Book by: Thomas Rainer Power Point Inspired by: Rev. Kevin Swann, Ivy Bap=st Church Chapter 2: I Will Worship Goals for this study: As we strive for spiritual excellence we must: 1. IdenBfy personal and corporate things that impact our ability to do God s will. 2. Find solubons to barriers that reduce our Kingdom impact. 3. Encourage one another to move from I might to I WILL! 1
Opening Discussion Ques=on: What do you believe people desire the most in a church service? Why? Good singing? Good preaching? Key Points: True worship flows from the HEART in the recognibon and response to the magnificence of Christ and because of an understanding of the grace found solely in the gospel. Embracing these truths through the pracbcal experience of daily living is imperabve in our RELATIONSHIP with God.(pg.26) 2
Key Points: True biblical WORSHIP manifests itself in experience with other believers as well. This is called CORPORATE worship. There is something special about corporate worship when its done RIGHT! What makes corporate worship so special? Learning God s WORD and sharing it with others. (Acts 13:42-52) The JOY of celebrabng God together. (Psalms 34:3) 3
What makes corporate worship so special? ENCOURAGING each other to live it out. The sharing of TESTIMONIES. (Rev. 12:11) INTERCESSORY prayer: People praying for one another! (James 5:16) What kills the effect of corporate worship? OpBonal ATTENDANCE to services. All other life events have a greater priority: work, kid s event, etc. Church azendance should be a CONSISTENT and PERSISTENT pracbce amount all believers. 4
What kills the effect of corporate worship? Consumer focused, SELF-SERVING a[tudes when coming to church. The focus is not on God, but on SELF. Don t make yourself an idol! Ac=ons that can make our corporate worship experience more powerful: Show up: I WILL ATTEND worship services. What are my prioribes? PRAY and meditate, at home, before azending service. Pray that the focus of the service be on God. 5
Ac=ons that can make our corporate worship experience more powerful: I will pray as I enter the SANCTUARY to worship. Pray for my heart and mind to be right. I will pray that I will be a WORSHIPPER and not a judge. My focus should be on GOD, not my neighbor. Why is church alendance so important? What should we do when we gather? Heb 10:25 We should not forsake the ASSEMBLING of ourselves together. We should exhort or ENCOURAGE one another. Each service becomes more important as the DAY of the Lord is coming. 6
What happens when we gather to worship God for the right reasons? 2Chr 5:11-14 The people gathered together in UNITY. They SANG about God s goodness and His mercy enduring forever. The house was filled with God s GLORY. And the priests could not minister!!!! Final Thoughts: Let s invoke revival by making a renewed commitment to return to church no mazer what. And come with the right spirit and the right a[tude. One place + One accord = God s glory filling the house! 7
Next Week Chapter 3 I Will Grow Together with Others Book by: Thomas Rainer Visit the Lighthouse Bookstore to get your copy today! 8