Worship Wars

Worship Wars

Matthew 17:1-13

I. Introduction story from Max Lucado:

II. The Mount of Transfiguration was an authentic worship experience that include most of the biblical elements of worship. As we begin a time of evaluation of our six month worship format it is best that we consider what the Bible teaches about worship.

A. Christ-centered, Matthew 17:1-3

1. Matthew 17:1-2,

a. Jesus is the center of this story in every

sentence.

b. Christophany

2. Illustration:

3. I experienced Jesus Christ.

a. “The primary reason for attending a church

service should be to worship God.” Bob Russell

b. Something should happen in worship that is

AWEsome.

c. Something should happen that is JOYfull.

B. Institutional, Matthew 17:4

1. Matthew 17:4,

a. Peter spoke and broke the worship moment, often

the first thing we say after worship often

reveals our heart.

b. Peter spoke, “I will put up three shelters”

-“Shelters” a pillar, Peter wanted to build

a dwelling place for the three so as to

encourage them to stay longer.

c. The shelters pointed to the past, when Jesus was

wanting to move into the future.

-The three buildings were named after three

Moses, Elijah and Jesus, the OT, the Law and

the Prophets, etc.

-The perspective of Jesus is future, and

forward.

2. Most of us have a transforming worship experience.

a. When I came forward for POF or baptism etc.

3. I will resist the tendency to make my experience or

any experience of worship normative.

C. God-honoring, Matthew 17:5

1. Matthew 17:5

a. As in our Lord’s baptism, our Father blesses

His Son as he goes to Calvary.

b. The cloud is symbolic presence of the Lord

God.

2. The picture of the grand canyon

3. I honored God today in my worship.

D. Confessional, Matthew 17:6-8,

1. Matthew 17:6-8,

a. The disciples assumed the position of

worship, they “fell face down.”

2. “If worship does not change us, it has not been worship.” Richard Foster.

3. I am changed.

E. Instructional, Matthew 17:9-10

1. Matthew 17:9,

a. The need for instruction on the part of

Peter, James and John.

b. Jesus instructs them about Elijah.

c. It is followed by “why.”

2. "In one recent survey we found that almost nine out of ten adults believe they know all of the basic teachings of Christianity very well. But when you explore what they think the Bible actually teaches, as we did in this study, many theological inconsistencies and inaccuracies emerge. Unfortunately, correcting people’s mistaken assumptions about Bible content is made nearly impossible by their self-assurance about their beliefs. Even if they are exposed to good Bible teaching they typically fail to absorb that input because they think they already know it all. Changing the errant theological positions of millions of Americans is a very tough assignment."

a. "The fact that most adults, born again or

not, believe the Bible teaches that God

helps those who help themselves”

b. Was Moses one of Jesus’ 12 apostles? One out

of 10 teenagers erroneously thinks so,

3. I learned something today.

F. Missional, Matthew 17:11-13

1. Matthew 17:11-13,

a. Jesus would not use worship as a distraction

or delay in fulfilling his mission.

b. They headed down from the mountain to the

valley.

c. Jesus is on a mission. We are on a mission.

2. Missionary approach to worship. No successful missionary would expect to do worship in a way that is counter culture.

a. Worship style (80 percent) the second most

important factor for people selecting a church.

3. I am motivated to live on mission for Jesus Christ both in my corporate worship and in my daily lifestyle.

a. If worship is one of the primary ways visitors

come to our church, then our worship should be

sensitive to their needs and world. We want

them to be inspired to learn more about Jesus.

b. Therefore, our style of worship should be

influenced by the people who want to reach.

c. When you say, our worship service is about

how I want to worship over the needs and

mission of our church you are denying our

church leadership and me as your pastor, a

primary way to reach people with the message

of Jesus Christ.

III. conclusion