Last Week's Recap... Part Two

Last Sunday, we learned some very basic stuff about what worship is. God's Word tells us in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, English Standard Version)

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that this commandment is actually the most important one we have from God: "And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31, ESV)

Worship of God is defined simply here. I especially like the last definition that Webster's gives: "extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem." When God is our object of worship, we are in good shape!

God has made us all differently... I'm sure you've heard since you were a little kid that people are like snowflakes? I guess it's true... And he's made us all to with different personalities and ways of connecting with Him.

At Ridge Church, we believe that however you worship God privately, if it finds its background in biblical practice and solid orthodox theology, is great. If you like to read the book of Psalms as a quiet reflection, swell. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and connecting with God there, great. If you paint or sculpt or enjoy other arts as a way of worship, awesome. If you like to read devotional books or theology books or listen to worship music, rock on!

A couple things to remember: God wants ALL of our being as our worship of Him. Romans chapter 12 verse one says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Verse two goes on to say, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV)

God wants all of us, body and mind and will. All of our life should be an act of worship of the One who made us and then loved us enough to send Christ as a sacrificial substitute to take the punishment for our sins. God has provided the only way to true life in His Son. When we place our faith in Christ, we become a permanent part of God's family and we are a totally new person forever. That's the Gospel in a nutshell.

God wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him and each other in community. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (ESV)

"No man is an island." We all need a relationship with God through Christ. As Christ-followers, we all need each other. (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 for a great discussion on the church as the Body of Christ). That is simply how God made humans.

So, connect with God often privately in ways that you enjoy. Also, remember to gather together with the rest of us regularly to worship God together corporately. We may or may not enjoy the mode of worship you practice privately when we gather on Sundays, but we will always be willing to consider different worship modes and practices, because we are all important members of Christ's body.

Want to learn more about how God wired you to worship? Check this out and do the simple survey on the website. Feel free to email me if you have questions.