We will get sucked into it if we aren't careful.
Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold. - J.B. Philips
The world is after one thing and that one thing is to damn our souls. Why give our everything to a world that will not last?
Give everything to God. A renewal of the mind must be daily.
Get into the Word this year. The Word transforms us. When we renew our mind, the power and glory of Jesus shines through.
Don't be afraid of God's will. Be afraid of stepping out of God's will.
As part of our Summer Playlist Series, our associate pastor delivered a sermon about glorifying God in every experience. His text was Psalm 19, a Psalm of David.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19
You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Glorifying God in Every Situation
When we have something wonderful to celebrate, we want the whole world to know about it. Maybe you are celebrating the birth of a child, a new relationship, an award at work, a big birthday, etc. When we celebrate milestones, it's difficult to keep the good news to ourselves.
David wasn't always positive in his psalms, but in Psalm 19, David expresses joy in knowing God and in being known by God.
We can glorify God in EVERY experience, good or bad.
Creation proclaims God's power.
God's power is seen when we look at the heavens and the skies. Creation never stops pointing to its creator. Creation was meant to glorify God. Creation doesn't use words yet it proclaims the power of the God who created it.
We know there is a God because of His creation and works.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
We know God and His power when we see His creation. Just look at it. Creation worships God. God doesn't NEED us to worship Him so why did He create us? He created us for relationship. God doesn't need us. He WANTS us. Isn't that amazing? You are not an accident. God is powerful enough to sustain creation. He is powerful enough to sustain you. Scripture reveals God's perfection. We can know God through His creation, but we can also know Him through His Word. David describes God's Word as: Perfect Blameless Sure Firm Faithful Unchanging Right Correct Level Pure Undefiled Clean True Righteous God's Word is a direct reflection of who God is.
God is perfect, blameless, sure, firm faithful, unchanging, right, correct, level, pure, undefiled, clean, true, and righteous. David describes God's Word as more precious than anything else. It is by God's Word that we are warned of sin and the dangers of it. God's Word is an instruction manual about how to live and how to know God. A perfect God can be trusted. His Word is true and we can trust it. Do you want to know God? Then read His Word. God is personal. God is more than the God of creation or the author of the Bible. God is personal.
God knows you and He wants you to know Him. Our joy isn't dependent upon our circumstances. Our joy comes from knowing God and glorifying Him in every situation.
We are currently studying Jesus habits. Jesus had no bad habits. He lived a perfect life. If we could all copy the good habits of Jesus, the world would be a much better place. Can you think of bad habits in your life? We all have good and bad habits. Our habits can make us or break us. Your habits determine the direction of your life. When we live like Jesus, it changes everything. When we live like Jesus, it is called Christ-likeness. Jesus worshiped.
Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
If you are a Christ follower, then Jesus lives in you.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20
If you have given your life to Christ, He has given Himself to you.
The one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. - 1 John 2:6
We should live as Jesus did. His habits should be our habits.
Jesus Worshiped
Worship is an expression, an experience, an encounter with God. When we worship, we are glorifying God. We were created to glorify God. Jesus glorified God. Jesus worshiped every day of His life. Worship was a lifestyle of Jesus. Worship in the life of Jesus was both private and public.
1. The Worship Habit of Jesus
Jesus grew up in a home where worship was a priority.
And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. - Luke 2:22
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast. - Luke 2:41-42
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people. - Luke 2:52
Your kids will never prioritize what you marginalize. Make worship a priority for your family every Sunday. - Pastor Paul Purvis
Jesus began His ministry by attending a worship service.
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. - Luke 4:16
Jesus worshiped every day.
At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. - Matthew 26:55
Jesus was passionate about worship.
His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” - John 2:17
Jesus' Passion in Worship:
Jesus sang worship songs.
And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. - Mark 14:26
Jesus loved to see children participate in worship.
But when the chief
priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and
the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant,16 and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”- Matthew 21:15-16
Jesus loved to see people fed from the Word.
And yet they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. - Luke 19:48
And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. - Luke 21:38
Jesus was passionate about giving as an act of worship.
And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. - Mark 12:41
Jesus' Promise About Worship
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. - Matthew 18:20
2. What does the habit of worship look like in our lives?
Everybody worships. The question is not about whether or not we worship. The question is about what we worship. Worshiping wrongly results in emptiness and misery.
"Without Worship, we go about miserable." - A.W. Tozer
True worship is not a place.
God's Word tells us about the place of worship in our lives when it comes to priority.
Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25
True worship is not about us.
We cannot make worship about ourselves. Worship is not about our feelings, but about whether or not God is honored. It is about whether or not our hearts are right so that God can be honored by us.
"Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves, and attend to the presence of God." - Eugene Peterson
True worship has requirements.
As the priests entered the house of God, there was a procedure as they entered the presence of God. They didn't just show up and automatically worship.
Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. - Hebrews 9:1
Read more about the detailed procedure for worship described in Hebrews 9 here at Bible Gateway.
