When Worship is Real
When you hear the word “Worship” what comes to mind? Sunday services at church? Music? Prayer or preaching? Singing or bands? Drums, guitars, and keyboards? Choirs, hymns, organs or cantatas? When we hear that word our minds often focus on the various methods of worship instead of the object of our worship, God. How important is worship to you? How important is worship to God?
Psalm 117:1 perhaps captures God’s heart for worship; “Praise the Lord, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples!” God delights in His people worshiping Him because God delights in being God who is worthy of all our worship. As pastor and author, John Piper has said, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.” Not only is worship God’s chief pleasure, it is the fuel for missions and for all of ministry. Worship does not simply delight the heart of God, it fuels our hearts as we live for God, serve our God and delight ourselves in Him.
“When Worship Is Real” is a new series on worship that we begin this Sunday. We want to define worship, describe how to worship, talk about the difference between personal worship and corporate worship and even share the unique ways in which the Laurelwood family can worship together.
In the book of Colossians, Paul addresses an issue about style of worship: "how will we worship".
There is much dividing one generation from another but there is one who longs to bring us all together.
There are many different expressions of worship found throughout the Bible. God wants us to worship Him and even express our worship; and perhaps find new ways of connecting with Him.
How do you prepare yourself as you come to worship on Sunday?
Have you sensed God seeking? How do you respond to God when you sense the nearness of His presence?
There is both a welcome and a warning when it comes to corporate worship.
Worship is more than music; it's a lifestyle. But how do you make that worship meaningful? The Bible gives us several strategies, and we'll explore three of those ways to make worship real.
True worship begins with a hunger for God. And one of the most fundamental questions is, "What is worship?"