26-0621a Transcript

(1:52) Good morning. Good to see everybody. Like Roger said, happy father’s day. (1:59) We got a lot of great fathers here. Heavenly father, greatest father. So it actually (2:07) slipped my mind it was father’s day, so I remembered it last night and I’m like, oh, it’s too late to do (2:13) a father’s day sermon. So my sermon today is "Worship in Spirit and Truth: Sunday and Everyday."

(2:23) As Christians, one of the most important things we do is worship God and we are here doing that (2:31) right now on this Lord’s day morning. Jesus said the father is seeking those who will worship him (2:39) in spirit and in truth and I believe that is exactly what we’re striving for here. (2:47) So that’s why I go here.

It’s one of my main reasons because I believe we’re doing what the (2:53) Bible says. I have to be honest with you this morning. For a long time I was a little confused (3:01) about the full picture of worship.

I had Sunday worship pretty well mapped out. The singing, (3:10) the prayer, the preaching, the Lord’s supper, that felt like real worship. That’s what I considered (3:17) what worship was.

But Monday through Saturday that was just life. (3:24) Getting through the long shifts, dealing with the aches and pains, trying to be a decent person, (3:32) helping others when I could, and sharing the word when the opportunities came. (3:38) I knew we were supposed to pray and read the Bible but I never really connected all of that (3:45) worship.

It was kind of a gray area. I know people have said we’re supposed to worship every (3:51) day but I never really put it all together. Recently at work I got into a conversation (3:59) with a co-worker about how we should worship God.

We were talking about things like singing (4:07) acapella versus using instruments in worship on Sunday and how the Bible teaches us to observe (4:14) the Lord’s supper every first day of the week instead of once a month. She pushed back and said, (4:23) what about worshiping God all week? You don’t have to do any of that. (4:28) Honestly I was caught off guard and didn’t have a clear answer.

It made me realize I hadn’t thought (4:34) deeply enough about the difference between our Sunday assembly and our daily walk with God. (4:41) The conversation sent me back to the scriptures. (4:46) I know some of you already understand this balance well, but maybe a few of you felt like the same (4:54) confusion I feel.

What I found was both simple and profound. God calls us to worship Him every (5:05) single day in our ordinary lives and he also calls us to gather together on the first day of the week (5:11) for corporate worship. These two are distinct but they are deeply connected.

(5:21) One without the other leaves us incomplete and both must be done according to God’s word. (5:29) This morning I want us to open our Bibles and see what it actually teaches. What is worship (5:38) according to the Bible? At its core, worship means giving God the worth, honor, and obedience he (5:46) deserves with our hearts, our minds, and our daily lives.

Jesus gave us the foundation in John 4 (5:55) 23-24 speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. He said, but the hour is coming and is now here (6:07) where the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. (6:12) The Father is seeking such people to worship Him.

(6:16) God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. This is one of (6:25) the most important statements Jesus ever made about worship. Worship is not limited to a building, (6:35) a day, or a certain style of music.

It is a heart posture of reverence, love, and obedience offered (6:42) to God in spirit from the inside out sincerely and in truth according to what God has revealed (6:52) in His word. It is not something we invent or do however we feel like it. God is seeking true (7:03) worshipers, people whose heart are right and whose practice lies up with His will.

How many people (7:13) you know worship or do how they feel instead of what God wants or says. We have to make sure we (7:22) do it according to His will. This verse helps us avoid two common mistakes.

We can be very (7:32) active in a worship on Sunday but have cold hearts during the week or we could claim to (7:40) worship God in spirit all week while ignoring what He actually commands when we gather (7:48) or even worse not gathering at all. I know a lot of people that say I don’t have to (7:54) go to church or worship on Sunday. I do it my own way.

Jesus calls us to both heart and truth. (8:05) So look at daily worship, our living sacrifice. The heart of daily worship is found in Romans 12.1. (8:17) I appeal to you therefore brothers by the mercies of God to present your bodies (8:24) as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship.

(8:33) This is powerful. Paul is saying that true worship is not mainly what we do for one hour on Sunday. (8:44) It is presenting our whole lives, our bodies, our time, our energy as a living sacrifice to God.

(8:53) This is not a one-time act like the Old Testament old animal sacrifices. It is an (9:00) everyday ongoing offering. It’s not just showing up here for one hour on Sunday worshiping God.

(9:08) It’s an everyday ongoing thing. Remember our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (9:19) First Corinthians 6 19 through 20.