In Old Testament times, people who entered into the worship area (before the Holy of Holies), they came into the courtyard. At the entrance was a brazen altar. On the brazen alter, sacrifices were offered non stop. It probably smelled horrible but it was a reminder to the people of their sins. The symbolism of this tabernacle sacrifice points to Jesus in the future. This carries over into the New Testament.
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1
Worship begins when we yield ourselves to God and give Him everything.
Back in the courtyard of the tabernacle, there was a piece of furniture called a laver. The laver was a huge bowl of water. The priest was to wash his hands and feet before he went any further into the presence of God. We are talking about cleansing. Dirty hands and feet (dirty hearts) are a contradiction to true worship.
This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. - Matthew 15:8
In this condition, our joy is gone. Our focus is gone. God is not honored.
Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. - Hebrews 13:15 (Now we are ready to worship.)
What does it look like to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God?
It is praise, thanksgiving, singing. It is the Word of God. It is prayer, giving, and serving. Worship is also nourishing, strengthening, healing, refreshing, and contagious.
Worship is costly.
Worship cannot happen inside the church unless it first begins outside the church.
True worship is what God is seeking.
Worship is a matter of the heart. It is about a truthful heart and an humble spirit - a repentant sinner abandoning all hypocrisy.
Read the story about the woman at the well in the gospel of John, chapter 4. The first person Jesus revealed Himself to as the Messiah in the book of John was a failed, despised woman who knew nothing but failure. Jesus tells this woman that He is looking for people like her to worship Him.
God is looking for people YOU to worship Him.
The best worshipers come with their brokenness, scars, failures . . . and God opens His heart to them. Their hearts are forever changed.
God is searching for true worshipers. Being a true worshiper is a daily habit, just like Jesus.
PIN ME!
Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus (Jesus Habits)
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.
We learn about the first churches in the book of Acts. Did you know the
disciples were first called Christians in the ancient city of Antioch?
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and
began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the
Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire
year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the
disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts 11:21-26
For the next few weeks at my church, we are going to be learning about
three areas of growth in the Christian life. They are visually
explained to us on the following diagram.
Today, we are talking about the first circle - gathering together in
worship. The decision to attend a worship service is intentional.
Sure, you might decide at the last minute to go, but you still made an
intentional decision to go.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,not
forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing
near. Hebrews 10:23-25
Hebrews 10:23-25 teaches us to “stimulate one another to love and good
deeds.” We are to “not forsake our own assembling together,” in other
words, go to church. We are also to take part in “encouraging one
another.”
Be an encourager!
Points to Ponder Concerning Worship
Worship is Our Identity
Everyone worships something. For some, whether they realize it or not,
it might be money, fun, success, science, knowledge, beauty, popularity,
love, sex, and so many other material things or ideas; but we were made
to worship just One.
But an
hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His
worshipers. – John 4:23
Whatever you worship, you become just like it.
Worship is Commanded by God
The first of the Ten Commandments reads “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
This
commandment still applies today. Our idols, our “gods” just look
different from 1st century worshipers. We need to teach our children to
become Biblical worshipers.
But Jesus said, “Let
the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14
Essential Things Happen When We Worship
When we attend church, we often experience the public reading of God’s Word. We cannot have Biblical worship without God’s Word.
We pray. At our church, we pray for one another. If
prayer is not an essential part of your church worship environment, then
find another church.
At the end of our worship services, we have an “alter call.”
This gives worshipers an opportunity to go to the alter in response to
the Holy Spirit. People respond to an alter call for several reasons.
They respond when they receive Jesus, when they are prompted to pray
for a loved one, when they accept a new calling on their lives – just to
name a few reasons.
Tithing is part of our worship service. Giving people an opportunity to give back to the Lord is an important part of worship.
We sing. We enjoy lots of wonderful music at my church.
Encouragement and Ministry: The messages we hear during a worship service can and do speak to our hearts.
God is in our midst. He really is. He promises us that He is with us when we worship with others in Matthew 18:20.
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. – Matthew 18:20
The Heart of Worship
Worship is not about what we prefer but what God prefers. God prefers a pure heart. Worship is about the glory of God.
Worship is Invitational
Anybody can come to a worship service. If you are not sure where to
worship, you can start with my church. There is always an open door to
our physical building and also online. I am inviting you to
worship with us every Sunday morning right here
at 11:00am eastern time. Sometimes we live-stream evening services as
well. I highly encourage you to find a place where you can worship
with other believers in person. You need to gather together with other
believers. Remember the first circle in the graphic above? Then,
you’ll need to get connected with a small Bible study group within the
church (the second circle). In the meantime, please consider this a
heart-felt invitation for you to join my church in worship.
If you are a believer and you attend a Bible-teaching church, then be
intentional about inviting other people to your church. People need
Jesus. They can meet Him where you are.
At the end of my pastor’s message, he gave us some good advice. We, as
believers, can be – and should be – intensely passionate about God’s
truths. However, sometimes we respond to others, especially on social
media, in ways that might burn bridges instead of building them. Let’s
resolve to not do or say anything that will cause someone else to not
come to faith in Jesus Christ.
