Session 1: MATTER

Summary

The video script explores the concept of true worship, contrasting it with a typical concert setting and emphasizing that worship is a personal and passionate response to God's presence and revelation. It discusses the importance of sincerity and personal connection in worship, referencing biblical figures like King David and Jesus' teachings in John 4. The speaker encourages viewers to reflect on their own worship practices and to strive to be true worshipers who bring glory to God.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The session aims to distinguish between a worship setting and a concert setting, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference beyond superficial elements like music style or lights.
• 🕊 The presence of God is the defining factor in worship, not the external aspects of the setting.
• 🏛 The location of the session, the Church of the Visitation, is significant as it symbolizes the importance of the visitation of Jesus, which is foundational to worship.
• 📜 Worship is described as a response to God's revelation, not just a musical expression but also including confession, repentance, prayer, and service.
• 🌟 D.A. Carson's quote highlights that worship is the proper response of the creature to the creator, indicating that worship is not something we create but a response to God's initiative.
• 📖 John 4:23-24 is a key scripture, teaching that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth, which is rooted in the presence of Christ.
• 🙏 Personal relationship with God is essential in worship; it should be personal and not just a collective or impersonal act.
• 🔥 Worship should be passionate and sincere, reflecting the heart's engagement with God, as opposed to mere outward performance.
• 💧 Psalm 62 and Psalm 143 illustrate the personal and passionate nature of worship, showing the thirst for God's presence in the worshipper's life.
• 🌱 The script encourages introspection about the authenticity of one's worship, acknowledging that sometimes worship can be insincere or mechanical.
• 🌟 John Calvin's quote is used to emphasize that the ultimate goal of human existence is to be counted among the worshippers of God, highlighting the centrality of worship in the believer's life.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the study 'True Worshipers'?

The main theme of the study is to define and understand the difference between a worship setting and a concert setting, emphasizing that worship is about the presence of God and is not limited to musical expressions.

Why does the speaker describe an auditorium and a stage at the beginning of the session?

The speaker describes an auditorium and a stage to set the scene and prompt the audience to think about the setting of worship, challenging them to consider the difference between a worship setting and a concert setting.

What is the significance of the church of the visitation in the context of this study?

The church of the visitation is significant because it is where the sessions are being filmed, and it symbolizes the importance of the presence of Christ in worship, as depicted in the mosaic of Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

How does the speaker define worship according to the script?

The speaker defines worship as a response to God's revelation, where God reveals Himself and people respond. Worship is not limited to musical expressions but can include confession, repentance, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and serving in ministry.

What does D.A. Carson say about worship and its relationship to the creature and the Creator?

D.A. Carson says that worship is the proper response of the creature to the Creator. It does not create something new but is a transparent response to the recognition of our creaturely status before the Creator.

What does the speaker emphasize about worship in John chapter 4?

The speaker emphasizes that worship begins with the presence of Christ, as illustrated in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, where He discusses the importance of true worshipers and worshiping in spirit and truth.

What qualities does the speaker suggest are important for a true worshiper according to the script?

The speaker suggests that true worshipers should be personal and passionate, engaging their hearts sincerely in their worship of God.

How does the speaker interpret Psalm 62:1-2 in relation to worship?

The speaker interprets Psalm 62:1-2 as an example of personal worship, where David demonstrates that for him, God is a personal God, and his worship is deeply personal and individual.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'we have to own our own worship'?

The speaker means that each person must engage in worship in a way that is personal and heartfelt, rather than simply participating in someone else's worship experience, such as that of a performer on a stage.

What quote from John Calvin does the speaker find particularly impactful?

The impactful quote from John Calvin is that we should consider it the great end of our existence to be found numbered among the worshippers of God, emphasizing the ultimate purpose of life as worship.

How does the speaker describe the role reversal in worship compared to a concert?

The speaker describes the role reversal in worship as being 'flip-flopped' from a concert setting, where in worship, the congregation are the performers offering their worship to God, who is the audience.