FULL-ON FOR GOD

WORSHIP (2)

Session 23

 

Last session we looked at how worship is all about us bringing our best to God.  It’s about sacrifice.  The same is true about that part of our worship which is the outward expression of singing & music.  When we praise & worship we still bring our best.

 

1. No other singing in praise is known in the Bible other than joyful  (e.g. 1 Sam.8:16; 1 Chron.15:16; Ps.27:6; Ps.33:1,3; Ps.95:1).  Times of corporate praise & worship are not just spiritual workouts!

 

2. It is an act of the will – a “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

 

3. Praise releases the power of God (Ps.22:3) and defeats the power of the enemy (2 Chron.20:22).

 

4. Praise sets me free (Acts 16:25; Ps 57:7).

 

Praise needs to be inside out and outside in.

 

Inside out.    It is an outward expression of what we know & feel inwardly.  If we can’t be expressive maybe it’s because there’s nothing much inside.  Remember what we learnt last session -  When we stop listening to God and

                                                                when we stop seeking God,

                                                                                  we stop worshipping God.

 

Outside in.    As well as a joyful expression of singing & music the Bible tells of other ways, viz. shouting, clapping, dancing, lifting hands.  As we make outward expression, even when we don’t feel like it, something happens inwardly.

 

Let’s look, for instance, at lifting hands in worship:

 

Ø     there are 8 references to it in Scripture.  It’s not some newfangled show of emotion.

 

Ø     the Bible says absolutely nothing about having to feel like it before we do it (Ps.63:4).  In fact it is seen as another sacrifice (Ps.141:2)

 

Ø     why are people not able to express themselves in worship?  It seems as if there are four groups into which most people fall:

 

Another Greek word most often used for worship is “proskuneo”= “to come towards to kiss”.   Our kiss of worship must come from a heart of devotion and given with a release of emotion.

 

M.o.T. check-points

80               Is there plenty of up-to-date love for God inside me?

81               Am I able to express that to God outwardly in praise & worship?

82               Am I free enough to ‘sing joyfully’ and lift my hands?

83                If not, what’s holding me back and how shall I deal with it?

 

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