SERIES SUMMARY
Pastor Greg continues his eight-part series this week called “RESET.” As we journey into this New Year it is a chance for all of us to hit the RESET button and symbolically lay down everything in our lives and only pick up the things God tells us to pick back up. It is a chance for a blank slate and a fresh start in our personal, physical, relational, business and spiritual lives as well as in the life of our church. This week, Pastor G talks to about resetting our life with repentance for all our sins.
This is Week Eight: WORSHIP
MESSAGE NOTES
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:19-20
It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose…. You cannot arrive at your life’s purpose by starting with a focus on yourself. You must begin with God, your Creator. You exist only because God wills that you exist. You were made by God and for God–and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny. Every other path leads to a dead end. ~ Pastor Rick Warren
But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and the people who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ~ John 4:23-24
Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them. ~ Matthew 18:19-20
I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another. ~ John 13:34-35
So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all. The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, “God is really among you.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:23-25
προφήτης (prophétés) ~ Prophesy
While it MAY involve predicting something in the future, more commonly it refers to simply declaring the mind or the message of God.
προσκυνέω (proskuneo) ~ Worship
It literally means to kiss toward someone as you bow down. You pay respect, homage, you fall to the ground in humility. The Hebrew word שָׁחָה (shachah) has the same meaning.
When we worship as intended we will lead people to Christ!
So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
I’m coming back to the heart of worship!
And it’s all about You! It’s all about you, Jesus!
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it!
When it’s all about You! It’s all about You, Jesus!
~ Matt Redman
GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: The quote by Pastor Rick Warren included in the notes.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) How do you feel about the first three sentences? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you think most people in our modern culture would agree or disagree with these three sentences? Why?
2) How about the rest of Rick’s quote? Do you agree or disagree? Have you seen evidence of the truth of these words in your own life? If so, share with the group how you came about to that way of thinking.
READ: John 4:23-24
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) When you read that “God is Spirit” what does that mean to you? If you had to explain what this means to a new Christian or to a seeking person or a non-believer how would you explain it to them?
2) When you read that God seeks worshipers who will “worship Him in spirit and in truth” what does that mean to you? What would it look like if someone was not worshiping God in spirit and in truth? Why would someone do that?
READ: Matthew 18:19-20
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg shared that when we are hearing another believer praying out loud it is important for us to not just listen but to instead actively pray along with them even giving an “amen” or “yes Lord” or an “I agree” softly as they pray. This way we are essentially praying one prayer “together” in unity. According to this verse why is it important for us to do this? What happens if we don’t do this?
2) Thinking of C.I.E., interpret this verse in light of everything else you have studied in Scripture. Is Jesus really saying as long as two or more of us agree we can literally ask Jesus for ANYTHING and He will absolutely give it to us? Why or why not? If not, what would some of the implied limitations be based on the context of other Scriptures?
3) If it is possible that Jesus will deny our request, even though we all agreed and prayed for it together why is it still important for us to pray this way?
READ: 1 Corinthians 14:23-25
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What are some of your reactions to this passage? Have you ever seen this occur where an unbeliever comes to the church and is so moved by what they experience that they become a believer right then and there? Have you heard of this happening in other places? If so share some of those stories. If you’ve never seen that happen why do you think that is?
2) Do you feel a greater responsibility now as a “worshiper” because of this passage and the rest of the sermon and this study? Why or why not? In what ways could you more fully engage in worshiping in spirit and in truth?
3) Pastor Greg mentioned that as one who “leads worship” he prefers to see himself as the “Lead Worshiper” rather than the “Worship Leader.” Do you recall what he feels the difference is? With Paul’s revelation that the worship actions of the entire congregation can bring about the salvation of an unbeliever do you think the whole congregation should consider themselves worship leaders? Why or why not?
4) Pastor Greg also mentioned as we worship or as we lead worship we need to remember Rick Warren’s opening line “It’s not about you.” We should remember we all only have an audience of One. We are all “performing worship” for Him and Him alone. So we need to worship in spirit and truth, directing all attention to God and never to ourselves. Do you agree or disagree? Why? How would you explain your position if you were teaching a class on this?
5) Have you ever been part of a worship service where it felt like the worship leader or the band or the preacher was more concerned with being noticed, being praised, hearing applause than they were about God receiving all the praise and glory? Whether we are “in the pews” or “on the platform” what can we do as worshipers who want to “worship in spirit and truth” to make sure we never make that mistake in our worship?