How We Worship Monday through Saturday, 7 October 2012
Big Idea: Worship is not meant to be an hour on Sunday, but a lifestyle.
Introduction
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word worship?
Last week we talked about how to worship God on Sundays. We previously said that our mission as a church—and as humans following Jesus—is ultimately to
glorify God.
We worship and glorify God because He deserves it. He is God. He is worthy.
As consumers, we easily make Sunday mornings—and the rest of the week—about us rather than Him.
Today our subject is how to worship God on Monday morning...and throughout the week.
Pray
Vocations
Several years ago I was speaking with a friend who attended our church. She was a medical professional who helped countless people with physical needs. During our conversation, she made mention of the fact that she admired me for choosing a ministry vocation while her work was so much less significant. I immediately corrected her and said, “God has called you to the marketplace. He has called me to professional church work. Neither is more spiritual or significant, so long as we are being faithful and obedient to our calling.”
How many of you are students?
How many of you are employed in the marketplace?
How many of you are stay-at-home men or women?
How many of you are full-time job seekers?
How many of you are retired?
How many of you are vocational ministers?
How many of you are still awake?!
Our text for this morning is a popular one written by Paul to a church in the city of Colossi.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17)
This passage tells us how to live. It provides guidance on daily living. The most striking verse to me is the final one:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
Whatever you do. The original Greek word, tis, translated “whatever” means anything. The word “word” means word (!), spoken or written with a desire to communicate. Not surprisingly, the word that is translated “deed” (ergon in the Greek) means work, activity, task, or job.
Do you get the idea? The reason the first of the Ten Commandments speak of making God God and not ourselves is that He is God. He is the great, awesome, Artist. He deserves our best...everywhere...always. He is to be worshiped not only with songs on Sunday but devotion daily...every moment!
What did you eat for breakfast today? Did you know breakfast can be worship? Paul said in his first letter to the church in Corinth...
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
What does this say about our diet? Our bodies? Our time? Our lives?
Much of our time is spent working, so back in Colossians, the third chapter talks about workers—both free and slaves—and continues
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus.
Whatever you do, giving thanks to God.
Whatever you do, worship...glorify God.
This means make your work worship.
This means make your homework and study time worship.
This means make your recreational life worship.
This means make every part of your life worship.
Martin Luther understood this when he wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
Students, your work is school. Study hard...to glorify God. Do your homework...to honor your father and mother...but also to glorify God.
Some people see life as pieces of a pie. One piece is work, another education, finances, recreation, friends, etc. God is not intended to be a slice of your life. He is the crust upon which everything rests!
Worship is a lifestyle. Everything we do should bring glory to God.
Does it? Of course not! But we can choose to glorify Him with our time, talents, treasures, ...with everything!
Years ago a friend sent me a recording of a sermon he preached on worship. He said that whatever we do to glorify God is worship, including intimacy with his wife! Marriage is actually a beautiful portrait of the Trinity as a man and woman join with God to create a family. When a husband and wife are one with Christ at the center, it's three in one. My friend was known to say to his wife, “Hey, wanna worship tonight?”
Does that thought offend you? It shouldn’t. Everything that God made is good, and when we enjoy God’s gifts—be they a spouse, a sunset, freedom, music, friends—we glorify Him.
Let’s not forget that while work can be worship, so can rest. We have work and Sabbath. They are both to glorify God.
Do you remember what the Westminster Catechism said?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
There is a dangerous tendency in the church to compartmentalize aspects of our faith. For instance, we often “come into God’s presence” in church, which implies we leave it when we leave church. We “enter into a time of worship” when the band stands up, which suggests when they sit down our worship ceases. We attend a worship “service” and hope to be served.
What if glorifying God was not something we do on Sundays, but a lifestyle?
Friends, for some of you I have great news, and for others not-so-great news:
God is watching!
Like Santa Clause, He sees you when you’re sleeping and He knows when you’re awake! More than your actions, He actually knows your heart, your motivations, your thoughts. He knows what you see on your computer, how you feel about your boss, when you are bitter, and when you are afraid.
Worship is about dying to yourself and living all of life for the glory of God.
