1. Preparing for True Worship Psalm 100

2. 2 Worship Expression of honor, adoration and praise to God Expression of honor, adoration and praise to God Avoid vain worship through good preparation, Heb. 10:22-25 Avoid vain worship through good preparation, Heb. 10:22-25 To offer true worship we must prepare ourselves for the joy, benefits & obligations of worship, Psa. 100 To offer true worship we must prepare ourselves for the joy, benefits & obligations of worship, Psa. 100

3. 3 Worship Worship is less than joyful to some Christians Worship is less than joyful to some Christians – Chronically late or absent – Little zeal & personal involvement – Spectators rather than participants Things to know and to do as a “prelude to praise” Things to know and to do as a “prelude to praise”

4. 4 Worship: Reverent adoration, homage proskuneo: “To kiss the hand towards;” make obeisance, do reverence, act of homage (Jno. 4:24) proskuneo: “To kiss the hand towards;” make obeisance, do reverence, act of homage (Jno. 4:24) sebomai: Revere, feeling of awe (Matt. 15:9) sebomai: Revere, feeling of awe (Matt. 15:9) latreuo: Render religious service (Phil. 3:3) latreuo: Render religious service (Phil. 3:3) eusebeo: To act piously towards (Ac 17:23) eusebeo: To act piously towards (Ac 17:23) External act motivated by and expressive of an internal sentiment

5. Worship is… NOT a spectator sport (to observe while others do things) NOT a spectator sport (to observe while others do things) – Each Christian is a participant in worship, John 4:23-24 NOT a competition with others NOT a competition with others INVOLVES TRUTH, John 4:24 INVOLVES TRUTH, John 4:24 – Truth is not the emotion of worship – The WHAT & HOW of worship, Matt. 15:7-9

6. 6 Mind Set of True Worship: “In Spirit” True worship is in SPIRIT, John 4:24; Psalm 111:1 (heart, inner person) True worship is in SPIRIT, John 4:24; Psalm 111:1 (heart, inner person) – Bodily presence alone not all that is important, 1 Cor. 11:17, 27-29 Preparing our Hearts to Worship: Preparing our Hearts to Worship: – Plan ahead, Psalm 122:1; Matt. 5:23-24 – Mind preparation VITAL to true worship

7. 7 Helpful Environment for True Worship Reverent setting, Heb. 12:28; Psa. 89:7 Reverent setting, Heb. 12:28; Psa. 89:7 – Begins with the heart, Hab. 2:20 (Zeph. 1:7; Psa. 46:10) – Minimize distractions that hinder reverent worship, 1 Cor. 11:20-22

8. 8 Helpful Environment for True Worship Setting that is decent & orderly, 1 Cor. 14:40 (23, 26-33) Setting that is decent & orderly, 1 Cor. 14:40 (23, 26-33) – Some distractions unavoidable & unpredictable; Many are preventable Not mere appearance of reverence, Malachi 1:6-8, 13 (Matt. 15:8-9; 23:5-7) Not mere appearance of reverence, Malachi 1:6-8, 13 (Matt. 15:8-9; 23:5-7) – Submissive hearts & obedient behavior

9. 9 Never Let Worship Become Commonplace Do not take it for granted…displays a lack of love, Psalm 122:1 Do not take it for granted…displays a lack of love, Psalm 122:1 Avoid ritualism by having private devotion, meditation, prayer, reading and study of God’s word Avoid ritualism by having private devotion, meditation, prayer, reading and study of God’s word – One who does not offer God private worship will have trouble offering public worship!

10. 10 True Worship Psalm 100 Time of joy and gladness Time of joy and gladness Time for thanksgiving and praise Time for thanksgiving and praise Spiritual edification of God’s people: Spiritual edification of God’s people: – In truth (pattern of sound words) – In spirit (a mind set of godly fear, showing orderliness in demeanor and devotion of service)