A service of worship. 27 June 2010 Wayne Austin Reading: John 4:19-26

A service of worship.

27 June 2010 Wayne Austin

Reading: John 4:19-26

Intro - Different people, different denominations have their own peculiarities of how they do things. But when it comes down to our worship of God - does it matter? Do those outward things actually affect the way we worship? Should they affect the way we worship? What really does matter when it comes to worshiping God? What does worship of God mean to you? How should we bring meaningful and pleasing worship to God?

The Wine Press comment this week noted - "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him." I wonder if you agree with that - or is there something else that fills the need of your heart? It has been said that we have a vacuum in our hearts - an emptiness that needs to be filled to make us complete. I believe that vacuum, that emptiness can only be completely and satisfyingly filled by the love of God. And when it is you will know very clearly that is the case. You know when love fills your heart. It influences what you do. It influences your attitudes. It influences your thinking. It makes you want to respond in love.

This is the kind of response, or worship that God desires from his people - one of absolute awe and devotion and love, one that brings him pleasure - one that comes from the heart - a heart of love and devotion. So I do believe that "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him" is very accurate.

God even created us for this purpose. Ephesians 1:5 TEV says "Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children - this was his pleasure and purpose."

What loving parent doesn't delight in his children? This scripture tells us that God is our heavenly Father and we are his children. God takes pleasure in you and me! Isn't that so amazing!! Doesn't that make you feel special?

For me, as a parent, I get great pleasure from my children, and now from my grandchildren, and what gives me the most pleasure from them is their love - a love that is not brought about by a sense of duty or obligation, but out of spontaneous love.

And that is exactly what God yearns for from us - worship that is out of love and devotion, not out of duty.

So WHY should we give worship to God?

1. Because God commanded it. The first commandment tells that that worship of God must come above everything else (Ex.20:3-5). That couldn't be clearer could it? We are to neither have any other idols or gods or to worship them - because God jealously wants our worship to be directed to him.
2. Jesus reminds us to. When he was tempted by Satan Jesus answered - quoting scripture - "You shall worship the Lord your God, and only him shall you serve." (Matt.4:10). And at a different time, in the answer to the question "Which is the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt.22:37-38 NIV). Jesus was quite clear about the requirement to worship God.
3. It is God's purpose in redeeming us. In Ephesians 1:11-12, Paul tells us this is clearly so that we might praise and worship God.
4. Because God is creator, giver, and sustainer of all life. We read in Rev. 4:11 how and why God is so worthy to receive all the honour and glory that we can give him.

We can only find our true reason for living, and fulfillment, when we worship God. Sin made us self-centred. Jesus came to make us God-centred again. This was to shift our attention from ourselves to God. Sometimes we question this thinking don't we? We tend to think we have to take care of ourselves and our families - and then do the other things. But that is not what God says. He says in the Great Commandment that we are to "honour and worship him first and foremost and all these other things will be taken care of." "Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt.6:33). Here Jesus was talking about us worrying about the everyday things of life. He said they will be provided according to our needs - if we put God first!

HOW do we worship?

Well what is worship? Is it sitting through a Sunday service? Is it singing great hymns and songs of praise - praying - and so on? I don't believe so! None of these by themselves is worship.

Worship:

Is expressing by life and word the worth of our mighty God - it MUST be more than an outward ceremony or ritual - our lives must show it.

Must be the deep response of our hearts to God - in thanksgiving, praise and adoration. It has to come from the heart.

Is our spirit communing with God's Spirit - reaching out to God from the depths of our beings - from our hearts.

Is focusing on the greatness, the holiness, and the righteousness of God - and forgetting about ourselves.

The outward form of worship is not the important thing. It is not how dynamic the music team is. We are blessed with dedicated and talented musicians in our church. It is not the style of music even - whether we raise our hands or not - none of these or other outward signs is of the most importance.

It is the INNER attitude of the heart that really counts.

