The Power of Music in Worship

Music is deeply woven into our lives. I bet I can sing

just a few lines of a song, and you’ll instantly

recognize where it’s from. Let’s play a little game:

Name That Jingle! (Sing the tune and have the

congregation finish it. Show images to connect

the jingle to the product of TV Show.

1.”Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a

piece of that Kit-Kat bar…”

 2.. “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid…”

 3. “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your

cup…”

4. “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R

 .My bologna has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R

 Oh, I love to eat it every day

And if you ask me why, I’ll say

 ‘Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!”

5. (For my More mature friends: “Here’s the story of a

lovely lady

 Who was bringing up three very lovely girls

 All of them had hair of gold, like their mother

 The youngest one in curls

 6. (For my friends under the age of 45)  “In west

Philadelphia born and raised…. On the playground

is where I spent most of my days…

See? Music sticks. It connects emotions, memories,

and moments in time. If Pastor Kevin can show you

Michael Jackson videos in church, then we can sing

commercial jingles!  When I hear a song of my

childhood, or my young adult years, it places me

right in the middle of that scene in my life.  For

example, when I hear the theme song to “Fresh

Prince of Bel-Air” I can almost smell the garlic in my

dad’s cooking baked Ziti, because that show was

on right around the time, he would start preparing

dinner. 

EMILY’S MUSICAL STORY

I’ll never forget when my daughter Emily, at six years

old, got in trouble after church. We told her to take a

moment to reflect before joining us for lunch on the

other side of the double doors. A few moments

later, we heard a melody. Curious, Brian and I

listened through the door—Emily was full-on belting

out a dramatic musical monologue about what had

just happened! (Sing an example) It was hilarious,

but it also reinforced the power of music to process

emotions and experiences.

 Science backs this up: music impacts our cognitive,

emotional, and physical well-being. It enhances

memory, regulates emotions, relieves stress, lowers

heart rates, and even reduces pain. No wonder God

gave us music as a tool for worship! It helps us

remember His promises, declare His truth, and

stand firm in our faith.

 Music is how most of you memorized the

 alphabet. 

Music is how many of you were calmed by

 your parents at bed time. 

Music is how a lot of Scripture has gotten into

 your brain.

    I taught my kids the books of the Bible in 

     order with the Bible book bop,

 That’s why it’s such an important part of

worship…as a weapon.

REVIEW

Over the past few weeks, Pastor Kevin and Pastor

Billy have shared different aspects of worship—

 better understood as “Worth-ship.” Worship is how

we, as followers of Christ, demonstrate God’s worth

in our lives. As we’ve discussed, worship is not just

about music; it’s about how we live our lives fully

surrendered to Christ, because He is worthy.

 Today, I want to pivot a bit and focus on the

powerful connection between worship and spiritual

warfare. Now, you might be wondering, “Spiritual

warfare? Janette, are you talking about exorcisms?”

Well, the Bible does include accounts of demon

possession, but spiritual warfare is more than that.

It’s the ongoing battle between the forces of good

and evil—a battle that tries to pull us away from

God.

 While we’ve established that worship isn’t just about

singing on Sunday mornings, Scripture makes it

clear that singing, shouting, and playing instruments

play a key role in spiritual battles.

1. Worship is a Weapon

Now, I know some of you might be thinking,

“Janette, calling music a weapon is a stretch.” But

worship is one of the most powerful weapons we

have against the enemy.

 Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world, and

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly

realms.” (NIV)

We are in a spiritual battle. Our fight is not against

people—it’s against darkness.

But …Worship is a battle cry that dismantles the

enemy’s schemes

And do you know what demons hate most? Praise.

 Think about it—before his fall, Satan was a master

musician, possibly even a worship leader in heaven.

That’s why nothing infuriates him more than when

we worship God. Our worship is not just an act of

reverence—it’s a weapon that shakes the kingdom

of darkness.

 This is exactly what we see in 1 Samuel 16 when

Saul was tormented by an evil spirit.

 Later in verse 23, we see the power of worship:

“Whenever the spirit came upon Saul, David would

take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to

Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would

leave him.”

Worship Shifts Our Focus from the Battle to the

Victor

We see this same principle play out in 2 Chronicles

20, when King Jehoshaphat received terrifying

news:

 “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,

from the other side of the Dead Sea.” (v. 2)

 The Bible says Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and his

first instinct wasn’t to gather his warriors—it was to

seek the Lord.

