Worship Today!

As I was reading through chapter six of the book Galatians, two verses stood out to me, verses 9 and 10.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of  believers.”

As I read the Bible, I am always looking for ways to worship God in the way I live my life.  For too long I lived my life with the idea that worship was only on a Sunday morning with a group of believers singing together, or in a small group setting doing the same thing.  Worship is so much more than merely singing and praying together.  It’s how we live our lives every day.  Before moving on, let’s look at a few words that can help us in our understanding of what worship is.

WORSHIP – “to attribute worth” suggests that when we worship God, we ascribe Him supreme worth.  It’s an action meaning to render or give praise that’s due Him.

See Psalm 96:7-8 and Revelation 5:12.

PAYING HOMAGE – means to respect, revere, or acknowledge the worth of another.

VENERATION – is a feeling of profound respect and the willingness to serve someone or something. This respect isn’t a respect like I have for Michael in our friendship.  Rather, it’s a respect with a sense of awe wrapped around it.  (Sorry Michael, but I’m not in awe of you.)

So, when we consider these words and apply them with the verses here in Galatians, we can come up with some pretty good ideas how we can worship God every day, more than through song or prayer.

“as we have opportunity” does not mean…here or there, or for a limited time only. It means during our entire time of existence in this present life.

“let us do” is an action calling us to make an effort.  We don’t sit on our couches and let things come to us as we watch the TV.  Instead, we go out of our way to meet others and make a positive difference to advance Gods kingdom.

“all people” means everybody!!!  We cannot be selective, for God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. See 1Timothy 2:4.

“especially to those who belong to the family of believers” hold on to your seats, this one might knock you around.  1 John 4:20-21 says: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”  Ouch, that hurt!  Just think, how much more would somebody who doesn't believe in Jesus, want to come to church if they saw us treating each other with love.  Check out 1 Peter 2:12.

What do we learn about worship from this passage?

1. Worship is an action.  Be willing to look for and act upon opportunities to serve others.

2. Do good to people, especially to those who you call a brother or sister in Christ.

Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?”  Peter replied three times, “you know that I love you.”  Jesus didn't stop there, but he asked Peter to do something.  Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep, he also told Peter to “Follow me!”

Peter lived out the word veneration.  Are you willing to do the same, and make opportunities, or take action on the ones that have been handed to you? 

Worship as King David did in Psalm 103, with all your soul and all your inmost being!

Fullness in Christ - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Fullness in Christ (Colossians 2:6-15). Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

Read Colossians 2:6-15. What are some general observations you make from reading this passage?

What does Paul mean when he tells us in Colossians 2:6…

             So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him…

How does this challenge apply to our lives?

Why is it so difficult to believe that we have been given fullness in Christ?

In Colossians 2:6-15, Paul is highlighting that it’s not that we need to receive anything more than we’ve already received. Rather it’s that we need to come to understand more of what we have received. All too often we forget what we have in Christ. The following list of verses remind us of what we have in Christ. Carefully read and review each of the verses and consider how our lives are impacted based upon such Truth.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Romans 5:10

Romans 8:1

1 Peter 2:24

Colossians 3:1

Galatians 3:26-29

Philippians 3:9

Ephesians 2:18

1 Peter 1:4

Philippians 3:20

Ephesians 1:3

What other promises of God can we add to this list? 

  

Why do we search for fullness and completeness anywhere but in Christ?

With all the provisions Christ has made for victory over the old sin nature, how does Satan get a foothold in our lives?

How should our daily lives be changed by the fullness in Christ? Think deeply on how a proper understanding of our fullness in Christ and how it must impact every area of our lives.

Red Rover - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Red Rover (Colossians 1:24-2:5). Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

Read Colossians 1:24-2:5. What are some general observations you make from this passage? What are some questions you have regarding this passage?

Describe what Christian maturity looks like?

What are some reasons why Christians seem to stop maturing and lose their vitality in their walk with Christ?

Have you stopped maturing? Have you lost your vitality in your walk with Christ? Explain your answer.

What are some of the consequences of being spiritually stagnant?