In our gospel reading (v23-24) Jesus said - and this is one of the few 'musts' in scripture - to worship God we must worship him in the right way. No matter what form of worship we follow there are two inner qualities of our worship that make it acceptable to God. So………

1. Our worship must be in spirit

God is Spirit and not an idol of wood or stone or anything else we place great focus on before God. He is living and since he is spirit, he is everywhere. So God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us in our worship (Eph.2:18). The Holy Spirit helps us overcome that natural self-centeredness and helps us to be God-centred. So before we can even worship God, his Holy Spirit must be living in us. Then we are able to be spirit led in our worship.

We must be the active ones in our worship, rather than being the audience when we come here to a worship service. For example, the musicians are simply here to prompt us. We are the performers. God is the audience. When our spirit connects with God's spirit - that is a very special experience. It is unforgettable, as Ross testified to us last Sunday.

If we start by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us and help us then our worship will become more natural and meaningful day by day - and THAT will be worship in spirit.

Secondly Jesus said………

2. Our worship must be in truth

Jesus said he is the only way to the Father - to God. So Jesus is key to our worship of God. (Phil.3:3). Worship "in truth" is worship that glories in Jesus - that lifts him up - that makes him central. Worship "in truth" means having a knowledge and understanding of who God is. In our gospel reading (v22) Jesus said the Samaritans worshiped in an ignorant way, not really knowing God personally. If we have little knowledge of someone how can we possibly bring them true adoration and worship? We just wouldn't would we? So how can we possibly do so with God? The more we grow in our understanding of who God is the deeper and more meaningful our worship will become.

How do you get to know someone really well - as we need to know God? Surely it is only through spending time with them. So it is with God - we need to take that time - in quiet - listening - with him in conversation - reading your bible (all we can ever know about God is found in his scriptures).

For us to be able to truly worship a God we truly know we must spend time with him. We can't just drum up that love and worship. True worship comes from the heart - not from being emotionally revved up externally.

The where and when of worship. Do we have to come to a church service to worship - on a Sunday - or a particular day of the week? Where - and when - is the question?

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well how true worshipers will worship in the near future (v21). He in effect was saying that worshipers will worship anywhere and at anytime. Instead of the centre for worship being in a specific location like the Samaritans' temple on the mountain, or the Jews' temple in Jerusalem - or the Churton Park School hall for us - God's temple is now in a different place. Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 where that place is………

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

God is spirit and is living in us. You and me - each one of us is God's temple. Not a building. God's kingdom is in each of his children - you and me. Don't you feel privileged and special? God has made his temple - his dwelling place - in you! What Jesus said to the Samaritan woman about where God would be worshiped in the future - is how worship is now……….

The place of True Worship is -

In the bodies of Christ's believers

Anywhere and everywhere

At anytime

So that means worship isn't just a Sunday thing. It is to be all through the week wherever we are - whatever we are doing. And that is exactly the thrust of the finding of our parish consultation - we are to be missional, reaching out to our community - each one of us. When we do, that is bringing worship to God.

Paul also says……….Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom.12:1)

What does this mean for us today?

As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:

1. All that we own

Where something dominates our thoughts and desires more than God does - that does not glorify or please God. So Jesus' instruction to" Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well" - takes on real meaning doesn't it?

As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:

2. All that we do

Whatever we do, however menial or difficult or rewarding, it should be done with the attitude that we are doing it for God - that God is our "boss". This means showing love and consideration to others in thought and deed, and in what we say. It means trying hard and doing things to the best of our ability, wholeheartedly, and joyfully as unto God.

And in doing this we are honouring God and bringing worship and glory to him - and that pleases him.

It seems to me that if we follow the life of Christ and aim to live the way he did, there is no greater worship we can bring to God because Jesus showed us how to truly love. He said………….

A new Commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34, 35

Love is the key - it always is. God's love in our hearts - responded to by our love for him -shown in our love for others.

To draw all these thoughts together then, we can say that…….

True worship is

Ø devotional and from a heart of love

Ø sacrificial - putting God first before anything else

Ø "in Spirit" - when our spirit connects with God's spirit

Ø "in Truth" - when we know God so well, we can truly adore him

Ø anywhere, anytime

It gives God the glory, exalts him. It is not self-centred, but is Christ-centred.

