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Lesson 1

The Life of Worship

Course Study
Worship 1
Courses Course Index
Lessons
1The Life of Worship
2Worship in Trials 3The Father is Seeking Worshippers 4The Inner Sanctuary 5Going Up to Worship 6Joy the Characteristic of Worship 7Joy is the Measure of Our Relationship 8Entering into Worship 9Giving Ourselves in Worship 10Turned Around to Seek After Christ

Theme: The whole of the Christian life is a life of worship

Text: John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

Introduction

Worship in spirit and in truth is more than an outward expression of worship. Worship is seen in the Psalms through:

  • Praising, Music and Dancing (Psalm 150)
  • Singing, Making a Joyful Noise, and Kneeling (Psalm 95)
  • Praying and Lifting Hands (Psalm 141:2)
  • Bringing an offering (Psalm 96:8)

All of these can be done without worshipping. Worship is more than singing, praying, kneeling, praising etc. We can do all these things in a worldly manner. Even praying can be worldly, and praising can be empty words.

True worship must be the outward expression of our love for God. Worship must come from a pure heart overflowing with love for the Lord. It must be agape love—His love in us. It always begins with the desire of our heart. We must desire God above everything else.

Going Higher into Worship

The Spirit of God leads the worshipper into higher realms of worship. The worshipper must always go up to worship by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

1) The Worship of Thankfulness and Praise (Psalm 100:4). When the worshipper has gone up to worship the entrance into worship is by thankfulness and praise.

2) The Worship of a Surrendered Life (Romans 12:1). The worshipper moves higher into worship by presenting his or her life as a living sacrifice.

3) The Worship of an Anointed Life (Acts 2:11). This worship begins with the Day of Pentecost experience. The Holy Spirit takes over the leadership of the worship through the believer.

4) The Worship of Fellowship with His Sufferings (Acts 5:41). The opposition from those who resist the Holy Spirit provides a new opportunity to worship. It is the anointed worship of those who rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer shame for the Lord.

5) The Worship of Knowing the Eternal Plan and Purpose of God (Ephesians 3:1-13). This is the place of angelic worship. The angels always see the glory of God (Isaiah 6:3).

Main Points

1. Worship is the heart of the Christian life. Disciples of Christ desire to be like Him in Holiness and to seek after Him. "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2)

2. Worship is born out of our relationship with the Lord. Christ must be at the centre of our life. Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers was that Christ would dwell in their hearts (Ephesians 3:17).

3. Worship must be in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worship must be in a right manner. In spirit—from the innermost part of our being. In truth—founded upon the word of God.

4. Effective ministry in the body of Christ must always be worship. All the great men and women of faith in scripture were first and foremost worshippers. Ministry to others flows out of worship that is rooted in love for Christ.

5. Our worship will determine how we will enter into heaven. (2 Peter 1:10-11). Salvation is the free gift of God. But how we enter into heaven is dependent upon our relationship with Christ.

6. There is no higher calling than the call to worship (Psalm 27:4). Those who seek to worship the Father in spirit and in truth must have one desire—to know Christ.

Summary

The whole of the Christian life is a life of worship. The life of worship will be characterised by the desire:

  1. To be holy
  2. To seek after Christ
  3. To keep God's word
  4. To be motivated by the love of Christ
  5. To honour the Lord
  6. To have a closer relationship with the Lord