"Worship: THE catalyst for eternal life."
1 Chronicles 16:26-29
REV. B. J. SIMS, JR
The meaning of Worship:
Etymology: worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being,
1 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence
2 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
3 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem
Worship is giving honor through thought or deed to person or thing. The word of God teaches us that he alone is worthy of all praise and worship. True worship involves 3 key elements:
Worship requires reverence. All honor and reverence is due to God and he alone. Its one thing to obey unwillingly; it is totally another thing to commit one’s thoughts and emotions within that obedience. Jesus said those who worship God must do so in SPIRIT and in TRUTH (John 4:24). Now in these days and times is when true worshippers should be WORSHIPPING THE FATHER, FOR THE FATHER IS SEEKING SUCH A PEOPLE to worship in spirit and in truth. For the spirit is of the personal nature of worship: it is from your person to God’s person and involves the package of emotion, intellect, and will. In TRUTH speaks of the content of worship: When we worship God he is pleased because in worship we understand his character.
Worship supplies service. Through worship one will develop a desire to serve the Lord with glee and gladness. When you truly worship God in spirit and truth, you will begin to render joyful service unto the Lord. Don’t let your worship be restricted to church attendance. Begin to embrace a life centered on obedience to God. So that your worship and your service is committed to God and God alone. (Ps 100:2) Serve the Lord with gladness: (101:6) for he has promised his eyes to be upon the faithful, that they may dwell with him eternally .
Worship promotes public expression. Public Expression was a big thing in the O.T., In old times when a believer was blessed of God. It was not enough to give thanks privately. They felt it was necessary to express thanksgiving in a public manner. SO WITH ALL GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU, YOU OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO SHOUT “ THANK JESUS” NO MATTER WHO’S LOOKING OR LISTENING. LET YOUR WORSHIP BE UNTO GOD AND GOD ALONE.
The Expressions of worship:
Heb 13:15 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Worship includes praise and thanksgiving that can either be expressed privately or publicly. Either by a grateful declaration or joyful singing. Your expression of worship means you give something to God. (DEUT. 15:14b) “..of that wherewith the lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him” Tithing is worshipping; giving your free time to the Lord’s work is worship unto God. Faithfully occupying a position in the church is also an example of worship. Edifying believers and evangelizing to sinners shows a service of worship to God.
But the most important act of worship is for those who walk in the faith, is to present our undeserving selves to God as obedient servants of his word. Complete expression of worship involves mind and body. ROM 12:1,2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Commit your body to worship because it possesses the tools in which the will of God can be carried out. Commit your mind because it is the coordinator of bodily actions. Both mind and body are needed for complete expression of worship. When body and mind are voluntarily devoted to God, they become instruments in which God’s will can be played out on earth.
Become faithful and Joyous in your service for Jesus, and on the worldly stage you will give a great performance of worship that will shine all the day long.
But understand there is a reason for your worship.
The reasons for worship
2Chr 7:3
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
When the Glory of God shines through, you want to serve and worship him.
The first reason for worship towards God is simply because God commands it in our text (1 Chr. 16:29)
The first 4 commandments to man charge us to worship the Lord and him alone. Worshipping anyone or anything else shows disobedience to his will and incurs God’s wrath upon us.
A second reason for true worship to God is that he deserves it. He alone possesses the attributes of one who merits our constant worship and service. His attributes are unparalleled to any one because of his holiness, creative power, grace and mercy. In biblical times those who saw the glory of God could not help but fall prostrate in worship. We as a people of God need to begin to see God’s glamorous glory and worship him in the beauty of holiness.
The Final reason for worshipping God is that we need in order to inherit eternal life. We cannot find personal fulfillment apart from submission in worshipful obedience to God.
For God is the Creator of all. He’s the creator and we are the created. Worshipping anything less than or other than God will cause you to live in quicksand. One worships God not only in the occupation of Heaven, BUT FINDS JOYFUL SATISFACTION FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE ENDEAVORS OF THEIR LIVES. For the Bible says: Colossians 4:23-24
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Isaiah 58
Seek me Daily, and delight to know my ways….and forsake not the ordinances of God….” Worship the Lord in all your stress, strife, and situations. “ For Light shall break through your darkness as the morning, health shall spring forth, righteousness shall be before thee: the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.” “ You shall call and God shall answer”. " Delight in the Lord and he will cause you to be upon high places”
John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