That makes how we treat and use our bodies every day as an act (9:26) of worship. First Corinthians 10 31 says so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do (9:38) do all to the glory of God. Even the ordinary things, eating a meal, driving to work, (9:47) fixing something around the house can be done for God’s glory and therefore become acts of worship.

(9:58) You know I know like Jim working woodworking in his garage or Carolyn or Garden. (10:04) That can be seen and used as acts of worship when you focus on God. I know Carol with all her Bible (10:11) verses written but she’s working in her garden.

She’s focusing on God. That can be a worship to (10:17) God even the small things. Colossians 3 23 through 24 tells us whatever you do work heartily as for (10:29) the Lord and not for men.

Knowing that from the Lord you receive the inheritance of your reward. (10:37) You are serving the Lord Christ. This verse has helped me personally on those long days, (10:45) the draining shifts.

Your job is not just a paycheck. When you work heartily under the (10:53) Lord it becomes worship. So hopefully some of you enjoy your jobs.

I know I really don’t but (11:01) one thing we need to focus on is we’re not working for (11:06) you know somebody that just cares about making money and not that doesn’t care about us but (11:13) we’re working for the Lord. You know the jobs we have can be draining. You know it could be hard.

(11:21) They’re not always enjoyable but when you have the mindset that our jobs are given to us by God (11:28) that we’re working for the Lord we need to be a good steward. (11:33) You know that could change your mindset. That could change work into worship.

(11:40) First Thessalonians 5 16 through 18 commands. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.

Give (11:49) thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (11:56) Worship is not limited to certain times or places. A thankful heart, constant prayer, (12:04) rejoicing even on hard days.

These are daily acts of worship. The Old Testament already pointed to (12:14) this daily rhythm of worship. Deuteronomy 6 4 through 9 commands us to love the Lord with all (12:22) our heart.

To talk about his word when you sit at home and when you walk along the road. (12:29) When you lie down and when you get up. God wanted his people to weave his truth into the normal flow (12:38) of everyday life.

As you walk along as you go throughout your day if the opportunity arises (12:45) you can talk about God. You can bring him up. You can talk about him at home all the time.

(12:53) Psalm 1 2 speaks of the blessed person whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates (13:00) on it day and night. So that’s another thing we need to be doing. Constantly meditating on God’s (13:08) word, reading his word, having it in our hearts.

This daily focus on God’s word was never meant (13:17) to be limited to one day a week. It was a lifestyle. You know in the Old Testament they knew (13:26) this.

They understood this. They lived it every day. It wasn’t just a Sabbath day.

Next we’ll look (13:34) at the Sunday assembly. Why the Lord’s day gathering matters. The biblical pattern shows us the (13:45) importance of the first day of the week.

Acts 27 records on the first day of the week when we were (13:54) gathered together to break bread Paul talked with them. First Corinthians 16 2 instructs us (14:02) instruct the collection to happen on the first day of the week. (14:07) Revelation 1 10 calls it the Lord’s day.

God clearly commands us not to neglect (14:16) the gathering. Hebrews 10 24 to 25 urges and let us consider how to stir up one another to love (14:24) in good words. Not neglecting to meet together as a habit of some but encouraging one another (14:34) and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

There is something special that happens (14:42) when we gather together that we cannot get by ourselves. (14:48) When we come together on the Lord’s day we receive blessings that strengthen us for our daily (14:56) worship. Mutual encouragement.

Solid teaching from God’s word. Observing the Lord’s supper together. (15:05) Singing praises as one voice.

Being a public witness as a body of Christ and most importantly (15:15) fellowship. You know we have a phone service which is great but I know people have said if (15:23) they can’t make it here they know they’re missing something. You know there’s something about being (15:28) here about worshiping together about fellowship.

You know we there’s a importance of being here (15:39) every Sunday and that’s why God has commanded us to do this. This gathering also refreshes (15:48) and renews us after a draining week giving us strength and courage for the days ahead. (15:56) I know I miss sometimes because of work but I know if I even miss one weekend (16:02) that I feel off.

You know not being here a couple weeks a month you’re really missing out (16:09) to wait for us to recharge our batteries. You know the world is rough out there especially nowadays. (16:17) It could be draining.

You know all the evil out there. All the sin. Even in our own homes.

The TV (16:23) shows. The movies. The internet.

We’re constantly bombarded and attacked by Satan. You know at work (16:32) the things we have to deal with. Coming here on Wednesday and Sunday it recharges us.

