Recap of Ignite Youth Service, September 30, 2009

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The War Series, Week 3

By:  Amanda Hahn (Yes, that's my bride!  She's amazing!)

Over the last few weeks we’ve been talking about worship and war. The first week we talked about how worship is warfare. Last week we talked about how worship is a reflection of God’s glory. This week we talked about how worship is a lifestyle. Romans 12:1-2 says “Offer yourself as living sacrifices…don’t conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!” This pretty much sums up in a nutshell that worship is a lifestyle. We can get from this passage 2 things: 1) Worship is an action and 2) Worship is an attitude.

Worship is more than just a 45 minute segment of loud music and singing on a Sunday morning. Worship is a 24/7 lifestyle. Worship isn’t limited to once a week nor is it limited to one form. Worship can be done in numerous ways. God has given each and everyone of us talents and gifts. We can dedicate our life, with all of its talents and gifts, to God in an act of worship. Whether it’s the gift of dancing, sketching, poetry, singing, talking, or any other gift, all can be given to God in a form or worship. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says “Each and everyone of you have a talent, so use that talent to serve others and glorify God!” If we’re not representing God 24/7, then who are we representing?

Worship is not just an action, or a talent that we possess, but it’s also an attitude. Paul said in verse 2 that we need to be transformed by a renewing of our mind. Worshiping God requires more than just us lifting up our hands and singing. Worship should inspire us to focus our thoughts only on God. So many times we get caught up in the motions of worship, but our minds are somewhere else. Many times we let our pride get in the way and we focus on how something might benefit us rather than focusing on how something can benefit God. Worship is not about us! Worship is about Him! 1 Timothy 1:17 says “Worship and glory belong to the eternal King…forever and ever Amen!” We can’t truly worship God if we are worshiping ourselves.

So, is your life a worship service? If your life is going great, shouldn’t worshiping be a breeze? But if your life is going too great, then maybe you’re not doing enough for the kingdom. Satan only attacks those who are a threat to his master plan - to steal, kill, and destroy. If you’re giving God your all, wouldn’t Satan be attacking you and making life tough? If worship is warfare, are we in a battle everyday of our life? We need to take a stand and say “I’m committed to worship, even if life is tough!”