Engaging God in a Disengaged World

Engaging God in a Disengaged World How do we learn to Engage God in worship when our culture is teaching us to be disengaged in the rest of our lives?

Engaging God in a Disengaged World To attract and hold the attention of; engross: ex . Paul was so engaged in web surfing, he didn’t notice I stole his wallet. Synonyms : engross, absorb, involve, consume, to be riveted or to hold someone's attention

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Opposite of engage - To free or detach oneself; or to withdraw. Synonyms : detached, unconcerned, lack of interest, lack of caring

Engaging God in a Disengaged World What does a disengaged culture look like?

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Self-centered/Self-seeking Absent Presence Instant Impatience

Self-centered/Self-seeking

Absent Presence

Instant Impatience

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Dangers of this disengaged culture relating to Worship

Engaging God in a Disengaged World How do we foster an attitude that will help us Engage God in Worship

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Humility Intimacy with God

Humility

Intimacy with God

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human...

Engaging God in a Disengaged World … It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. [Philippians 2:5-8 MSG]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. [James 4:6-8, 10 ESV]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World To truly Engage God in Worship requires intimacy with God

Engaging God in a Disengaged World As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? [Psalm 42:1-2 ESV]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." [Psalm 27:7-8 ESV]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World So how do we build this intimacy with God Intimacy with the Almighty -- Charles R. Swindoll

Engaging God in a Disengaged World 3 Spiritual Disciplines Be still and know I am God The discipline of Silence Cultivating Serenity The discipline of Solitude Complete trust in God The discipline of Surrender

3 Spiritual Disciplines

Be still and know I am God The discipline of Silence

Cultivating Serenity The discipline of Solitude

Complete trust in God The discipline of Surrender

Engaging God in a Disengaged World "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [Psalm 46:10 ESV] "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.“[ Psalm 46:10 MSG]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World “ Noise and words and frenzied hectic schedules dull our senses, closing our ears to His still, small voice and making us numb to his touch ” – Charles R. Swindoll (p.38)

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous (or wicked) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! [Psalm 139:23-24 ESV]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV]

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Have more of an outward focus – less focus on yourself Come with an attitude desiring what God wants for you to experience Put personal taste aside and look at the songs for what they teach us or how they lead us closer to our God

Have more of an outward focus – less focus on yourself

Come with an attitude desiring what God wants for you to experience

Put personal taste aside and look at the songs for what they teach us or how they lead us closer to our God

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Have all of your attention focused on worship – be present! Work on building stronger physical communities – like here at youth Be willing to humble yourself before God during times of worship and in your own personal times with God

Have all of your attention focused on worship – be present!

Work on building stronger physical communities – like here at youth

Be willing to humble yourself before God during times of worship and in your own personal times with God

Engaging God in a Disengaged World Get to know God by practicing these spiritual disciplines It will take work – it will take effort – but it is so worth it!

Get to know God by practicing these spiritual disciplines

It will take work – it will take effort – but it is so worth it!

Engaging God in a Disengaged World