Read and respond to the following statement…

Those Christians who are not making spiritual progress are opening themselves up to the attacks of the Devil. He’ll find you, identify your laziness, and attack you.

How does a Christian grow in their maturity? Is it simply through reading the Bible? Are there other avenues God uses to mature a Christian? Explain your answer.

Read Colossians 2:3. If Jesus is the exclusive source of all wisdom and knowledge, what does this mean for other religious and philosophical systems? In light of this verse, what is the true pathway to wisdom and knowledge? How do we attain wisdom and knowledge?

Read Colossians 2:2-5. Christians in today’s world are literally inundated with false and deceptive teachings. How can believers protect themselves in our culture today?

What or who is the source given to us for the specific purpose of growing in our maturity? Have you partnered together with this source or have you tried to grow in your maturity on your own? Explain your answer.

Review the 5 Roles Paul played in the Colossian Church’s maturity. Do you find yourself fulfilling any of these roles in an attempt to help another individual become more mature? How can you play a role in someone else’s maturity?

Michael described how your maturity matters to the church’s effectiveness and strength. Why is this? Based upon your maturity, are you adding to the effectiveness and strength of Encounter?

Discuss what you desire for maturity to look like in your life. What can you do this week to grow in your Christian maturity?

First - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled First (Colossians 1:15-23). Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

Read Colossians 1:15-23. What are some general observations you make from this passage? What are some questions you have regarding this passage?

How does our society view Jesus?

Consider this quote by Warren Wiersbe…

The false teachers in Colosse, like the false teachers of our own day, would not deny the importance of Jesus Christ. They would simply dethrone Him, giving Him prominence but not preeminence.

Does this quote accurately describe how many view Jesus today? What are your thoughts?

How would you describe Jesus in one word or phrase?

Read Colossians 1:13-20. How did Paul describe Christ?

How is Christ the firstborn of every creature?

What does the fact that Christ is the Creator tell us about Him?

What is the significance of Christ as the head of the body, the church?

How does God’s fullness dwell in Christ? What does this mean for us?

How did Paul explain Christ’s deity and refute Gnosticism in this passage?

Look at verses 15-17 and identify the five things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in creation.

1) He is the image of the invisible God

2)

3)

4)

5)

Read verses 18-20. List four things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in redemption.

1) He is the head of the body, the church.

2)

3)

4)

How is our former condition described in Colossians 1:21?

Consider that the some of the false teaching which Paul was refuting through Colossians dealt with the false belief that Jesus was not a physical person but rather was an angelic spiritual being. Look through Colossians 1:15-23 and identify how Paul addressed this false belief.

Read Colossians 1:22. Identify and be reminded of the three ways God views a person who is reconciled through Jesus Christ.

Knowing these facts about Christ, what difference will it make in the way you live? How will you make Christ first in your life this week? 

Refurbished To Be Used

(Enjoy and be challenged by this guest post by Lisa Thurman. And, no, this is not a picture of the refurbished guest bedroom. Sorry. Contact Lisa directly if you're interested in an overnight stay at the Thurman Bed & Get-Your-Own-Breakfast.)

We recently completed a home improvement project at our house and I have to say I’m quite pleased with the results! Although there were no tearing down or building up of walls or ripping out of anything, we did repaint, refurnish, and redecorate our guest room. The transformation is astounding, as the many people I have drug through there can testify too.

There was one small snag. In my mind it no longer was a guest room but now a shrine of beauty; it was to be looked at and admired but not touched. Until the morning that as I was enjoying my first cup of coffee one of my son’s friends bounded down the stairs and said, “Your guest room is great! Very comfortable and welcoming. A little on the girly side but other than that it’s great. I tried to put your pillows back like you had them. Love you, see you later!” I stood there shell shocked mumbling a “love you too” and realized this must be what it feels like to get the first ding in the door of a brand new car. With the sting of a band-aid being ripped off I had been served a good dose of “get over it” for breakfast. Yummy, like fish oil.

