But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."   II Samuel 24:24

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

 

Three Fundamental Truths About Worship

I.                   Biblical Worship is a verb, not a noun

• Our church culture has taught us that worship is:

 a. An Event

b. Music

c. Feeling

• Both the Hebrew and Greek words for worship are active verbs in which one gives honor to another through some form of direct action.

II.                 Worship is not about us

III.              Worship should be to God, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit

• Our acts of worship are to be directed to God and God alone.
• Our acts of worship are made possible only through the cleansing blood of the lamb of God.
• Our acts of worship are only effective through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Three Keys to Effective Corporate Worship

I.                   Intentionally prepare yourself for worship

• Practice the presence of God daily
• Prepare for the gathered experience
• Cultivate holy dependency upon God

II.                 Actively engage in worship

• Engage in the process of revelation and response
• Worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth
• Learn to offer the sacrifice of praise (even when it’s hard)

III.              Humbly respond to worship

• Be a doer of God’s word, not just a hearer
• Allow worship to continually renew your mind
• Live each day as an act of worship