Sermon Series Blog: Encounter Pt.8
Faith and Worship: An Encounter That Transforms
We are now in part eight of our series Encounter! What we’ve discovered so far is that a true encounter with God is life-changing. It’s an experience filled with heavenly hope, joy, peace, and love. But when we look at the culture around us today, we often find turmoil, sadness, and hatred. The world exaggerates challenges to instill fear while offering its own flawed solutions. The media paints a picture of impending doom, society normalizes brokenness, and politics demand our allegiance as though they hold the key to our future.
So, here’s the question: Where do you put your faith?
Many of us would quickly say, “I put my faith in Jesus—my anchor, my firm foundation.” And while we may believe it, do we truly practice it? A great way to gauge where we put our faith is by examining what we worship. Faith and worship fuel each other—faith enables true worship, and worship strengthens our faith.
Faith at Work and in Life
I often hear people say that it’s hard to live out their Christian walk at work because they aren’t allowed to share their faith openly. But here’s the reality: your faith is who you are. Loving God and loving others is a calling that extends beyond the church walls. When we live out our faith in kindness, integrity, and service, it becomes difficult for the world to ignore.
That said, there are moments where faith is put to the test. If a job demands that we compromise our beliefs, where do we draw the line? If our schedule is too busy, is church attendance the first thing we cut? If money is tight, does our tithe become optional? If we’re exhausted, do we skip serving or attending life group? These are real challenges that reveal where our faith truly lies.
Worship: More Than Just a Song
True worship flows from a heart that trusts and believes in God. Worship isn’t just about singing or praying—it includes obedience, devotion, and surrender to God. It’s an invitation for Him to take the lead in our lives, to guide us through trials, and to shape our purpose.
Too often, we misplace our worship. We worship money, status, success, achievements, celebrities, entertainment, and even ourselves. The culture of self-love has become an idol. But anything we prioritize over God can become an idol. The challenge is to place our ultimate trust and worship in Him alone.
Lessons from Acts 17: Faith in a Culture of Idolatry
In Acts 17, Paul, Silas, and their missionary team traveled from city to city, sharing the gospel. In Thessalonica, many believed, but others were enraged, starting a riot against them. They fled to Berea, where the response was different—people eagerly received the gospel and examined the Scriptures. However, opposition followed them, and Paul eventually ended up in Athens.
Athens was a city filled with idols, and Paul was deeply troubled by it. Yet, instead of condemning them outright, he met them where they were. He addressed the philosophers at the Areopagus, using their own religious curiosity as a bridge to introduce the one true God. He pointed to an altar inscribed with “To an Unknown God” and proclaimed that this unknown God was the Creator, the sustainer of life, and the One who calls all people to repentance through Jesus Christ.
The reaction was mixed—some mocked him, some were curious, and others believed. This is a reminder that when we share the gospel, some will accept it, some will reject it, but everyone will be confronted with the truth.
Faith and Worship: Rivers and Valleys
Faith and worship work together like rivers and valleys. Rivers carve out valleys over time, shaping landscapes, while valleys guide the river’s flow, maintaining its direction and strength. In the same way, faith gives life to worship, and worship strengthens faith. If we want stronger faith, we must worship more. If we want deeper worship, we must grow in our faith.
At Church in the City (CITC), our prayer is that we become Christians who have a real, growing, and fruitful relationship with God—one where we treasure Him above all things and extend His love to the world. We encourage life groups, personal devotions, and daily worship because growing in faith means going deeper in worship.
The Bible is filled with examples of God's relentless pursuit of His people. From Genesis to Revelation, we see humanity falling short again and again, yet God continually calls us back. That’s the beauty of grace! And when we truly grasp God’s grace, it deepens our faith and fuels our worship.
Final Thought
Church, if you want stronger faith, worship more. Give your best in times of singing and praising—but don’t stop there. Let your entire life be an act of worship. Let your faith and worship be an unshakable force that not only transforms your life but also impacts those around you.
May we be a people who encounter God daily and live out our faith boldly. Amen.
