NOTE: This is a re-post from the blog on our fund-raising website, robstillministries.org. We’re consolidating all the stories from our 2011 Missions Trip over here on robstill.com

Sunday I played with the worship team at Agape and then shared briefly in message and song.

This video has the core of my message on Wholehearted Worship: Putting the First Commandment in First Place. [Sorry the audio is out-of-sync, I’ll try to fix it when I get a chance, the uploads are slow]

[tentblogger-youtube fuji_uPe8iE]

Teaching Points:

In this teaching I discuss the Great Commandment passage from Mark 12:28-32:

  • It’s an important question , still relevant today in any context. “What really matters ?”
  • Jesus says the loving God with all we have, is the first and greatest commandment.
  • I led the musical setting of the scripture, The Shema

Then on the video I discuss how the Bible instructs us in these four areas to offer wholehearted devotion.

  • The Heart – our emotions, out passions.
    • The condition of our heart is important to God.
    • We can chose to direct our hearts affections to Him. Or not.
    • Proverbs 4:23 advises “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.”
  • The Mind – our thought life, what we contemplate, what we meditate upon.
    • Our self talk, which is often critical
    • We have to replace the lies we tell ourselves or that come from the enemy with Truth
    • That’s one reason why being in the word of God regularly is so important, to bring light to darkness
  • The Soul – sometime explained as the combination of the mind, the will and emotions
    • your personality, your unique self-expression
    • Your identity, often determined by your accomplishments or recognition
    • We need to find our identity in God’s acceptance
    • He delights in us just because we are His children
    • God loves me, I love God = I am successful!
  • All your Strength
    • Our time, talents and treasure
    • When I am weak, He is strong
    • Little is much in the masters hands
    • So we offer what we have as our act of worship

I concluded with the song “What Words Can’t Say”. That “when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.”(Romans 8:26 CEV)

God does work all things for good for those who believe (Romans 8:28 ) if we hang on to the Lord.

Speaking at Agape

I acknowledge the influence of teachings by Mike Bickle and Don Finto in my thinking and some of this message.

Contribute to a worthy mission: donate here.