Gratitude Monday: Lifestyle of Worship

I am thankful that, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us that enables us to have a lifestyle of worship.

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18

Yesterday the sermon was about worship...such good teaching! The Lord really spoke through Pastor Kevin to teach us much. I can't resist sharing some of my sermon notes with you. I want to review them anyway.

The Worship War
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Satan brings idols into our lives to distract us from worship. Worship is a verb.

1. The Purpose of Worship
Deuteronomy 6:4 (New International Version)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Who is the receiver? God and God alone
God is attainable to us. He is worthy of worship.

2. The Pursuit of Worship
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (New International Version)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Everyone is a worshipper. Worship happens in malls, in cars, in stadiums, everywhere.
Romans 1:25 (New International Version)
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
When you are standing in line at Walmart, God is giving you an opportunity to worship. Worship is a constant opportunity.
When you don't pursue true worship, false worship will pursue you! Where are your priorities? We will become like what we worship.

3. The Perception of Worship
Worship is a lifestyle. God created worship for himself but we often make it be about ourselves. We serve an audience of one!
True worship is not a performance. It's a practice.
Feelings go up and down. Don't base your worship on feelings.
Worship is not about our words, but about our walk.

4. The Power of Worship
Our worship is influential. How will my family be affected by how I worship?
Psalm 102:18 (New International Version)
Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD

Deuteronomy 6:7 (New International Version)
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Five Worship Applications:
1. True Worship can only take place in the life of a surrendered believer.
2. True Worship should flow from who we are.
3. True Worship should be shared with others. (Deut.6:7)
4. True Worship should be constantly visible.
5. When it comes to worship, your past does not have to determine your present or future.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version)

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.