GOOD WORSHIP

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Good Worship

What is the difference between good worship and bad worship?

Seems like a reasonable and simple question.

But I assure you, finding a response to that question that does not describe some aspect of sound quality, musical skill, stage presence, or some other observable, surface-level detail is, in fact, a seriously challenging thing to do.

What I prefer in terms of musical style, song choice, stage presence, lighting and ambience in a time of corporate praise and worship, might be very different from what you might describe as your preference.

Who is right? Whose version of worship is good and whose is bad?

Grateful

I am grateful to God that you and I are not the judges of what is good and pleasing, in terms of our heartfelt response of love and praise poured out before God in times of worship.

In fact, in our services this weekend, we spent some time looking into a description of what good worship looks like according to the Holy Spirit-inspired message of the Apostle Paul:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV11

In this teaching we can learn a lot more about what God-honoring worship really looks like:

In view of God’s mercy…

Good worship follows our acceptance of the mercy of God, as given through the work of Jesus Christ. The more that we understand and embrace the love and mercy of God, as shown to us through the work of the Christ, the more that we will desire to pour out our own praise and worship to the Lord.

If you struggle to offer your love and respect to the Lord in times of praise and the declaration of his goodness and glory, then it would seem that you would do well to go back and spend some time learning about the love and grace of God as seen and experienced in the person of Jesus Christ. As you embrace his love for you, you will find in your own heart an overwhelming desire to show love to the Lord in times of worship and praise.

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…

The meaning of this statement in the original language carries with it the idea of presenting yourself before the Lord in a position of honor and respect as you stand before the Lord in worship.

Our bodies are a part of who we are, and the Bible clearly calls all believers to submit what we do with our bodies to the Lord as an act of worship. In fact, scripture is filled with references to God’s people standing, bowing, kneeling, raising arms, lifting up holy hands in times of prayer and worship.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world…

First, we must admit that we are in a fight. The world around us, the age in which we live, is constantly seeking to pull you away from being conformed into the image of Christ. We must actively push back against this constant effort to lead us astray. We must fight the good fight.

But be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

Jesus Christ has taken away the old nature of sin and death and replaced it with his own perfect and righteous nature. Jesus has destroyed the spirit of flesh and sin that once ruled in our hearts, and he has replaced this broken spirit with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We are eternally transformed and welcomed into the family of God as his beloved and adopted Sons and Daughters. This is our eternal reality, thanks to the Lord Jesus.

But while we are in this life, we must see that the Lord is also at work in us, calling us to turn away from the patterns of thought and emotion that are presented to us as “normal” by the unbelieving and godless world around us.

When we see this truth and turn away from these patterns of thought, replacing them with the truth of God’s word and the encouragement of his people, we are able to offer to the Lord real worship that pleases God and brings us freedom.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
I want to give you my love,
my praise, and my worship.
You alone are worthy of my adoration and worship.
Help me today to turn away from all
that competes with you in my thoughts,
emotions, and attitudes.
Help me worship you in body,
mind, heart, and soul today!

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

 CONTACT INFO

Unknown's avatar

Published by Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

DINING WITH JESUS PRODUCTIONS. - is a 501 C3 Non-Profit Organization. DINING WITH JESUS MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to give honor glory and praise to our Creator. With our Christian episodes create spiritual awareness among all nations about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. With God’s love we cast out His word to all the nations of the world to gather His church. DINING WITH JESUS VISION STATEMENT Our vision is to strengthen families through God’s word and increasing the number of people locally and from all nations to come to Jesus. God’s word will spiritually heal and transform individuals and communities creating a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives along with responsibility and accountability. Churches, business owners, non-profits and other organizations will participate in DWJ episodes providing all our viewers information about basic community resources to better the lives of their families. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16 New International Version (NIV). DINING WITH JESUS OUTCOME We are here to strengthen families and with God’s blessing we will see an increasing number of episodes helping us to bring people locally and from all nations to Jesus. All these people will make a difference in their families and in their community. We will build up an ongoing network of support with Evangelical Christian churches, the Christian community, nonprofit organizations, business owners and families to continue to strengthen families. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 NKJ. To watch our Christian blogs and videos for free go to: diningwithjesus.net Pease follow us and share with others. Please keep this Ministry in your daily prayers. God bless you. Dining with Jesus TV Copyright 2016-2021