It’s dangerous to use a word and not know what it means.  (Mr. Barrett illustration)

There is a chance that you have used the word worship for a long time without knowing exactly what it means.  And yet, so much can be said and only begin to scratch the surface talking about worship.  Churches have feuded and split, opened and closed, succeeded and failed because of worship.  On no other topic are Christians more opinionated and less informed than on the topic of worship.  Key Statement:  Maximize your understanding of worship to keep it from becoming meaningless.

                   (Illustration of earthquake cake, death by chocolate, turtle brownies, etc.)

Layers of Worship: Maximize worship by responding to God's revelation.  (Psalm 148)

13        Honor God's holy nature – Only He is holy, holy, holy (Rev 4:8ff.)

                   (Acknowledgment: Praise, Glorify, Revere, Adore, Exalt)

1-12    Submit to God's creative power (don’t forget to submit to one another) (1-12)

14        Serve from God's redemptive work  {Examples: Egypt, sins, Romans 12:1}

(Illustration of lessons learned at Bearthicket: Sunday school, Communion, Outhouse)

Lessons of Worship:  Maximize worship by integrating past experiences of God's people.

Sacrificial (patriarchs) – Noah in Genesis 8:20 – Heb 13:15-17

Organized (Tabernacle/Temple) – Exodus 25:8-9 – 1 Corinthians 14:40

Creative (Psalms) – Psalm 150:3-6 (“new song”) – Psalm 33:3; 144:9

Spiritual (John) – John 4:21-24:  placeless, personal, pious  (truth --->   

Educational (synagogue, Colossians) – Luke 4:16-17; Col 3:16 (singing)

Edifying (Corinth) – 1 Cor 14:26, 31 – Building up one another is the goal

Multi-ethnic (Revelation) – Rev 7:9-17 – People from around the globe contribute their unique perspective on God’s holiness, creation, and redemption.

Middle Song List:  Ancient of Days; Fairest Lord Jesus

 (Illustration of learning multiple languages, favoring one. [1st, 2nd, 3rd])

Languages of Worship: Maximize worship by utilizing multiple means to express and experience God’s love. (Ps 149)

Music (Physical Touch) (1, 3) – Music permeates our bodies.  Being with other believers means that God is with us through the Spirit in His people. (Includes movement!)  Explain psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Declaration (Affirming Words) – Psalm 149:6-9 – two-edged sword = Word must be heard, read, marked, learned, digested (1 Peter 2:9 – “proclaim . . .”)

Symbolic Acts (Gifts) – Symbolic acts are a gift of obedience, telling God that we acknowledge his authority and are willing to submit and serve Him in any way he asks.

1.                 Communion (Acts 20:7) – Breaking bread symbolizes sustenance, fellowship, and our acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice.

2.                 Baptism (1 Pet 3:21) – Symbolizes our pledge, Christ’s resurrection, and cleansing from sin

3.                 Offering (1 Cor 16:1-2) – Symbolizes that God has provided, others have a need, and we care enough to share.  Money is substance and symbol.

4.                 Body postures – Sitting, standing, kneeling, lying, hands raised, and dancing (Psalm 149:3)  - Each of them symbolize that our bodies are God’s and that we love the Lord with all our strength.

Prayer (Quality Time) – 1 Timothy 2:1-3 discusses public prayer (Pray for kings, salvation, peace, godliness).  Prayer demonstrates that we are willing to give God time and attention.   

Sacred Work (Deeds of service) – Sharing with others (money, time, energy) demonstrates to others our passion for God and his work.  (Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 4:10)