Is Your Heart the Heart of A Worshipper?

Hebrews 13:15 

  1. •(Worship is) "to quicken the conscience by the holyness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open up the heart to give the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God. " 

  1. •"The immense tragedy of the contemporary church is that most people worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship". 

Reference:  

Ezra 3:10-13 

Praisers & Appraisers 

Spiritual & Sentimental 

  1. 1.Praise 

    1. 1.To joyfully boast in God for his acts and greatness.  

      1. 1.To joyfully- Psalm 63:5 

      2. 2.Boast in God- Psalm 34:2 

      3. 3.Praise Him according for His mighty acts- Psalm 150:2 

    2. 2.Revelation 19:6 

  2. 2.Shout 

    1. 1.The enthusiastic expression of joy and triumph in the Lord.  

      1. 1.Ezra 3:11,13 

    2. 2.Literally- to shout in triumph, to shout for Joy.  

      1. 1.... Shout to God with a voice of triumph -Psalm 47:1 

Remember: We Must Be Like The Servant King

Luke 22 24-27 

Don't use your limitations as excuses.  

You do not have to wait until you are "perfect" to start serving the Lord.  

Become a team player.  

Be willing to get your hands dirty.  

Turn your job into a ministry.  

Be driven by the example of Christ.

Seven Characteristics of A Vibrant Leader

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way"  

-John Maxwell 

V-victory in Jesus 

     1.Hebrews 12:2 

I- impeccable integrity 

     1.Acts 24:16 

B- bursting with enthusiasm  

     1.Colossians 3:23 

R-radiant smile 

     1.Proverbs 17:22 

A-attitude 

     1.Philippians 2:3 

N-never say never  

     1.Mark 10:27 

T-thankful heart 

      1.Ephesians 5:20  

The True Disciple Jesus is Looking For

Matthew 16:21-24 

A true disciple of Christ is: 

1.One who is demonstrating a strong personal desire for Christ.  

2.One who is demonstrating they have said no to self.  

1.Selfishness- meeting my needs at someone else's expense.  

2.Self Sufficiency- when we think we don't need anyone, not even God.   

3.Self Will- when I insist on my way regardless of what God requires.  

3.One who is demonstrating their unwavering loyalty.  

4.One who is demonstrating their total obedience.  

1.It is a continuous process 

2.Suffering doesn't matter 

How Do We Get So Far Off Track?

  1. 1.We stop loving Jesus the most.  

    1. 1.Revelation 2:4 

      1. 1.The problem:  Their lives were clogged with so many other things, until Jesus was no longer first.  

      2. 2.Action needed: Jesus said, stop everything else from pushing me out, Go back to your original settings; and love the Lord Your God with all you are.  

  2. 2.We buy into Liberalism 

    1. 1.Revelation 2:14-15 

      1. 1.The Problem: they were not being obedient to the clear commands of Christ.  

      2. 2.Action needed: Jesus reports that what is needed is foe them to repent of contamination by the world; and draw near to God.   

  3. 3.We Stop Seperating Ourselves from Sin 

    1. 1.Revelation 2:19-20 

      1. 1.The Problem: the saints at Thyatira were tolerating pleasure dominated lives. If you are only living for pleasure, and pleasure dominates your decisions, then you are feeding the lists of your flesh. 

      2. 2.Action Needed: Avoid a pleasure dominated life style.  

  4. 4.We No Longer Over Flow with His Spirit 

    1. 1.Revelation 3:1 

      1. 1.Action Needed: Jesus offers  overflowing Spirit filled loves. But to be filled we must first empty what is already there in our lives.