Worship Is More Than A Word (Part 2)

All of humanity was created by God and was created to worship God.  Worship should not be approached with drudgery, but as a way of life that brings freedom.  Religion and tradition is a drudgery and brings bondage but it is true spiritual worship that sets us free.  In Part 2  of this series I want to bring out some aspects of worship that we don't often think about.  I want to share with you five truths about worship that will help you become more passionate in your worship of God.

1.  Worship Begins With Repentance

When a person truly repents and turns from the old way of life and embraces their "new life" in Christ the desire to worship our Savior grows more intense.  When we repent, our focus of worship changes from the "gods" of this world to the One true God of heaven.  In Exodus 20:3-5 God tells Israel that they are to have "no other god before Him" and when we repent, the Lord God will be the focus of our adoration and worship.

2.  Worship Is Not Optional

I realize that who and what we worship is a decision that each person makes.  But as a believer, worship should never be looked at as an "option."  We were created to worship and serve God. When Jesus was coming into Jerusalem many of His disciples were praising and worshiping him saying, "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" (Luke 19:38). When the Pharisees heard this they told Jesus to rebuke his disciples.  Jesus responded with "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40). Make no mistake about it, Jesus and the Father will be worshiped.  It's not an option.  If we don't worship God, the stones will or others of creation will, and the reason is that God is worthy of our worship and He will be worshiped!

3.  God Is Worthy Of Our Worship

There is no one nor anything that is as worthy of our worship as our heavenly Father!  The reasons to worship God are many.  God not only created us, but He saved us and He has promised to take care of us.  Those reason alone are adequate for us to worship Him.  If God did nothing else for His children the fact that He gives us eternal life is the only reason we need to worship and love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength!

4.  Worship Is A Relationship

A right relationship with God will release the right kind of worship.  As His children we are to offer our lives as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1).  Our worship of God blossoms out of an atmosphere of love.  Not that we loved Him first but He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:1-12).  When we are in a relationship with God and worship Him we enter into His very presence and power.

5.  Worship Is Fellowship

How well we know God will be determined by how much time we spend with Him.  You can't know anyone without spending time with them.  If Christians spent as much time worshiping and confessing God’s Word as they spend complaining and repeating their problems to their friends, victory would appear much sooner.  Most answers to our questions and revelations from God will come out of a time of worship.

As believers our life should be a time of praise and worship of God.  We will never have the success God desires for us unless we are in a true relationship with Him.  Are you ready to surrender all to the Father?  Are you ready to worship Him in spirit and in truth?  That's the way God desires for us to worship Him and that's the worship He deserves.

-- Pastor Temple