 Jehoshaphat called all the people together—not just

the men, but their wives, their children, and even

their little ones—and they stood before the Lord and

Jehoshaphat honestly says to the Lord,

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are

on you.”

.And then, God responded with this message

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this

vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2

Chron. 20:15)

 Church, when the enemy rises against us, our first

turn should always be toward Jesus. Why? Because

the battle is the Lord’s.

 When we turn to him and say, “I DON”T KNOW

WHAT TO DO” and lift our worship, it reminds us

who is fighting for us. Worship is not about ignoring

the battle—it’s about inviting God’s presence into it.

And when He steps in, everything changes.

 2. Worship Brings Peace & Guidance

 War brings torment, but worship brings peace because it

reminds us that God is with us.

God’s message continues…

 “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to

face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (2

Chron. 20:17)

 We’ve all faced struggles—health scares, financial stress,

broken relationships. Worship isn’t an escape from these

things; it’s an invitation for Christ’s presence in the

middle of them. His presence transforms both our

situation and our mindset.

That’s why so many will come to say after worship, “I

feel so much better!”

It’s not the worship team lifting you up—it’s you lifting

up His name.

 And worship doesn’t just bring peace—it also brings

guidance. When Jehoshaphat’s army faced an

overwhelming enemy, he did something unexpected: he

put worshipers on the front lines instead of soldiers.

 Seems bizarre right?  There is a vast army coming at us,

Let’s get some music up in here, and sing as we approach

them! CRAZY Right!

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures

forever.” (2 Chron. 20:21)

 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set

ambushes against their enemies, and they were defeated.

Jehoshaphat understood that worship wasn’t just

preparation for battle—it was the battle. Worship shifts

our focus from fear to faith, reminding us that victory

comes not by our strength, but by God’s power.

3. Worship Restores Our Joy

 Jehoshaphat and his army never even had to fight—God

fought for them! As they worshiped, their enemies turned

on each other, and by the time the army of Judah arrived,

the battle was already won. Not only did they experience

victory, but they walked away with blessings they

never expected—supplies, riches, and resources that

strengthened them for the future.

 And how did they respond? They worshiped!

 In verse 22-26

 Four days later, they gathered in a valley and named it

Berakah—”Praise”—because it became a place of

thanksgiving. Then, with joyful hearts, they returned to

Jerusalem, singing, playing instruments, and

celebrating in the temple because God had given them

victory!

At first, they were overwhelmed and afraid, but through

worship, they didn’t just survive—they came out

rejoicing!

 This is what worship does. It shifts our focus from the

battle to the One who fights for us. It reminds us that

victory isn’t just about making it through—it’s about

praising God for what He has done!

 Maybe today, you’re still in the middle of the battle.

Worship anyway. Because when God moves, He doesn’t

just bring you through—He restores your joy.

 And that joy? It’s part of your strength in the fight. 

When we fix our eyes on God, our worship becomes

part of the armor He has given us to stand firm. 

Worship and the Armor of God

But …If our focus isn’t on God when we worship,

then we’re just singing—it’s not true worship, and it

has no power as a weapon.

 Think of an “air guitar battle”—you know, when

people act like rockstars, dramatically strumming

invisible guitars.  Do you know this is really a thing? 

Like there is world wide competition and all….

Check it out.

Show Video of Air Guitar battle:

 TITLE SCREEN

Isn’t this the most ridiculous thing you have ever

seen? They’re pretending to play, but in reality,

they’re not making any real music. If our worship is

just performance—acting like we’re playing the part

without truly engaging in what it means to

acknowledge God—we’re no different than those

folks with their air guitars. We’re doing the same

thing, pretending to worship in the presence of the

King of Kings but no genuine worship is actually

happening.

 True worship should be real, powerful, and

authentic. It’s our direct connection to the God who

fights for us.

When we TRULY worship, we are doing exactly

what Paul instructs in Ephesians 6—putting on the

full armor of God. But just as we wouldn’t go into

battle unprepared, we can’t approach worship

without fully equipping ourselves with His strength

and protection.

 Armor of God Picture

CLICK FOR EACH ONE BELOW

• The belt of truth holds us steady in God’s

Word, and in worship, we declare His truth over

our lives.  I’m very careful about the songs I

select for us. The worship team reads through

the scripture of each of the songs we sing

together to remember that all songs we use in

worship are grounded in the truth of God’s

word!

 • The breastplate of righteousness guards our

hearts, and in worship, we surrender to His

holiness.

