Living Environmentally Friendly

The Life of Worship

Worship Defined - The praise, adoration and reverence of God, both in public and private. It is a celebration of the worthiness of God, by which honour is given to his name. –Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes

A. Worship Explained

If Worship is showing God adoration and reverence both publicly and privately, it would only make sense to understand worship in proper context is obedience. You can’t reverence something and adore its worthiness in your life if you do not obey something. Just as I display my trust in someone else’s opinion on whether or not I change my actions based upon their opinion.

B. Biblical Reason for Worship

The supreme reason for human existence is to worship God for his love, greatness and saving deeds.

1. To worship is a divine command

Matthew 4:8-11 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

• Satan’s great temptation against Christ, as well as us is to try to redirect our Worship (obedience) from Christ to Satan. Our service to God is an act of Worship unto God.

2 Kings 17:35-36 35 When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 36 But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices.

• God does not suggest, but commands us to Worship Him, and Him only.

Revelation 14:7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

• We are instructed at the hour of Judgment to Worship God. We either Worship (Obey) Him willingly now, or we will fall to the judgment of Him who requires obedience later.

2. God’s People are to Be a Worshipping People

Psalm 105:1-6 1 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 6 you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

• God’s people should be marked and distinctly different because of their Worship (Obedience)

o Proclaim God’s Name and tell of What He has done

o Bring Encouragement to those Who Seek the Lord

o Look to the Lord, Always Seek Him

o Remember God’s Works in the Past, His Faithfulness

1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

• God’s people are defined by worship because they are not trying to Earn God’s Favor, but because they are Responding to God’s Favor!

C. Worship Affects Environment

1. The life of Worship Creates Momentum in Your Life

Genesis 22:15-18 15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, n because you have obeyed me.”

2. The life of Worship affects your outlook

o When you obey God, your battle becomes His battle.

o When you obey God, you do not live for this life, you live for eternity.

o When you obey God, you realize the things that happen to you do not have to affect what happens in you!