Sunday, August 28 at 12:30PM
This class helps you figure out how to navigate the NEW LIFE you have in Christ. You’ll learn the true nature of the gospel, the “spiritual growth engine,” and the reason baptism is so important for a believer.
You’ll also learn to share your testimony in just NINE sentences. We will even help you write yours!
If you haven’t been through this, I really hope you’ll sign up.
Things are changing
Covid seems to be breaking out all over the place, and we may have to flex our schedules around it. We’ll always do our best to keep you up to date on everything on our website. Bookmark us!
Spirit and Truth
Last week I asked you to let me know where you thought our church landed on the worship “heat scale.”
The responses I received indicated that you thought we were either a 3 or 4… Literally averaging out at 3.5. How do you feel about that?
What indicates an “on fire” church to you?
what indicates “cold and clammy” to you?
We landed between “lukewarm” and “warm,” I guess. That kind of makes me tense up. Does it do that to you?
In the book of Revelation, God speaks a message to the church at Laodicea, which kind of rings in my ears…
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
Revelation 3:15-19 NLT
Does it feel like we have a lot in common with those Laodiceans?
Do we tend to be indifferent that we were “created for His glory?” and that we exist to know, love, and worship Him?
What do you think it would take to change that?
I am personally convinced that it takes solid gospel preaching to fire up worship in a congregation…. I don’t mean BIBLE preaching… I mean GOSPEL preaching, where the Holy Spirit uses the Bible to REVEAL GOD, to convict us of sin, and to call us to true repentance. It is catching a glimpse of who He is and what He has done that fires up worship in spirit and in truth.
Can you worship God without the Holy Spirit?
“I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
-Jesus, John 3:3 NLT
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
John 1:12-13 NLT
How can you distinguish true spirit worship from an emotional experience?
Hint: spirit AND truth… Think the “fake cow” worship of the Israelites at the foot of Mt Sinai, which looked like worship, sounded like worship, but was nothing more than a pagan party.
What does it look like to worship “in truth?”
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 NLT
Worship is an activity of the heart. So, think about this…
How do you prepare your heart for corporate worship?
How would it change our worship temperature if we arrived prepared to meet with and worship God on Sunday mornings?
How can we encourage each other to do this?