How Worship Works

October 17, 2010
“How Worship Works”

Opening: Discuss...
Q: What is the chief end of humanity?
A: To glorify* God and enjoy Him forever**.
~ Westminster Catechism Q&A 1

* Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
~ Revelation 4:11
** Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
~ Revelation 21:3-4

Learn It: Read Exodus 20:1-6
Martin Luther said that we only break the other commandments after we have broken the first two.  Meaning, if we worship only God, and have no “idols,” we keep all the commandments.  But if we put anything before the worship of we will violate our most fundamental command.

Why is it hard, or not appealing, to try and put God first in everything?  
Discuss what “idols” in our world are most tempting for you?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
Ultimately, all of life is to be worship.  Everything should bring Him glory and make us more Christ-like.  What does a life of worship, 24/7/365, look like?  What practical steps can you take to move your life in that direction?

Discuss the following marks of Christian worship...

1. Christ-centered (1 Corinthians 8:5-6)
2. Trinitarian (Matthew 28:19)
3. Communal (Acts 2:44)
4. Covenantal (Hebrews 9:14-16)
5. Hospitable (Acts 15:19, Romans 12:13)
6. Gracious (Romans 8:32)
7. Biblical (Revelation 1:3)

Live It: Three questions to ask yourself regarding worship...

1. Do you long to give God glory?  (Do you want to be at worship on Sundays?  Do you want all of your life to feel like worship?  Does all of your life bring God glory?)
2. Does your faith bring you joy? (Are you more joyful now than you were a year ago?  Are you so joyful that you can’t help but tell others about Jesus?  Do others ask you, “What makes you so joyful and worship-ful?”)
3. Are you becoming more Christ-like, or more idol-like?  (Looking honestly at your life, understanding that we become like that which we worship, are you becoming more like-Christ?  Or are you becoming more like other things you are pursuing in this world- things like money, food, power, sex...?)

E 100 Challenge Readings, October 10-16
Day 25: Joshua 5:13-6:27
Day 26: Judges 2-3
Day 27: Judges 4-5
Day 28: Judges 13-16
Day 29: Ruth 1-4
Day 30: 1 Samuel 1-3
Day 31: 1 Samuel 8-10