Spiritual Disciplines Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Lesson 6 - Worship

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship is all aspects of our response to God’s revelation of Himself in His Person, His Work and His Word. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life 1. Worship is first and foremost an encounter with the living and holy God. Exodus 3:5  Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." Ex 3:5 (NASB77) Worship is first and foremost an encounter with the living and holy God. At God's command, Moses removed his sandals and covered his face. Taking off his shoes was an act of reverence, conveying his own unworthiness before God. God is our friend, but he is also our sovereign Lord. To approach him frivolously shows a lack of respect and sincerity. When you come to God in worship, do you approach him casually, or do you come as though you were an invited guest before a king? If necessary, adjust your attitude so it is suitable for approaching a holy God. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life 2. Genuine worship results in submission and obedience. Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, " This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" Matt 17:5 (NASB77)   Genuine worship results in submission and obedience . Jesus is more than just a great leader, a good example, a good influence, or a great prophet. He is the Son of God. When you understand this profound truth, the only adequate response is worship. When you have a correct understanding of Christ, you will obey him. —Handbook of Bible Application Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life 3. A true worship experience is often a direct result of preparation. Numbers 28:1-2 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Command the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be careful to present My offering, My food for My offerings by fire, of a soothing aroma to Me, at their appointed time.' Num 28:1-2 (NASB77)   A true worship experience is often a direct result of preparation for worship. Offerings had to be brought regularly and presented according to prescribed rituals under the priests' supervision. Following these rituals took time, and this gave the people the opportunity to prepare their heart for worship. Unless our heart is ready, worship is meaningless. In contrast, God is delighted, and we get more from it, when our heart is prepared to come before him in a spirit of thankfulness. —Handbook of Bible Application Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life 4. Everything done in corporate worship must be beneficial to the worshipers. I Corinthians 14:26  What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a Psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Cor 14:26 (NASB77)   Everything done in corporate worship must be beneficial to the worshipers. This principle touches every aspect—singing, preaching, and the exercise of spiritual gifts. Those contributing to a worship service (singers, speakers, readers) must have love as their chief motivation, speaking useful words or participating in a way that will strengthen the faith of other believers. —Handbook of Bible Application Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life 5. In worship, everything must be done in harmony and with order. I Corinthians 14:26   In worship, everything must be done in harmony and with order. Even when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are being exercised, there is no excuse for disorder. When there is chaos, the church is not allowing God to work among believers as he would like. Make sure that what you bring to worship is appropriate, but also make sure that you participate. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship is…. Focusing on and responding to God John 20:28 Done only in spirit and truth John 4:23 Focusing on and responding to God 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:28 (NASB77) Done only in spirit and truth But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. John 4:23 (NASB77) Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship is…. Both public and private Hebrews 10:25 Luke 5:16 Able to attract the presence and power of God. II Chronicles 20:18-24 Both public and private not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Heb 10:25 (NASB77) But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Luke 5:16 (NASB77) Able to attract the presence and power of God. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice. Enemies Destroy Themselves 20 And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed." 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, " Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." 22 And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped. 2 Chron 20:18-24 (NASB77) Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship requires…….. Prioritization Mark 12:30 Preparation Philippians 3:15 Prioritization and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' Mark 12:30 (NASB77) Preparation  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; Phil 3:15 (NASB77) Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship requires…….. Players Leviticus 10:3 Praise Psalm 9:1-2 Players Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the Lord spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" Lev 10:3 (NASB77) We cannot simply be spectators, that is actually more God’s responsibility in worship. We are to be actively involved. Praise I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders. 2 I will be glad and exult in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High. Psalms 9:1-2 (NASB77) Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Worship requires…….. Posture Exodus 34:8 Players Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the Lord spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" Lev 10:3 (NASB77) We cannot simply be spectators, that is actually more God’s responsibility in worship. We are to be actively involved. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life The Enemies of Worship Busyness – I’m too busy Unpreparedness – I’m not ready Ignorance – I’m not ready Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life The Enemies of Worship Self-centeredness – I don’t get anything out of it Distractions – I’ve got too much going on. Bad experience – I ……… Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life