Worship An Alternative Lifestyle What would you change About how you relate to your world?

WorshipWorship

An Alternative Lifestyle

What would you changeWhat would you changeAbout how you relate to your world?About how you relate to your world?

Car Wreck!Car Wreck!


2 Believers…2 Believers…


"Thank God it wasn't worse!""Thank God it wasn't worse!"

Bike Wreck!Bike Wreck!

"Thank God it wasn't worse!""Thank God it wasn't worse!"

"Why the *^@! does this stuff "Why the *^@! does this stuff always happen to me?" always happen to me?"

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. but on what is unseen. For what is seen For what is seen

is temporary, but what is is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"unseen is eternal"

- 2 Corinthians 4:18- 2 Corinthians 4:18

My focus determinesMy focus determinesMy responseMy response

The difference?The difference?

Worship as a way of life vs.Worship as a way of life vs.

Worship as an occasional eventWorship as an occasional event

Worship- to declare worth or valueWorship- to declare worth or value

Christian Worship- to declare the worth Christian Worship- to declare the worth or value of God as ultimateor value of God as ultimate

Worship is the natural Worship is the natural responseresponse of the of the redeemed to the revelation of Godredeemed to the revelation of God


"I could have died in that wreck!""I could have died in that wreck!"

Lifestyle Worship:Lifestyle Worship:

- Honors God- Honors God


- Sets us free from people-pleasing- Sets us free from people-pleasing


- Forms us into his image- Forms us into his image


- Changes our relationship to…- Changes our relationship to…


- We come to know God's will for us- We come to know God's will for us


To respond correctlyTo respond correctlyWe have to receive correctly We have to receive correctly

Worship is a Worship is a responseresponse

That can be blockedThat can be blocked

"For although they knew God, they did "For although they knew God, they did not not honor him honor him as God or as God or give thanks to give thanks to

him,him, but they became futile in their but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts thinking, and their foolish hearts

were darkened.were darkened.

"Claiming to be wise, they became fools, "Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal and exchanged the glory of the immortal

God for images resembling mortal man God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and birds and animals

and creeping things…they worshiped and creeping things…they worshiped and served the creature rather and served the creature rather

than the Creator"than the Creator"- Romans 1:21-23, 25- Romans 1:21-23, 25

……they worshiped they worshiped and served the creature rather and served the creature rather

than the Creatorthan the Creator

Reflected glory:Reflected glory:

……they worshiped they worshiped and served the creature rather and served the creature rather

than the Creatorthan the Creator

Reflected glory:Reflected glory:They professed love to the broken They professed love to the broken

mirrormirror

The enemy isn't alwaysThe enemy isn't always

The devil or the world around usThe devil or the world around us


We can be God-blockedWe can be God-blockedBy our own flawsBy our own flaws

Perfectionism… Perfectionism…

Perfectionism- unrealistic goalsPerfectionism- unrealistic goalsof flawlessness in self, othersof flawlessness in self, others

and environmentand environment

Perfectionism- unrealistic goalsPerfectionism- unrealistic goalsof flawlessness in self, othersof flawlessness in self, others

and environmentand environment

- Impractical expectations that- Impractical expectations thatLead to continual disappointmentLead to continual disappointment

If worship is the response to If worship is the response to God's revelation, what happensGod's revelation, what happens

When the revelation is When the revelation is Perceived as lacking?Perceived as lacking?

The gift is meant to terminateThe gift is meant to terminate

In praise to the GiverIn praise to the Giver

"Thank you God for my abilities!""Thank you God for my abilities!"

"I praise you for a bike, house, food "I praise you for a bike, house, food in the pantry"in the pantry"

"I'm blessed by the people in my life…""I'm blessed by the people in my life…"

Most people worship the giftMost people worship the giftOver the GiverOver the Giver

RelationshipsRelationshipsPossessionsPossessions

Their own talentsTheir own talentsNatureNature

IntellectIntellect

The perfectionist is different... The perfectionist is different...

