How To Develop Of Lifestyle Of Worship Series

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

3. How To Develop of Lifestyle of Worship

January 22/23, 2005

Don Jaques

ANNOUNCE:

Feb 5/6 changes

2 new small groups –

• The Holy Spirit and the Believer with Ken Mann Thu 2/3

• DNA of Relationship with Kortuses Wed 2/16.

SUBJECT: WORSHIP

CENTRAL IDEA: Developing a lifestyle of worship

OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: Every person can develop a lifestyle of worship by practicing certain disciplines in their life.

RATIONALE:

1. Get spiritual exercise daily. (read the Bible and pray)

2. Keep in Step with the Spirit all day long. (recognize Jesus’ presence with you through every activity and seek His wisdom before acting.)

INTRO:

Over the past 2 weeks we’ve looked at 2 of our 3 priorities as a church.

2 weeks ago: Outreach – We are dedicated to reaching people who do not know Christ as their Savior.

Last week: Small Groups – We are determined to care for each other through small groups.

This week:

WORSHIP: We are devoted to worshipping God as a lifestyle.

But what is worship anyway?

I think Jesus’ response would be this:

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Worship definition from a message last July – worship is declaring in word, thought, or action the greatness of God and your submission to Him.

So the question is, How can we develop a lifestyle where we’re declaring the greatness of God our our submission to Him on a moment by moment basis?

1. Get spiritual nourishment and exercise daily.

ILLUS: Eating healthy and exercising daily are important to long life and happiness. But sometimes it isn’t a great joy! Eating your vegetables is good sometimes. But sometimes we have to make a choice to eat healthy and say no to other foods. Sometimes we feel great about exercising. It’s fun! Other times it hurts – it’s costly – and we’d rather be in front of the TV or in bed.

But it’s ALWAYS good for us!

• Make the time.

I’ve resolved not to watch TV before I’ve read the Bible that day.

Could be morning, lunchtime, after dinner, right before bed – but find 20 minutes. Most of us could just turn off the TV and instantly have at least an hour a day.

• Read the Bible and pray for God to give you insight.

What do I learn about God?

What do I learn about people?

What do I learn about myself?

How does this apply to my life today?

What verse should I memorize?

• Pray over the events of the day coming up.

When we do this the benefits are enormous.

• Scripture comes to mind to share with people throughout the day.

• Scripture comes to mind when temptation comes along.

ILLUS: Researchers have discovered certain people are genetically destined to excel in athletics. According to their studies, the A.C.E. gene is longer in athletes than in those who are not agile, fast, or well-coordinated in their movements. Researchers also observed that people who are born with a longer A.C.E. must work out to take advantage of their hereditary advantage.

Similarly, those who receive Christ are capable of a life of spiritual victory. When we become a Christian and receive the Holy Spirit, we have the power to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. But as with those genetically predisposed to athletic success, we must "work out."

TRANS: But making sure we make time for spiritual nourishment and exercise each day is really only the starting point to developing a lifestyle of worship. It is still possible to keep God compartmentalized. (“God, here is your 20 minutes. I’ll keep the rest.”) If we really want to develop a lifestyle of worship, we need to take the next step, and that’s…

2. Keep in Step with the Spirit all day long.

Gal. 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

ILLUS: In airport I really wanted my kids to keep in step with me. But one was racing ahead and one was lagging behind. God has given us a companion to walk through our every moment with us – the Holy Spirit. And we’re instructed not to race ahead of him or lag behind him – but to keep in step with him. How can you develop this kind of lifestyle?

Let’s look at some of the major portions of our days and ask ourselves how we can keep in step with the Spirit during those activities:

Pray for each person you interact with during the day.