What It Means to Worship

Introduction:

Different people have different ideas about worship.  Take singing for example. Important factor is not so much what we prefer in worship but that we worship. It is not so much about what we want. Worship is about what God wants! Authentic worship should be the force that drives us. Worship comes first. When our worship grows stale, so does our passion for God’s work.

I. What worship is not.

A.     Worship is not just a service. - Isaiah 29:13 – no worship here.

B.     Worship does not happen just because we sing hymns.

C.     Worship is not a performance.

D.     Worship is not just a feeling.

II. What is Worship?

A.     Our word from worship comes from an older word, “worthscripe.”

1.     Indicates an object of worthiness or respect, and in it’s most basic sense, worship means “to declare worth or worthiness.”

B.     What about a biblical definition?

1.     To “do reverence to,” “to demonstrate awe or devotion,” “to honor religiously,” and

C.     1 John 4:19 - When we worship God, we are responding to Him.

D.     Romans 12:1-2 – worship is a reasonable response to what God has already begun. We bow down to & acknowledge the One who made us & loves us.

E.     John 4:23 - if the actions do not come from the heart, we have not worshipped at all.

F.     To further our understanding of worship, let’s read the three following scriptures:

1.     Luke 14:26-27; Mark 12:30; 1 Corinthians 13:1

III. We worship God for Who He is.

A.     Consider the following words: “worship.”  “Praise.”

1.     “Praise” is a response to what God does.

2.     “Worship” is a response to who God is.

3.     1 Timothy 1:12-16 – Paul’s praise for grace/mercy.

4.     1 Timothy 1:17 – Paul worships.

B.     Old Testament statements on who God is:  Psalm 95:1,3, 6-7

C.     New Testament statements on who God is:

1.     Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 13:8; 5:8-14

2.     Acts 20:28 – Worthy of our worship because He purchased us with His own blood.

D.     Exodus 20:3-6; Revelation 22:9 – God alone is worthy of our worship.

IV. We worship God because of who we are.

A.     Psalm 95:7 – we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.

B.     Romans 9:20-21 – we are the clay & He is the potter.

C.     Ecclesiastes 12:1- we are the creatures & He is the Creator.

D.     Psalm 95:3 – we are the subjects & He is the great King.

E.     Matthew 10:24-25 – we are the servants & He is the Master.

F.     John 15:5 – we are the branches & He is the Vine.

G.     Isaiah 43:1 – we are the possessions & He is the owner.

H.    Psalm 17:8 – we are the apple of His eye…

I.      Isaiah 49:16 – we are inscribed on the palms of His hands.

J.       By ourselves…we are nothing. 

Conclusion:

A.     Worship is for God & God alone.

B.     How is your life? Do you need to respond to God today!