Created, May 1984
"For it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'" Jesus said to Satan in Matthew 4:10. This is a reference to Deuteronomy 6:13, "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him..." And Deuteronomy 6:20, "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave..."
1. The Call To Worship.
"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel" 2 Chronicles 30:1.
"And many people shall go and say, 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem' " Isaiah 2:3.
"For there shall be a day, that the watchmen up to the mount Ephraim and shall cry, 'Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion to the Lord our God' " Jeremiah 31:6.
"And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord and seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also' " Zechariah 8:21.
2. Worship Defined.
What is Worship? Respond on line below.
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References - Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 27:13; Revelation 5:13.
3. Worship & Praise - A Natural and Spontaneous Response.
Following God's deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood, what was the first thing Noah did? See Genesis 8:18-20.
After God spared Abraham of taking the life of Isaac, what was the first thing Abraham did? See Genesis 22:12-13.
Once God allowed the Hebrew people to cross the Red Sea, and then destroyed the entire Egyptian army in the Sea, what was the first thing Moses did? See Exodus4:28 - 15:1-3.
After the Hebrew people committed themselves to the Ten Commandments, what was the first thing Moses did? See Exodus 24:3-5.
In each of these situations, Noah, Abraham, and Moses witnessed God's grace and power. How did these men respond to their deliverance? Worship and praise is a natural and spontaneous expression of joy after experiencing a special touch of God's presence and power.
4. Other Occasions Of Worship And Praise.
Wise men praise. Worship and praise is offered by the wise men at Jesus' birth. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him, and when they had opened unto him their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" Matthew 2:11.
The healed praise.Worship and praise given by some of the people Jesus healed. A lepers' praise, Mark 1:40-45. The paralytic let down through the roof, Luke 5:18 - 26. The Gadarene demoniac, Mark 5:1-20. Two blind men and a demoniac man, Matthew 9:27-33. The deaf and dumb healed, Mark 7:32-37. Ten lepers healed, one turned to give praise, Luke 17:12-19.
The early Church's praise. Worship and praise given by the early Christians in response to the many ways God had multiplied their strength and numbers. Peter had preached after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and this indwelling Holy Spirit had strengthened the faith and work of the members. With gladness and unity, they were "Praising God..." Acts 2:47. Peter and John were told to keep quite, were threatened, and released, the early Christians had a Praise Meeting! See Acts 4: 18-31. Later, Peter was arrested and imprisoned, but experienced a miraculous release. See Acts 12:1-18. The Philippian Prison Prayer Meeting. Paul and Silas rejoice and an earthquake shakes things up a little! See Acts 16:23-34.
Angelic praise. Pre-history praise. Job 38:7. Some scholars suggested that the descriptions "the morning stars" and "all the sons of God" are in reference to the angels of God. And that this singing and joy occurred before Lucifer's revolt. And these events occurred prior to God's formation of the earth, etc. in Genesis chapter 1.
At Christ's birth. See Luke 2:13-14 (discussed later). Over a repentant sinner. See Luke 15:10, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth".
End time praise. See Revelation chapter 5. All Heaven praises when the Lamb (Christ) steps forward to take the Book, and open the seals therof" (verse 9). The Lamb alone was worthy to take the Book. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (verse 12). "Blessing, and honour and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (verse 13).
Revelation chapter 7 is another glorious praise time. "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" (verse 10). Those assembled there "fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Saying, 'Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen' " (verses 11-12).
Revelation chapter 19 describes the Heavenly Hallelujah Chorus. This Hallelujah Chorus is in celebration of the marriage of the Lamb. "Aleleluja; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God..."(verse 1). "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, thunderings, saying, 'Alleluja: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (verse 6). "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come...." (verse 7). "And he saith unto me, 'Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he saith unto me, 'These are the true sayings of God'" (verse 9).
5. Attitudes Of Worship And Praise.
Reverence. Consider Moses and the Burning Bush. See Exodus 3:2-6. God instructed Moses, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."
Humility, Confession, Obedience. Consider Isaiah's encounter with the Lord's presence in the Temple. See Isaiah 6:1-8. Compared to the Holiness and the Glory of God, Isaiah replied, "Woe is me! for I am a man of unclean lips" (verse 5). Then the Lord asked, "Whom shall I send...?" Isaiah was quick in his response, "Here am I; send me" (verse 8).
Joy. Consider the angel's attitude of joy and exaltation at the birth of Jesus. See Luke 2:13-14. They praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest... (verse 14). Consider the Apostles following Christ's ascension. "And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen" Luke 24:52-53.
Thanksgiving. The Psalmist David praised God for His deliverance. "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed: let not mine enemies triumph over me" Psalm 25:1-2.
He praised God for His works. "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens... When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Psalm 8:1, 3-4.
He praised God for His strength and power. "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies" Psalm 18:1-3.
He praised God for His comfort. See Psalm 23. In particular, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me... (verse 4). He praised God for forgiveness. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guilt" Psalm 32:1-2.
Gladness. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple" Psalm 27:4. "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" Psalm 84:10. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" Psalm 122:1.
6. The Opportunity To Worship.
In the proper attitude, we are given the opportunity to approach our Father! And He will hear our supplications and receive our worship. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15-16). "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." (James 4:8). "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:22).
God will be praised. Consider when praise was rebuked. The occasion was Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. "And they brought him (the colt) to Jesus: and they cast their garment upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, 'Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.' And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, 'Master, rebuke thy disciples.' And he answered and said unto them, 'I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out' " (Luke 19:35-40; the italics are my own).
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (Psalm 19:1).
"Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests; and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. The Lord will give strength unto his people with peace" (Psalm 29).
So, come, let us worship Him!! "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together" (Psalm 34:3).
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May God speak to your heart! Bob Conar