And so I encourage you - that when we have discovered how to truly worship God with loving devotion, we will have found our original purpose for being created, and the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction.

And when you do, you will truly be living for God and giving him a full service of worship.

20.6.10: Seated with Christ in Heavenly places to achieve the good purposes He has prepared for us

Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 15; Ps 1,110; Acts 19 and Rev 2.

Intro; Ephesians series ‘SIT; WALK; STAND’ based on a book by Watchman Nee of the same name. Eph 2 Sit;5 Walk,6 Stand. John Tovey is going preach on Eph. 3

The importance of the letter to the Ephesians:

It’s one of the key documents by Paul about the Church in the NT. It was written to be read and studied by churches. It should be read in conjunction with Acts 19 which describes Paul’s 3 year ministry in and around Ephesus where he founded the church and developed it. Ephesus was a key provincial capital and trading town and religious centre of the Roman Empire and became the place where St Paul established a leading early Christian church. In Rev 2 it is the first of the 7 churches of Asia (modern Turkey) given a message by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John when he had an amazing experience of God while confined for his faith in Jesus Christ on the Island of Patmos. John the youngest Apostle spent his last years at Ephesus where he looked after Mary the mother of Jesusas he had been asked to at Jesus crucifiction.

Eph. 2:1- 10.

A. What we were B.C !

1. DEAD v.1,5. spiritually dead to God like “you’re a dead man” bone pointed at you

2. DISOBEDIENT just following the desires of our bodies and minds with no thought of God who has created us and all creation

3. WORLDLY following the world’s evil way Psalm 1:1

4. DEMONISED controlled by the spirit of the air (Satan) fallen angles

5. DOOMED TO SUFFER GOD’S JUDGEMENT(wrath)

B. What God has done for us !

He has shown us:

Ÿ His abundant mercy while we were still dead in our sins

Ÿ His great love toward us

Ÿ His amazing grace and favour to us

1. He has made us alive in Christ.. Born anew as his sons and daughters (see John 1:12)

2. He has saved us from God’s wrath and judgement we deserve

3. He has raised us up with Christ…like putting us in a lift with Christ to the heavenly top floor executive suite. Eg. Hope Gibbons and sons with the first high rise building in Wellington with the executives on the top floor

Or like rising up to resurection life from the burial of baptism

NOW BY FAITH HE HAS SEATED WITH CHRIST SEE Ps 110

C. Seated us with Christ in Heaven

1. to reign with Him above every name that can be named. Eph. 1:18-23 eg in the city above every name on the concrete and glass buildings. Bnz, vodafone, microsoft

2. It’s by faith which is freely given to us by God

3. So we have nothing to boast about because it’s not by our own efforts but entirely by grace (like Rev. 4 in heaven there is only praise to God and the lamb who was slain)

4. We’re created for good works that He has prepared for us to do and to be our way of life.

Eg. the 72 in Luke 10 going out to proclaim the kingdom and heal the sick. They went out and witnessed Jesus authority and the power of his name. He rejoiced and said their names were recorded in heaven. The opposite to that happened to the Jewish exorcists at Ephesus in Acts 19 whose names were not recognised by the demons who overpowered them.

Some of you have been discovering something of those purposes that God has for you by doing the gifting course and I encourage you to step out in the gifts and motivations and talents that you are discovering in yourselves.

Finish with a time of Sitting and being still and listening to what the Spirit may be saying to us…

Know, Grow, Show - 13 June 2010

Wayne Austin

Reading: John 15:1-17

The key founding vision of our church 17 years ago was that it was to be a cell based church. Cells are fundamental to life. Cells create life of their own, and that life has a purpose - to grow and multiply. The principle then was to involve people in cell groups and for a number of years that principle seemed to work - perhaps not nearly as perfectly as it was hoped it would, but there were many flourishing home groups. They have always been an important central part of the life of our church here. They are starting to gain new life again perhaps in a different way with the enthusiasm and encouragement of Phil in getting men's 4X4 groups going. And a number of those are reconvening or starting from scratch. This is really encouraging because of the recognition from our recent parish consultation that one of the things we as a church need to focus on is small groups. So some 17 years after that was seen as being integral to the life of our church, we still think that to be so.

