What Would Jesus Undo Week 2: Hollow Worship with Craig Groeschel

Worship Is the Life We Live

Scripture References

• Matthew 15
• Romans 12

Overview

Jesus does not merely tweak our religious habits; He wants to undo hollow worship—outward displays that leave the heart untouched. Drawing from Matthew 15, Pastor Craig showed how the Pharisees’ obsession with ceremonial hand-washing exposed a deeper problem: lips close to God, hearts far away. True worship is not determined by music style or setting but by an authentic, surrendered heart that honors God in every moment.

Main Points

Hollow Worship Breaks Jesus’ Heart

• Gift illustration: a giant, empty refrigerator box promised Disney World but initially contained nothing—mirroring the empty “gifts” we sometimes bring to God.
• Jesus confronted the Pharisees: despite perfect rituals, their worship was “in vain” because their hearts were distant.

• “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

• Hollow worship = image without intimacy.

Ceremonial Cleanliness vs. Heart Purity

• Pharisees labeled everything “clean” or “unclean.”
  • If an unclean mouse touched a cup, the cup—and whoever touched it—became unclean.
  • Elaborate washing required a “quarter of a log” of water (an eggshell and a half) poured in specific directions to stay ceremonially fit.
• Jesus exposed their hypocrisy: they guarded tradition yet ignored love and justice.

True Worship Is About the Heart, Not Style

• Styles vary worldwide: liturgical hymns with pews and organs, lively services with bands, flags, ribbons, and “tambourine lady.”
  • Story: Pastor Craig’s first visit to a charismatic church shocked him, then stretched his expression of praise.
• Whether traditional or expressive, worship pleases God only when it comes from a sincere heart.

• “True worship that pleases God isn’t about the style of music; it’s about the condition of the heart.”

Ways We Express Genuine Worship

• Bowing or kneeling in reverence (Psalm quoted verbally, no ref given).
• Lifting holy hands in surrender and victory.
• Dancing in celebration when God turns mourning into joy.
• Offering a sacrifice of praise—choosing to worship amid pain or lack.
• Each posture is a response to who God is and what He has done, never a performance.

Worship as a Daily Living Sacrifice

• Romans 12: because of God’s mercy, we present our bodies “as a living sacrifice… this is your true and proper worship.”
• Worship is continuous: at work we enjoy, at jobs we dislike, in health, in sickness, in plenty, in want.

• “Worship isn’t just the songs that we sing; worship is the life that we live.”

Invitation to Sincere Worship and Salvation

• Jesus lived sinless, died for our sins, rose again, and now intercedes for us.
• He does not seek lip service or a label but our whole hearts.
• Many responded publicly, surrendering their lives to Christ.

Key Truths

• Jesus undoes empty religion; He desires hearts fully aligned with Him.
• Rituals and externals can never substitute for genuine intimacy with God.
• Any worship style—quiet or rowdy—honors God when motivated by love and surrender.
• True worship includes physical expression, verbal praise, and everyday obedience.
• A follower of Jesus lives for an audience of One, turning every breath into glory for God.

Response

• Examine your heart; repent of any hollow or performative worship.
• Choose a physical posture this week (kneel, lift hands, dance) to express sincere gratitude.
• Offer a “sacrifice of praise” when circumstances are hard.
• Present your daily routines to God as acts of worship.
• Share the story of God’s grace in your life so others may find Him.

Closing

Pastor Craig rallied the church to move beyond songs and into a lifestyle of worship:

“We’re going somewhere today—into the presence of our God.”
Our purpose is clear: every heartbeat and every breath exist to glorify the God who gave them. As we leave, worship doesn’t end; it begins in the way we live so that “whoever finds God, finds life.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig thanked God for stretching the church into deeper worship, asked the Spirit to draw hearts close, and prayed that every believer would live in continual praise, surrender, and obedience.