1. What is Worship? Battle Song “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the L ORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the L ORD, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the L ORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

2. What is Worship? Worship is an offering of oneself in obedient response to the revelation, presence, or action of God. This type of worship results in God’s blessing being delivered to his people. This type of worship also results in freedom and victory over enemies for the worshipper.

3. Exploring 2 Chronicles 20: King Jehoshaphat the blessing of God rested on the people of Judah during his 25 year reign “The L ORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The L ORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the L ORD ; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.” (2 Chronicles 17:3-6)

4. Exploring 2 Chronicles 20: King Jehoshaphat In Jehoshaphat, we finally see a good, honourable and upright king for the people of Judah. He sought to bring his people back to the proper worship of God actively sought to teach people of the nation the Law of Moses. He also fortified Jerusalem against an attack from Israel to the north.

5. Exploring 2 Chronicles 20 An attack is coming from the south-east and is composed of force made up of three separate nations, who have joined in allegiance against Judah, intent on occupying the territory they would take. The language used – “vast army” - suggests that an entire nation is advancing against the people of Judah. When Jehoshaphat receives word of their presence, the advancing army is only about 30 km outside of Jerusalem.

6. Jehoshaphat’s initial reaction is to turn to the Lord for an answer. Jehoshaphat declares a fast and all of the people of Judah gather together to seek help from God. Where do they gather? The temple … why the temple? When faced with difficulty, God’s people gather at the place of His specific presence for support and solace. As God’s people gather in His presence, worship emerges – a service of worship breaks out!

7. The worship that emerges acknowledges God’s nature and His activity. “L ORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6-7) Worship is about declaring God’s worth. Two key components to God honouring worship – 1.God’s nature and character are praised 2.His action in the lives of His people is celebrated.

8. Worship recognizes our impotence, but God’s faithfulness. Worship that pleases God comes from a place of humility. Jehoshaphat is a mighty ruler, a wealthy and powerful king, but he approaches God in humility saying “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you”. God honouring worship emerges from a posture of humility.

9. Worship that pleases God is intergenerational. This end becomes very difficult when we approach worship with a “what pleases me” approach, but when worship is about ascribing worthiness to God, generational differences are less pronounced; in fact, I would suggest that generational differences allow us to better celebrate God’s nature and activity. It is the same God who said both: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people … your old men will dream dreams …” (Acts 2:17) “… through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2)

10. Worship is a two-way activity. Jehoshaphat expected a response and we learn that he gets a response – through His Spirit, God delivers a message to his people “ … the battle is not yours, but God’s … Go out to face them tomorrow, and the L ORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). Worship from expectant hearts resulted in hearing God’s voice. Notice the response to God’s revelation – the people of Judah heartily worship as their enemies literally breathe down their necks!

11. Worship results in action. Worship often results in actions that put it all on line. Following their time of worship, the people of Judah decide to lead into battle with worship; they appoint worshippers to march at the front of the army singing “Give thanks to the L ORD, for his love endures forever”. Their time of worship enabled them to experience God in a fresh way and firmed up their trust in Him, so they respond in the only fitting way – more worship!

12. As the forces of Judah advance, praising God as they go, God throws the enemy forces into confusion. They turn on each other and totally annihilate each other. The people of God do not have to fight one moment against their enemies; their praise has ensured that God has delivered them the victory. They plunder their and head back to the temple to celebrate. The other nations surrounding Judah catch wind of these events and, scripture tells us “the fear of God” came upon them. Peace, prosperity, joy, victory and freedom are the result of the worship of the people of Judah.

13. A New Testament Example: Acts 16 Paul and Silas find themselves in trouble; they have been put in prison for preaching about Jesus and await their sentence. They begin praying and singing praise to God in the prison cell – they begin to worship God, when an earthquake causes the prison doors to open and the chains to fall off. The jailer is amazed, takes them to his home, where his entire household comes to faith in Jesus. The next day, Paul and Silas are released from prison. Worship results in freedom, victory, joy and blessing again.

14. The Results of God-honouring Worship Worship results in victory over enemies and freedom. Worship is a sign of trust in God, an example that we truly understand who He is and what He has promised to do for us. Because we have victory over our enemies and the promise of freedom, we can experience that worship results in peace. Worship results in God’s blessing resting upon the worshippers. Worship results in tremendous witness. Worship results in witness, which results in more worship! When worship is an offering of oneself in obedient response to the revelation, presence, or action of God, it results in freedom, victory over enemies, joy and blessing.