 • The shoes of peace give us firm footing, and

worship anchors us in His presence.

 • The shield of faith extinguishes the enemy’s

attacks, and worship builds and strengthens our

faith. That’s why it’s OK to FEEL something

when you worship.

• The helmet of salvation protects our minds,

and in worship, we renew our thoughts with His

promises.  That’s why focus is so important

during our times together. We do all that we can

to foster your connection with the Lord and not

distract from it.

• The sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—is our

weapon, and worship is one way we proclaim

His Word with power. That’s why so many lyrics

of the songs we sing come right from Scripture.

 Worship and the armor of God go hand in hand.

Both equip us to stand firm, resist the enemy, and

walk in victory. Worship is not just a song—it’s a

powerful weapon!

 Closing: Our Battle Cry

There is nothing that ticks the devil off more than

hearing us declare “Hallelujah!”

 Hallellujah is our Battle Cry.  The purpose of a Battle

cry is twofold:

1. to rally and inspire instill a sense of unity and

purpose,

 2.  to intimidate the enemy before or during a

battle.

Did you know that the best translation of

 “Hallelujah” means “You all must praise the Lord!”

So when we worship, we’re not just praising—we’re

calling others to join in! In the middle of our battles, we

must declare together:

“Y’all must praise the Lord! The battle belongs to

God!”

 Worship is not just a song—it is a powerful weapon!

 I don’t know what battle you’re facing today—whether

it’s a diagnosis, a broken relationship, a financial struggle,

or a spiritual challenge that no one else sees perhaps the

Battle is right there inside your own head. I know

personally that’s where Satan attacks me the most, in my

own thoughts.

Right now, you have a choice: to let fear, doubt, and

discouragement take control, or to raise your hands in

worship and fight through the battle with faith.

 Worship isn’t about ignoring difficulty; it’s about

declaring that God is greater than the difficulty.

It’s not pretending everything is fine—it’s proclaiming

that even when things aren’t fine, God is still worthy.

 Scripture gives us a powerful picture of this in the battle

between the Israelites and the Amalekites. As long as

Moses kept his hands raised, the Israelites were

winning. But when he grew weary and lowered them,

the enemy gained ground. Some of us walked in today

feeling like we have no Hallelujah left to give. But hear

this: your Hallelujah is most powerful when it costs

you something. Dare I say, that’s when it’s worship!

 Surrender is two arms up—not in defeat, but in trust.

Maybe today, that’s exactly what you need to do.

Whatever you’re carrying, lay it down. Raise your hands

in surrender and give the battle to the Lord.

 The song Hard-Fought Hallelujah says, “There’s times

when my hands go up easy, and times when it costs.” True

worship happens when we choose to praise, not because

it’s easy, but because we trust Him anyway.

 The enemy expects you to quit, to doubt, to shut down.

But when you lift a Hard-Fought Hallelujah, it declares:

“I trust God anyway.” Worship is not just a song—it’s a

powerful weapon.

  White Flag

 As you walked into worship today, you received flags.

Use them as a symbol of your surrender. These flags are

not just decorations—they represent the declaration that

you trust God in the middle of your battle. Wave them as

you raise your hands, and let them be a visual declaration

of your trust in Him.

Moses couldn’t keep his arms up alone—he needed Aaron

and Hur to hold them up. Some battles are too heavy to

fight alone, and that’s why we need each other. Worship

isn’t just personal; it’s something we do together. Maybe

someone needs you to help raise their hallelujah.

 As we sing Hard-Fought Hallelujah, let’s make this our

declaration:

“I will worship in the middle of the fire,

I will praise You in the center of the storm,

I’ll lift my hands, ‘cause I know that You’re able,

And I will sing a hard-fought Hallelujah!”

Worship as Spiritual Warfare

Worship Review

Two Greek words translated as worship in our English Bibles.

Proskuneo – to bow, fall on your knees, make a request

Example: Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magifrom the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship (proskuneo) him.”

Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped (proskuneo) him.

While bowing is an outward act of submission and honor, I’d like to suggest that the other words in the NT for worship is a higher form of worship.

Letreuo – to serve, to sacrifice

Example: Romans 12:1 – 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 (letreuo).

Both worship words are found in one verse – Matthew 4:8-10 – 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship (proskuneo) me.”

“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship (proskuneo) the Lord your God and serve (Letreuo) Him only.’”