The other key recommendation from the parish consultation is that we need to be much more outwardly active in connecting people and Christ. At the church leader's planning session a month ago we felt that these two factors - small groups and outreach - were linked. How is this so?

Well what does it take for us to bear fruit for Christ? I think there are at least three principles:

1. We need to KNOW him

2. We need to GROW in our relationship with him

3. We need to SHOW our love for him.

Let us look at the gospel reading - John 15:1-17. This was the foundational scripture of our church all those years ago. It may seem that I am going backwards in making these foundational connections - when clearly our church wants to move forwards. I don't think I could ever be accused as one who dwells on the past - in fact I have been actively over these past 4 months trying to direct our vision forward. But I do believe we can learn from the past.

It is remarkable how that foundational scripture and foundational principle of cell groups keeps coming into our thinking. It makes me realise how forward thinking our church leaders were those 17 years ago. They had the imagery of preparing the ground for the planting of the vine, the watering, the nurturing, the pruning - all so that a great harvest of fruit could be reaped. That truth is still relevant today.

So let's look first at the KNOWING part.

John 15:4 talks about remaining in Christ - to grow deeper into Christ - to seek him - to know him better - to have a great trusting relationship with him. That is why we must centre on Jesus - abide in him - and very importantly allow him to abide in us. For him to become part of who we are.

I believe it is possible to have a healthy inward looking attitude sometime, especially when your focus is on your relationship with God and with others. And while we are all expected to take personal responsibility for this a small group environment is a place where this can also be done together with others of a like mind with the desire to encourage us and help us to be accountable.

I have just changed the 4X4 men's group I meet with. In my previous group, we were all at different stages on our walk with the Lord but we still learned together, and we learned from each other, and we shared our learning. It was an environment where we have a lot of fun together, and we built up relationships and confidences. And then we were able to openly share our questions - and our doubts - and revelations about our relationship with God - in a warm, supportive, non-threatening or judgmental way.

It was a place for me where a lot of my learning about God and my relationship with him and other has taken place.

That building of relationships and confidences in your group is so important. It can't - and mustn't be rushed. We all feel we need to be able to trust and be trusted before we can openly share what is on our hearts. But when we do that is when real learning and growth takes place.

Secondly the GROWING part.

John 15:5. The vine of course is the main stem or support. It is the source of all nourishment and strength. In fact everything that the branch and fruit needs comes from the vine. They can't exist without it, let alone flourish. Jesus is our vine. He gives his branches - us - LIFE! For this to happen we learn to be obedient to him - to be strengthened and refreshed by him - to feed off him - to draw strength from him - to be empowered by him. And Jesus did say at the end of this verse….."Without me, you can do nothing." Even with the support of a close home group, it is still up to us to develop that close reliance on Jesus to do what he wants us to do - to bear fruit.

Remember Paul kept on saying things like - "When I am weak then I am strong" - and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Because he knew if he trusted Christ, by his Spirit, to enable him - then he could do far more abundantly than he could ever imagine.

So yes, we are all expected to take personal responsibility for this too, but a small group environment is a place we can be encouraged and developed along with others on a similar journey. And so our trust and effectiveness for Jesus will grow.

So small groups are also environments to encourage us to look upward - to focus on God through Jesus. Because from him, and only him, comes our true source of life and growth.

Small groups are places where you can be honest about your life and where others can reflect on this with you. The Christian life is a journey of "come walk with me", and it is so special to have a group of liked minded people to walk that journey with you - to support you, and to encourage you - and you them.

The goal from all that learning and growing must show results though.

Finally the SHOWING part.

