The Heart of Worship

The HEART of WORSHIP

Song Story: Matt Redman’s

Reminding his church family to be producers in worship, not just consumers, the pastor, asked, “When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?”

Matt says the question initially led to some embarrassing silence, but eventually people broke into a cappella songs and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a fresh way.

“Before long, we reintroduced the musicians and sound system, as we’d gained a new perspective that worship is all about Jesus, and He commands a response in the depths of our souls no matter what the circumstance and setting. ‘The Heart of Worship’ simply describes what occurred.”

When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come / Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless your heart… I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself, is not what You have required, You search much deeper within, through the way things appear you're looking into my heart…King of endless worth, No one could express How much you deserve, Though I'm weak and poor, All I have is Yours Every single breath!... I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus

Redman remembers writing the song quickly in his bedroom soon after the church’s journey together, with no grand intentions, by any means, for it to become an international anthem. He viewed the words simply as his personal, subjective response to what he was learning about worship.

I. The HEART of WORSHIP is ATTENTIVE to the WORD. Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her

house. Clarke states: Kindly received, she received him in a friendly manner, under her roof; and entertained him hospitably. Martha is supposed by some to have been a widow, with whom her brother Lazarus and sister Mary lodged.

- we have come to the certain village

- we are gathered here at a certain house of worship

- we are a certain people gathered to receive His presence

- we are to receive His presence in a friendly manner

- have you gathered for a service or to surrender?

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard Clarke states: : This was the posture of the Jewish scholars, while listening to the instructions of the rabbis. It is in this sense that St. Paul says he was brought up at the FEET of Gamaliel.

- have you come to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen?

- have you come to give attendance to His word?

- will you consider the meditations of His messenger?

- are you willing to give ear to His teachings?

- are you able to comprehend the word of the Lord?

his word.

- have you ever considered what that must have been like

- as a Jewish woman she would be expecting the Messiah

- today she would be considered a Messianic Jew

- her entire upbringing was in anticipation of this hour

- talk about worship!!!

- As she sat she worshipped the living WORD

The one whom John said “ was the Word and the Word was with God!”

- Will you worship Him as the eternal WORD of GOD

- worship Him for His wisdom

- worship Him who is in unity with the Father

- worship Him as the minister of creation

- worship Him as the governor of the universe

- worship Him as the giver of life, both physical and eternal

- worship Him as the author of salvation

- worship Him as Jesus the MESSIAH

- worship Him for His revelation through words and deeds

II. The HEART of WORSHIP is NOT ATTRACTED to the WORLD.

Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered Clarke states: She was harassed with different cares and employments at the same time; one drawing one way, and another, another: a proper description of a worldly mind.

- sounds a lot like “the double minded man, unstable...”

- you make much ado about nothing

- it’s so easy to be distracted by the things that are in the world

- the mind is a minefield for the destruction of worship

about much serving,

- to worship music more than the message is a worldly attraction

- to worship messengers more than the message is a worldly attraction

- to worship ministry more than the Messenger a is worldly attraction

- it is certainly gratifying to distribute goods to the poor

- Martha must have been excited to put forth such great effort

- motives must be pure, not self-serving or self-righteous

- offering service to prepare and present food is satisfactory

- we are not to give just to get but to give from the heart

- return to the Heart of Worship, Jesus the Messiah

and came to him, (Strong translates to stand over one, place one’s self above, esp. of persons coming upon one suddenly.)

- Martha literally appears to get in His face

- you must not let your service overshadow the Master

- do not become overbearing and demanding in your ministry

- be not hasty in displaying such a self-righteous demeanor

and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me

- surely Martha had heard by now how Jesus fed the five thousand

- was it really necessary to be so busy about business today

- don’t take it personal when you are abandoned

- drama does not make anything better

- your way is not necessarily God’s way

- Jesus was certainly capable of providing for everyone in attendance

to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

- imagine the nerve of that woman telling God what to do

- have you ever prayed such a prayer?

- to assume that God is at our disposal to do as we say is unjustified

- your way is not His will, rather pray thy will be done

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled Clarke states: You are distracted, your mind is divided, in consequence of which, your are disturbed, your spirit is thrown into a tumult.

- like seed among thorns the word is choked out

- too often you are wrapped up in your own little world

- you are impatient and busy with daily routines

- you place your own interests ahead of God’s directive to seek Him first

- you let things get to you even causing sleepless nights

- you have a hard time just laying it aside trusting God for answers

about many things: Clarke states: Getting a variety of things ready for this entertainment, much more than are necessary on such an occasion.

- you go overboard with your preparations

- you let things get out of control

- you make mountains out of molehills

- your attraction to this world robs your heart of worship

III. The HEART of WORSHIP is ACCEPTED by the WISE

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful:

Clarke states: One single dish, the simplest and plainest possible, is such as best suits me and my disciples, whose meat and drink it is to do the will of our heavenly Father.

- you need just one thing to make God happy

- you are happy when you make Him happy

- it is your duty to love Him with all of your heart, mind and soul

- you must make His business your business

And Mary hath chosen

- the choice is simple… sit at His feet and learn

- He is meek and lowly and seeks those that are after His own heart

- making the right choice is always pleasant

- there is joy in the presence of the Lord

- you will find true happiness when you are in His perfect will

- making the right choice is honorable and brings glory to God

that good part, Clarke states: That is, of hearing my word, of which

she shall not be deprived; it being at present of infinitely greater importance to attend to my teaching than to attend to any domestic concerns. While you are busily employed in providing that portion of perishing food for perishing bodies, Mary has chosen that spiritual portion which endures forever, and which shall not be taken away from her; therefore I cannot command her to leave her present employment, and go and help you bring forward a variety of matters, which are by no means necessary at this time.

- when all of life is past only that for Christ will last

- we are partakers of the grace of God

- we shall be like Him for we shall know Him as He is

- the restoration of fellowship with God is at the heart of worship

which shall not be taken away from her.

- here is a word to the wise

- when we worship with all our heart we inherit the promises of God

- the heart of worship will last for eternity

Henry states: The story is not meant to teach the value of a contemplative life compared with a life of action, but to show that service to Jesus must not fill people’s lives to such an extent that they have no time to learn from him. One honors him more by listening to him than by providing excessively for his needs.

When you sit at the feet of Jesus to learn from Him you are preparing yourself for eternal life with Him!