Worship
So then my friends, because of God’s great mercy, offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship you should offer. Romans 12:1
Worship is extremely important to God, who included it as the First Commandment, while reminding Israel what He had done for them: “I brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves, worship no god but me” (Exodus 20:2, 3).
Romans 12:1 reminds us that we are motivated to worship God by His great mercy. “God has made all people prisoners to disobedience, so that he might show mercy to them all" (Romans 11:32). The greater the realization of mercy, the greater the desire to worship.
The sinful woman with the alabaster jar worshipped Jesus because she realized she had been forgiven much and had received much mercy. (Luke 7)
The Psalmist invites us to worship God. (Psalm 95:6)
We enter worship with thanksgiving and praise. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4).
Characteristics of Worship:
In spirit and truth (John 4:23) With faith (Hebrews 11:6)In His presence (Matthew 18:20)Offering yourself (Romans 12:1)With gladness and joyful songs (Psalm 100:2)In worship, we show honor and respect to God and we draw into relationship with The Living God. God reminds us to proclaim His word in worship, “Be sure the book of the law is always read in your worship” (Joshua 1:8).Paul stresses the importance of prayer and “Calling out to God.” In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul states, “I want the men to pray, men who are dedicated to God."Worship is an exchange. We give God honor, glory, thanksgiving and praise. We receive God’s direction, renewal, strength, encouragement, and empowerment. The Holy Spirit places a desire to worship, “Let us go unto the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1).The Blessing is an important promise in worship. (Numbers 6:24-27) “If they pronounce My Name as a blessing, upon the people…I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27).Many participate in worship: “When you meet for worship, one person has a hymn, another a teaching, another a revelation from God, another a message in strange tongues, and still another the explanation for what is said. Everything must be of help to the church” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
Worship is not a form or a ritual. Worship is relating to God with a sincere heart. It is a faith response to God. Jesus warns about “vain” worship. “They worship me in vain” (Matthew 15:9).
The Wise Men came to worship Jesus so should we! (Matthew 2:2)