It gets us (16:39) ready for the week ahead. It’s very important we don’t miss the Lord today. How daily worship and (16:50) Sunday assembly work together.

The Sunday assembly equips and strengthens us for daily worship the (16:59) rest of the week. We come together to be taught, encouraged, corrected, and renewed so we can (17:06) offer our bodies as living sacrifices Monday through Saturday. At the same time our daily (17:14) worship makes the Sunday gathering authentic and meaningful instead of empty ritual.

(17:22) Jesus warned against vain worship in Matthew 15, 8 through 9. (17:29) This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me. (17:35) In vain do they worship me teaching his doctrine the commandments of men. (17:43) If our hearts are cold and our lives are unchanged during the week, (17:48) Sunday can just be can become just going to the motions.

The early church showed us the perfect (17:56) balance. They devoted themselves to apostles teaching fellowship breaking of bread and (18:02) prayers. Acts 2 42.

While living out their faith every day we can look at the Old Testament (18:12) and see how they live. Peter and Paul you know Paul was worshiping living as a Christian every (18:20) single day not just Sunday. The early Christians live live like this.

They worship God every day (18:29) and also on Sunday they observe all that God has. Daily devotion and the Sunday assembly (18:37) work together in perfect harmony. They supported and strengthen each other just as God intends for (18:43) us today.

We must worship God his way especially in the assembly. Jesus taught that we must worship (18:55) God in spirit and in truth. Colossians 3 17 commands and whatever you do in a word or deed (19:04) do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

That is by his authority. Scripture gives us (19:14) clear warnings against adding to or changing what God has directed. And Genesis 4, Cain brought an (19:22) offering of his own choosing while Abel brought what was required by God.

God accepted Abel’s (19:32) offering but rejected Cain’s. This shows that sincere effort is not enough. We must worship God (19:41) his way.

In Leviticus 10 1 through 3 Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire and were judged by (19:53) God. They were actually consumed by fire from the Lord. This shows how seriously God takes it (20:05) when we worship him in ways he has not authorized.

How many of us you know think or you’ve talked to (20:14) people that think it’s no big deal what they do. You know they probably would have thought it’s (20:19) big deal where Nadab and Abihu got the fire from for the Lord for worship. But God thought it was (20:28) a big deal.

He consumed them with fire. How many people think it’s no big deal using instruments (20:36) and music. You know that’s a huge thing with our church.

It’s not that we’re broke and can’t afford (20:43) instruments. I mean it might look like that but the main reason we only sing is because that’s (20:48) all God has commanded. The reason we take the Lord’s Supper the first day of the week is also (20:55) by example the early church.

We might not think it’s a big deal changing a few things of worship (21:04) but it’s a huge deal to God. So we need to be careful to worship God how he wants to be (21:10) worshipped. Jesus rebuked the traditions of men that may worship vain.

Well look at Matthew 15 (21:20) again 8 through 9. This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me. (21:29) In vain they worship me teaching his doctrines the commandments of men. (21:35) And we follow man-made creed traditions or doctrines instead of the bible alone (21:40) our worship becomes vain.

We must follow the bible and the bible alone (21:48) for everything we do in worship and I believe we do that here. (21:53) Just what God says that’s all we need to do. The new testament shows us a simple authorized pattern (22:05) for the assembly teaching the word singing prayer the Lord’s Supper and giving.

(22:14) Remember and worship God as the audience we are not we are not gathered here to be entertained (22:23) we are gathered to please and honor him. You know worship doesn’t revolve around us (22:32) it revolves around Jesus. So I know obviously hopefully you know you go to church and you’re (22:42) comfortable and get something out of it.

But a lot of people choose their church (22:47) by how they feel if they’re entertained you know they’re brought happiness. (22:55) But we need to make sure we worship mainly the way God wants to be worshipped from the bible (23:03) and not what’s pleasing to us. So in conclusion daily worship is a living sacrifice (23:13) and faithful sunday assembly go hand in hand one feels the other.

You cannot have one without the (23:22) other and be the christian God calls you to be. Let us commit this week to offering our whole (23:30) lives to God every day and to gathering faithfully on the Lord’s day to worship him his way. (23:38) If you have been neglecting daily devotion or the assembly today is the day to make it right.

(23:45) If you have never become a christian or if you need to come back to the Lord (23:50) or if you just need the prayers of the congregation this is your moment. (23:55) The Lord is calling you to respond please come forward as we sing. (23:59)