They worshipThey worshipTheir own standardsTheir own standards

Above the Giver of the giftsAbove the Giver of the gifts

The perfectionist worshipsThe perfectionist worshipsTheir own standardsTheir own standards

Always finding faultAlways finding faultAnd saying it could be betterAnd saying it could be better

Never able to enjoyNever able to enjoy

What God has given:What God has given:

Their talentTheir talentThe people in their livesThe people in their lives

The things they ownThe things they ownThe circumstances they experienceThe circumstances they experience

Perfectionism blocks worshipPerfectionism blocks worship

Because it's never good enoughBecause it's never good enough

Which means there's no reasonWhich means there's no reasonTo honor or thank God for itTo honor or thank God for it

God's gifts aren't always recognizableGod's gifts aren't always recognizableUnless we see with eyes of faith:Unless we see with eyes of faith:

Paul wanted healingPaul wanted healingGod gave him a permanent thornGod gave him a permanent thorn

Peter wanted to runPeter wanted to runHe needed to understand grace He needed to understand grace

God's gifts aren't always recognizableGod's gifts aren't always recognizableUnless we see with eyes of faith:Unless we see with eyes of faith:

Mary wanted a normal lifeMary wanted a normal lifeGod gave her a SonGod gave her a Son

I wanted to hook-upI wanted to hook-upGod gave me a divine appointmentGod gave me a divine appointment

Just because I don't recognize God's gifts Just because I don't recognize God's gifts Until I see with eyes of faithUntil I see with eyes of faith

Doesn't mean they aren't gifts…Doesn't mean they aren't gifts…

Perfectionism places me above GodPerfectionism places me above God

Because I call into question Because I call into question his good giftshis good gifts

"Every good and perfect gift is from "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father"above, coming down from the Father"

- James 1:17- James 1:17

God even redeems the bad thingsGod even redeems the bad thingsThe wrong choicesThe wrong choices

The flawsThe flaws

Abuse becomes ability to counselAbuse becomes ability to counsel

Addiction becomes reason to celebrateAddiction becomes reason to celebrate

Wounds become reasons toWounds become reasons toMeet new peopleMeet new people

(BCR!)(BCR!)

Perfectionism places me above GodPerfectionism places me above God

Because I call into question Because I call into question his good giftshis good gifts

And I don't have that rightAnd I don't have that right

Attention-Seeking…Attention-Seeking…

Attention-Seeking- the need to have the Attention-Seeking- the need to have the Focus on selfFocus on self

For my achievements, talent, intellect, For my achievements, talent, intellect, beauty, fitness, material possessionsbeauty, fitness, material possessions

My needs, victimhood… My needs, victimhood…

Attention-Seeking- something is lackingAttention-Seeking- something is lackingAnd I want people to supply itAnd I want people to supply it

Attention-Seeking- something is lackingAttention-Seeking- something is lackingAnd I want people to supply itAnd I want people to supply it

It'll never be supplied through peopleIt'll never be supplied through people

So I'll continue to drain So I'll continue to drain Everyone around meEveryone around me

If the focus is on meIf the focus is on meIt can't be on GodIt can't be on God

How can I worship himHow can I worship himWhen I'm taking credit for the good?When I'm taking credit for the good?

How can I seek God for helpHow can I seek God for helpWhen I'm busy placing blameWhen I'm busy placing blame

For my victimhood?For my victimhood?

David worked it outDavid worked it outBy turning to GodBy turning to God

David worked it outDavid worked it outBy turning to GodBy turning to God

Even if it took a whileEven if it took a while(Ark of the Covenant, anyone?)(Ark of the Covenant, anyone?)

Attention-seekingAttention-seeking

Robs God of worship:Robs God of worship:

- From me - From me because it's about mebecause it's about me



- From others- From others because I steal focus because I steal focus



- Takes credit for that which belongs to - Takes credit for that which belongs to GodGod



- Refuses solutions that would rob me of - Refuses solutions that would rob me of Victimhood and the attention it bringsVictimhood and the attention it brings


Never notices the damage they doNever notices the damage they doOr the blessings they've missedOr the blessings they've missed

PerfectionismPerfectionismAttention-seeking…Attention-seeking…

Unworthy- Deep awareness of sinUnworthy- Deep awareness of sinWithout acceptance of GraceWithout acceptance of Grace

Unworthy- Deep awareness of sinUnworthy- Deep awareness of sinWithout acceptance of GraceWithout acceptance of Grace

"Blessings are earned…""Blessings are earned…"

"I don't deserve this talent…""I don't deserve this talent…"

"Don't compliment me""Don't compliment me"

Blessings cause stressBlessings cause stressInstead of praiseInstead of praise

Worship is a response to the Worship is a response to the Revelation of GodRevelation of God

"But…I don't deserve this""But…I don't deserve this"

True- True- That's what makes it grace!That's what makes it grace!

