THE POWER OF WORSHIP

INTRODUTION

John 4:19-24 (ESV) 19  The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

We worship what we know revelation God is necessary in worship.

We worship God with our spirit, soul and body

We worship God according to his word - his testimonies

In worship we reverence the Lord for his goodness

WHAT WORSHIP IS - Psalm 33:1-22; Jer 33:11

WORSHIP. ‘Worship’ (Old English ‘weorthscipe’=‘worth-ship’) originally referred to the action of human beings in expressing homage to God because he is worthy of it. It covers such activities as adoration, thanksgiving, prayers of all kinds, the offering of sacrifice and the making of vows. Nowadays, however, ‘worship’ is used for any kind of interaction between God and his people, expressed in (but not confined to) cultic or formal activity by a religious group or individuals. It therefore includes not only the human approach to God but also the communications of God with his people, and the whole communal activity that takes place when the people gather together religiously. Such activity is the formal expression of spiritual attitudes which should characterize God’s people at all times (Rom. 12:1). Insofar as serving other people is a divine command, the fulfilment of it is a part of worship.

Worship is an encounter with the living and holy God (Exodus 3:1–6)

Worship is reserved for God alone (Exodus 34:14)

In worship, we ascribe to the Lord the glory due him (Psalm 29:1–2)

Worship is a sacrifice only reserved for God (Romans 12:1)

Worship is human  response by his spirit to a gracious and omnipotent God

Worship is our weapon spiritual weapon against our enemies

Worship is listening and obeying the word of God (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)

Worship is service to God according to his word

Worship is fulfilling and performing your christian duties (i.e Prayer, Praise, intercession, Winning souls, preaching the gospel, caring for God’s people, tithing and offering, etc.)

Worship is the reverential response of creation to the all-encompassing magnificence of God (Isa 6:1–6; Exod 15:11; Psa 148:1–14). 

In the ot, worship encompassed a variety of activities. Bringing forward an offering to God was an act of worship (קָרַב, qārab).

Bowing down in the presence of God was an outward display of an inner attitude of reverence before the Creator (חָוָה, ḥāwâ).

The verb רוּם (rûm) could indicate that a person was "lifting up" or "exalting" God with praise.

Together, these last two terms provide a rich image of worship: People both bow before God and lift him up in praise and wonder.

The verb הָלַל (hālal) could be used to designate the act of celebrating God. The word "hallelujah" is derived from the Hebrew phrase הַלְלוּ־יָהּ (halĕlû-yāh), meaning "praise Yahweh." This praise could involve זָמַר (zāmar, "singing"). Worship could also be described as "serving" (עָבַד, ʿābad) God.

The ritual life of devotion and service is an emblematic of a whole life given over to God. Worshiping God should be ritualistic with reverence towards his goodness and greatness

Worship is an adoration of God’s grandeur and majesty through service, praise and reverence

THE BENEFIT OF WORSHIP

Closeness with God - intimacy

Encounter with God's power

Victory in war