O2 Worship Sermon (270512)
So tonight @ Oxygen i gave this sermon as part of our worship series/worship night.
I was quite nervous as it has been 2 years since i shared something, so i ended paraphrasing what i had actually written... Hopefully this fills out the gaps more w/ what i was trying to say!
I met a guy tonight who got saved @ the end which was awesome! He said he really got what i was trying to say, so that to me has made it all worth it!!! :)
It's very short & simple on purpose to make time for the music part of the service, but make of it what you will... ENJOY!!! :)
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So this is the last part of our LIFT HIGH series on worship. Have you guys enjoyed it? What was one thing that Anna, Brooke, or Nu said that stood out to you?
I just want to share 3 things that God has been challenging me lately when it comes to this thing we call Worship.
The first is this:
- Remember
When we open the bible we can read what God is like, what he is capable of, what he says about us, & what he's promised us.
In Hebrews 4 v 12 it says, "For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword," which to me shows that God and his word are living things that are actively doing something.
A lot of the songs that we sing are based on God & the word of God doing something in & through us. I know I have many a story of God doing amazing things in my life... He is alive in us!
Also we read in Hebrews 13 v 8 that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," which to me means that who he is won't change, What he can do won't change, & what he has said & promised won't change either.
So i was reminded that what we sing about is the truth of God's character being shown, the truth of what God can do being done, & the truth of God's promises happening as he promised it would...
For example when we sing, "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom," we're declaring what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3 v 17.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
So often i have to remember that his word & these songs are reminding us of the truth of God in all his fullness!
So be reminded of who God is & what a powerful God can do.
So be reminded of what he has already done in our lives.
So be reminded of what he says about & over us, & what he has promised us.
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For me, as i'm reminded of every facet of God, I would find myself declaring words of the songs we're singing. That is my second point:
- Declare
In Isaiah 55 v 10 - 11 it says, "“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."
This to me says that if God is doing something productive through his word by sending it out, if i'm declaring it out, it's going to be fruitful not only in me, but in every situation i declare it over.
I often find myself latching onto a part of a song bcos it really resonates in my heart.
So if we're singing, "Jesus our God, great & mighty to be praised," I find myself declaring, "God, you are great! God, you are mighty!"
The cool thing about declaration is that it releases 2 things in us: faith, & thankfulness.
I find that Faith rises in me bcos my hope & confidence in my God starts to grow more & more, as it says in Hebrews 11 v 1.
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
Our natural reaction to faith is to start to become more thankful.
For me, knowing that God is, that God can, & God will in any circumstance & situation on my behalf, I can't help but say, "Thank You!!!"
"Thank you God that you are mighty enough to do something in this situation!!!"
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Worship is love. The heart of it is adoration to our God.
To me it's a response to God's initial love for us as it says in 1 John 4 v 19.
"We love because he first loved us."
When we come together we're worshipping God in one aspect as a family. Singing songs together, acknowledging him by lifting our hands together, being still & hanging out w/ God together, being in his company & in his presence together, talking to God together... You get the idea.
A lot of this stuff is just an expression of family members being themselves before God! Being honest & doing what comes natural to them.
The songs that we sing were written as an expression of love for God & that's how they express themselves... That is my third point:
- Express
The thing that i love about this is it's a never ending cycle in the most coolest way!
To me it's like how a kid interacts with a parent...
"I love you!"
"I love you more!"
"But I love you this much!"
"But I love you this much times infinity!"
You get the idea... It's a mutual expression of love.
I encourage you guys to be yourself!
Be free to express your love to the one who loved you first & loves you more than you could ever understand as it says in Ephesians 3 v 18 - 19.
"...May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully..."
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So as we go into a time of worship, I encourage you guys to:
- Remember, bcos the truth of God is unchanging.
- Declare, bcos God's living & active words can lead you to faith & thanksgiving.
- Express, bcos it's your response to love.
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05.27.12 ♥ 1
