When the Lights Go On | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us of the true nature of worship, which is not about entertainment or even personal feelings, but about adoring God and giving Him our best. We are called to be a generation that gets excited to worship Him, not just in church services, but every day. This teaching encourages us to come before God with gifts, whether it's through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present in His presence.

Key Scripture References

• Isaiah 6:1-5 - In this passage, Isaiah has a vision of the throne room in heaven and sees God's glory. He is overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of God and his own sinfulness. This passage sets the tone for understanding that worship is not about us, but about giving God His due praise and adoration.
• Matthew 2:1-11 - The Magi came to worship Jesus with gifts, showing that true worship involves bringing something of value to give to God. This passage highlights the importance of being intentional in our worship, not just going through the motions.
• Romans 12:1-2 - We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, which means we must be willing to surrender ourselves completely to Him. This passage emphasizes the idea that true worship is not about what we feel or experience, but about giving God our best.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 - We are encouraged to stir up one another to love and good works, which means being intentional in our relationships with others. This passage shows that worship is not just about individual devotion, but also about how we treat others.
• Psalm 95:6-7 - This psalm calls us to come before God with songs of joy and thanksgiving, acknowledging His greatness and goodness. This passage highlights the importance of being grateful and celebratory in our worship.
• John 4:23-24 - Jesus says that true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth, which means we must be genuine and sincere in our devotion to God. This passage emphasizes the idea that worship is not just about external rituals or feelings, but about a deep relationship with God.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - We are called to stand firm in the faith and be watchful, which means being intentional in our spiritual lives. This passage encourages us to be vigilant in our worship, recognizing that it's not just about feelings or experiences, but about living a life of obedience to God.

Key Takeaways

• We must understand that worship is not just about us, but about giving God His due praise and adoration. It's about being in awe of His greatness and majesty.
• True worship involves bringing something of value to give to God, whether it's through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present in His presence.
• We must be intentional in our spiritual lives, recognizing that worship is not just about feelings or experiences, but about living a life of obedience to God.
• We are called to stir up one another to love and good works, which means being intentional in our relationships with others and encouraging them to deepen their devotion to God.

This Week's Challenge

Here are two specific, actionable steps we can take this week: Firstly, we can make a conscious effort to come before God with gifts, whether it's through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present in His presence. Secondly, we can seek to stir up one another to love and good works by being intentional in our relationships with others and encouraging them to deepen their devotion to God.

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways I can come before God with gifts this week? How can I be more intentional in my worship?
• How can I stir up others to love and good works? What specific actions can I take to encourage them to deepen their devotion to God?
• Reflect on your own spiritual life: are you being intentional in your worship, or have you fallen into the trap of mere external rituals or feelings? How can you deepen your relationship with God this week?