Take Back Your Life
Take Back the Hill
In our sermon series, we began by talking about "taking back the hill." This metaphor represents overcoming the difficult, struggling, and hard things in our lives. Drawing connections to our local context, we referenced Rathdrum as the "fort on the hill," symbolizing those tough spots that challenge us. We realize that each of us has our own hills—areas filled with obstacles that need to be conquered.
Unearth the Well
Following that, we discussed the concept of "taking back the well." Here, the well symbolizes the sources of spiritual refreshment in our lives that have been filled with dirt and earth—those distractions and sins that hinder the flow of God's Spirit. If we want the Spirit's living water to bubble up within us, we need to unearth these wells and let God's presence flow freely once again.
Take Back Your Life
In the final part of the series, we brought these ideas together under one big thought: take back your life. Life, with its trials, tribulations, and struggles, often feels like it's slipped away from us. While many of us may fantasize about returning to the "good old days" or dream about a perfect future, we sometimes miss the present opportunities for growth and transformation. I encouraged everyone not to get caught up in reclaiming old habits, patterns, or routines, but rather to focus on God's original design for us—a design filled with purpose, potential, and His divine plan.
Restoring the House of David
We dug into Acts 15, where the early church faced debates about systems and structures. While these bones are crucial for form, it’s the breath of the Holy Spirit that gives life. James, one of the early leaders, reminded the church of the prophecy about restoring the fallen house of David—a place known for continual worship. In today’s context, this symbolizes the need for constant, heartfelt worship in our lives and churches.
Worship is not just limited to Sunday services or religious gatherings; it's a daily, continuous act that brings us closer to God. Worship should be filled with joy, happiness, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It's more than following rituals; it’s about having a heart that longs to be in God's presence continuously.
Expressions of Worship
To make worship practical, we explored nine expressions found in Psalms:
Speaking - Declaring the glory of God with your mouth.
Shouting - Proclaiming victory and triumph.
Singing - Letting your heart pour out in song.
Bowing - Humbling oneself before God.
Standing - Firmly taking a stand in faith.
Dancing - Moving joyfully in His presence.
Playing Instruments - Using music to honor God.
Clapping - Applauding His greatness.
Lifting Hands - A gesture of surrender and praise.
Corporate Worship and Victory
As a community, corporate worship can lead to unexpected and unexplainable moves of God. Reflecting on the story of Job, we underlined that nothing is authorized to take your worship. Job lost everything but chose to trust and worship God, leading to eventual restoration. Worship is birthed in difficulties and steadfast in triumph because we don't worship for victory; we worship from victory.
Fixing What’s Broken through Worship
Worship also has the miraculous power to fix what's broken in our lives. It releases the supernatural, bringing healing, provision, clarity, restoration, and fulfillment of God’s promises.
Practical Steps Forward
As we concluded, we emphasized that worship should eclipse all trials, expectations, and timetables. When we genuinely worship, the supernatural gets released. So, whenever you face a challenge, remember that a breakthrough is at your door if you will lift your voice in worship.