I had to do a little self evaluation over my feelings and what was behind them. So, it was ok for anyone to use the guest room when it was a hodge-podge of early marriage eclectic stuff but when it actually looked like a decent room, suddenly the clientele should be different?  Why did I now think it was too nice for the people who actually used it frequently? Interesting. Not very flattering, but interesting.

Then the Holy Spirit did a connect the dots for me. Do I ever think I’m too spiffy and put together to engage with those who are more…eclectic? Do you know what I mean? I’ve been cleansed and forgiven and made new but now I think that I’m so good that I shouldn’t be used for just anyone, I need to just interact with those who can appreciate and are similar to my goodness. What a load of manure.

As my pastor says, “Here’s the impact statement”, in this case, impact paragraphs.

The function of a guest room is to host guests, no matter how pretty it is; in fact, don’t all my guests deserve the best I can offer them? A room that I don’t allow to be used is, well, useless. What was the point of making it nice if it can’t be used?

It’s the same with my life. The closer I imitate my Lord, the more “refurbished” I get. What’s the point if He can’t use me to interact with anyone He wants to bring across my path? And typically, it’s not other “refurbished” people but those who need a new paint job plus. He wants to show His best to the lost so that they can see Him through us, but if we think we are too good, what good are we?

         

No other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, hearts, and minds. Only in the gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope.  Joni Eareckson Tada

Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:9-10

Paul's Prayer - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Paul's Prayer (Colossians 1:1-14). Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

  

Read Colossians 1:1-14. Begin by making some general observations of the passage.

How did Paul introduce himself in this letter? What is significant about this introduction?

In verse 2, how does Paul greet the Christians to whom he is writing this letter? If Paul was writing this letter to you today, what words would he use to describe you in his greeting?

To establish some background information it is important to know that Gnosticism was a heresy which was threatening the church in Colosse. What is Gnosticism (don’t hesitate to Google the word if needed)? Why is Gnosticism so dangerous? How did Paul refute this heresy?

Consider our culture today. What erroneous teachings are threatening the church? What must we do to make sure we do not fall to such false teachings?

Read Colossians 1:3-8. Within these verses, Paul describes all the positive marks of the church in Colosse. The 4 marks which Paul uses to describe the church include…

Faith in Christ Jesus.

Love for all the saints (other Christians).

Hope.

Bearing fruit (lives are being changed).

From your perspective, how can a church do a better job at living out these 4 marks?

In verse 10, what is Paul’s prayer request for the Colossian church?

Why is knowledge so important?

Read and respond to Hosea 4:6.

Are there any dangers to growing in knowledge? If so, what are they? How do we avoid such dangers?

What is the relationship between knowledge and wisdom?

Read Psalm 1:1-8. Look specifically at verses 2-3. Regarding knowledge, what is promised in this verse and how can we apply it to our daily living?

Respond to the following quote by Donald Whitney…

Christians must realize that just as a fire cannot blaze without fuel, so burning hearts are not kindled by brainless heads.  We must not be content to have zeal without knowledge… To follow Christ and become more like Him, we must engage in the Spiritual Discipline of learning.

According to Donald Whitney (see Proverbs 19:1), one must not be content to have zeal without knowledge? Why is this so? How can it be dangerous to have zeal without knowledge?

Read Colossians 1:10-14. In these verses, Paul refers to the positive results of knowledge. What other positive results of having knowledge can you think of?

Are you seeking to be filled with knowledge? What is stopping you from seeking to be filled with knowledge?

What can I do to allow myself to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding? Take time to develop a plan and then determine to put the plan into action.

Stop Trying - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Stop Trying. Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

Do you try to live a life pleasing to the Lord or do you train to live a life pleasing to the Lord? Why is it often easier to try as opposed to training?

How much effort do you put toward training to be Godly?

Think through the events and activities of your day. What is it that you train for in life?

Describe a time when you trained to reach a specific goal. Can you think of a time when you did not reach a goal because of a lack of training?

Is holiness an option for Christians? Why or why not?

What does 1 Peter 1:15-16 tell us about being holy?

