Quotes from Jesus:
“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” (John 5:30)
“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:49-50)
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10)
Today we turn our attention to the Discipline of Worship. There are many definitions of worship. One of the definitions is: “Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission” (Webster’s Dictionary,1828)”. This definition is close to the definition we present on our www.40daysofdiscipline.com website: “A lifestyle of submission to God.” As we consider these definitions and examine the life of Jesus as captured in the Gospels, we are again inspired to “Be like Jesus”.
Please carefully read the quotes from Jesus in the passages above, and then read the following statement:
“Every Sunday or alternate day of worship, Christendom experiences a major dilemma. Many people who have not paid any attention to submitting to God or pleasing Him the rest of the week engage in an event called they call worship.”
Please answer the two questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- What are your views on the statement about Christians and worship above?
- How do you guard against being guilty of Sunday only “worship”?
February 29, 2016 at 2:41 am
What are your views on the statement about Christians and worship above?
The statement has a few interesting notions to take from it, one of which is that a lot of us have a mistaken view of what worship is. For someone who thinks that worship is just singing/praising with others in church, “only Sunday worship” wouldn’t seem wrong to them. This is why it’s important to understand (based off the right biblical information/foundation) what worship is, and why it isn’t just a Sunday event.
How do you guard against being guilty of Sunday only “worship”?
The biblical foundation to worship can be taken from these passages. John 15:10 speaks of remaining in Jesus’s love, and I think this is one of the keys to guarding against being guilty of Sunday only “worship”. If we remain in His love, then it’s a daily lifestyle, and we are no longer only worshipping on just Sundays.
February 29, 2016 at 6:54 am
Initially it may not be easy. The more we practice the easier it becomes. Then before we realize it , worshipping jesus becomes like the air we breathe.
February 29, 2016 at 1:10 pm
I think worship is a part of my life. Worshiping the Lord comes out naturally in me. To me worship is more of praising and having grateful heart, glorifying my God for all that he has done, and will still do in my life. Here in Oman, our worship service is on a Friday and Sunday is the start of the working week. In the beginning it was difficult for me to get used to attend worship service on Friday, and then begin the working week on Sunday. At least we Christians are allowed to worship our God, Jesus Christ in this country, in fact the Sultan even built churches (the Protestant Church of Oman, that’s where I’m a member; and Catholic Church in Oman which is beside my church) for Christians in this country. I am truly grateful for that. It would be difficult for me not to have a church to worship the Lord. Of course, everyday I can worship God in my prayers, and in reading and meditating scriptures and/or listening to worship songs , but still, it makes a big difference to attend a service, sing songs of praises, having fellowship with church family and praying together…I feel recharged every time I am on the way home from church. Worshiping God is like a battery charger for me. It helps me face a new week full of hope, and trust in my God who is always with me especially when facing challenges in my walk with Him. With all the social functions I attend for my husband’s job, I think going to church on Friday to attend worship service and having my BSF class on Tuesdays help me not only to balance my life and to keep my focused on what really matters the most.. It’s like life has no meaning if I don’t worship God…the weekly cycle will be very boring and meaningless.
February 29, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Sadly the statement has much truth. Sunday is the day we go to church to heck the box.
As a believe it’s just as easy to replace the Sunday experience on the task list with daily Bible reading. I guard against this with opportunities like this study, participation at my church and personal reminders that my earthly relationships don’t grow through limited contact and neither will my spiritual relationship with my Heavenly Father.
February 29, 2016 at 4:44 pm
The definition of worship I most relate to is “my love response to my Father’s extravagant love for me”. So trying to live with a constant attitude of praise and thanksgiving, and thus a heightened sensitivity to His love for me, is the way for me to worship Him constantly. Of course life gets in the way, as does my flesh, but that’s my little approach – keep lifting my eyes up to Him and eternity.
February 29, 2016 at 9:54 pm
Thanks for the comments. True worship of God is about a love relationship and not about “checking the box”. A one day per week love relationship rings a bit hallow.