Our Mission Measures: Worship and invest Week 3 God-sized dreams Our Mission Measures: Worship and invest Chris Besser me@cjbess.com

Mission statement Building relationships that connect all people to God-sized life and love.

What are some things you associate with worship ?

What are some things you associate with Investment in God’s work ?

We give our worship to and invest our lives in the things that bind our hearts

Worship “Come, let us worship and bow down”

The praise, adoration and reverence of God, both in public and private The praise, adoration and reverence of God, both in public and private. It is a celebration of the worthiness of God, by which honour is given to his name Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London

Worship = Human response to a gracious God

Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Deut. 6:5 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

How should we love God? Passionately – with our heart and soul And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind – Matt. 22:37 Passionately – with our heart and soul Thoughtfully – with our minds Actively –with all our might

Which is most difficult for you ? Passionately Thoughtfully Actively

John 4:23-24 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Where should we love God? God is not confined materially God is not confined spatially We worship God from the inside out

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Worship = Service

Worship = Service = Discipline

The discipline of worship “If you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not worship Him on one day a week.” A.W. Tozer

Investing The discipline of stewardship

Time and money

Time = money

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Ephesians 5:15-16 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

God owns everything you own God’s Top 10 List - giving God owns everything you own Giving is an act of worship 1 Cor. 10:26 - for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. Phil 4:18- Philippian Church…an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014

Reflects faith in God’s provisions God’s Top 10 List - giving Reflects faith in God’s provisions Should be sacrificial and generous Mark 12:41-44 – Poor woman…out of her poverty, put in all she owned… 2 Cor. 8:1-5 – Macedonian Church…beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord... Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014

Reflects spiritual trustworthiness God’s Top 10 List - giving Reflects spiritual trustworthiness Love not legalism Luke 16:10-13– He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much… 2 Cor. 9:7 – Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart... Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014

Give willingly, thankfully, cheerfully God’s Top 10 List - giving Give willingly, thankfully, cheerfully Appropriate response to real needs 2 Cor. 9:7 – …God loves a cheerful giver Acts 2:43-45 – …were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014

Should be planned and systematic God’s Top 10 List - giving Should be planned and systematic Results in bountiful blessing 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save… Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure… Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014