Key Scriptures: Romans 1:18-25, John 4:19-24
Romans 1:18-25, The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…and when they did—they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
John 4:19-24, “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
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Lesson One: Worship isn’t limited to a segment of people.
• Worship is woven into our humanity. We were created to reflect something. The issue isn’t whether we will reflect—the issue is what we will reflect.
Romans 1:21-25, For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
Teaching Truth
When humanity turned away from God, humanity didn’t stop worshiping—we simply changed the object of our worship.
- Genesis 1:27 — Humanity is created in God’s image.
- Isaiah 43:7 — God created his people for his glory.
- Romans 1:25 — Humanity exchanges the Creator for created things.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 — Everything we do can be done for God’s glory.
Application
What gets my praise?
What gets my attention?
What gets my affection?
What gets my time?
What gets my money?
What gets my emotional energy?
Because whatever continually receives those things—reveals something about your worship.
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Lesson Two: Worship isn’t limited to a segment of life.
• Worship isn’t merely part of life—worship is expressed throughout all of life
• Follow your treasure and you’ll find your heart…and if you follow your heart, you’ll eventually find your throne
Matthew 6:21, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Teaching Truth
The question isn’t whether you enjoy something—the question is has something good become something ultimate?
Your worship can show up in:
- your career
- your finances
- your family
- your hobbies
- your entertainment
- your relationships
- your accomplishments
- your sports team
- your possessions
- your free time
Application
Follow the trail. Look at your time, thoughts, affections, investments, resources and ask—what is sitting on the throne at the end of that trail?
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Lesson Three: True worship is a whole life response to God.
• God reveals his glory, his grace, and himself through Jesus—and our response is worship.
• Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who he is and what he has done, expressed in what we say and the way we live.
John 4:19–24, “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Romans 12:1, 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.
Teaching Truth #1 — Worship is about WHO, not WHERE.
Teaching Truth #2 — Worship must be IN SPIRIT.
Teaching Truth #3 — Worship must be IN TRUTH.
Application
There must be genuine connection with God—not merely going through religious motions
Our lives must correspond with our words
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Lesson Four: Our worship matters.
• Our worship matters—because we become what we worship
• Our worship matters—because we have been given TODAY to appropriately respond to God
Psalm 115:1–8, Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
2 Corinthians 3:18,And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Psalm 95:6–7,Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice…
Psalm 39:5,You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
James 4:14, Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Teaching Truth
What you worship doesn’t simply reveal who you are—it shapes who you become.
We don’t have unlimited opportunities to determine what our lives will reflect—God has given us today.
Application
Examine who you are becoming—and it will lead you to what/who you are worshiping. They are directly connected.
God has given you breath today—and that breath is an opportunity to worship him. So don’t wait for a better season to give God your life. Give him your worship with the breath you have right now.
