Sermon Central
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Instruction In Worship Series
Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 22, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: As King David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, following a twenty-year absence from the Tabernacle, he instructed the people in worship for such a momentous occasion. The principles David shared remain relevant for our day.
Instruction in Worship
1 Chronicles 16: 23-29
This was a special time in the history of Israel. David had been anointed king over all of Israel and was ruling on the throne. God had given them victory over the Philistines and preparations were being made to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. It had been absent from the tabernacle for over twenty years. The Philistines had taken the ark, and because of the judgment of God, they placed the ark on a new cart and it came to Beth-shemesh where it remained in the house of Abinadab for twenty years. As they were bringing the ark to Jerusalem, Uzza put forth his hand to steady the ark and was killed of God. The ark was taken to the house of Obed-edom where it had remained for another three months. David pitched a tent and the ark was finally returned to Jerusalem.
It is during this time of rejoicing and national reflection that David gave the people specific instruction concerning worship. The principles that David knew and shared with Israel have not changed. These principles still apply to our lives as well. I believe that many are ill-informed concerning worship because they have never received biblical instruction regarding worship.
As we examine the principles revealed in our text, I want to consider: Instruction in Worship.
I. The Fundamentals of Worship (23-24) – These fundamentals of worship remain. We discover:
A. Worship is Vocal (23a) – Sing unto the LORD. David declared a vital part of worship involved singing unto the Lord. Worship ought to be vocal. God knows our hearts, but we ought to offer the praise of our lips.
We seem to have gotten away from vocal praise unto the Lord. We have no problem with folks being vocal when they get hurt or angry, or when they are proud of their children, but many take offense when someone gets vocal in worship. Has God not been good to you? If so, praise Him. Psalm 42:4 – When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 81:1 – Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
B. Worship is Personal (23b) – Sing unto the LORD, all the earth. We need to be reminded that worship is a personal experience. All of the earth is to worship the Lord. That includes you and me. Each of us is responsible to worship the Lord. I can rejoice for His blessing in your life, but I can’t worship God for you. You are responsible for your worship!
C. Worship is Continual (23c) – shew forth from day to day his salvation. There was not a day that Israel should fail to worship God. They were to show forth His salvation from day to day. I have no doubt that God was good yesterday. He blessed us beyond measure. He was worthy of our worship and praise. He has also been good to us today. There may be problems that we face, but God is good. He saved my unworthy soul. He has given me much more than I deserve. There isn’t a day that I live that I can’t find reason to worship the Lord.
We are to worship continually. Many are content to worship just once a week, if that. They may come on Sunday morning under the pretense of worship, but never engage in real worship. He is worthy of our worship every day, in fact every moment we live.
D. Worship is Universal (24) – Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. The ark was being brought back to Jerusalem, but worship was not to be reserved for the Tabernacle alone. Israel was to declare God’s glory among the heathen and all nations.
A double standard often exists in much of life. What is expected of some isn’t of others. Things may be done one way today and a different way tomorrow. There is no double standard when it comes to worship. There are no exceptions or exemptions. We are to worship God wherever and whenever. His blessings aren’t reserved for specific places!
Many have a distorted view that worship is reserved for the house of God. This is a place of worship and it is expected here, but we are to worship God even among the world. Worship should consume our lives and our existence.
II. The Foundation of Worship (25-27) – Here David lays the foundation for worship. He is reminded of the awesome God he serves. The Lord is to be the foundation for our worship. He is the focal point of all worship. He is: