The Discipline of Worship is the second Corporate Discipline.
Back to topWhat is Worship?
Worship is not something we "Do", but is something we experience. We use things like songs, scripture reading, preaching, and the like to get us there, but just "doing" them, isn't worship, but helps bring us to it. Foster points out that it doesn't come from "Forms" or "Rituals", but neither does it come from neglecting them.
Back to topWhat do we Worship?
What shouldn't we Worship (but might)?
Back to topHow important is Worship?
For God to be our God, our worship of him needs to be a priority. Jesus says:
The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. -- Mark 12:29-30
If we look at what the scriptures define as the purpose of God making mankind, we see that a key feature was that God made man in order that he would return to worship him.
Back to topFrom one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:26-28
How to Worship?
There are many forms that Worship can use, and no one form is always right, and no form that honors God and draws us to him is wrong. The important thing is that we perform our "Acts of Worship" with a Holy Expectancy
Not being "into" Worship?
Sometimes, we just don't "feel like" worshiping. Life, or our moods, just make us feel like we aren't in the right state to honor God with Worship. We can't see how the time of "Worship" is going to be moving of our hearts. Foster describes what he does in this case, he takes a moment of quiet prayer, and confesses his feelings to God, admitting that he doesn't feel like really Worshipping him at the moment, but because he still knows he needs to Honor God with his time, he will still commit to spending the time "acting" like he is worshipping and asking for forgiveness about not actually Worshiping at the time. When he does this, the typical result is that God WILL move his heart, and allow him to release the forces that were blocking him from Worshipping, and he ends up actually in a great state of Worship.
Back to topWho leads us to Worship?
Ultimately, all our worship is led by Jesus.
Jesus is the manifestation that we use to understand who God is.
Jesus is the source of the scriptures that tell us about God.
Jesus is in our hearts to guide us to understand God.
Jesus is our: Savior, Redeemer, Prophet, King, Shepherd, and Priest
Jesus decides what is the acceptable form of Worship, and what human effort is required.
The Human leaders that guide us need to be led by Jesus.
Back to topPaths to Worship
How do we get into the state of worship?
- Stillness: When we stop and listen to God, then we can find Worship.
- Praise:
- Singing: 41 Psalms command to sing to the Lord.
- Physical: The Hebrew word for "worship" is literally to fall prostrate. Offer God our bodies
Steps
- Practice the Presence of God DAILY. 1 Thes 5:17: Pray without Ceasing
- Practice MANY kinds of Worship.
- Prepare for the Gathered Experience of Worship
- Be willing to be Gathered in the power of God. Let God take control.
- Cultivate a Holy Dependency. Feel the need to let God control what happens.
- Absorb distractions with Gratitude.
- Learn to offer a sacrifice of Worship. (See not being into Worship above)
Remember, Worship is NOT to "meet our needs", but to "What is God asking for?"
Back to topFruits of Worship
Obedience
We can not get into actual worship and not be propelled into greater obedience.
This keeps it from being a "feel good" experiance.
Back to top
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