Contagious Worship, 14 October 2012
Big Idea: Authentic worship is contagious. Is yours?
We began our series several weeks ago talking about Who we worship, an awesome Creator who is worthy of our worship. We then had a worship “service” and put our faith into action, glorifying God with our hands as we served tornado victims in Dexter. We looked at why we worship and then how we worship on Sundays when we gather, saying it’s not about you and your preferences, but about God. Last Sunday we examined how to worship throughout the week, glorifying God with our work, rest, school work, diet, and everything we do.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word worship?
What do you think of when you hear the word contagious?
We are moving into the time of year when diseases are spread. Fortunately, germs and illness are not the only things that can be contagious! Worship can be contagious, to both those that follow Jesus and those that are not yet disciples of Christ.
I don’t know about you, but I’m often inspired by the worship of others. Whether it’s the artistry of a painter, the eloquence of a great sermon, a passionate musical performance, or even the demonstrative engagement with songs of praise, I am often drawn into worship by others.
It is one of my hopes that our worship would be so passionate that the presence of God would be so powerful that everyone in attendance, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey, would know that God is real.
Worship—not merely songs, but a lifestyle of honoring and glorifying God—is contagious to the world, too. Historically, we’ve often approached unbelievers with judgment and condemnation. Instead of messages like “turn or burn” or even, “Do you know Jesus?” I am becoming increasingly aware of our need to practice what we preach and live a life that others want to imitate.
As we seek to make—and become—disciples of Jesus, one essential question must be considered...
Am I living a life that people want to follow?
We want to point people to Jesus, the ultimate example of what it means to be human. None of us is perfect, but our lives should increasingly look like His. Otherwise, our witness is not authentic. People can smell fake a mile away!
We are dishonest if we tell people how wonderful it is to know Jesus and yet live miserable lives ourselves.
What difference has Jesus made in your life? Really?
Do you just talk the talk, or do you walk the walk? Can people really see Jesus through you? Do you look more like Him each day? As you spend time with Christ in prayer and in His Word are you becoming transformed?
As we seek to glorify Jesus by loving Him and our neighbor, if we are filled with the Spirit and looking more like Jesus every day, if we are "Jesus with skin on" serving others, and if our worship is authentic and passionate, it will be contagious.
Look at what Peter, one of Jesus’ best friends, wrote
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:8-16)
What needs to happen in order for someone to ask the reason for the hope that you have? You have to have hope, and it has to be visible.
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will look like Jesus, and Jesus is attractive to the world. Ironically, He’s often unattractive to religious people, some of whom crucified Him!
Consider these words from Paul...
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 3:5-6)
People are watching you. They want to know if Jesus is real in your life. It has been said that you are the only Bible many people will ever read. What will they discover?
How do you treat your neighbor? Your co-worker? That odd family member? The guy that drives you crazy?
Jesus said...
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Do you see the result of shining the light? People will praise God. They will glorify God. Worship will be contagious!
You can listen to the podcast here.
We began our series several weeks ago talking about Who we worship, an awesome Creator who is worthy of our worship. We then had a worship “service” and put our faith into action, glorifying God with our hands as we served tornado victims in Dexter. We looked at why we worship and then how we worship on Sundays when we gather, saying it’s not about you and your preferences, but about God. Last Sunday we examined how to worship throughout the week, glorifying God with our work, rest, school work, diet, and everything we do.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word worship?
What do you think of when you hear the word contagious?
We are moving into the time of year when diseases are spread. Fortunately, germs and illness are not the only things that can be contagious! Worship can be contagious, to both those that follow Jesus and those that are not yet disciples of Christ.
I don’t know about you, but I’m often inspired by the worship of others. Whether it’s the artistry of a painter, the eloquence of a great sermon, a passionate musical performance, or even the demonstrative engagement with songs of praise, I am often drawn into worship by others.
It is one of my hopes that our worship would be so passionate that the presence of God would be so powerful that everyone in attendance, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey, would know that God is real.
Worship—not merely songs, but a lifestyle of honoring and glorifying God—is contagious to the world, too. Historically, we’ve often approached unbelievers with judgment and condemnation. Instead of messages like “turn or burn” or even, “Do you know Jesus?” I am becoming increasingly aware of our need to practice what we preach and live a life that others want to imitate.
As we seek to make—and become—disciples of Jesus, one essential question must be considered...
Am I living a life that people want to follow?
We want to point people to Jesus, the ultimate example of what it means to be human. None of us is perfect, but our lives should increasingly look like His. Otherwise, our witness is not authentic. People can smell fake a mile away!
We are dishonest if we tell people how wonderful it is to know Jesus and yet live miserable lives ourselves.
What difference has Jesus made in your life? Really?
Do you just talk the talk, or do you walk the walk? Can people really see Jesus through you? Do you look more like Him each day? As you spend time with Christ in prayer and in His Word are you becoming transformed?
As we seek to glorify Jesus by loving Him and our neighbor, if we are filled with the Spirit and looking more like Jesus every day, if we are "Jesus with skin on" serving others, and if our worship is authentic and passionate, it will be contagious.
Look at what Peter, one of Jesus’ best friends, wrote
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:8-16)
What needs to happen in order for someone to ask the reason for the hope that you have? You have to have hope, and it has to be visible.
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will look like Jesus, and Jesus is attractive to the world. Ironically, He’s often unattractive to religious people, some of whom crucified Him!
Consider these words from Paul...
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 3:5-6)
People are watching you. They want to know if Jesus is real in your life. It has been said that you are the only Bible many people will ever read. What will they discover?
How do you treat your neighbor? Your co-worker? That odd family member? The guy that drives you crazy?
Jesus said...
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Do you see the result of shining the light? People will praise God. They will glorify God. Worship will be contagious!
You can listen to the podcast here.