NATURE OF TRUE WORSHIP TOWARD GOD (Part 1)

Psalm 96:1-13

 

Introduction: As Christians, we have a responsibility to understand and appreciate our worship toward God. To do so we first must realize the basis of our worship. Then, we must learn what it is that constitutes proper and acceptable worship. Finally, we need to know who is able to worship God.

     

I.        What is the basis of our worship? Who or what are we to worship and why?

A.     What does it mean to worship?

1.      Worship, combining both Hebrew and Greek definitions, means:

a.       to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand (Psalm 2:12)

b.      to fawn or crouch; to prostrate oneself (do reverence, adore)

2.      It is man’s response to the work and nature of God

3.      Inherent in our worship is praise unto God

a.       Psalm 66:4-8

b.      Psalm 138:2-3

4.      Our worship is expressed as service unto God (Luke 4:8)

5.      If we do not like worship, we will not like heaven (Rev. 15:3-4; 22:3)

B.     The Bible teaches that we must worship God (Rev. 22:9)

1.      Jesus stated this to be the case (Matt. 4:9-10)

2.      To worship God is to worship the Father and the Son

a.       John 4:21

b.      Matthew 28:9, Luke 24:52; Hebrews 1:6

C.     We are to worship the Lord God (Exo. 20:1-5)

1.      This is to distinguish the one true God from the false gods of man’s own devising (Rom. 1:21-25)

2.      All that God is calls forth our worship (Psalm 95:1-7)

       

II.        Why God? Since God is the basis of all worship, it behooves us to understand His character—Who He is, all that He accomplished and will accomplish (Psalm 29:1-2)

A.     He is eternal and ever-living

1.      Revelation 4:9-10

2.      Pagans worshipped God in ignorance of the fact that He was living and eternal (Acts 17:23, 28-29); He is not stone or some inanimate object

3.      Upon the basis that God is eternal and living we should seek him (Acts 17:27); when we bring before God our worship we are seeking Him

B.     He is holy

1.      Psalm 99:5

2.      Such inspires our adoration and prompts our response toward Him

a.       Isaiah 6:1-5

b.      Ezekiel 1:28

c.       Daniel 10:6-9

d.      Revelation 1:17

3.      Because we are in awe of Him we must worship him (Hab. 2:20)

C.     He is gracious – because God is good, kind and benevolent, we need to express our thankfulness to Him (Deu. 26:1-11)

1.      Revelation 11:16-18

2.      Hebrews 13:12-15

D.    He is Creator – His nature and character are demonstrated by His mighty acts

1.      Psalm 33:6-9

2.      Revelation 4:10-11

E.     He is great and does marvelous things

1.      Psalm 145:1-6

2.      Psalm 86:9-10

F.      Understanding who God is will help us better understand what worship is and how it is we are to worship

 

III.   What constitutes worship?

A.     We talked previously about what worship is; worship does not simply and exclusively mean reverence, but involves concrete acts as expressions of such reverence

1.      Thayer defines worship as religious service or homage . . . to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship (Heb. 9:1, 6, 9; 10:2 (all worship is service to God, thus worship services)

2.      Notice the following examples that demonstrates the idea that worship not only involves a pious or reverent heart, but also specific acts through which such reverence is expressed

a.       1 Chronicles 16:7-34

b.      2 Chronicles 29:25-31; 2 Kings 18:22

c.       Acts 8:27 – law prescribed the Eunuch’s worship, thus demonstrating that worship was more than piousness or reverence. He needed to come to Jerusalem to perform specific acts

B.     What are some of the specific acts of New Testament worship?

1.      Sacrifice is a specific act (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Chr. 29:20-21)

a.       praise (Heb. 13:15)

b.      Offerings (2 Cor. 9:11-15; Mal. 3:8)

2.      Singing is a specific act (Heb. 2:12; Psalm 66:4)

3.      Prayer is a specific act (Phi. 4:4-6; Psalm 5:1-7)

4.      A memorial feast is a specific act (1 Cor. 11:17-29; 2 Chr. 30:21-27)

 

Conclusion: We need to understand who and why we worship as well as what is and what constitutes worship. These are basic steps toward favor with God; “worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Next, we will consider who are the true worshippers of God and the manner in which they must come before Him. Also, what constitutes unacceptable worship. Finally, we will consider why it is important to worship together.