|
From a message by Jon Alsdorf
When we think about worship, many of us immediately picture Sunday morning services with singing and music. But worship is far more comprehensive and powerful than we might realize. At its core, worship is expressing love to God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength - just as Jesus described in Mark 12:30 when asked about the greatest commandment. The Foundation of Biblical Worship Jesus taught us that "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). This means our worship should be guided by the Holy Spirit and grounded in God's Word. While Scripture gives us rich descriptions of worship throughout the Psalms and other books, it doesn't prescribe one specific way to worship. This allows for beautiful variety across cultures while maintaining unity in our focus on God. Four Essential Principles of Worship Worship Is Formation - You Become Like What You Worship Here's a truth that might surprise you: you were created to worship, and you will worship something. Every person is a worshiper by nature. If you don't worship God, you'll worship something or someone else. The Psalms warn us about this reality: "Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them" (Psalm 135:18). When we worship idols - whether ancient carved images or modern substitutes - we become like what we worship. Modern Idols That Shape Us Our culture is filled with idols that promise much but deliver nothing: Money and Materialism promises security and control but leaves us never satisfied, anxious, and emotionally distant. We become calculating and hard when money becomes our god. Image and Approval promises identity and belonging but makes us unstable, performative, and inauthentic. We become addicted to validation and fear people more than God. Power promises safety and influence but makes us controlling, manipulative, and resistant to surrender. We lose the ability to trust others. Pleasure and Comfort promises happiness and ease but leaves us undisciplined, easily bored, and unable to endure any suffering. When we worship God instead, we become more like Him - alive, compassionate, steadfast, humble, and holy. God is the only one who delivers on His promises. Worship Is Warfare - Declaring Allegiance in Enemy Territory Why Worship Creates Conflict When we worship God, we're making a declaration in enemy territory. We're stating our allegiance to heaven while living in a world that worships other gods. This is why throughout history, proclaiming the Gospel has often led to riots and persecution. Every religion seeks to destroy the idols of other religions. As Christians, we're called to stand against falsehood and demolish the works of Satan. But those who worship other idols have the same goal - to destroy what threatens their gods. You Are God's Image Bearer You were created in God's image, and you bear His image in this world. This makes you a target for those who worship other gods. The cultural battles we see around us are often attempts to destroy or desecrate the image of God that you carry. Worship Is Obedience - Submitting to God's Will and Word Following Biblical Commands for Worship Throughout Scripture, we find commands about how to worship: "Lift up holy hands," "Clap your hands, all you people," "Sing to the Lord a new song." These aren't suggestions - they're acts of obedience. When we raise our hands in worship, we're practicing surrender - the same gesture children make when they want to be held. When we clap our hands, we're joining the band, recognizing that we're all participants, not an audience watching a performance. God Is the Audience In worship, we're not the audience - God is. We're all participants in offering praise to Him. This perspective changes everything about how we approach worship gatherings. Worship Is Sacrifice - Surrendering Yourself to God Abraham's Ultimate Act of Worship When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham's response reveals the heart of worship as sacrifice. He told his servants, "We will go up there, we will worship, and then we will return to you" (Genesis 22:5). Abraham trusted God completely, even in the most difficult circumstances. Your Life as a Living Sacrifice Paul writes in Romans 12:1: "Present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." The sacrifice isn't the energy it takes to sing or how long you can stand. You are the sacrifice - your life, heart, work, family, time, and talents. When we bring our whole selves to God rather than to the idols of this world, He shapes and forms us to be more like Jesus. Life Application This week, examine what you're truly worshiping. Look at where you spend your time, energy, and thoughts. What promises are you believing? What are you hoping will bring you security, identity, or happiness? Challenge yourself to identify any idols in your life - whether materialism, image, power, or pleasure - and consciously choose to worship God instead. Remember that worship isn't just Sunday morning singing; it's a daily surrender of your entire life to God. Questions for Reflection:
0 Comments
 Excerpted from A Message By Jon Alsdorf on October 19, 2025
In a world filled with confusion and broken thinking, Christians are called to something higher. We're commanded to "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). This isn't just a suggestion—it's a divine mandate that requires us to engage our minds and think with discipline. You Don't Need All the Answers Many believers feel intimidated about sharing their faith because they fear not having all the answers. Here's the truth: you don't need to be a walking encyclopedia of Christian doctrine. In fact, it's better if you're not. When someone asks a question you can't answer, the most honest and effective response is often: "That's a great question. I don't know the answer to it, but I'd love to help you find out." This approach keeps you approachable and human, rather than coming across as a know-it-all. Remember, most of us didn't have all the answers when we first gave our lives to Christ. We simply had enough answers to take that step of faith. The same principle applies when helping others—they don't need every question resolved before they can believe. Christianity Is Built on Reason The word "defense" in 1 Peter 3:15 comes from the Greek word "apologia," which means a reasoned statement or argument. This is where we get the term "apologetics." Christianity isn't built on blind faith—it's grounded in solid reason, evidence, and logical thinking. If God is the creator and chief architect of everything that exists, and if He is reasonable and orderly, then we should expect His creation to be understandable and researchable. This belief has actually been the foundation for Western culture's technological advances over the past 2,000 years. The Amazing Design of Our Brains Consider the incredible complexity of the human brain:
