Getting it Straight What being a Christian is all about Believer Worshipper Follower (Disciple) Giver (Sharer) Belonger Reconciler

Questions to ask ourselves Information or Transformation?Information or Transformation? Knowledge or Practice?Knowledge or Practice? “That’s good to know” or “How does this apply to me?”“That’s good to know” or “How does this apply to me?” If it doesn’t apply: why and what am I going to do about it?If it doesn’t apply: why and what am I going to do about it? If is does apply: What more do I need to do about this?If is does apply: What more do I need to do about this? Spiritual maturity is a journey not a destinationSpiritual maturity is a journey not a destination “You foolish Galatians…” – Galatians 3:1 (NIVUK) “You have lost your first love” – Revelation 2:4 (NIVUK) “Add to your faith, in increasing measure, Goodness | Knowledge | Self-control | Perseverance | Godliness | Mutual affection | Love – 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIVUK)

Everybody worships! We’re created to worship – part of DNAWe’re created to worship – part of DNA Not reserved for ChristiansNot reserved for Christians Beliebers

Worship affects everything Informs and Reinforces our ChoicesInforms and Reinforces our Choices ValuesValues SpendingSpending ThoughtsThoughts WordsWords ActionsActions We have a choice – worship the Creator or what has been createdWe have a choice – worship the Creator or what has been created

Worship affects everything Created in His image involves loving relationships and serviceCreated in His image involves loving relationships and service 2 problems2 problems Selfishness Self-esteem Worship is about who we are and how we liveWorship is about who we are and how we live Don’t ask: “When do we worship?” or “With what degree of intensity do we worship?”Don’t ask: “When do we worship?” or “With what degree of intensity do we worship?” Ask “Whom or what do we worship?”Ask “Whom or what do we worship?” Love God with all that we are and have Love other people as much as we love ourselves - Luke 10:27 (NIVUK)

Worship and Christian Worship We were not created to worship GodWe were not created to worship God We were not created for worshipWe were not created for worship We are created worshippers – it’s who we are!We are created worshippers – it’s who we are! “…the devil took (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give You,’ he said, ‘if You will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “ Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”’ Matthew 4:8-10 (NIVUK)

Christian Worship is a continuum Not time limitedNot time limited Not place specificNot place specific Not constrained by service structure or peopleNot constrained by service structure or people  “Liturgy” – work to be done/an agreement to perform/completion of a service We should focus on what worship is rather than what worship doesWe should focus on what worship is rather than what worship does Worship is not part of Christian living – it’s the whole thing!Worship is not part of Christian living – it’s the whole thing! “Worship is the continuous outpouring of all that I am, all that I do and all that I can ever become” – Harold Best

Christian Worship is whole life “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” – Romans 12:1-2 (NIVUK) “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him” The Message “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him”

Christian Worship is “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness” “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness” – Psalm 29:2(NIVUK) “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” – John 4:23-24 (NIVUK)

It’s the heart that counts “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” – Mark 7:6-7 from Isaiah 29:13 NIVUK)