Tag: worship

BCC Vision 2026 – Selected Scriptures

Part 1: Mighty in Word and Worship

Every United States president captures their vision in a short, powerful slogan to project their policies and shape the nation. From Roosevelt’s promise of happy days to Reagan’s “Morning in America” and the more recent call by President Trump to “Make America Great Again”, these slogans provide direction. While the church does not need a mere slogan, a vision is helpful to know the direction of our labor and how we work together. The vision for this church is to be mighty in four areas: Word, Worship, Prayer, and Evangelism,.

Proverbs 29:18 warns that where there is no vision, the people are out of control. Like the Israelites in the time of Judges, “Doing whatever is right in their own eyes”. Vision in the church is not a matter of personal inspiration or special dreams, but God’s revelation through His Word. In the book of Acts, the early church prioritized the Word and prayer, risked their lives to worship, and shared the gospel across every boundary to make disciples. To be mighty does not mean possessing superhero powers but being simply faithful, biblical, and truthful according to what the Bible says.

Mighty in God’s Word

There is a significant difference between Word using Christians and Word centered Christians. Word using Christians treat the Bible as a tool or a proof text to support their own arguments and reasoning, rather than accepting it as the final authority. To a Word centered Christian, the Bible is a supernatural book that breathes out the Word of God to those who love and obey it. Being a Christian means being liberated from blindness to see that the Word of God is the greatest gift given to man.

A Word centered Christian is a believer whose life, faith, and obedience are shaped and governed by the Word of God rather than feelings, culture, or human logic. As Martin Luther noted, a layman with the Scriptures is more powerful than a Pope without them. The Word centered Christian realizes that the Bible is what they need most. When Jesus spoke hard truths and the crowds left Him, Peter remained because he recognized that Jesus alone had the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

The Word of God must dwell in the believer richly, serving as a lamp in the darkness (Psalms 119:105) and a source of delight day and night (Psalm 1:2-3). Even the apostle Paul, while imprisoned in a Roman prison awaiting potential execution, sought the parchments because he needed the Word of God until the very end (2 Timothy 4:13). William Tyndale similarly requested a Hebrew dictionary while facing death, proving that men of faith never let go of the Book.

The Word is the chosen instrument to create, convict, convert, and conform God’s people. It is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, and capable of judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart where no human psychology can reach (Hebrews 4:12). When it comes to the Bible, a common challenge for the Christian is familiarity, which often dulls wonder. The prayer of the believer must always be for God to open their eyes to see wonderful things in His law (Psalms 119:18). “Whether you’ve been anchored in the Scriptures for fifty years or fifty days, our prayer remains the same: that God would open our eyes, so that we may behold wonderful things from His Word” – Abner Chou.

Main Point II: Mighty in Worship

Worship is giving God the honor, love, and reverence He deserves; it is the heart’s response to who God is. If the heart is not planted in the Word, worship becomes poor, weak, or even wicked. Weak worship is shallow and routine, focusing on style and emotion rather than substance. Wicked worship is false and artificial, much like Nadab and Abihu who brought strange fire and ignored God’s regulation.

True worshippers are those with whom God dwells, like Joseph and Moses. In the New Testament, we have Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus is not a homeboy; He is the Holy God who spoke frequently of eternal judgment. True worship happens in Spirit and truth because the Holy Spirit has made the believer’s spirit alive to God. This results in a hunger for the Word. True worshippers have a deep inner peace that does not depend on circumstances and can worship God in all circumstances.

Ten points about worship:

  • Do you fear God? More than your circumstances?
  • Do you have a humble heart? (Luke 18:13)
  • Do you have faith in the Lord? Worship is an act of trust. (Hebrews 11:6)
  • Do you love God with all your heart and mind? Is God first in all areas of your life?
  • Do you live your life before God?
  • Do you get sincere with God?
  • Do you thank God?
  • Do you live with repentance? Isaiah 66:2 contrite spirit
    • Repentance is brokenness. The end of self rule. All christians are broken. Brokenness is not striving against God but resting in Christ
  • Are you joyful? Joy is the natural fruit of true worship
  • Do you live holy? – this is the most critical. God says, “Be holy for I am holy.” Worship is only possible for those in Christ. He made us holy.
    • Sanctification must happen to those who are in Christ. It means dying to self and living for Christ.

The ultimate purpose of worship is transformation and sanctification. Worship is the charging station where the believer is filled up to live a sanctified life. Through the Word and the Spirit, we are placed in God’s refinery of worship to be changed into the likeness of Christ. After we worship, the test is whether we love God more, obey Him more, and resemble Christ more in our daily lives. We must be mighty in God’s Word so that we may truly be mighty in our worship.

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Back to Basics: Worship – Exodus 20:1-3 & John 4:21-23

Worship is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, yet it is often misunderstood. Many struggle with defining its true purpose and significance. Sunday, as the first day of the week, is set apart for corporate worship, yet worship is not limited to a single day; it is a daily practice that reflects a believer’s devotion to God. Understanding worship requires recognizing its foundation in God and its role in the believer’s life.

At the core of worship is the object of our adoration—either the living God or false idols. Worship directed toward anything other than God is ultimately in vain. Both Greek and Jewish cultures regarded worship as the highest form of reverence, demonstrated through devotion and humility. Worship is not merely an external ritual but a profound act of the heart that acknowledges God’s sovereignty and majesty.

True worship, according to Scripture, begins in the heart. A redeemed heart naturally moves a believer to praise and glorify God. The magi exemplified genuine worship when they sought Jesus with joy and bowed before Him, demonstrating both inward devotion and outward reverence. In the same way, Christians today should approach worship with joyful hearts, preparing throughout the week to honor God on the Lord’s Day. Worship is an ongoing practice that reflects the believer’s gratitude for salvation and reverence for Christ.

In contrast, false worship is revealed by impure motives, as seen in King Herod’s deceptive claim to worship Jesus while secretly plotting to kill Him. This stark difference emphasizes the importance of the heart’s intent in worship. What or whom we worship reveals our true priorities, and misplaced worship leads to idolatry. Therefore, believers must be intentional in worshiping God alone, ensuring that their devotion is genuine and aligned with His truth.

God is worthy of worship because He has revealed Himself through His Word. In biblical times, He spoke directly to the prophets, and today He continues to communicate through Scripture. Unlike mute idols that offer nothing, God is a living and active presence who guides, convicts, and strengthens His people. Worship is a response to God’s self-revelation, acknowledging His power, wisdom, and faithfulness.

As Yahweh, God is both sovereign and personal. He is transcendent, ruling over all creation, yet He is also near to His people through Jesus Christ. This personal relationship with God, made possible through Christ’s sacrifice, deepens the believer’s worship. Salvation is not earned through works but is a gift of grace, received by faith in Christ alone. Worship, then, is an expression of gratitude for this undeserved salvation.

True worship is marked by obedience, integrity, and a forgiving heart. God desires worship from those who live in accordance with His will, demonstrating faithfulness in their actions. A heart unwilling to forgive others hinders genuine worship, as believers are called to reflect God’s mercy. Worship is not just about singing or praying—it is a lifestyle of honoring God through righteous living, humility, and love.

Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman highlights the essence of true worship: it must be in spirit and truth. Worship involves both intellect and emotion, grounded in the truth of God’s Word and fueled by the Holy Spirit. Engaging with Scripture through reading, studying, and meditation strengthens a believer’s passion for worship. Ultimately, worship is an outpouring of a heart transformed by God’s grace, culminating in joyful praise and faithful obedience to Him.

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