Worship
Worship
INTRODUCTION Notes taken from the book "Worship" by Alfred P. Gibbs (Walterick Printing Co.)
Worship is different from prayer and praise. "Lord save my soul" is prayer; "Lord, thank you for saving my soul" is praise; "Thank you, Lord, for what Thou art" is worship. The first mention of worship in the Bible is in Genesis 22:5, Abraham says to the men, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you."
Matthew 2:2; Matthew 2:11, the wise men came to worship the newborn King, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 4:10, Jesus quotes the commandment, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God."
John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. "
THE MEANING OF WORSHIP
The word "worship" like "grace" and "love" is indefinable.
It means to do reverence or homage to a superior being. Man ought to worship God.
"The overflow of a grateful heart, under a sense of Divine favour." Psalms 23:5.
"The outpouring of a soul at rest in the presence of God." Song of Solomon 2:3-4.
"Worship is the upspring of a heart that has known the Father as a Giver, the Son as a Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as the indwelling Spirit." "Worship is the occupation of the heart, not with its needs, or even with its blessings, but with God Himself." 2 Samuel 7:18-22.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP
It is the first commandment of the law. Exodus 20:1-2; Exodus 34:14; "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
God caused the erection of the Tabernacle and Temple for the purpose of worship.
There is a great deal of instruction in Leviticus regarding worship of the true God.
God taught men like Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, David and others the art of worship.
Worship will be our occupation for eternity. Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14.
THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP
The Scripture is very clear in Luke 4:8; Psalms 45:11, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God." "For He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him."
We are not to worship idols. Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Many in the world worship dead idols of wood and stone.
Many others worship idols of self, money, business, pleasure, recreation, family, possessions, power, science.
Neither are we to worship men. Acts 10:25-26, the story of Cornelius kneeling before Peter. We are not to worship angels. Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8-9, states that this is forbidden.
We are not to worship nature, Deuteronomy 4:14-20; Job 31:24-28. We may admire nature, but we must not engage in worship of the sun, moon, stars, trees, etc.
We are to worship the Father God. John 4:23, "The Father seeketh such to worship Him." We are to worship Him because of what He has done, loving us and giving His Son for us.
We are to worship the Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, John 9:38.
We are to worship Him because of what He has done, His incarnation, life and sacrifice.
We are to worship Him because of His present work, as our Intercessor and High Priest.
We are not instructed to worship the Holy Spirit, though it may not be wrong.
THE BASIS FOR WORSHIP
How can a sinner acceptably worship a holy God? The only basis is by the Blood of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice accepted by the righteous Father.
We must worship in the relationship of "Father" upon our lips, Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 9:1-38; Romans 8:1-39; Romans 15:1-33.
THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS A BELIEVER INTO WORSHIP
The power for worship is the Holy Spirit who guides and directs our worship of the Lord. The Holy Spirit teaches one to worship, appreciate and apprehend Him in Bible reading. Worship is not primarily something that is to be stored up and released at a meeting, but it is something which should rise continually from the believer’s soul. For a full worship of God we must not possess a grieved Holy Spirit, or a quenched One. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you into acceptable worship of the Father and Son.
THE MANNER OF WORSHIP
Worship must be spiritual, that is, in the spirit, John 4:24, "... worship Him in Spirit . . ."
Worship must be sincere, that is, in truth. God looks at the heart to see whether or not the words of our lips are true, sincere and genuine expressions of our inmost being.
Worship must be intelligent. God does not put a premium on ignorance. He desires that we have a knowledge of what the Bible teaches. Some attempt to worship God by bowing in church and reciting prayers that they don’t understand.
Following through a church service is not necessarily worshipping God. Some minds may be miles away, preparing meals or catching fish or making money.
Each Christian is duty bound to see to it that the worship he presents to God through Christ is both spiritual, sincere and intelligent.
Worship in church or in private is a heart exercise that cannot be defined by rules.
We may worship in each part of the service: singing, praying, preaching, offering, etc. The Lord greatly longs for the worship of our hearts, but He is often disappointed. It delights the heart of the Father to find true worshippers of Himself.
THE HINDRANCE TO WORSHIP
Worship is the Christian’s highest occupation, and is therefore contested by Satan.
Self-will. Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10:1-11, died for attempting to offer strange fire.
The believer in worship proposes and seconds a motion of non confidence in himself.
Worldliness. The believer is in the world but definitely not of the world, John 17:1-26; John 11:1-57, John 12:1-50, John 13:1-38, John 14:1-31, John 15:1-27. Christ becomes the centre and circumference of the Christian life. Worship is the person, mind and body concentrating on the Lord Himself.
A critical spirit. Those who go to church and then have "roast preacher" for dinner, have not worshipped God. True worship goes beyond the preacher, church and choir.
Galatians 5:15, Realize that others are human and prone to err too. Look on the commendable and pour out your heart in love and adoration to God for the help received. Do not look for something to criticize. Look rather for something to commend.
Slothfulness. Just too lazy to exert the energy needed to worship God. Proverbs 24:30-34. Many, in attempting to worship God fall asleep mentally if not physically and fail in their basic desire to meet the Lord and praise Him.
Spiritual laziness must be viewed as a thief and spiritual lethargy must therefore give place to spiritual alertness.
Impatience. The Lord says, "Wait", Isaiah 40:31, but our speeded up generation has failed to learn to sit quietly in His presence in meditation of His goodness and works.
Formalism, substituting a ritual or set order for the free heart worship of God
An unforgiving spirit. Matthew 5:23-24. Grudges, etc. must be forgiven and restitution made.
Pride of person, race, education or accomplishments will deter from true worship, James 4:6.
CONCLUSION Where are we to worship God? In Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem? John 4:20. The Lord answers that the place is immaterial. It is the spiritual condition of the person, not the geographical location of the believer. We can worship in church, at home, etc.
We worship God when we enter into His presence and engage in worship, the highest occupation.
There are two main results of true worship:
God shall be glorified, for then He receives the praise, honor and glory due Him.
The believer will be blest. God will fill the worshipper’s heart with joy and peace.
May there constantly rise from your heart and mine a constant flow of adoring worship which will delight His heart and bring glory to His Holy Name.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Show the difference between worship, prayer and praise.
Define worship.
Give the fourfold importance of worship.
Contrasting Exodus 20:3 and Luke 4:8, what do we learn?
Comparing Hebrews 10:9; Matthew 6:9; and Romans 8:15, what is the basis for worship?
What part does the Holy Spirit have in worship?
Describe the manner of worship.
In what part of the Sunday worship service do you find it easiest to worship God? (Processional, invocation. prayer, hymn singing, choral anthem, Scripture reading, sermon, offering, benediction or recessional?)
List 7 hindrances to worship.
What are the two main results of true worship?