Read Matthew 11:29 and Luke 9:23. What can we learn about discipline and training from these two passages?

Read 2 Peter 1:5-9. Within this passage we see a progression of development in our pursuit of Godliness. What role does training ourselves in Spiritual Disciplines have within this process?

In the study guide for his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney writes that…

Three things, when understood, will help you persevere in the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines: the role of the Holy Spirit, the role of fellowship, and the role of struggle in Christian living.

Consider these three things mentioned by Donald Whitney. How do they help one persevere in the practice of Spiritual Disciplines?

Think of someone whom you know who actively practices Spiritual Disciplines. How has their willingness to train to be Godly impacted their life?

Read Matthew 4:2; Luke 2:46-47; John 13:2-6, 17:4. What does each of these verses say about Jesus and His pursuit of Spiritual Disciplines?

How does the goal of Godliness impact your willingness to train in the Spiritual Disciplines?

What practical steps are you willing to take this week to stop trying and to begin training?

It's Just Easier - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled It's Just Easier. Take time to continue studying, considering and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.


Are you a disciplined person? Do you make the Spiritual Disciplines a part of your daily life? On a scale of 1-10, how disciplined are you?

What are some excuses we tend to use as to why we don’t practice the spiritual disciplines or live a disciplined life?

Read and review the following verses that discuss the importance of discipline and training. What truths do you learn from these verses?

            Galatians 6:7-10

            James 1:22-25

            1 Timothy 4:7

            Titus 2:11-12

            2 Timothy 3:14-17

            Mark 1:35-39

            1 Corinthians 9:23-27

            2 Timothy 4:7-8

2 Timothy 2:1-5

           

Are there any dangers in practicing spiritual disciplines? If so, what are they? How can we avoid these dangers?

It’s been said that…

            Discipline is denying the lesser to gain the greater.

What is the lesser we are denying and what is the greater we are gaining when we are practicing spiritual disciplines?

Consider and comment on the following quote…

            One can achieve discipline and bypass God altogether!

What is the difference between disciplined-living and holy living? Do these two ways of living go hand-in-hand? Do you believe that you can have one way of living without the other?

Read the following passages to discover that growth in holiness is a gift from God.

            John 17:17

            1 Thessalonians 5:23

            Hebrews 2:11

If our growth in holiness is a gift from God then what role does disciplined living play in the process, if any?

According to 1 Timothy 4:7, what is the reason why we should train and discipline our lives? How does having a purpose or goal help you to be more disciplined?

Are there areas in your life, other than the spiritual disciplines, where a lack of discipline is proving to be detrimental? Consider some of the following areas and determine if a more disciplined approach needs to be taken. What effect does a lack of discipline in these various areas have on your spiritual journey with Jesus or vice-versa?

            Work

            Money

            Food

            Relationships

            Learning

            Speech

            Entertainment

            Thoughts and Emotions

            Schedule

Take time to develop a plan for practicing the spiritual disciplines. What does this plan look like in your daily life? What steps will you take to make this a reality?

Key Elements - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Key Elements for Spiritual Awakening. Take time to continue studying, considering and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

On Sunday we reviewed three activities Jesus was engaged in that helped Him stay spiritually focused. Name all three.

            1)

            2)

            3)

 

Which of the three areas do you currently find the most challenging?  Why?

What does it mean to go “public” with your faith?  After baptism, how can you go “public” with your faith?

Reflect: Think of individuals you’ve known from the past who had a dynamic reputation for God with their peers. What made their life so dynamic? What were their personal habits?

Jesus was tempted in three different ways in Matthew 4:1-11. What are the areas the devil attempts to get you to stumble into sin?

Read I Corinthians 10:13 and think how God may help you in during times of temptation.

Identify your 4 key roles you play as a person. With each role write down one prayer request that God can help you with in 2012.

            Role 1)

            Role 2)

 

            Role 3)

            Role 4)

Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What was it that motivated Jesus to stay focused at the task at hand? What is the task that God has asked you to do in 2012? Does it bring you joy? Will He reward you if you perform well in that role?