From the Heart: A Message About Worship
Armor Bearers – Week 1: November 1, 2020
From the Heart:
A Message About Worship
Worship = worth-ship.
We worship God because he is the only One worthy
“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” ~Genesis 22:5
What is worship?
Worship is a response to what God is doing
Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” ~1 Chronicles 22:1
17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this project. 18 “The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people. 19 Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.”
~1 Chronicles 22:17-19
6 All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. 7 They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician. ~1 Chronicles 25:6-7
10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. 13 The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance. ~Ezra 3:10-13
Worship is communication
24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” ~John 4:24
We worship in spirit and in truth
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ~John 10:27-29
When we worship, we listen, we follow His lead, and we are guided by His word.
Worship is essential
37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”
39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” ~Luke 19:37-40
Worship is surrender
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~1 Corinthans 10:31
Often instead of worshiping God, we worship our modern-day idols
Worship is not Christian entertainment. You have to participate.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. ~Psalm 100:4
Music is a vehicle but worship comes from you.