We can distinguish between these 2 types of worship by determining their motivation:

1. bowing worship – fear
2. serving worship – love

If you appeared before your king, whom you didn’t know, you would bow in fear because you know that he can determine if you will live or die. So, you bow in fear. But if you are the king’s servant, you know him and want to please him and bring joy to him. So, you serve in love.

Today’s message, Worship as Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-17 – ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Worship is our greatest weapon in this conflict, but it’s much more than just singing.

4 Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

1. Scripture (Word of God) -Matthew 4:1-6

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

The devil will often tempt us, and Jesus shows us here the best defense against temptation. GOD’s WORD.

• Prayer and Fasting – (Daniel) – Daniel 10:10-14

A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

The man in the vision said Daniel’s prayer was heard immediately, but the answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed because of a war in the heavenlies between the forces of good and evil. (Michael the Archangel and the Prince of Persia)

What does this mean for us today? We don’t persist in prayer long enough.

• Singing – II Chronicles 20:15-22

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” ¹⁸ Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. ¹⁹ Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

²⁰ Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” ²¹ After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his^[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” ²² As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

Worship is the tip of the spear – the worshipers were at the Head of the Army

There is not much that causes the Devil to tremble more than God’s Children praising him in song – Especially, when we sing together in corporate worship, like we do here when we gather to worship the Lord

4. Word of our Testimony – Revelation 12:7-11

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸ But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
¹¹ They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;

Application

Reading Scripture, Praying and Fasting, Singing, and Proclaiming the Word of our Testimony are ways we worship our way through the battles we face.

What is the biggest battle (greatest temptation) you face?

Women: Jealousy, Anger, Sex, Self-Worth, Food, Comparison

Men: Money, Sex, Pride, Envy, Lust (pornography)

Do you know what your most powerful weapon is? Is it God’s Word, Prayer and Fasting, Singing, or the Word of your Testimony?

Do you use all the Spiritual Warfare Weapons?

WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE

3^RD WEEK OF A SERIES ON WORSHIP

BEYOND THE SONG- A LIFE OF WORSHIP

WEEK 1: WORSHIP ISNT JUST FOR SUNDAY AM

WORSHIP IN SCRIPTURE CAN’T BE CONTAINED IN 1 WORD

 CONSECRATION- ROMANS 12:1-2 PRESENT YOUR BODIES

 ADORATION–IN AWE OF JESUS

 PARTICIPATION- HE INVITES US TO DO WHAT CREATION ALREADY IS DOING

CELEBRATION-YOUR HEART/MIND AND EVEN BODY RESPOND AT TIMES.

WE ARE HARD WIRED FOR WORSHIP (MJ/T SWIFT/SPORTS

WEEK 2: PASTOR BILLY SHARED PASSIONATELY

   WE ARE NEVER NOT WORSHIPPING

WE ARE ALWAYS DIRECTING OUR ATTENTIONS/AFFECTIONS/ALEGIANCE TOWARD GOD OR IDOLS THAT CAN NEVER SATISFY

 “BEHAVIORS IN A BELIEVER THAT REFLECTS THE AWESOME MAJESTY AND WORTH (WORTH-SHIP) OF ALMIGHTY AND HOLY GOD. “

“WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS FOR US BUT WE HAVE AN ENEMY WHO IS AGAINST US AND THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL HATES OUR WORSHIP.”

TODAY PART 3 OF WORSHIP- TWO UNLIKELY WOMEN

STORY IN LUKE 21 AND HERE MARK 12:42

JESUS CONDEMNS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WIDOWS RIGHT BEFORE THIS.

MARK 12:41

   ⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 

 MARK 12:42

   ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. (DROP)

   JESUS IN -LAST 5 SECTIONS IN OPOSITION

 MARK 12:43-44

  ⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

WE WORSHIP IN OUR GIVING/GENEROSITY

• OUR TIME- ITS AN ACT OF WORSHIP
• OUR TALENT- GIVE THAT- WORSHIP
• TOUCH- SHARE THAT-ACT OF WORSHIP
• TREASURE- OFFER IT IN WORSHIP

TRUTH IS THIS:

• SOME HAVE THOUGHT- I KNEW HE’D TALK MONEY
• SOME IT’S YOUR FIRST TIME HERE
• PEOPLE ARE SITTING NEAR YOU CRINGING NOW
• I COULD ADDRESS RACIAL DIVISION
• I COULD TALK ABOUT SEX TODAY
• I COULD TALK ABOUT POLITICS- LESS OF ISSUE
• BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MONEY- IN CHURCH?

