Worship

1. True Worship Requires a New Birth and Total Life Commitment

God made us to worship. That is why we were created.

The purpose of creation. God created humans with the primary purpose of worshiping Him. However, sin drew us away from this purpose. Through Christ's redemption, we are restored to our original calling of worship. This restoration is not merely a change in behavior, but requires a new birth - a supernatural transformation of our nature.

Worship as a lifestyle. True worship goes beyond attending church services or singing hymns. It encompasses our entire life and being. Every thought, action, and decision should be an expression of worship to God. This total life commitment means:

• Dedicating our time, talents, and resources to God
• Aligning our will with God's will
• Seeking to please God in all areas of life
• Cultivating a constant awareness of God's presence

2. Genuine Worship Involves Feeling and Awe of God's Presence

Worship is to feel in the heart!

Emotional engagement. Contrary to some beliefs, genuine worship involves our emotions and feelings. While we shouldn't base our faith solely on emotions, neither should we suppress them in worship. God desires our whole being, including our hearts and emotions, to be engaged in worship.

Awe and reverence. True worship is characterized by a sense of awe and reverence in God's presence. This doesn't mean a stiff, formal atmosphere, but a deep recognition of God's holiness and majesty. When we truly grasp who God is, it naturally produces:

• Wonder at His greatness
• Humility in light of His perfection
• Joy in His love and grace
• Gratitude for His goodness

3. Worship Must Be in Spirit and Truth, Not Man-Made Traditions

God tells us to make a sanctuary of our thoughts in which He can dwell.

Spirit-led worship. True worship must be led by the Holy Spirit, not by human traditions or rituals. While forms and traditions can be helpful, they must never replace the genuine, Spirit-inspired worship that God desires. This requires:

• Being filled with the Holy Spirit
• Cultivating sensitivity to the Spirit's leading
• Allowing spontaneity in worship

Truth-based worship. Our worship must be grounded in the truth of God's Word. We must worship God as He has revealed Himself, not based on our own imaginations or cultural preferences. This involves:

• Studying and meditating on Scripture
• Aligning our worship with biblical principles
• Rejecting false ideas about God and worship

4. The Church Needs to Return to Biblical Worship and Resist Worldly Influence

We are not going to be sheep running over the precipice because other dumb sheep are running over it.

Resisting cultural pressure. The church faces constant pressure to conform to the world's standards and beliefs. However, we must resist this pressure and maintain our distinctiveness as God's people. This requires:

• Courage to stand against popular opinion
• Discernment to recognize worldly influences
• Commitment to biblical truth, even when unpopular

Returning to biblical foundations. Many churches have drifted from their biblical roots in an attempt to be relevant. We need a reformation that returns us to the unchanging truths of Scripture. This involves:

• Reaffirming the authority of the Bible
• Rejecting theological liberalism that undermines biblical truth
• Embracing the timeless principles of biblical worship

5. Worship Should Be Continuous, Not Limited to Church Services

If you cannot worship the Lord in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, it is not very likely that you were worshiping on Sunday!

Everyday worship. Worship is not confined to Sunday services or specific religious activities. It should be a continuous attitude and practice that permeates every aspect of our lives. This means:

• Recognizing God's presence in all places and situations
• Offering our work, relationships, and daily activities as worship
• Cultivating a constant attitude of gratitude and praise

Worship in all circumstances. True worship is not dependent on our circumstances or feelings. We should learn to worship God in times of joy and sorrow, success and failure. This requires:

• Developing a God-centered perspective on life
• Trusting God's sovereignty in all situations
• Finding reasons to praise God even in difficult times

6. Jesus Christ is Worthy of Our Worship as Lord of All

He is Lord of all wisdom, and because He's perfect in wisdom, He is able to do all this. And history is the slow development of His purposes, you see.

Christ's supremacy. Jesus Christ is not just a good teacher or moral example, but the Lord of all creation. He is worthy of our highest worship and complete devotion. We must recognize:

• His divine nature and equality with God the Father
• His role as Creator and Sustainer of all things
• His perfect wisdom and sovereignty over history

Practical implications. Recognizing Christ's lordship should impact every area of our lives:

• Submitting all our decisions and plans to His authority
• Trusting His wisdom even when we don't understand
• Proclaiming His lordship to the world through our words and actions

7. A Healthy Church Cultivates Simplicity, Love, and Answered Prayer

I believe that there are no emotional experiences that do not rest upon great purity of heart.

Characteristics of a vibrant church. A church that truly honors God and experiences His presence will exhibit certain qualities:

• Simplicity in worship and lifestyle
• Genuine love among members
• Reverence for God's presence
• Joyful and informal fellowship
• Humility and servanthood
• Childlike faith and honesty
• Regular answers to prayer

Pursuing spiritual health. To cultivate these qualities, a church must:

• Prioritize spiritual growth and discipleship
• Foster an atmosphere of grace and acceptance
• Encourage authentic relationships and accountability
• Maintain a balance between structure and spontaneity
• Cultivate expectant faith in prayer

Last updated: October 24, 2024