I. A Worshipful Life V. 19
A. What It’s Not
1. Not just a “singing life” of songs that have Christian lyrics or themes.
2. Not just an “enjoying Christian music” life. Even unbelievers can do that.
3. Not just coming to church and singing with the congregation.
B. What Is “Spirit Filled Worship”?
1. Remember that this section looks back to verse 18, “Be being filled with the Spirit”.
2. Paul will go on to describe different aspects of the Spirit filled Christian life.
a. Mutual submission amongst Believers (5:21)
b. Marriage (5:22-33)
c. Children/parents (6:1-4)
d. Servants/masters (6:5-9)
3. Being a Spirit filled, Spirit directed Christian results in a worshipping life.
a. Corporately- the Spirit filled Christian encourages others to worship God.
b. Privately- the Spirit filled Christian often/regularly has a song in their heart.
i. Worship is a state of heart, not just an act of singing.
ii. Some may not feel comfortable singing in public. That’s OK.
iii. Worship originates in the heart, & ought to be experienced publicly and privately.
c. Variety of kinds of worship-Hymns, contemporary, spontaneous, chant.
d. Speaking- to utter a voice; emit a sound. To use words to declare one’s mind; sing.
C. Why Some Christians Don’t Worship
1. Since worship is a response to God, it must be born from relationship with God.
2. Some Christians are new in their faith and getting comfortable with expressing their love for God. That is very understandable.
3. Conversely, some Christians have a distant or shallow relationship with God.
4. That fact is revealed by the lack of worship in their lives, whether spoken or sung.
a. There is no evidence or worship in either their church life or daily speech.
b. That can happen occasionally to any of us, but for some, that is the norm.
5. It is sad to see many in church who sit and seem disengaged during our worship time. They stare with glassy eyes, and never seem to partake of corporate worship.
a. Consistent lack of worship is a “give away” that someone is either not close to God, or not saved.
b. Matthew 12:34b, 35 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
6. Many view worship as the “warm up” for the sermon. They don’t mind coming late.
7. Personally- There are times when I need to worship God before I dare step behind the pulpit. I need to focus on the Person of Christ. I need to recite, repeat, and hear the lyrics that proclaim His glory. I need to praise Him and get the focus off of me.
D. Why Some Christians Do Worship
1. Because their relationship with God is a reality. It is alive, vibrant, and meaningful.
a. We speak excitedly and in praise of people we know and admire.
b. The same is true with these Believers. God is REAL to them, not just theory.
2. They don’t settle for intellectual knowledge, but experience God by faith & obedience.
3. Turn to Psalm 40:1-3: David waited on God, resulting in worship. Many don’t do this.
II. Specifics On “Spirit Filled Worship”
A. Some Misconceptions
1. Some equate “Spirit filled worship” with speaking in tongues, extreme emotion, dancing, & energetic physical displays. (that may or may not be “Spirit filled”)
2. Some extremely Pentecostal churches believe that one must be “slain in the Spirit”, which is the experience of (supposedly) being so filled with the Holy Spirit that one is knocked to the ground. That becomes the standard of “Spirit filled worship”.
3. Some have unknowingly adopted the thought that if you are emotionally and physically exhausted, then you experienced “Spirit filled worship”.
4. Conversely, some say that singing hymns isn’t “Spirit filled” because it isn’t exciting.
5. NOTE- “Spirit filled worship” may or may not include those experiences.
a. They neither confirm nor disqualify an experience as being “Spirit filled worship”.
b. “Spirit filled worship” is not a style, but a heart-felt experience based upon worshipping God is Spirit and in truth.
B. It’s “To The Lord” V. 19
1. “Spirit filled worship” is “to the Lord”. God is the recipient and the object of worship.
2. Worship is not for us, but for Him.
a. We ought not to gauge worship by “our experience”.
b. It is true that worshipping God can be a wonderful experience, but that is secondary.
C. God Desires To Be Worshipped In Spirit &Truth John 4:1-24
1. “Spirit filled worship” is prompted by the Holy Spirit, who testifies of Jesus.
2. John 16:14 “He will glorify Me…” (Jesus speaking of the H.S.’s work and ministry)
3. Anonymous quote– “Worship leaders have no more right to sing lies about God than a
preacher does to preach lies about God.”
4. P.D. Manson– “The shortest route to deeper and richer worship is a clearer theology.”
5. The Holy Spirit testifies and teaches truth about Jesus. Therefore, the worshipper’s
response of worship ought to be according to truth, not just sentiment, emotion, or
intentions. One may have good intentions, but speak or sing lies about Jesus.
D. It is A Lifestyle, Not An Event
1. NIV- Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual(reasonable)
act of worship.
2. NLT- Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your
bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy
sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
E. It Is Eternal- Turn to Revelation 5
1. Worship is the order of business in Heaven. That is the believer’s destiny/upward call.
F. “Spirit Filled Worship” Not Possible Unless…
1. A person is born again.
2. At conversion, the Holy Spirit indwells the person.
3. At conversion or subsequently, there is an initial “filling with the Holy Spirit”.
4. As life with God continues, there needs to be a surrendering to the ministry of the
indwelling Holy Spirit.
5. A life of surrender to God, obedience to God, faith in God…leads to intimacy w/ God.
6. Intimacy with God leads to “Spirit filled worship” of God.