Worship How? (Part IV)

Date: 4/13/2011
Speaker: Pastor Johnny Moore

 

      True worship can never be contained or concealed. It must be experienced. While it is true that worship must be “from the heart,” it is also true that it must be released through our physical bodies. For example, I love my wife with all of my heart. But, I express that love to her by holding her hand, putting my arm around her, opening the car door for her, etc. People who love the Lord with all of their hearts are not looking for ways to avoid worship, but instead, ways to express it.

      You may say, “Pastor, I worship the Lord, but I worship Him in my heart.” That’s great, but if worship is taking place in your heart, your physical body should “reflect it,” not “reject it.”

      Let’s look today at three reflections of “true worship.” Romans 12:1 (NIV), “Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” - which is your spiritual worship.

      Reflection #1—Participation: Paul says (Romans 12:1), “I beseech you . . . that you present . . .” Worship requires participation.

♦ Hebrews 10:13 — “Forsake not the assembling together of yourselves …” (Go to church)

♦ Psalm 47:1 — “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God. . .”

♦ Psalm 66:4 — “All the earth shall worship thee and shall sing unto thee . . .”

♦ Psalm 63:3-4 — “. . . My lips shall praise thee . . . I will lift up my hands in thy name . . .”

Reflection #2—Communication: Paul says (Romans 12:1), “You present your bodies

a living sacrifice . . .” The word present means “to offer, to give or to communicate.”

♦ Hebrews 13:15-16 — “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually . . . But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

♦ Acts 4:24 — “And they lifted up their voices in one accord . . .” (Prayer is worship too!)

♦ Malachi 3:10 — “Bring ye all the tithe into the store house . . .”

♦ Psalm 91:2 — “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust . . .”

Reflection #3—Celebration: Paul says (Romans 12:1) “Present your bodies a living sacrifice . . .” True worshipers know how to celebrate!

♦ Psalm 95:1-2 — “Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

♦ Psalm 100: 1-5 — “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord . . . Serve the Lord with gladness;”

If you love the Lord with all your heart, then do not be ashamed to express this love with an outward action.

 

 

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