WORSHIP THAT TOUCHES HEAVEN AND CHANGES EARTH
Palm Sunday
“As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes’ … ‘because you did not recognize it when God visited you.’” Luke 19:41-42; 44 (NIV)
WORSHIP TURNS SHALLOW…
WHEN WE DO NOT TRULY RECOGNIZE JESUS
“… If you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…” Luke 19:42 (NIV)
Reflect: Am I worshiping the real Jesus—or just the version that makes me feel comfortable?
WHEN IT IS ONLY EMOTIONAL NOT DEVOTIONAL
“… But now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42 (NIV)
Reflect: When the feelings fade, does my faith still stand?
WHEN WE MISS THE MOMENT
“… You did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19:44 (NIV)
Reflect: What is Jesus trying to do in your life that you are too distracted to see?
“… These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” Isaiah 29:13 (NLT)
KEEPING WORSHIP REAL
“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.” Romans 12:1 (NLT)
*So real worship isn’t just a song—it’s a surrendered life.
1. GIVE GOD YOUR ATTENTION (Worship through Focus)
You matter more than everything else competing for my focus.
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11 (NIV)
–>Try this: Start each day with undivided attention to God. Even 5–10 minutes of quiet prayer.
- Set your phone alarm tone to your favorite worship song.
- Begin your morning with a “first words” prayer before checking your phone.
- Read one Psalm and ask, “What does this reveal about God?”
2. OFFER HIM OBEDIENCE (Worship through Lifestyle)
Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15
Worship that pleases God is…
- Honest.
- Consistent.
- Willing to obey even when it is uncomfortable.
–>Try this, ask: “God, is there any area of my life I’m holding back from You?”
- Then take a step toward surrender—whether it’s forgiving someone, giving up a habit, or following a conviction.
3. STAY GRATEFUL (Worship through Gratitude)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
–>Try this: Keep a gratitude journal.
- Every night, write down (3) things you’re thankful to God for.
4. LOVE OTHERS FROM THE HEART (Worship through Relationships)
“… Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 (NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 (NIV)
–>Try this: Go out of your way this week to love someone who is hard to love.
- Serve someone with no expectation of anything in return.
5. KEEP YOUR HEART “BROKEN” (Worship through Surrender)
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
–>Try this, pray: “Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Soften any part of me that’s grown numb.”
BOTTOM LINE:
True worship isn’t just how you sing on Sunday Worship session—It’s how you live your lives during the days of the week.
If you want to offer worship that is acceptable…
- Stay real.
- Stay surrendered.
- Stay connected.