Neal continued our series on Spiritual Gifts looking at worship.
We apologise for the poor quality of this audio recording.
This morning we looked at the difference being Baptised in the Holy Spirit makes to our worship. We started by looking at Ephesians 5 vs 18-20 where we are encouraged to be filled with the Holy Spirit and make music to the Lord. Worship is about Jesus, For Jesus and to Jesus and Chris Tomlin says this
“ Worship centers our minds attention and our hearts affection on the Lord. Its not something we do out of obligation but rather is a response to who God is and what he has done – It’s a heart Response.”
What does the bible say about worship?
Psalm 149 vs 4 – The Lord inhabits the praise of his people
Psalm 16 vs 11 – In thy presence is fullness of joy
Psalm 22 vs 3 – The Lord is enthroned on the Praises of his people
Matthew 18 vs 20 – Where two or three are gathered in my name – There I am in the Midst
John 4 vs 23-24 – Worshipers worship in spirit and truth – The father is looking for those that will worship him that way.
We looked at how our worship comes together on a Sunday morning – Led by the Holy Spirit and not by us!
We start with praise that is generally about Jesus and for Jesus which will lead to worship which is more intimate and is us singing TO Jesus – This is personal and intimate and we looked at the difference between the two – Me talking to Pamela about Julia and the me talking directly TO Julia – what a difference! This personal intimate worship comes out of relationship and is just us and God – no-one else can do this for you – it’s all about your heart attitude and love for God. So often we thing a time of worship is for us – What can I get out of this? We have preferences about particular songs or a style of worship which can hinder us worshiping Jesus as fully as we should – Time of worship are primarily for Jesus and to Jesus – The fact that when we worship he speaks to us and encourages us shows his heart and how he longs for a people to worship him in spirit and in truth. As we worship we rekindle relationship with God which is what he has always wanted from his people since the fall in the garden of Eden – He longs for his Church to rise up and worship in spirit and truth.
So what changes in worship for us as the people of God?
It brings joy –
It brings strength
It beings perspective
It brings truth
It reveals Gods heart towards us
It brings peace
It brings increased intimacy – It makes your soul well!
It brings restoration
It brings Power and Gods presence back to the Church – This is not an option but a necessity!
It transforms us from earth to Heaven – To be lost in wonder love and praise gives us a glimpse of heaven!
Questions:
1. Terry Virgo says on his book The Spirit Filled Church – “ God is seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth, not in temperament and preference”
What do you understand by this statement and do you think we miss out sometimes because we rely on temperament and preference?
2. Does intimacy with God in worship seem a long way off, does it concern you that you don’t feel like that? – How can you change this and increase your relationship with God?
3. Bill Johnson says “ When we encounter his divine presence , transformation then occurs which goes beyond the reach of merely good ideas – This is transformation that first takes place within us, that we might cause transformation around us” - This transformation is vital for the Church and our communities around us – How can we play our part and how can worship help us in this?