TODAY ISN’T ABOUT MONEY- ITS ABOUT WORSHIP

• SOME THOUGHTS THOUGH ABOUT FINANCES
• MORE THAN ½ PARABLE JESUS TOLD
• MONEY AND POSSESSIONS
• 500 VERSES IN BIBLE SPEAK ABOUT PRAYER
• LESS THAN 500 ON FAITH
• OVER 2000 VERSES DEAL WITH FINANCES
• 1 OUT OF EVERY 7 VERSES IN NT REFERS TO FINANCES AND POSSESSION

 PICTURE OF THE TEMPLE

• DO YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THIS STRUCTURE?
• DO YOU SEE THE RENDERINGS OF THE PEOPLE?
• COURT OF GENTILES- EVERYONE (NON JEWS)
• THEY CAN’T GO TO WOMENS COURT
• COURT OF ISRAEL- 15 STEPS UP
• COURT OF PRIEST

CLOSE UP COURT OF WOMEN

• STRUCTURE WAS 37 ACRES
• 18,000 PEOPLE TO BUILD IT
• ITS PASSOVER WEEK
• JEWISH HIST JOSEPHUS POPULATON 2.7MILL

COLUMNS-COURT OF WOMEN PORCH

• THERE ARE 13 RECEPTICLES AROUND COURT
• PEOPLE EVERYWHERE-

TRUMPET LIKE STRUCTURE

• METAL STRUCTURES
• 6 FOR:
• 7 FOR :
•    ⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 

ALL THIS COMMOTION- A SOUND- CATCHES JESUS EAR

JUST TWO LITTLE COINS-

JESUS HAD JUST RAISED LAZARUS- PEOPLE WANT TO SEE

AMONG ALL THE CHANGE WIDOW- 2  SOUNDS RING OUT

WE ALL ASSUME SHES OLD- 2 SOUNDS

SOME OLDER PEOPLE THINK SHES YOUNG

A SOUND– A MINIMAL- SHORT RATTLE SOUND

JESUS GRABS HIS GUYS- DID YOU HEAR THAT?

DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT? SEE WHAT JESUS- 2 COINS

THEY HEARD ALL THE SOUNDS OF THE RICH-NOISY

JESUS SAYS- YOU SEE THAT WIDOW- SHE GAVE 2 MITES

SHE GAVE MORE THAN ALL THE REST-

WAIT JESUS WHAT? 2 MITES? WORD WAS LEPTA

WORTH ESSENTIALLY A PENNY OR LESS

SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO GIVE BOTH- JEWISH LAW GIVE 1

THE EQUIVALENT OF 6 MINUTES OF A WORK DAY

A NO NAME WIDOW- DEPOSITS HER WORSHIP

JESUS DOESN’T CONDEMN THE WEALTHY

HE JUST SAYS SHE GAVE MORE-

OTHERS GAVE IN RELATIONSHIP WHAT THEY COULD KEEP- WE DO THE SAME

• SCRIPTURE SAYS “JESUS POSITIONED HIMSELF SO HE COULD SEE WHAT PEOPLE GIVE”
•  LUKE 12:34

   “FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.”

• 2 SOUNDS INDICATE WHERE HER HEART IS

QUOTE

   “ITS NOT EQUAL GIFTS-ITS EQUAL SACRIFICE.”

GIVE/SAVE/LIVE

• 3 WAYS MOST PEOPLE HANDLE FINANCES
• THEY LIVE FIRST
• SAVE SECOND
• GIVE LAST

Matthew 6:24

  ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

“WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS FOR US BUT WE HAVE AN ENEMY WHO IS AGAINST US AND THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL HATES OUR WORSHIP.”

JOHN 12

1. Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 

³ Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief;

VIDEO THE CHOSEN

• DID YOU MISS IT?
• SHE IS SO FOCUSED ON HIM AND HIM ALONE
• NOTHING ELSE MATTERS

2 SAMUEL 24:18-24

¹⁸ That day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” ¹⁹ So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him. ²⁰ When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. ²¹ “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.

David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”

²² “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. ²³ I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.”

2 SAMUEL 24:24

   “BUT THE KING REPLIED TO ARAUNAH, “NO, I INSIST ON BUYING IT, FOR I WILL NOT PRESENT BURNT OFFERINGS TO THE LORD MY GOD THAT HAVE COST ME NOTHING.”