Performance-oriented religionPerformance-oriented religionBlocks us from giving God praiseBlocks us from giving God praise

For his good giftsFor his good gifts

Because I don't deserve itBecause I don't deserve itOR I think I've earned itOR I think I've earned it

PerfectionismPerfectionismAttention-seekingAttention-seeking

Unworthy…Unworthy…

Critical Spirit…Critical Spirit…

Critical Spirit- Continually seeing the Critical Spirit- Continually seeing the Problem rather than the opportunityProblem rather than the opportunity

- People- People- Circumstances- Circumstances

- Money and possessions- Money and possessions- Job- Job

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

The Son of Man came eating The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him!and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him!

A glutton and a drunkard, A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors a friend of tax collectors

and sinners!'"and sinners!'"- Matthew 11:18-19- Matthew 11:18-19

A Critical Spirit can't worshipA Critical Spirit can't worshipBecause there are no giftsBecause there are no gifts

There is no graceThere is no grace

Just hardship and problemsJust hardship and problems

5 Guys meet for a Burger and Fries5 Guys meet for a Burger and Fries

"What a beautiful day! Thank you God!""What a beautiful day! Thank you God!"

"It's a tad too hot and humid""It's a tad too hot and humid"- Perfectionist- Perfectionist

"I'm the one who suggested we come out. "I'm the one who suggested we come out. Look at my new shirt! I hope I don't Look at my new shirt! I hope I don't

get sunburned again…"get sunburned again…"- Attention-seeking- Attention-seeking

"I should be serving at the Mission""I should be serving at the Mission"- - UnworthyUnworthy

"It rained all day yesterday. "It rained all day yesterday. Bet rains tonight, too!"Bet rains tonight, too!"

- Critical Spirit- Critical Spirit

God wants more for usGod wants more for usThan we want for ourselvesThan we want for ourselves

God loves to gift good giftsGod loves to gift good giftsTo his childrenTo his children

Each of the fourEach of the fourMiss the opportunity to praise GodMiss the opportunity to praise God

So they miss focusing So they miss focusing On what's really importantOn what's really important

And receiving the time together as a giftAnd receiving the time together as a gift

Answer: The gospel of JesusAnswer: The gospel of Jesus

For by grace you have been saved For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own through faith. And this is not your own

doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we works, so that no one may boast. For we

are his workmanship, created in Christ are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God Jesus for good works, which God

prepared beforehand, that we should prepared beforehand, that we should walk in themwalk in them

- Ephesians 2:8-10- Ephesians 2:8-10

PerfectionistPerfectionist

For we are his workmanship…For we are his workmanship…

I'm not perfect, I'm not perfect, but I'm the work of his but I'm the work of his hands. He loves and accepts mehands. He loves and accepts me

So I can rest in that. And praise him for So I can rest in that. And praise him for the gifts he brings into my lifethe gifts he brings into my life


And this is not your own doing; it is the gift And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…so that no one may boast… of God…so that no one may boast…

created in Christ Jesus for good works created in Christ Jesus for good works

Jesus saved me so that I couldJesus saved me so that I couldFind my identity in glorifying himFind my identity in glorifying him

by how I liveby how I live

It's not about meIt's not about me

UnworthyUnworthy

…it is the gift of God, not a result of works, …it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. so that no one may boast.

It's not about what I doIt's not about what I doBut what Christ has doneBut what Christ has doneI receive his I receive his giftgift of grace of grace

And live to glorify himAnd live to glorify himRather than earn his blessingsRather than earn his blessings

Critical SpiritCritical Spirit

For we are his workmanship, created in For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God Christ Jesus for good works, which God

prepared beforehand, that we should walk prepared beforehand, that we should walk in themin them

I was created for good works…I was created for good works…Not cynical commentaryNot cynical commentary

I'll live to glorify my GodI'll live to glorify my God

How you respond to lifeHow you respond to lifeIs a result of who is ultimate in your lifeIs a result of who is ultimate in your life

And where you choose to focusAnd where you choose to focus

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. but on what is unseen. For what is seen For what is seen

is temporary, but what is is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"unseen is eternal"

- 2 Corinthians 4:18- 2 Corinthians 4:18

You'll struggle with:You'll struggle with:PerfectionismPerfectionism

Attention-seekingAttention-seekingUnworthinessUnworthiness

Critical SpiritCritical Spirit(and more!)(and more!)

But Jesus changes us…But Jesus changes us…Else there's no hope for any of usElse there's no hope for any of us

Is worship for me Lifestyle?Is worship for me Lifestyle?

Or event?Or event?

Is my identity in Jesus?Is my identity in Jesus?

What blocks worship for me?What blocks worship for me?

Why?Why?

What do I need to do?What do I need to do?

Worship An Alternative Lifestyle What would you change About how you relate to your world?

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