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The Meaning of Worship
The Meaning of Worship
"Worship in our time has been captured by the tourist mind set. Worship is understood as a visit to an
attractive site to be made when we have adequate leisure. For some it is a weekly jaunt to church. For
others, occasional visits to special services.. Some, with a bent for Christian entertainment and sacred
diversion, plan their lives around special events like retreats, rallies and conferences. We go to see a
new personality, to hear a new truth, to get a new experience and so, somehow, expand our otherwise
humdrum lives. We'll try anything -- until something else comes along."
Does this describe our attitude toward worship? What is worship all about?
BODY
I. WHAT IS WORSHIP?
A. A look at both the original language and the origin of the word in English will help us
understand the meaning.
4. True worship begins with a deep respect or reverence for God, a frame of
heart, an attitude. This must be fixed in one's mind before we go further. An
"act" of worship is an act proceeding from or the result of that attitude.
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e. Such worship will never be pleasing to God, for His will has
been revealed (John 4:24).
2. Vain Worship
c. This is the attitude which changes what God has said, does not
respect what God has said, and not obey what He has
commanded. See Leviticus 10:1-11.
3. Will Worship
4. True Worship.
a. 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. 24 - "God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
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1. Psalms 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before
the LORD our Maker.
2. Acts 17:23 - "for as I was passing through and considering the objects of
your worship, I even found an altar with this
inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you
worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
b. The effort to "get more" out of worship has led to all types of
artificial, superficial, and unscriptural gimmicks to "liven up"
worship periods. Such IS NOT WORSHIPING GOD; it is
bowing to altar of the social gospel.
2. Acts 17:24-25 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is
Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25-
"Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since
He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
C. There must be a combining of reverence toward God and worshiping according to the
truth of God's will.
1. John 4:24
2. Joshua 24:14 - "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and
in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of
the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
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CONCLUSION: The child of God does not need special stimulants to bring about proper worship. He
centers his life on pleasing God, therefore he is always happy to come before the throne of grace in
praise to the King.
Copyright 2000 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.
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