John 15:17. Small groups are also safe places in which you can freely explore your passions and dreams - and try them out, and see if that is something God would want to use your gifts and abilities in. This is so important. I think we have got into a mindset that is the "church's" job to do outreach. So we again ask the question - what is the church?

Well - quite simply - it is you and me as members of Christ's body. Each one of us has that responsibility to do the outreach wherever God calls us to be - in the home, in the workplace, in school, in recreation, wherever we are. Church Council asked me at the meeting in May to come up with definitions of outreach and mission. With the Elders we have probably settled on these:

Evangelism/outreach - is the action of connecting people and Christ through our Holy Spirit inspired prayer, words, and actions of love.  This should be both through specific evangelistic happenings and through the “priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9) as we are all called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) in our "everyday worlds."

Mission - is the action of being sent out to connect people and Christ in places beyond our “everyday worlds”, in the Samaria’s of the world, the places that are foreign to us. These places could be in our own neighbourhood, town, or country. They could also be in other countries.

We believe the small groups are the breeding ground for us to reach out to others in whatever way God has gifted us. They are places where others can see/identify the gifts God has given us. We sometimes find it hard to see them in ourselves. But our close friends are wonderful sources of encouragement for us to try out those gifts - to practice and develop them so we gain confidence and training in a safe, supportive environment.

But also, there are people in our church who have a real passion for a particular outreach area. You will read in the Wine Press this week of such a passion - of Karen and her ministry to the elderly. In recent years there was a list circulating of over 20 outreach ministries that individuals in our church were involved in. But that was just it. It was left up to the individuals to pursue those ministries, and sometimes that can make you feel that you really are on your own. How much better it would be if you felt the church was behind you - supporting you - encouraging you, even with some others joining you. How much more effective that ministry would be if others could capture your vision and passion.

I can testify to this very point. The PALS ministry to business people that we launched in the city a couple of weeks ago was very much supported by my 4X4 group and I got a great deal of encouragement from those guys. I was able sound out ideas with them in formulating the ministry, and we even did a study series on the principles over a number of weeks. Some of the guys were even able to come to the launch, and as they say - you can't put a price on that - it is so supportive and encouraging.

So small groups can be a place to germinate your ideas for outreach - to shape your ideas - and to gain support in prayer and in other ways, and gain the confidence to put them into practice.

That is what we want to encourage. It seems such an obvious way for those ministries to develop - in groups. St Paul's church in Symonds St in Auckland is a very successful growing Anglican church. But it wasn't always so, until about 7 years ago when a new clergy team arrived from England with a real missional attitude. That church now operates what they call clusters - groups of people with a specific focus for meeting and that focus is outreach to a particular sector of society. I would love to see that model of small group or outreach focus develop here. That is some way away perhaps - or maybe not, but it is something we could pursue.

But the message from the Show point is this. Small groups must have a focus - a goal - a reason for being. My last 4X4 group had the focus of equipping ourselves to be effective in living out our faith in the workplace. Small groups should be places where as well as looking after each other - you also look outward.

To summarize those points:

We look inward to develop our relationship with Jesus by getting to know him better.

We look upward to Jesus to grow in his strength and enabling.

We look outward to a community in need - to show Christ's love for them.  

And that is the key. Whatever our part in outreach or mission may turn out to be, the key above all for it to be successful - is love

John 15:9-17. Our love for Jesus shown in our love for each other - in our small groups - in our church - to our fellow Christians in the body of Christ - and shown in our love for others (the Great Commandment)……………this is what Jesus says will bear fruit.

He will know we love him if we obey him. And his command is that we love one another, and GO and make disciples.

I really encourage you - to look for a small group to join - or to start your own group. And please do so with the intention of not only looking to get to know others better, but also Jesus - to look to grow in your relationship with him and in your effectiveness for him. BUT particularly with the aim of equipping yourself to go in his power to show Christ's love to others.

You will be blessed beyond measure - as Karen shared in the Wine Press today - but you will be an amazing blessing to others and in so doing will bring glory to God.

That is our ultimate purpose in living for Christ - to bring glory and worship to him.

May God richly bless you as you do.