Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

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What is Worship?

January 18, 2016

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”” – 1 Chronicles 16:23-31

Worship is a huge thing. We look forward to worship every week. When the music includes one of our favorites, we say, “worship was awesome.” When the songs don’t appeal to us, we go kinda blank and wonder why the worship wasn’t as good today. Worship style can define a church.

But have you ever wondered if we’re more concerned about what worship does for us and less concerned with the object of our worship?  It seems like it’s more about what we get, not what we give. It’s like buying a Christmas gift and keeping it for ourselves. Worship is not about the feelings we receive when we sing. Worship is not about convincing God to bless us. Worship is not about who or what is happening on the church stage. Worship is not about entertainment, lights or sound.

Worship is all about giving our lives to God again. Worship is not about us at all. It’s all about God. Real worship draws us into the presence of Christ to adore Him. He’s worthy to receive our adoration and praise. Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who He is, and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.

Worship is about intentionally giving glory to God through the way that we live our lives.  In every daily activity, in every encounter with people, in every circumstance, in every conversation, in every relationship, and in every choice that we make, we learn to increasingly focus on God’s Kingdom, His will and purpose for our lives.   

In other words, our lives are to be lived in a continual mindset of worship. We bring glory to God when we work, play and interact with others. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)  Our corporate worship is the extension of what we are already seeking to do in our daily lives.  None of us will reach this mark perfectly on earth, but we can aim for it. Seeing everything that comes our way as an opportunity to bring Glory to God is certainly not an earthly mindset.  We must be intentional if we are to keep His Glory at the forefront of our thoughts and the basis for our actions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what way would you define the word “worship?”
  2. Does worship ever become routine for you? If so, why?
  3. What does our worship say about us? About God? 
  4. Take a moment to look back on the last six days. What got the most attention from you? What should have?
  5. Is there something in the area of worship that you need to pray about?  

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