Preparing Your Heart for Worship - January 15, 2017
We began this series last week with this intro: Why do we go to church on Sunday mornings? Do we go just because that’s what we do on Sundays, or is there a greater purpose? And when we arrive, why do we do what we do? And what IS the church? What does the Bible say we are to be?
Last week, we looked at three characteristics that the church must have from 1 Corinthians 12:12 - Holiness, Unity, and Love. This week, we’ll be turning our thoughts toward God Himself. If we are to be holy, unified, and loving, then we’re truly reflecting the character of God Himself. As we continue in this series, we all need to have a unified understanding of what it means to worship the God that we reflect. We’ll look first into the theology of worship. What it is Biblically. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll look at some specifics of how we practice worship.
I know that this is only the second week of this series, but as we move into it, I’m really excited about all that God has for us as a Body of Believers. The church truly is a beautiful institution of God and the more we understand it, we’ll be able to reflect His character better and glorify Him more and more.
As you prepare to gather together with your brothers and sisters in Christ, here are the songs we’ll be singing as well as some of the other things we’ll be doing this Sunday. Also, read through Ephesians 4 as well as 1 Corinthians 12. (Read chapters 13 & 14 if you have time).
We’re Here to Worship
After hearing about the circumstances surrounding the writing of this song, it will bring a fresh meaning to singing it together.
10,000 Reasons
The line “it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive” summarizes this song perfectly. This song is a great celebration of what Christ has done for us!
Meditating on God’s Word
The Fighter Verse returns this week as we again commit to memorizing God’s Word together.
Prayer of Praise
One of the things we’re instructed to do when we gather is to Pray. As believers, we want to always come to God with words of praise and honor. I’m so grateful for those who come prepared to lead us so well in these times of worshiping God through our prayers.
Choir Anthem: Almighty
Our choir always does a great job of turning our thoughts to God and His attributes. This song, written by Chris Tomlin a couple of years ago, not only declares the Mightiness of God, but celebrates His holiness, sovereignty, eternality, omnipotence, and majesty as we worship the great I AM.
Oh How Good it Is
The Choir introduced this song last week. What an amazing song that encapsulates so well the whole “vibe” of the sermon series we’re in right now. We’ll be singing it together this Sunday, so listen to it a few times with the lyrics in front of you (they’re at the bottom of this blog) so that we can all sing it together when we gather.
Sermon: Church - What Is Worship?
This topic will definitely take more than one week to cover. This week, we’ll begin looking at what worship is and focus on the theological aspect of worship. We’ll begin in Psalm 96, and then look at Revelation 4 and 5, along with some other passages as we consider the biblical meaning of worship. Next week, we’ll be studying how we worship through the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Table, and the following week we’ll talk about the practice of worship. (Sneak peek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EakiLL70s6k)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I can’t imagine that you’re not familiar with this great classic hymn. Some hymns are called “classic” for a reason and with this one, it’s very obvious. As we consider who the One whom we worship and adore, one of the attributes of God that we are so grateful for is His faithfulness. The youtube video isn’t the best, but the group singing it is amazing. If you have iTunes, you should download their version. Here’s the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-is-thy-faithfulness/id979907484?i=979908339
Silent Contemplation
Before concluding our time together, we’ll spend a minute or twoin silent contemplation, thinking about the One whom we praise.
Holy, Holy, Holy
What better way to end our time together than singing of the holiness of our Great and Awesome God!!
Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!
Don’t forget to come back to Sunday Nights @ Fellowship as well.
We start at 5:00 and are done by 6:00 p.m., so that you have time to go out for dinner or dessert with someone, or even go home early and get ready for what’s coming up this week. We’ll be singing Victory In Jesus, Nothing But the Blood, and Now Why this Fear as well as praying for our church and our community. Our study this Sunday evening is in the book of Hebrews.
As you spend time in prayer this week, pray for everyone who will be leading in worship as we gather together, including yourself. Pray that you come with a heart prepared for all that God wants to do in your life. Pray for our church that through this sermon series, God stirs in us a fresh desire to grow in holiness, unity, and love.
Can’t wait to see you all this coming Sunday!
Rob
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