Helping Believers Worship In Spirit And in Truth

• Worship is about ascribing to God His worth. (1 Chronicles 16:27-29; 2 Kings 17:36)  Worship is not  about us; it is about God.  How easy it is to slide in and out of a worship service, thinking about other things like, ‘what’s for dinner?,’ or a football game that will be on TV later that afternoon?  Our primary focus must always be on God and His Holy Scriptures.

 

• Worship is for God, not exclusively for us.  People can get really worked up about worship styles.  For many people, having the right sound, visuals, preaching and worship style determine their interest and whether attendees are good Christians or not.  Once again, it’s not about what pleases us-but what pleases God.  We may have been very uncomfortable with the worship music of Israel, or even some of their worship practices (2 Samuel 6:13-23).  Worship is a response of our humility, gratitude and joy to His greatness (Psalm 100; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 51:11). God severely warns against anything but God-worship, knowing that our hearts can be deceived away from Himself (Deuteronomy 8:19; Deuteronomy 11:6).

 

• In order to worship, we must see God.  A study of “worship” throughout the Bible confronts you and me with a powerful truth.  Praise and worship occur as a natural response to who God is.  For example, God is King; we must worship Him (Psalm 22:27).  God made us; we must worship Him (Psalm 95:6).  God is holy; we must worship Him (Psalm 96:9).  God chose us and justified us (Romans 1:11); we must worship Him(Romans 12:1).  God is holy and righteous; we must worship Him (Revelation 15:4).  We “worship with reverence and awe,” because of the character and person of God (Hebrews 12:28).  God reveals Himself in Scripture. Meditation upon Scripture must be a major part of our worship.  God commands we reverently, meaningfully pray to Him without ceasing.

 

• Worship is purposeful. (Genesis 22:5; Judges 5:3; Psalm 9:1).  Worship is volitional. Corporate worship is the organic result when we practice our beliefs during the week (Romans 12:1).  The Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24) helps us worship; it is an act of intentional purpose, not an accident, nor a ritual, and not the result of a spiritual to-do list.