Focus: Worship

We need to worship; it is basic, in the DNA.

Worship practices flow in and out of every aspect of our lives.

We have lost track of the real issue.  Worship is not about style, people, preferences, or practice.  Something is missing.

Quality of worship is dictated by purity of heart.

I Kings, chapter 18.  Question:  Whom will you worship?

Like the ancient Israelites who worshipped JHWH yet bowed down as well to pagan gods, we find ourselves bowing down to side-kick gods in our lives, finding pleasures in places we have no business being.

Elijah restored the altar, placed the sacrifice, doused it with water, then prayed to God, "I have done these things at your command."

Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed everything.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

It is one thing to offer a sacrifice; quite another thing to BE the sacrifice.

It is one thing to pretend; quite another thing to be a doer.  A lot of pretenders.

I must die out to self, allow the Holy Spirit to consume me.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Without holiness no one shall see the Lord.  This is terrifying.  He wants all of me: no half-in, half-out worship.  We are to worship God in reverence and in awe. (v. 28) Our God is a Consuming Fire.

Through grace we are saved, we are sanctified, our lives are changed, and the idols are removed from our lives.  Do not miss it!

Some live with too much defilement in their lives; worship with their mouths, though their hearts are far from Him.

He wants to change lives forever!

Sexual perversion is one of society's biggest idols.  It is the root of trafficking, domestic violence, and much wickedness.  

The issue of sexuality and lust must be sanctified by God.

He wants us to be free!

See to it that you obey the Word.

Worship is not about style, preference, people, or practice.

Worship is not about offering a sacrifice.

Worship is about being the sacrifice.

Questions

    1.  What consumes you?

    2.  What is the primary object of your affections?

    3.  What gets the majority of your attention?

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Worship God with Reverence and Awe.

Do it!

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

Disclaimer: This is not an outline nor a complete presentation

of the pastor's sermon.  These are notes taken during the service

and reflect what these ears heard.  The sermon will be posted on

podcast, as these are each week, and you may listen to it here.