The Spiritual Discipline of Praise & Worship Pt. 2

In a series on Spiritual Discipline.

Definition: practices that promote spiritual growth, devotional habits that aid and advance spiritual maturity.

Examples:
self- examination
confession
contrition - feeling sorry for sins
repentance - turning around
humility
self-denial

Bible Reading
Fasting and Prayer

Last week - added Praise and Worship

Question: Why is Praise and Worship a spiritual discipline?
Answer:
1. Praise and Worship promote spiritual growth.
2. Praise and Worship is not always easy to practice. Requires a lot of self.

Today: 3 categories of Praise and Worship.
A. Spontaneous
B. Planned
C. Forced
AND --- how we ought to discipline ourselves in each area.

I. Spontaneous Praise and Worship.
sudden, unplanned, impulsive. Also, natural and instinctive - we just know that when God works in our midst that we should praise and worship Him.
Spontaneous P & W is triggered by factors without and wells up within. - without thought or effort.
NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES: the disciples after Jesus came to them walking on the water;
Thomas on seeing the risen Lord; the disciples after the Ascension; John on the Isle of Patmos

God moves - acts, reveals, speaks, delivers, blesses, touches
Man responds - intellectual, emotional, quiet, dramatic, individual, corporate
EXAMPLE: Hymn "How Great Thou Art" - Vs. 1, 2, 3 each followed by the chorus

Question? What discipline is needed here?
#1. Allow God to move you.
2. Allow yourself to respond.
Contrast this with: Rom. 1:21 Christians get very close to this when they refuse to P & W

II. Planned Praise and Worship - premeditated, designed, arranged
Old Testament examples: Israel's daily sacrifices, temple rituals, festivals, offerings - all planned and designed.
New Testament church - Sunday AM worship service.

Notes: 1. This is probably the most practiced form of Praise and Worship. Because it IS planned!!
Therefore, you make time, adjust your focus.

2. Praise and Worship is not less acceptable because it is planned!!!
Examples: Abraham going to sacrifice Isaac; Jesus dying on the cross; Old Testament temple

3. Planned Praise and Worship often leads to spontaneous Praise and Worship!!
Example: carrying the Ark to Jeruselem: 2 Sam. 6:13 (planned) 2 Sam. 6:14 (spontaneous) 2 Sam. 6:15 (combination of the two)
Carrying the ark to the temple: 2 Chron. 5:6 (planned) which led to 2 Chron. 7:1-3 (spontaneous)

Spontaneous Praise and Worship begins within and migrates out - heart leads to hands
Planned Praise and Worship begins without and migrates in - hands to heart

Question? What discipline is needed here?
Answer: Must: 1. Plan to worship
2. Make time to worship
3. WORSHIP!! (D0 it!)

III. Forced Praise and Worship - means giving Him proper recognition and praise when things don't go well.
Hab. 3:16-18
Acts 16:22-25
Gen. 22:4-5

Note: 1. If He was worthy yesterday, He is still worthy today!! Job 1:20-21
2. If you would discipline 'self to Praise and Worship when all is good, then it would come easier when all is bad!!!
Example: David had a lifestyle of Praise and Worship. Therefore, that led to 2 Sam. 12:18-20

The need for discipline here is obvious!
BUT: it's often easier to Praise and Worship in great tragedy than in daily irritations, frustrations, weekly grind!
Examples: death vs. weedeater quitting, plumbing leak, power outage.....
Therefore: Psalm 34:1-3

On one hand, we are approaching Passion week, Good Friday, Easter Sunday - so there is plenty of opportunity to apply this lesson.
But, we could begin this morning!!!!

Close with the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul"