Let's pray together.Our Father, in Your infinite wisdom You caused this Psalm to be written, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given for our instruction and our learning. Teach us, give us teachable minds; give us hearts, O Lord, that would respond to everything that You would have us know. Hear us, Lord, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The word worship is often used interchangeably with several elements that are tied to a church. But what is worship? How do we know that what we are doing is actually worship? To answer these questions, we must seek advice from the Word of God.
Worship is how we express God's worth to us in our lives. Worship is essential to really create an atmosphere for the word of God to flow and for God to move in our lives corporately and individually.
How important is worship and what role should it play in the Christian life?
Throughout Scripture we see worship mentioned in both the Old and New Testament in various ways. David dancing before the Lord, Jesus rejoicing in the Spirit and the outporuing of worship in the early church.
John 4:21-24 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Worship is being occupied with God. It is also the movement of a soul toward God that has been moved upon by God. Worship is drawing close to a God who has given us everything.
The Bible talks about several "kinds" of worship.
1. Ignorant Worship.
Acts 17:23 - "for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
Paul perceived that they were very religious but he warned them that their religious service was not pleasing to God for it was done without knowledge of what God wanted or even who God was.
2.Vain Worship
3.Will Worship
Colossians 2:23 - Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (KJV)
This is worship that centers in satisfying self. This is the same type of worship that we often have today, that which calls for "audience centered" worship.
4. True Worship.
John 4:23-24 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 - "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP
1.It plays an indispensable role in rekindling our spiritual fire , and keeping it burning.
2.Corporate worship brings together God’s word, prayer, and fellowship, and so makes for the greatest means of God’s ongoing grace in the Christian life.
In conclusion, True worship is fundamentally an experience of the heart, and not a means to anything else. So, it’s important to distinguish between what benefits might motivate us to be regular in worship, and what focus our minds and hearts should pursue in the moment .
If we truly want the power of God's presence in our worship, we must break out of all religious ruts and be willing to sing a new song.
This is the only kind of worship which qualifies as acceptable worship of the true God.
Thanks for your time.
