How to Worship

Psalm 66:1,4 & 8 How to Worship (Sept 20, 1981)

Intro:  One man asked a preacher one time has we should worship and the preacher answered in unity.    We call Him Lord but we are so divided and the only way to truly be blessed is too unified in the Lord.

1.        The reality is that there are many temperaments and types of people in every church.  There are many expressions of worship as well but to truly be unified you have to under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  If I were to ask you if you believe in the Lord, the bible or God`s ability to touch people you would say yes? 

a.        The question however is how if God touching His people there would be many different answers.  The answer for unity to happen it must be done by the Holy Spirit.

b.      Jesus had a prayer in John 17 and that was that we would be one.  We have to make Christ the center then true worship happens by the Holy Spirit and the word.  1 Cor 1:10 says that we should speak the same thing and there should be no division in the church.

c.       Did you know that there can be division in a service?  I could say, “Let’s just praise the Lord and half would and half would not.”  There is immediately a division.  It is obvious we don’t all worship the same so how can we reconcile it.  By listening to the Holy Spirit and responding to what He lays upon our heart to do.  We are a body and we must listen to the head.  Christ is the head of the church and so we must listen to Him. 

d.      Worship is designed to bring unity and release but we have to enter in.  What I am saying is that when a worship service is going on, enter in or you are causing division.  The Spirit is leading the service and by you refusing to enter in you are grieving the Holy Spirit.  So when we are worshipping let us enter in and sing, praise, pray and rejoice.  Listen and learn what the Spirit is doing because He has a purpose.

e.      Psalm 67, says we should praise the Lord.  Paul brings this out in the New Testament when he says, when believers come together there must be unity. 

f.        God promises to bless us when we are in unity.  The problem is that the church misses out in so much because of division.  We lack true worship because of division.  Don’t you contribute to this?

2.        Worship is not giving God the nod or doing God a favour by giving Him a little time during the week.  Some feel that when they get the urge they will worship the Lord but in reality this is bursting into the throne room of God and God dislikes it.  Worship should be a lifestyle.  David was a worshipper.  Daniel was a worshipper and so was Moses. 

a.        It is such a blessing when you practice daily, systematic worship.  It is also such a joy when God’s people get together and spend time together worshipping the Lord.  So here is the question how can we become worshippers?

1.       Approach with expectation.  You are meeting with the mighty God.  Come with the attitude that God is going to be there.  Remember God is greater than any ruler or leader.  He is the ruler of the universe. 

2.       Jesus said that wherever two or three gather in His name He is in the midst of them.  Jesus is in every service. 

3.       Come thinking about God.  Come with the attitude that you will find exactly what you need in the service because you will.

4.       Make the most of the service.  You can be prayed for during the service and every part of the service has been watered with prayer. 

5.       Let God touch your heart and be prepared to receive. 

6.       Songs and choruses are to bring us to worship. 

7.       The offering is a time to give back what God has given you and is an act of worship.

8.       The preaching of the word is an appeal for greater Christian service.  It is through the preaching of the word that people are saved. 

9.       You must respond to the preaching of the word because the Spirit has spoken to you heart and you must respond either positively or negatively. 

10.   Remember every service is a time to meet with God.  It is not dull, boring but a time of victory when one participates.  You get out of it what you put into it.  So if you come out of a service don’t blame the church, preacher or music but yourself.

Final Thoughts

1.        We should make us of every part of the service so we can go home and be like David and bless our house.

2.       When we get ministered unto we in turn will minister to others. 

3.       In church we catch a glimpse of noble truth, forgiveness of sin benefits of eternal life and the challenge to follow Christ.

4.       We need to know that the Holy Spirit has met with us and that Jesus is here.  Church is designed to bring joy, hope and person to the one who participates.  Don’t go through the motions.  Let us seek the Lord and the fire of God will come upon us.

5.       Church is a place of warmth, Spirit and fire so we can bless our homes, community and world.