The Power of Personal Worship - A Primer

Worship is not what most people think it is.

It is not the first part of a church service that are like the previews to a movie you feel obligated to watch.

Worship is deeply personal!

Parts of the Tabernacle (Tent) of Meeting:

Outer Court: Altar of Sacrifice; Brass Laver

Key Points & Symbolism: Many people could enter here; Natural Sunlight; First thing to encounter was the Brass Altar of Sacrifice, & then the Brass Laver to wash and get clean from the things that were judged to be dirty.

Inner Court (Holy Place): Lamp Stand; Table of Shewbread; Altar of Incense

Key Points & Symbolism: Light was from the pure olive oil (represents the Holy Spirit) burned continually; 12 Loaves of bread Represents that Jesus, the Bread of Life, is for everyone; Incense creates a beautiful fragrance like offerings to the Lord; only Priests could enter here

Holiest of Holies (Most Holy Place): The Ark of the Presence (Covenant)

Key Points & Symbolism: Only the Ark of the Covenant was here & the manifest presence of God provided the only light; Separated by a nearly 1 foot thick linen curtain that blocked out sound and light; The Law, the Budding Rod of Aaron & the bowl of Manna (provision) were in the Ark; ONLY the High Priest could enter in alone with blood & having followed all the right protocols.

Hebrews 9:1–8 NKJV

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

Worship is an incredibly personal act that becomes possible when you know who you are & how to enter into God’s manifest presence.

Why Can I Enter God’s Presence?:

We have access to God’s presence because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice made for us!

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Revelation 1:5–6 NKJV

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

God has made us kings & priests by His grace, it is right to behave like it.

Matthew 27:50–51 NKJV

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Jesus tore the separation between God’s presence and man - both “letting God out” and letting us all in to the Holiest of Holies.

Worship is a progression:

Worship (def.) - to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand; to express in attitude or gesture one’s complete dependence on or submission to a high authority figure

Psalm 100:4 NKJV

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 132:7 NKJV

Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool.

Isaiah 60:13 NKJV

“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together, To beautify the place of My sanctuary; And I will make the place of My feet glorious.

Worship is like a dog (not like a cat - God is specific) that is so thankful and happy to see it’s master.

The tail almost wags the dog.

There is the sometimes uncontrollable wee-wee of joy

There is the licking of the hand and the face

Then the flop down and flip over that exposes the most sensitive and vulnerable parts of themselves out of a complete trust and submission to the one who cares for them most and best.

Why would we worship God like a dog does his master?

1 John 1:5 NKJV

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Psalm 100:5 NKJV

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

If we have never been truly alone with God (we can even be alone in a crowd) & if we have never found that place of complete trust submission and dependence on God - We might have never truly worshipped God.

…But we can!

Just One Thing:

Come to God like a dog comes to its loving master, approach Him with thanksgiving joy and praise and then experience true worship as you fully submit to and depend on the God that loves you.

Discussion Questions:

Which protagonist from a book or movie would make the worst roommate?

What did you learn about worship that you never knew before? How does this knowledge make a difference in your life with Christ?

Please Read: Psalm 100:4 & Hebrews 10:22 and share what these passages mean to you and how they might connect to one another in you mind.

Please share about your personal worship and what that might look like. What is at least one way that you want your personal times of worship to experience growth and/or increase.