Let’s worship!
You can listen to the podcast here.
Introduction
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word worship?
Last week we talked about how to worship God on Sundays. We previously said that our mission as a church—and as humans following Jesus—is ultimately to
glorify God.
We worship and glorify God because He deserves it. He is God. He is worthy.
As consumers, we easily make Sunday mornings—and the rest of the week—about us rather than Him.
Today our subject is how to worship God on Monday morning...and throughout the week.
Pray
Vocations
Several years ago I was speaking with a friend who attended our church. She was a medical professional who helped countless people with physical needs. During our conversation, she made mention of the fact that she admired me for choosing a ministry vocation while her work was so much less significant. I immediately corrected her and said, “God has called you to the marketplace. He has called me to professional church work. Neither is more spiritual or significant, so long as we are being faithful and obedient to our calling.”
How many of you are students?
How many of you are employed in the marketplace?
How many of you are stay-at-home men or women?
How many of you are full-time job seekers?
How many of you are retired?
How many of you are vocational ministers?
How many of you are still awake?!
Our text for this morning is a popular one written by Paul to a church in the city of Colossi.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17)
This passage tells us how to live. It provides guidance on daily living. The most striking verse to me is the final one:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
Whatever you do. The original Greek word, tis, translated “whatever” means anything. The word “word” means word (!), spoken or written with a desire to communicate. Not surprisingly, the word that is translated “deed” (ergon in the Greek) means work, activity, task, or job.
Do you get the idea? The reason the first of the Ten Commandments speak of making God God and not ourselves is that He is God. He is the great, awesome, Artist. He deserves our best...everywhere...always. He is to be worshiped not only with songs on Sunday but devotion daily...every moment!
What did you eat for breakfast today? Did you know breakfast can be worship? Paul said in his first letter to the church in Corinth...
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
What does this say about our diet? Our bodies? Our time? Our lives?
Much of our time is spent working, so back in Colossians, the third chapter talks about workers—both free and slaves—and continues
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus.
Whatever you do, giving thanks to God.
Whatever you do, worship...glorify God.
This means make your work worship.
This means make your homework and study time worship.
This means make your recreational life worship.
This means make every part of your life worship.
Martin Luther understood this when he wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
Students, your work is school. Study hard...to glorify God. Do your homework...to honor your father and mother...but also to glorify God.
Some people see life as pieces of a pie. One piece is work, another education, finances, recreation, friends, etc. God is not intended to be a slice of your life. He is the crust upon which everything rests!
Worship is a lifestyle. Everything we do should bring glory to God.
Does it? Of course not! But we can choose to glorify Him with our time, talents, treasures, ...with everything!
Years ago a friend sent me a recording of a sermon he preached on worship. He said that whatever we do to glorify God is worship, including intimacy with his wife! Marriage is actually a beautiful portrait of the Trinity as a man and woman join with God to create a family. When a husband and wife are one with Christ at the center, it's three in one. My friend was known to say to his wife, “Hey, wanna worship tonight?”
Does that thought offend you? It shouldn’t. Everything that God made is good, and when we enjoy God’s gifts—be they a spouse, a sunset, freedom, music, friends—we glorify Him.
Let’s not forget that while work can be worship, so can rest. We have work and Sabbath. They are both to glorify God.
Do you remember what the Westminster Catechism said?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
There is a dangerous tendency in the church to compartmentalize aspects of our faith. For instance, we often “come into God’s presence” in church, which implies we leave it when we leave church. We “enter into a time of worship” when the band stands up, which suggests when they sit down our worship ceases. We attend a worship “service” and hope to be served.
What if glorifying God was not something we do on Sundays, but a lifestyle?
Friends, for some of you I have great news, and for others not-so-great news:
God is watching!
Like Santa Clause, He sees you when you’re sleeping and He knows when you’re awake! More than your actions, He actually knows your heart, your motivations, your thoughts. He knows what you see on your computer, how you feel about your boss, when you are bitter, and when you are afraid.
Worship is about dying to yourself and living all of life for the glory of God.
Let’s worship!
You can listen to the podcast here.