Passages: 2 Samuel 6:13-23, 1 Chronicles 13, 15&16

Wholehearted Worship

As David led the Ark of the Covenant into the City we see his response to the presence of God and David responded with Wholehearted Worship.

As Christians we have the presence of God within us by the Holy Spirit, we have been saved because of all He has done for us in Jesus, therefore we must respond in Wholehearted Worship God.

In this episode of David’s Life we get a picture of what Wholehearted Worship is.

In Wholehearted Worship we use our Bodies

David danced with all his might before The Lord as he engaged his whole body in wholehearted worship.

In his joy David simply couldn’t do anything else but dance and we see that the people around David also celebrated.

1 Chronicles 15:28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

Imagine the sights and sounds of this day, dancing, music and singing.

• Why is it important that we use our bodies?
• How does movement and dance add to our worship?
• What can stop us engaging our bodies in worship?

In Wholehearted Worship we use our Minds

The first time David tried to move the Ark it was a disaster. Uzzah died, David got angry with God and the Ark was left at Obed-Edom’s house.

Even though David was worshiping with all his might he wasn’t doing things God’s way. He had allowed himself to get caught up in all that had happened, this along with his success meant that he didn’t consult God as to how to move the Ark.

Only after 3 months and learning from the word of God was David able to move the Ark God’s way and fully worship God.

• Why is it important that our minds are fully engaged in worship?
• How does knowing God’s word help us to be Wholehearted Worshippers?
• What can get in the way of us doing things God’s way?

In Wholehearted Worship we Desire God’s Blessings

During the time the Ark was with Obed-Edom he was blessed.

1 Chronicles 13:14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had.

David desired the blessing of God and it was only when he lived God’s way that he was in the right place to receive it.

We have the presence of God through the Holy Spirit in us. We are blessed as we discern the will and guidance of the Holy Spirit, use the gifts and show the fruit. Blessed means happy and have the Holy Spirit within us knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we are safe with God, is the ultimate blessing. 

• Why is it important that we desire God’s presence and the blessing it brings?
• How does desiring God’s blessing help us to be wholehearted Worshippers?
• What can hinder us from desiring God’s blessings and diserning the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

In Wholehearted Worship we bring our Offerings

As part of his Wholehearted Worship David brought offerings to God, the Burnt Offering and the Fellowship Offering.

• The Burnt Offering: This sacrifice represented complete dedication and surrender to God. As the animal was usually an unblemished male, worshippers were expected to present their best animals and the entire animal was burned upon the altar. The animal was a substitute, which bore the worshipers sins and died in their place, to restore the broken relationship between God and humans.
• The Fellowship/Peace Offering: most of the meat from the sacrificial animal was retained by the worshippers for a festive meal. The peace offering could be used to express thankfulness, fulfil a vow or serve as a free will offering. Peace “shalom” in Hebrew thought refers to well-being in general it is likely that an important element of the peace offering was the acknowledgement that God is the source of true peace.

As Christians Jesus is the sacrifice that atones for our sins and gives us peace with God. In Wholehearted worship we offer our lives in complete dedication and surrender to God and we celebrate together giving thanks to God. In the offerings there was a cost in time and money.

• Why is it important that we bring our offering to God and celebrate together?
• How does bringing our offerings help us to be wholehearted Worshippers?
• What can hinder us from bringing our offering to God and celebrate together?

In Wholehearted Worship we Bless others

David was blessed by the presence of God and as he organised the transport of the Ark, worshipped, danced and brought offerings this blessed God. As a continuing part of his Wholehearted Worship David blessed others.

• He Spoke blessing: Probably the Priestly blessing of Number 6:22-27
• He Gave practically: 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women.

• Why is it important that we bring our offering to God and celebrate together?
• How does bringing our offerings help us to be wholehearted Worshippers?
• What can hinder us from bringing our offering to God and celebrate together?

What can hinder our Wholehearted Worship?

Michal didn’t wholeheartedly worship God, we see that:

• she focused on what David was doing
• she was in the wrong place
• she was Proud

As Christians it can be easy for us to allow our heart to stray from Wholehearted Worship.

• How can these hinder us from Wholeheartedly Worshipping God?
• What can we do to not fall into these traps?

In Wholehearted Worship we Worship God

As David worshipped as we worship God we must remember the ‘audience of one principle’ and come to God in Humility.

• How do these help us to Wholeheartedly Worshipping God?

As we seek to become more like Jesus and introduce others to him, let us learn from David and Worship God Wholeheartedly.

Next Week

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?

Passages: 1 Samuel 22-24

Saul the Persecutor

With God no longer central to his life. Saul spiralled and became the persecutor of God’s anointed ruler. We see:

• He focused on himself
• He desired power
• He was jealous
• He imagined the worst
• He falsely accused others
• He hated and loathed
• Those around him saw his unreasonable behaviour
• He looked for someone to agree with him
• He persecuted

Each of the above can be areas we all struggle with and can be symptoms of our distance from God. It is important that we carefully consider ‘are these behaviours present in our lives?’ because if we don’t address them they could cause us to spiral into self centred behaviours that may hurt others.

David the Persecuted

David was on the run from Saul, but even in the midst of this persecution he continued to live as a anointed person of God, with God at the centre of his life. We see:

• His Heart for justice
• His dependance of God
• His willingness to follow God in the face of opposition
• His example strengthened his followers
• His confidence in God in the face of disappointment and retreat
• He didn’t seek revenge
• His example demonstrated his righteousness
• He let God be the judge

As we seek to live as disciples of Jesus, persecution will come from many different sources. We shouldn’t be surprised as we know we are in a spiritual war, Jesus said:

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you:‘No servant is greater than his master. ’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Think about different sources of persecution, and how can they affect the church?

How do the verses below build on what we have looked at and how do they encourage you?

Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Matthew 5:16 light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

As we seek to become more like Jesus and introduce others to him, let us learn from David and keep God in the centre of our lives.

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?