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Spiritual Disciplines. The Path to Spiritual Growth Meditation Prayer Fasting Study Simplicity Worship. Spiritual Disciplines. The purpose of Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person by replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. .
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Spiritual Disciplines The Path to Spiritual Growth Meditation Prayer Fasting Study Simplicity Worship
Spiritual Disciplines The purpose of Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person by replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits.
Worship • Quote: • “To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.” William Temple
worship John 4:23 ”But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
Worship • “In Spirit” • Worship is not primarily in body, through physical motions and activities, but in Spirit. • Worship is an attitude of heart which acknowledges God and His sovereignty over our lives • “In Truth” • Honestly • Biblically • Centered on Christ • “God Seeking Worshippers” • The Gospel describes the way God reached down to humanity. • Contrasted with: “religion” which describes humankind’s search for God
Worship • The New Testament does not prescribe a particular form of worship. • As Christians we have a freedom in Christ to use whatever elements that will enhance our worship. • We are free to remove any element of worship that hinders us from experiencing the living Christ • Substance over form!
Worship • The Priority of Worship: • If the Lord is to be Lord, then worship must have priority in our lives. • Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” • Our lives are to be consumed with praise, thanksgiving and adoration towards God. • If we long to go where God is going and do what God is doing, we will move into deeper, more authentic worship.
worship • Preparation for worship: • When the people of God gathered they had a holy expectancy to hear the voice of God. • Moses went into the Tabernacle • Acts 2:2 – Day of Pentecost • Open our hearts to God on a daily basis • We gather as a Christian Community • We gather into a unity of spirit that transcends our individualism – one mind and one accord
worship • Elements of worship: • Proclamation – preaching • Scripture reading • Prayer • Singing • Baptism • Lord’s supper • Musicals • Drama • Testimonies • Tithing
worship • Take away: • Worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience • To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change – Moses and Paul • Worship will enable us to hear the call to service so that we simply respond, “Here am I! Send me” (Isa. 6:8) • Authentic worship will lead us to join in Christ’s war against demonic powers everywhere