Worship Despite Distraction
1. Joy Keeps us Focused on _Worship_ Rather on Self (Heb. 12:2-3; Nehemiah 8:10)
A. Heb. 12:2-3 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
B. Neh. 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
2. Serving in the Church Keeps us Focused on _Worship_ (Col. 3:23-24).
Serving is hard work. One ministry leader says “It doesn’t take long in any relationship to feel the difficulty of serving. When someone goes along with our plan, serving them is easy. But when they push back on everything, aren’t interested, or don’t even notice our help, the task of serving can become overwhelming.
As a mom, wife, friend, and ministry leader, I experience this in my everyday life; I’m sure you do, too. Sometimes serving comes easily, and sometimes it can be difficult. I often focus on the difficulty it’s causing me and not on the needs of the one I’m trying to serve.” (https://www.acts29.com/pressing-on-in-the-difficulties-of-serving/).
A. Serving is _Biblical_.
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
B. Serving in the Church is a _Team Effort_.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
“The text highlights the purposes in three clauses- (1) For the equipping of the saints, (2) for the work of ministry, and (3) for the edifying of the body of Christ. The first clause “for the equipping” (p??? t?? ?ata?t?sµ?? ) is best understood as “training”, “preparing”, or “discipline” and second clause “for the work of ministry” (t?? ????? e?? ????? d?a????a?) should be understood as general service or ministry that all believers perform. Therefore, the first two clauses indicate the main purpose of the gifts, which is to equip believers for the work of ministry. The third clause “for the edifying of the body of Christ” (e?? ????d?µ?? t?? s?µat?? t?? ???st??,) identifies the purpose of the first two clauses. ‘The purpose of equipping is to prepare saints for the work of service that aims to build up the body of Christ.’”
D. Serving in the Church Takes _Faithfulness_.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
E. Focusing on Serving, Worshiping, and Prioritizing God IS the Way to have a Blessed Life.
Matthew 6:25, 32-33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
3. A Strong Prayer Life and Bible Study Discipline Helps Keep Us Focused on _Worship_.
A. Prayer Helps us Submit to God’s _Will_.
• Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
• Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
B. Bible Study Keeps Us Focused on _Worship_ (Josh. 1:8; Psalm 119:18)
• Studying the Bible keeps us focused on God’s plan. God’s plan is ultimately about His glory, including worship (Psalm 100; Is. 42:8).
• God’s Word helps us grow in godly knowledge. 2 Pe. 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
Conclusion:
Despite difficulties in life, we can maintain our focus on God.
