Sermons - 2008 Week 22 - Jun Wk 1
Philosophy of Ministry
The Concept of Worship Part 2
John 4:1-26
The meaning of Worship
Worship is to declare worth or worthiness. It is reverence offered to a divine being.
The Biblical definition of worship
Firstly, worship is a response to God. Secondly we are to add that worship is a Reasonable Response to God and third it is a Reasonable, Heartfelt Response to God. Genuine worship is not an emotion but is emotional. Fourth, worship is the Reasonable, Heart-felt Response to God that Values Him above Everyone and Everything. And finally, worship is the Reasonable, Heart-felt Response of those who have known God’s Grace, that Values Him above Everyone and Everything.
As a reminder, Worship is much more than a few songs on Sunday morning. It is a lifestyle. Coming to church is not equal to worship. It must start with the heart. All that I am, paying homage to all that is God.
What is the object of worship?
John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Who are we worshipping?
It is God, our Father, because he is the creator of all things and everything belongs to Him. Psalms 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”
He is Spirit. God is not corporeal.
For true worship, there must be spiritual rebirth. We must worship Him in spirit.
How do we do that?
Our thoughts must be centred upon God. Worship flows from the heart and mind that have been taking in the Word of God. Meditating upon His Word, our heart and mind are totally consumed by God. Worshipping is a fulfilling action for those who are continuously taking in the Word of God.
Our hearts must be undivided. Put all other thoughts out of our mind. Fight against weakening of our thoughts. We need to discipline our minds to centre and focus on God. Self is one of the greatest enemies. There must also be an open and repentant spirit.
God is Truth. Heart without truth is emotionalism, sentimentalism and heresy. Truth without heart is legalism, formalism and ritualism.
God is the audience during Worship. What matters is how God feels about our worship, and not how good we feel about our songs and performances.
What is the essence of worship?
There must be a right attitude. Have a pursuing heart, and be willing to yield our life to God. There must be right information. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to worship. Extremes must also be avoided.
What are the two extremes?
Emotionalism is one extreme. It is spirit without truth. It is empty emotionalism. Psalms 47:7: “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.” It tells us to sing praises with understanding, not purely with emotionalism.
Dead orthodoxy is the other extreme. It is truth without spirit. People at this extreme have rules for everyone to follow and mouth the truth but don’t mean anything.
There must be a dutiful desire in the essence of worship, ie. it is not to worship out of duty alone but out of a dutiful desire. Much worship today is religious but not spiritual.
Becoming a worshipper
The Fuel of worship is the Truth of God
The Furnace of worship is the spirit of man
The Fire of worship is the Holy Spirit.
When all three come together, it is worship
For worship to be our first priority, we need changes in four areas of our lives.
Firstly, there must be a change of Schedule. If worship is important, coming to worship is important. We need time to prepare our hearts for service.
Secondly, there must be a change of attitude. One must come joyously, eagerly, expectantly. Some come distracted and harried.
Third, there must be a change of Purpose.
Why does one come to church?
There is a tendency to be critical of worship and of the sermon. This is not the purpose.
Fourth, there must be a change of Focus. Jesus Christ is first for us.
Love God first and out of this flows everything else.
Mr and Mrs ET Chua
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