Understanding Worship

John 4:23-24

Last message - focus was worship.  My definition of worship = Declaring God's Worth.

Scripture teaches:  A.  God deserves worship - (He is worthy because of Who He is, what He does, etc.)
                             B.  God expects worship - Mal. 1:6 (a)  "Almighty" - particularly of His people, but of all his people.  It's the proper thing to do.
                             C.  God seeks worship  - He doesn't need it, but gets satisfaction from it when His people worship Him.

Question:  Why???? 
Answer:  - for our benefit.  If it's for our benefit, it would benefit us to understand it.

So..... brief observations.

I.  Worship is far more than verbal declaration.
Additional ways to declare His Worth - attendance, attention, study, obedience, lifestyle- "yes" to righteousness, "no" to sin....

So... According to the Puritans "common daily tasks done well = worship" - Col. 3:23-24
or "to this I'm called"/God has put this in my path....


II.  True Worship is both internal and external
On one hand, there is nothing wrong with silent worship (contemplation, adoration)
However, there is something wrong with worship if it is never declared, expressed.

Compare:  love that never acts, faith without works

Objection :  forced worship =  fake worship!!!
Answer:  forced worship may be the highest form or worship.  - in midst of sorrow, perplexity, problems, etc.
Acts 16:22-25    2 Sam. 12:19-20

We often say, "touch my heart" and I'll worship.  He says, "worship Me....and I'll touch your heart".

III.  Worship generally includes sacrifice
ie.  an offering, a gift to God.  1 Chron. 21:22-24

On one hand worship is for our benefit, therefore we can expect to receive from it.  However, if the focus of worship is what we'll receive, then our focus is all wrong.  That's not worship.
The focus is to be what we'll give/offer

IV.  Worship is always a personal sacrifice.
We may offer corporate, group, public praise.   BUT our worship does not satisfy YOUR obligation (debt)

John 4:23-24 - note:  A.)  "will"  B.)  "must" - or it's not worship