09.15.2024
Sermon Title: The Heart of Worship
Romans 12.1-2, John 4.19-24, Isaiah 29.13
1. Worship is more than Sunday mornings and singing
2. The problem of personal preference
3. The Problem of Routine
4. Pursuing Good Worship and avoiding Bad Worship
5. Healthy Worship is Regular Worship
1.
: Living as Worship
Romans 12:1–2 LSB
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.
2.
: Worship in Truth and Love
John 4:19-24 (LSB)
The woman said to Him, “Sir, I see that You are a prophet.
“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
“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.
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
3.
: Hearts Close to God
Isaiah 29:13 (LSB)
Then the Lord said,
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
And honor Me with their lips,
But they remove their hearts far from Me,
And their fear of Me is in the command of men learned by rote,
“Because this people draw near with their mouth And honor Me with their lips, But they remove their hearts far from Me,”
Life Group Questions:
What makes you feel closest or most connected with God? Singing, being outdoors, reading, painting, etc.
**
Read Rom 12.1-2, John 4.19-24, Isa 29.13 (prior to life group):** When you read through the scripture take note of anything interesting, unique, or questions that come to mind when reading. Take some time and dig in deeper in the following areas.
How can we make worship all about God and not us?
How do we prepare our heart for a worship service?
How do we get distracted in our worship?
Why should a church expect members to worship?