“Re-Center” Sermon By: Pastor Matt Lingo
Icebreaker:
As we come to the end of summer, what have you done to refocus yourself and your family toward going back to school?
Part of fighting the spiritual battle requires us to re-center and refocus on remembering to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.”
1. Loving God is worship
- Matthew 22:36-37
- “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
- This is a definition of Worship
- One may always consult Webster’s Dictionary for the precise meaning of worship (adore, idolize, esteem worthy, reverence, homage, etc.). Yet truly defining worship proves more difficult because it is both an attitude and an act.
- Why would following someone else’s commands cause you to feel and exhibit conflicted emotions and take you off center?
- During the walk of life we are regularly confronted with competing priorities. The competition of these priorities can be overwhelming and bring us to the realization that we need to be personally “re-centered.” What do you do to make worship a priority in your life?
- Why is it that we do not have to achieve happiness or be in agreement with everything around us to worship God?
2. Living for God is worship
- Romans 12:1
- 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.
- This is a definition of Holy (holiness)
- Moral and ethical wholeness or perfection; freedom from moral evil. Holiness is one of the essential elements of God’s nature required of His people. Holiness may also be rendered “sanctification” or “godliness.” The word holy denotes that which is “sanctified” or “set apart” for divine service. (From the Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Being Holy is a general term used to indicate sanctity or separation from all that is sinful, impure, or morally imperfect; i.e., it is moral wholeness. The term is used with reference to persons, places, and things. (From the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary)
- The spiritual act of worship is dependent upon (1) knowing God as your personal savior, and (2) striving not to participate in attitudes and activities that offend God’s Holy nature.
- When your attitudes and actions run contrary to what you know about God’s holiness, how do you feel about any activities related to “worship?”
- What do you do to re–center? Romans 12:2
3. God’s not finished with you
- Colossians 2:6-7 (KJV)
- As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
- The Bible is comparing our life to a walk. What are some of the indicators in your life you would like to see that indicate you are rooted and growing?
4. We are better in community.
- Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 11:14, and Hebrews 10:24-25
- He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. And in another passage: Proverbs 11:14 “…….. but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- How do you make friends and build Godly relationships so that you do not have to walk through life alone or as a loner?
- How are the following ideas (getting along, cooperation, compromise, giving up control, etc.) related to making Godly friendships?
- Where are some of the easiest places to meet, make friends and build Godly relationships?