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INTRODUCTION
Worship is our inner connection with Jesus. It is giving Him the honor and value He deserves. Worship is not a ritual or a series of actions. Think of it as the sacred space where we meet with Jesus, rest in His presence, and accept His open invitation to partner with Him in His transformative Kingdom work.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28-29
When we center our focus on Jesus, we are declaring His supreme position over us and expressing gratitude for what He has done for us. Jesus has assured us that He will dwell in our lives and circumstances, and His presence will bring limitless possibilities that cause us to realize, He is worth it all!
In this collection, we will discover:
February 15/18
Defining Worship
February 22/25
The Focus of Our Worship
February 29/March 4
Worshiping in Spirit
March 7/10
Worshiping in Truth
March 14/17
The Elements of a Worship Gathering
March 21/24
Developing a Passion for Worship - PALM SUNDAY/COMMUNION
March 28/31
EASTER WEEKEND
Text: John 4:23-39 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: Our worship of God should consume us.
Week 2 - “THE FOCUS OF OUR WORSHIP”
I. GOD
WORSHIP (vs 23a, 24)
A. We are to worship
“Then God spoke all these words: 2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 3Do not have other gods besides me. 4Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.” —Exodus 20:1-6
B. We are not to worship
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” —I John 5:21
“Idolize” means to
In America, the number one idol is
Reasons we should not
a. Idols will
“You are guilty of the blood you have shed, and you are defiled from the idols you have made.” —Ezekiel 22:4a
b. Idols will
“This is what the Lord says: What fault did your ancestors find in me that they went so far from me, followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?” —Jeremiah 2:5
c. Idols will
“They served their idols, which became a snare to them.” —Psalm 106:36
d. Idols will
See The Story of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-26)
II. GOD
WORSHIP (v 23b)
“The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.” —Psalm 147:11
III. GOD
WORSHIP (vs 25-26)
A. He is our
“Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” —Revelation 4:11
“Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care.” —Psalm 95:6-7a
B. He is our
“They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” —Revelation 5:12
C. He is our
“… and to God the Judge of all …,” —Hebrews 12:23 (KJV)
God will judge those
“Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. 14Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” —Revelation 20:11-15
God will judge those
“For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved — but only as through fire.” —I Corinthians 3:11-15
IV. GOD
WORSHIP (vs 27-39)
- God
“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory …” —Psalms 115:1a
CONCLUSION: Are you experiencing Jesus in worship?
DEEP DIVES:
How does worshiping God alone prevent us from idolizing other things (Exodus 20:1-6, 1 John 5:21)?
What does it mean that God blesses those who worship Him (Psalm 115:1a)?
How does recognizing God as our Creator, Savior, and Judge influence our worship (Revelation 4:11, 5:12, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 20:11-15, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)?
In what ways can we ensure that our worship of God consumes us?