Night of Worship Synthesis
One of our partners (members) took notes at our recent Night of Worship and came up with a synthesis for the evening. It is a collection of individuals' quotes and big ideas telling a beautiful narrative as these stories are woven together.
Community is the way for me to see clearly what I cannot see on my own.
I have good reason to fear, but God...
I hated my brother-in-law, but God...
I put myself on God’s throne, but God...
I believed the lies of lust, but God...
I tried so hard to be perfect, but God...
But God…!
For years I thought repentance was about dwelling in my shame; repentance is about worshipping the One who took my shame. The idols I worshipped were not for me; they were against me. I don’t need idols because I have an IDEAL and it’s Jesus Christ. The truth of my Father’s steadfast love redeemed me. He granted me repentance. Who moved? I moved. I’m the culprit of my own pain. But God has dealt kindly with me. I no longer move away; I am drawn toward. I’m grateful to be able to stand in a posture of “Look what Jesus has done!”
Jesus is good because He loved me even though I am so, so bad. In spite of ____________, Jesus found me and said, “You are mine.” He chose me when I did not choose Him. He identifies me. He defines me. I am a son. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, including myself. I am His. “Simply sit, child. Just be. I have nothing but love for you.” When I begged God to tell me what joy is, He responded: “It’s Me, silly.”
God wasn’t bluffing. He really sent His Son to die for me. I read this verse and my eyes were opened.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10
That’s why I can say, “Praise Jesus!”
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.