How to Worship God
May 6, 2008 5:29 amPreached by Ted Williams, 4/27/2008
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Brittany Parlour and Ted Williams Worshiping God
How to Worship God Outline
This lesson teaches you how to worship God with all your heart, with a special bonus song “Hallelujah” at the end.
Worship Definition
1. to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2. among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
3. in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication - used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank
- to the Jewish high priests
- to God
- to Christ
- to heavenly beings
- to demons
Human beings are made to worship - Media, etc. (Exodus 32:1-4)
Problem is not that we won’t worship, but that we worship created things. That’s idolatry.
I. What is worship?
Most important thing we do John 4:21-24
All encompassing lifestyle - Romans 12: 1
Corporate and individual-Worship is not entertainment
Different methods of worship even in services
11 Greek words used in New Testament (NT) for worship
5 Hebrew words used in Old Testament (OT) for worship
OT Hebrew
Mishmehreth - a. guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch b. house of detention or confinement c. keep, preserve d. charge/office
Cegid(segeed) (only used in the book of Daniel)-to prostrate oneself, pay homage to
Abad-to labour, work, do work, to serve (with Levitical service), to make oneself a servant, to be led or enticed to serve
Scachah- To bow down, prostrate oneself, before God in worship, reverence,
NT Greek
II. Why do we sing?
A. Rejoicing
Zephaniah 3:14-17
“Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD you God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
1. God has turned back the enemy that pursues us constantly.
2. With God on our side, we need not fear the things that people in the world fear.
3. He delights in us and SINGS ABOUT US!!)
B. When you need inspiration for the mission
1 Chronicles 15:15-17
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps, and cymbals. (Reference v29)
Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
C. When we lament
Two thirds of the Psalms are devoted to gut wrenching prayers of pain and sorrow
III. How should we sing and worship?
Psalm 63:3-5
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Lifting of hands
1 Timothy 2:7-9
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Psalm 28:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 28 (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 63:4
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Nehemiah 8:5-6
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Singing new songs
Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
One Response to “How to Worship God”
Ted-
I loved this worship devotional. I’m inspired to share the heart of WHY we worship with the disciples. And I think it’s really key what you share about not conforming to our culture, even our church culture, where I do think we react against the hyper-religious in the way they worship . . . we need to be far more focused on what God thinks and allow our hearts to pour out as we cry out for His help.
Pray for us, brother, to worship with all our lives (Romans 12:1-3)
In Song to Him
Chris Adams
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