In this message series, we are looking at some of what God teaches us in his word about worship, and what our worship needs to look like and be about so we are worshipping God with each other in the way he wants us to, and so we can take the next step in growing in our relationship with God and each other.

John Paul Harris Webster continues COMMUNITY's series, "Worshiping God with All that We Are."

In this message series, we are looking at some of what God teaches us in his word about worship, and what our worship needs to look like and be about so we are worshipping God with each other in the way he wants us to, and so we can take the next step in growing in our relationship with God and each other. 

God’s people have at times placed such an emphasis on worship styles that some in the church end up worshipping the form or style of worship, rather than worshipping God who the form or style of worship is supposed to help us worship. 

Read 2 Kings 18:1-6 ---- 

King Hezekiah destroyed the bronze snake along with the worship centers that had been built for the worship of false gods.  However, this bronze snake was originally a good snake.  In fact, it was a snake with a godly tradition that went back 700 years. 

Read Numbers 21:4-9 ---- 

For over 500 years the people of Israel kept that bronze snake with them and then when Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the snake was put up on the temple grounds.  It served as an object lesson for the people as it was a reminder to them of who God is, and a reminder of his faithfulness and salvation. It served to prompt them to trust God and worship him.  But over time something happened. The people began to light incense to that snake.  And what had been used by God to point people to him for their salvation; what had prompted people to trust and worship God, became the focus of their worship instead of God. 

As part of COMMUNITY's new series, "Genuine Worship: Worshipping God with All that We Are," Jen Deardorff gives us a message entitled "A Divine Invitation."

Christianity offers us so much more than eternal life with Christ, our faith in Jesus also offers us new life here on earth. To fully understand what living in Christ can and should look like, we look to the creation story. Genesis 1 and 2 offer us a picture of what God intended for creation to be. What do you see in the creation story?

Humanity is God’s beloved creation! God loves us so much that he created us in his own image and predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 1:4-5) (1st Jons 3:1). Because of sin, there is now distance in our relationship with God. How do we get back to the communion with God that was intended for us upon creation? In Genesis 2:2-3, God modeled a day of rest for mankind and he blessed it and called it holy. God is showing us a pathway back to him. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you...

Colossians 3:17 says: 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. We are to live in this way and be like Jesus who said to his Heavenly Father in John 17:4: I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do…. 

 We are called to the highest mission anybody can be called to in life. -- To reveal the God of heaven to the world by how we live and by what we say.  All of our life is to be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit in each one of us. 

Just as there are checkpoints such as places along a road or border where travelers are stopped for inspection, or a list we check to be sure we are remembering everything, it is good to ask ourself some questions, or allow someone else to ask some questions to make sure we are on the right spiritual path and we are taking the next steps to grow in our relationship with Jesus and others.  This series on Colossians 3:12-17 will offer us 7 spiritual checkpoints.

Just as there are checkpoints such as places along a road or border where travelers are stopped for inspection, or a list we check to be sure we are remembering everything, it is good to ask ourself some questions, or allow someone else to ask some questions to make sure we are on the right spiritual path and we are taking the next steps to grow in our relationship with Jesus and others.  This series on Colossians 3:12-17 will offer us 7 spiritual checkpoints.

Just as there are checkpoints such as places along a road or border where travelers are stopped for inspection, or a list we check to be sure we are remembering everything, it is good to ask ourself some questions, or allow someone else to ask some questions to make sure we are on the right spiritual path and we are taking the next steps to grow in our relationship with Jesus and others.  This series on Colossians 3:12-17 will offer us 7 spiritual checkpoints.