Study - Spiritual Discipline #5
2/5/12 Luke 19:37-40
(Part 1)
Psalms = provide room for Praise and Lament
Over the last 5 weeks we have looked at some Spiritual Disciplines:
Tithing, Service, Prayer, Fasting, and Study
v Last week we talked about the discipline of study - and I shared about my own "study habits" in high school.
§ In High School... my favorites were PE & Wood-shop.
§ In College & Seminary... my favorites were the practical.
¨ The what's & how's
v In School - What were your favorite classes?
§ Why?
¨ Did you like the classes where the teacher simply lectured?
¨ Did you like the classes where you were put into groups?
¨ Did you like the classes where you got your hands dirty?
We learn in different ways:
Ø We have different preferences, and expressions.
Ø We are uniquely made – and learn and express that knowledge in different ways.
Worship should be no different!
The Psalms teach us this.
“The Psalms have nurtured, guided, and given voice to suffering for generations. Its alternating strains of lament and praise show a community coming to understand that “the Lord is King”
§ The Psalms give room – In our faith and in our Worship for both Praise & Lament.
¨ We know what Praise is…
¨ But what is “Lament”?
§ To express grief, to mourn, to deeply regret
How are they both used in Psalms?
HERE IS A SAMPLING…
Psalm 4:2, 5:1-4, 10:1, 12:1-4, 13:1-4, 13:5-6, 18:1-2, 33:4-5, 59:16, 86:59:1-2
We all have times of Lament.
This morning, I invite you to write on the back of tiles,
- Break them
- Pour the broken pieces into the appropriate buckets
- Participate in communion.
(Part 2)
v We learn in different ways:
§ We have different preferences, and expressions.
§ We are uniquely made – and learn and express that knowledge in different ways
Worship should be no different!
§ Our purpose is to celebrate, encourage, and engage.
§ Our purpose is to come before God
¨ in all of our brokenness
¨ in all of our stripped down, basic/raw presence
AND WORSHIP!
v The question for the day is simply a question of comparison. Active vs. Inactive.
§ Is your faith, is your worship, is your presence before God – is it an active, life giving, expressive function of your life?
Active vs Inactive - Let's get ACTIVE!
Ø How do you Worship the LIVING GOD???
In Song (corporate, special) In Prayer Baking Bread for Communion Participating in Communion Through Art Tithing/giving
The Spoken Word Listening - Learning
They are all precious in the sight of the Lord.
Ø They should all be celebrated within the Church.
Ø We should bring praise to God as best we can.
v This morning – let’s be ACTIVE.
§ Let’s collectively Worship God.
¨ Taking the pieces of broken tile… glue them onto the board – and let’s worship God!
§ Let’s worship the God who is large enough to take the barren, broken, discouraged, and join them with the flourishing, growing, and thriving.
§ Let’s worship the God who provides room for each of us, as we.
§ Let’s worship God – today – through the different expression afforded us.
v As Luke reminds us: If we don’t Worship, if we keep quiet
§ The Stones – the rocks – will cry out,
§ The Stones – the rocks – will cheer.
¨ They will do it for us!
As you go – participate in the activity of worship. GO AND LOVE!
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