Worship

A few weeks ago at WOW we explored worship. We began by listening to a worship song,  just listening and reflecting on the words and allowing God's presence to settle around us, taking the time to be conscious of his presence.

We reflected on the following.
What do these words mean? What do they mean to me? What is God speaking about to me?

As we did this each person present received a word from God,  reassurance,  encouragement and empowerment.  So often we get too busy to really worship and reflect. This became a powerful moment and a powerful teacher about putting aside distraction and entering God's presence in true worship.

Worship

God desires us to worship him in Spirit and in truth. The following is part of the discussion Jesus had with the woman at the well. It highlights God's desire for people everywhere to worship God in spirit and it truth.

John 4:19-24 NLT
"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. [20] So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?" [21] Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. [23] But the time is coming-indeed it's here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."

Worship is acknowledging God and who God is. This means giving God first place in all that we do. God is looking for people who will worship him in Spirit and truth. This is worship that connects deeply with God in our hearts and spirit, connecting with God's Spirit and coming with an open heart and a real desire to have relationship with God.

Psalm 29:1-2 NLT
Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength. [2] Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:10-11 NLT
The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. [11] The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.

Isaiah speaks the word of God to the people about just going through the motions of worship and the attitudes of our heart in worship. God wants our hearts not our words.

Isaiah 29:13 NLT
And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

Jesus repeated this when he challengesthe Pharisees about their behaviours and attitudes towards God.

Matthew 15:7-9 NLT
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, [8] 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [9] Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'"

This raises a question for each one of us. How can we ensure our worship does not become 'man-made rules' but comes from the heart?

1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

God is interested in our attitude and heart condition in worship.  It is not about the words no matter how grand or sincere they sound. Jesus also spoke about our attitudes when we come to worship and ensuring that our hearts are truly open to him.

What attitudes towards God and others colours our worship?

What does it mean to bring a sacrifice of praise to God when we come to worship him?

Romans 1:25 NLT
They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

The trap, in fact it's almost a tendency in human nature,  is to transfer our worship, to move the priority of our lives away from worship and to trust other things instead. Idols seem obvious, but we can make idols of work, family etc. These things may be important but when they replace honouring and worshiping God as the most important thing,  they become idols.

Thought and challenge:
When the opinion of a person on social media is more important to you than who God says you are, you've set that person above God.

What vies for our attention?

We worship God in praise when we come to him and thank him for all he has done. Read the following and hear the heart of the psalmist as  he seeks God.

Psalm 40:1-8 NLT
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. [2] He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. [3] He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.

4] Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. [5] O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

6] You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand - you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings. [7] Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: [8] I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."

This is all about Who God is and what he has done.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he started with worship and honoring God.

Matthew 6:9-10 NLT
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. [10] May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. When Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:9 when teaching the disciples to pray he began with honoring God and seeking the honour of God in all that we do.

As an exercise of worship:
Read Psalm 91

Take time to read and to reflect on the psalm,  the words and the heart of the psalmist.

Who is God? How does he reveal himself in these psalms?

Have you experienced God in this way?

What is God saying to you about who he is?

What are different ways we can worship God in our lives?

Take some time to think about why God is worthy of worship and what it means to worship him in spirit and truth.