WHAT IS IT THAT SHE DID THAT DREW HIS ATTENTION

I WONDER IF THE SOUND CAUGHT HIS EAR BECAUSE

HE WAS REMINDED OF THE SACRIFICE HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE

EXPRESSING OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR WHO HE IS, WHAT HE IS, WHAT HE’S DONE, WHAT HES SAID, AND WHAT HE’S PROMISED TO DO. (R WARREN)

WIDOW DOESN’T COME BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT JESUS WOULD NOTICE HER

https://www.bible.com/events/49405668

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Beyond The Song: A life of worship Part 3

Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering.

Today we are continuing in our 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A life of worship.

Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord.

Today we are going to focus in on the idea that worship is all about offering or giving our very Best to the Lord.

According to Romans 12, Worship is all about giving.

Giving your life, you might sing songs to him, you might give your time to serve at the church or in the community, you give your talents to help provide for others, you give of yourself, to comfort loved ones and support them.

John 12:1-3

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary’s worship through giving was motivated by love. This act of worship was an act of love and adoration for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:3 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

We also see that Mary’s worship was intentional. Mary planned to worship. She planned to give her best. She gave careful and intentional consideration of how she would worship the Lord.

Mary worshipped without reservations.

She gave her best and she gave all of it.

Jesus doesn’t uphold Mary’s gift as an example for future generations. No, he upholds her example of worship for future generations.

To show future generations what true worship looks like. A life of worship is giving your best and giving all of yourself to the Lord.

That’s worship beyond the song, that’s a life of worship.

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Then this poor widow comes in, drops in two of the smallest known coins in the money system. And Jesus sees her.

He is moved by her worship. Not because she gave a lot, but she gave her best, she gave her all.

He turns round and says to his disciples- Boys, this right here is how it’s done. This is how you worship.

You might be here today and following along feeling like you are left out because you don’t have much money to give, or a nice car to donate, or whatever.

Look, it’s not about that. This is not even a message about our money, it’s about worship. You already have your best, and you are already giving it to something or someone.

What we are desiring to see today is that true worship, our true response in loving and serving Jesus is that HE gets our best.

Will you give the Lord your best?

http://bible.com/events/49403060

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg Campus

Beyond The Song: A Life of Worship Part 2

Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering.

Today we are continuing in our 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A Life of Worship.

Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The definition of worship we are working with in this series is behaviors in a believer that reflect the awesome majesty and worth (“worth-ship”) of Almighty and Holy God.

So, the question is, what does a life full of those behaviors look like, especially away from the church building on Sunday morning?

Pastor Kevin’s definition of Worship in Week 1:

EXPRESSING OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR WHO HE IS, WHAT HE IS, WHAT HE’S DONE, WHAT HE’S SAID, AND WHAT HE’S PROMISED TO DO.

Romans 12:1-2

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.

Quick review of all the mercies of God Paul has explained to us thus far in chapters 1-11:

· Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin.

· Adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ.

· Placed under grace, not law.

· Giving the Holy Spirit to live within.

· Promise of help in all affliction.

· Confidence of coming glory.

· Confidence of no separation from the love of God.

· Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness.

Susanna Wesley (defining sin)

Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.

Dallas Willard

You can live opposite of what you profess, but you cannot live opposite of what you believe.

Pastor Bill Lakey

What is worship? It is living your life – your everyday, fold the laundry, go to work, pay the bills life – before the face of God. It is realizing who God is, who you are, that he is the most important thing in the world, and living your life in response to that truth. It is the freedom to focus on him instead of getting caught on the treadmill of religious do’s and don’ts. It’s living the life you were designed to live.

Colossians 3:1-2

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

WE ARE NEVER NOT WORSHIPPING

Romans 12:1-2

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Richard Foster

This way of living is not confined to people in religious orders or those who have special skills in spiritual matters. No, this life is also for ordinary people. People who work in high-pressure jobs of information tech and finance. People who are constantly dealing with the stresses of raising children and balancing the family budget. People who teach school and work in hospitals and provide social services and so much more. In short, people just like you and me.

Extras scripture + quotes for further reflection/worship

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:23

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Dallas Willard

We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.

Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline)

The divine priority is worship first, service second. Our lives are to be punctuated with praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. Service flows out of worship. Service as a substitute for worship is idolatry. Activity is the enemy of adoration.

Brother Lawrence

The best method of going to God is that of simply doing our everyday work without any view of pleasing men. Rather, as far as we are capable, we should do even our daily tasks purely for the love of God.