Genuine Worship:
encounter the living God. Worship
is an active believer’s response to the glory of the living God.
Worship is a meeting between God and his people.
Worship provides opportunity to express their feelings toward God. It
is interactive.
A
missionary tells of a woman in India holding in her arms a weak, whining
infant, while at her side stood a beautiful, healthy child. The man of God saw
her walk to the banks of the Ganges River and throw the robust youngster to
the crocodiles as an offering, and then turn toward home again still clutching
the sickly child to her bosom. Tears were running down her cheeks when he
stopped to question her concerning her shocking actions; however, she proudly
replied in defense of her conduct, "O sir, we always give our gods the
best!"
G. Campbell Morgan told a story about a father and his young daughter
who were especially close. They
enjoyed spending time together. If
he went for a walk or made a social call, she wanted to go along.
But then he began to notice a change. When he asked her to accompany
him on errands, she made excuses. As
the weeks passed, he became concerned about it.
When
his birthday came, she presented him with a pair of slippers she had made.
Then he realized that she had been working on them while he was out of
the house. "Darling, I like
these slippers very much," he said gently, "but next time buy the
slippers and let me have you all the days.
I would rather have you than anything you can make for me."
Beyond
any work we may do for God, time spent in His presence must take priority.
He desires our fellowship first of all.
If our worship is neglected, our work will be deficient.
Scripture text:
1Chr 16:23 Sing unto the
LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 24 Declare
his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25 For
great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared
above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people [are] idols: but the LORD
made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour [are] in his presence; strength and
gladness [are] in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the
people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the
glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship
the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30 Fear before him, all the earth: the
world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be
glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let [men] say among the nations, The
LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields
rejoice, and all that [is] therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing
out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. 34 O
give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for
ever.
Why Worship the Lord
- Great
is the Lord: this is the
basis for worship.
- The
Lord made the heavens: This
is why we worship
- Give
thanks unto the Lord for he is good and his mercy endureth forever.
This is why we worship.
- The
Lord reigneth, sea roar, the fields rejoice, trees sing out at the
presence of the Lord. This is why we worship.
- All
other gods are idols: We
can worship no other for there is no other.
- The
Lord cometh to judge the earth: This
is why we worship.
How We Worship the Lord
- Give
unto the Lord: glory and
strength: bring an offering
and come before him, worship the lord in the beauty of holiness, fear
before him, creation worships and rejoices, This is how we worship
- Sing
unto the Lord: this is
the how of worship
- Declare
his glory among the heathen: This
is worship
- Greatly
to be praised: This is
the how of worship
- Show
forth his salvation: this
is the how of worship. Let’s
worship Him through the way we live day to day.
- Glory
and honor are in his presence: This
is a result of worship