The Benefits Of Worship Series

THE BENEFITS OF TRUE WORSHIP

Matt. 15:21-28 (verse 25)

Worship is important to God. Therefore it also should be important to us as well. One of life’s greatest questions is “What is my main purpose in life?” Why am I here? Solomon, considered to be one of the wisest men of his time, wrote the book of Ecclesiastes and in this book, that is one of the main themes he addresses. He said in Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Here was a man that basically had it all, all of the things that people literally work themselves to a frazzle over, and he essentially said that it wasn’t worth it. After it was all said and done, it still left him empty (vanity). People today get caught up in working themselves sick, hospitals are filled with those who are wearing themselves out, but deep down, they know that it is not bringing them satisfaction. Finally Solomon begins to close out the book of Ecclesiastes with these words, Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word Solomon uses for fear is the word yare’ {yaw-ray’} which means to fear, revere, be afraid, to stand in awe of, reverence, honor, respect. That sounds a lot like worship to me. I believe that Solomon is saying that we will only find true satisfaction in our lives as we tend to worship and fear God fully. Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of Moody Bible Church in Chicago, and now a teacher with the “Back to the Bible” radio broadcast wrote in his book, The Integrity Crisis, and said, “True biblical worship so satisfies our total personality that we don’t have to shop around for man-made substitutes.” Two weeks ago, I mentioned the story of the woman at the well. Jesus told this woman that God is seeking for worshippers. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. The Greek word used here for seek is zeteo {dzay-teh’-o}seek for, desire, or to demand. God is looking for and demanding true, sincere worship. If we fail to worship God, not only in the local congregation, but I believe also privately as well, we are not walking in obedience to the desires of our Lord.

Two weeks ago, God laid a message on my heart, entitled “The Approach to Worship”. You might remember that I said that worship begins a long time before we ever enter into this building. We must have a right relationship with the Lord, it must include a respectful reverence, and it must have a relevant response, of opening up our hearts totally to the Lord. Today I want to preach on the benefits of worship. In Matthew 15, we find a Canaanite woman, not even a Jew, who came to Jesus in her need and was seemingly rebuffed. Note that she then began to worship. The Bible says that she came and worshipped Him. There are several benefits or blessings that this scripture points out regarding what happens when we worship the Lord.

I. WORSHIP AIDS US IN EXPERIENCING THE REALITY OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

1. Note that she had came to Jesus to present her request. When it appeared to not be answered, the Bible says that “then came she and worshipped”. The insinuation is that she drew nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ as she worshipped. Mark’s Gospel tells us in Mark 7:25 that she came and fell down at His feet.

2. One thing that we must understand is that true worship is encounter, encounter with a Holy God.

3. We know that God is omnipresent. This simply means that God is everywhere. The psalmist David realized this and he wrote under the hand of the Holy Spirit these words;

Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.