To put this in perspective, if you laid 100 trillion dollar bills edge to edge, they would cover the entire states of Texas and California combined. Despite decades of research, scientists still cannot explain how the brain functions as an information processing organ. This remarkable design points to an intelligence far greater than ourselves—a Creator who gave us these amazing minds for a purpose. What does God want us to do with these incredible brains? Use them. Think well. Process information with discipline and reason. Common Logical Fallacies That Hinder Clear Thinking To think well, we must identify and avoid logical fallacies—broken ways of thinking that prevent sound reasoning. Here are five common ones: Ad Hominem Attacking the person instead of addressing their argument. Example: "All Christians are hypocrites, so Christianity can't be true." Even if the first part were true, it doesn't logically lead to the conclusion about Christianity's validity. Straw Man Creating the weakest version of your opponent's position and then attacking that instead of their actual argument. Example: "Christians are simple-minded and superstitious." Appeal to Authority Accepting something as true simply because someone said it or you saw it somewhere. "I saw it on Facebook, so it must be true" is a classic example. False Dichotomy Presenting only two options when more exist. Example: "You're either a Christian or a scientist—you can't be both." Slippery Slope Claiming that one action will inevitably lead to a chain of negative consequences without logical proof. Example: "If we teach Christianity in schools, we'll end up being a theocracy." Why Pursuing Good Reason Matters God Is Logical, Reasonable, and Orderly Scripture reveals God's invitation to reason with Him. In Isaiah 1:18, God says, "Come now, let us reason together." He's not asking for blind obedience but inviting us to think through the evidence and make logical conclusions about His character and promises. God is described as "not a God of confusion, but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33). In our age of confusion, we need to reflect His orderly nature through disciplined thinking. God Is the Source of All Wisdom and Understanding Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." All true wisdom flows from God. Apart from Him, there is only unreason and confusion. As we pursue God's mind and thinking, we become more reasonable and better able to grasp truth clearly. The Gospel Represents God's Ultimate Wisdom The Gospel—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—is the central feature of God's wisdom and the key to salvation. What was once a mystery hidden throughout the Old Testament is now revealed as God's masterful plan for defeating evil and redeeming humanity. Paul declares in Romans 1:16-17 that he's "not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." This isn't wishful thinking—it's the most reasonable response to the evidence of what Christ has accomplished. God's Judgment Is Obvious and Righteous Deep down, everyone knows this world is broken and unjust. Even as children, we instinctively cry "That's not fair!" when wronged. This universal sense of justice points to a coming judgment where all wrongs will be made right. Romans 1:18-22 explains that God's existence and nature are clearly visible in creation, leaving everyone "without excuse." The judgment that's coming isn't arbitrary—it's the logical consequence of rejecting the obvious truth about God. Our Spiritual Warfare Involves Promoting Truth and Reason Second Corinthians 10:3-5 reveals the true nature of spiritual warfare: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Our battle isn't against flesh and blood but against false ideas, broken thinking, and deceptive arguments. We don't fight with physical weapons but with truth, reason, and the power of God's Word. This is offensive warfare—we're called to demolish strongholds of false thinking and set people free through truth. The Power of the Gospel to Transform Lives The Gospel isn't foolishness—it's "the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). Look at your own life if you've trusted Christ. Consider how many things He's changed in your thinking, habits, and relationships over the years. This transformation didn't happen by accident or through your own willpower—it's evidence of the Holy Spirit's power at work. No one becomes more like Jesus apart from the Holy Spirit's work. This supernatural transformation is one of the most compelling evidences for Christianity's truth. Life Application This week, commit to developing more disciplined thinking habits. Keep a list of logical fallacies handy and practice identifying them in conversations, news reports, and advertisements. Make it a family activity—see who can spot fallacies first while watching TV or discussing current events. More importantly, examine your own thinking patterns. Where do you rely on logical fallacies instead of sound reasoning? Ask God to help you think more like Him—with clarity, logic, and truth. When opportunities arise to share your faith, remember that you don't need all the answers. Be honest about what you don't know, but be ready to share the reasons for the hope you do have. Focus on the evidence of God's work in your own life and the historical reality of Christ's death and resurrection. Questions for Reflection:
|
Apply it!Next Steps is a collection of articles drawn from the sermons of Pastor Jon Alsdorf, and guest speakers, written to help you connect God's Word to real life. Each post is designed to inspire, challenge, and encourage you to live out your faith in practical, everyday ways -- because following Jesus is more than words, it's actions. Archives
May 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed