What Is Worship? - Part 1

•  Worship is extravagant respect, admiration, and devotion to God.

•  Worship is responding to all that God is with all that I am.

Biblical definition:

       Genesis 22:1-14 Abraham was so enamored with God, so close in relationship with Him that he responded every time God came calling.  We see Abraham's purpose and devotion in worship because of his preparation and faith he practiced when God asked him to sacrifice his only son.

      Exodus 10:3 "Let my people go so that they may worship me."  God's desire was to free a nation from slavery so that they might worship Him.  Before we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we are enslaved to our sins, but Jesus has set us free; primarily to worship Him.  The first commandment reminds us of this: "You shall have no other God's before me."

            "God meant for a new convert to be a worshiper first.  After that he can become a worker."  A.W. Tozer

      Romans 12:1 Our lives, as a whole, are intended to be an act of worship.  In view of all that Christ has done for on our behalf, to worship, yielding our whole life, moment by moment, is the only logical thing left to do.  

            "To come into the presence of God and kneel before Him one hour takes all the strength we possess."  Watchman Nee

Developing Personal Worship - The Visual

What does Personal Worship look like?

Developing a picture / visual of Personal Worship.

A good visual of personal worship is a picture of the Old Testament tabernacle (the tabernacle of Moses Exodus 40):

Tabernacle History:  The tabernacle of Moses was considered the gathering place.  There were literally no other places the people would worship or meet with God.  Not everyone was allowed inside the tabernacle.  Only a select few (the priests, Moses, and Joshua) under very special instructions were allowed into the tabernacle.  It was built using very specific blueprints, with very specific materials, by very specific people.  The tabernacle was used religiously throughout the Exodus of the Israelites (during their 40 year journey through the desert).

1)  The gate (the place of preparation).

Objective:  Set aside a half an hour a week in a place with no distractions.  Bring a Bible, guitar, keyboard, or CD’s.  Gather your thoughts, focus your mind, and prepare to meet with God.

2)  The laver (the place of cleansing / purification).

Objective:  Pray to Christ for forgiveness and cleanliness.  Check your heart, ask God for insight into your attitude.  Offer up a heart sacrifice, asking God to remove anything that might hinder your relationship with Him.

3)  The Holy Place (the place to focus).

Objective:  This is a time to offer prayers and worship to God.  Take the opportunity to tell Him what He means to you through song, scripture, praise, thankfulness, shouting, crying, etc…  Take some time to offer personal prayers and prayers for others.  Draw near to God and seek the Holy Spirit.  This is the time to respond to God and what He means to us.

4)  The Holy of Holies (the place of intimacy).

Objective:  Meditation.  Take time to get quiet before God.  Give yourself time to be still and listen to the heartbeat of God.  Take this time to train yourself to be silent.  Give God time to speak.  It is much easier to hear His voice when we are not talking.

Developing Personal Worship - The Need

WHY DO WE NEED PERSONAL WORSHIP?

PONDER THIS:

      Personal worship requires continual cultivation and nurturing.

GOD'S CALL TO HIS PEOPLE:

1.  We are called to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
      John 20:30-31

2.  We are called to follow Jesus Christ in obedient discipleship.
      Matthew 4:18-20

3.  We are called to use the gifts and abilities God has given us.
      Romans 12:4-8

4.  We are called to honor and serve God in our personal lives, in our households and families,
      in our daily occupations, in our community, our nation, and our world.
      Deuteronomy 5:16