Opening Song for this message: He is Yahweh
Series: Experience the Spirit
Romans 12:1:
1Therefore, 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.
John 4:24:
God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Gods greatest desire was that man would act like Him and live with Him. God placed His nature in us and as a believer His presence lives in us (Gen 2:8). He desires to interact with us through prayer/praise and worship.
Sermon: Experience the Spirit in prayer, praise and worship
Thesis: We need to experience the Spirit of the Lord’s presence in our prayer, praise and worship. We need to invite Him to come in these times both individually and corporately through time of worship. When we experience his presence through the seven dimensions of worship spoken about in Psalms our lives will be renewed.
Introduction:
The Tabernacle of David: from http://www.buildinghishouse.org/prophecy/david.shtml:
It was just a tent filled with the glory of God. It was just a tent, a regular old tent that had nothing but the manifest presence of God…This tent that sat high atop Mt. Zion had nothing in it but the ark of God. (It was filled with the sacrifices of prayer praise and worship). Just the ark (with God’s presence)! Just the glory! That’s the tent that God is rebuilding in this hour. He wants a tabernacle free from pomp and ceremony; free from all the trappings of our modern church services filled with empty ritual and religious jargon. He wants a tabernacle for His glory, where He is the beginning middle and end. He wants to be in charge of our worship services for a change (He being the head of the church), and He wants a place for His glory to abide! He wants a tent dedicated to ministry to God in His presence, not a tent dedicated to ministry to man.
The Tabernacle of David: It is spoken about and established in 2 Samuel 6 and in 1 Chronicles 13-16.
Scriptures Text for our message today are from 2 Samuel 6:
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
1David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty thousand in all.
2He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark.
3They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart
4with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it.
5David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.
7The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.
8Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
9David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”
10He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
11The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
12Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.
13When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
14David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might,
15while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
16As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
17They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD.
18After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty.
19Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
20When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
21David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD.
22I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
23And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
Thoughts on 2 Samuel 6:
David reclaimed The Ark of The Covenant which represented the presence of God and brought it to Jerusalem – He set up a group of musicians almost like a marching band to celebrate and worship the Lord as they brought home the Ark. But tragedy stuck in the middle of the festival march. Uzzah touched the Ark and died instantly when the ox stumbled. He violated the rules laid out by the Lord to never have some one touch The Ark of The Covenant in an irreverent way because God’s Presence dwelled in the Ark. David became mad at God for this and sent the Ark of the Covenant to another person’s home. God blessed that persons place and they prospered. David realized his mistake – the Ark of the Covenant was not to be carried on the backs of Oxen but by the Levites on poles this was always the instructions for properly handling the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of God. He most likely realized the accident was his fault for not treating the presence of the Lord with holiness and reverence. This is a warning to all who take the presence of God lightly and irreverently.
David went and got the Ark after a time and treated it differently and brought it to Jerusalem with a marching worship band and with dancers and with great celebration. It was placed in a tent called “The Tabernacle of David” He hired prayer warriors, musicians of all sorts, dancers and Levites were established to manage the house of worship. They prayed, sang, played and danced before the Lord for 24 hours a day 7 days a week for about 36 years. The worship and praise was endless before the Lord in Jerusalem for 36 years. The nation prospered and grew. God’s presence was at the heart of the empire and the king and many others worshiped and honored the Lord day and night-night and day.
Let’s reflect back to the scene when the marching worship band entered Jerusalem.
David and the worshippers lead the way in dancing before the Lord with his whole heart and his wife despised him for it. David rebuked her for her comments and the sad results were she never had any children. David told her and all of us who read this passage that he would never quit dancing before the Lord and he will always humble himself in worship to God whether she or anyone else liked it or not.
Scripture text for this message are also 1 Chronicles 13-16:
1 Chronicles 13
Bringing Back the Ark
1David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
2He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us.
3Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.”
4The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
5So David assembled all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.
6David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
7They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.
8David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
9When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled.
10The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
11Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
13He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
14The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had.
1 Chronicles 14
David’s House and Family
1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him.
2And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
3In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.
4These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7Elishama, Beeliada£ and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
8When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them.
9Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim;
10so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”
11So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.
12The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.
13Once more the Philistines raided the valley;
14so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
15As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
16So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.
1 Chronicles 15
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
1After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
2Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever.”
3David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
4He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:
5From the descendants of Kohath,
Uriel the leader and 120 relatives;
6from the descendants of Merari,
Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;
7from the descendants of Gershon,£
Joel the leader and 130 relatives;
8from the descendants of Elizaphan,
Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;
9from the descendants of Hebron,
Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;
10from the descendants of Uzziel,
Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.
11Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites.
12He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.
13It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
14So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.
15And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.
16David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
17So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berekiah; and from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
18and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah,£ Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
19The musicians Heman, Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals;
20Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth,
21and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith.
22Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
23Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark.
24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.
25So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.
26Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed.
27Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.
28So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.
29As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles 16
1They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.
2After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.
4He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
5Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,
6and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.
David’s Psalm of Thanks
7That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD:
8Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
9Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
10Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
12Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
13O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
17He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18“To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”
19When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,
20they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
21He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:
22“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.
24Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
26For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
28Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
29ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
30Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
31Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
35Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.”
36Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”
37David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.
38He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.
39David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon
40to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel.
41With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures forever.”
42Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.
43Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family.
Thoughts on this section of Scripture in 1 Chronicles:
The Tabernacle of David was established to be a place where God’s presence dwelled in the midst of 24 hours a day – 7 days a week prayer/praise and worship setting. This prayer/praise and worship established by David lasted for 36 years straight. It is said that during this time revival and prosperity reigned because of God’s presence. It is said that Israel’s spiritual life was invigorated.
The worship on Mt. Zion in the Tent ended after about 36 years because Solomon had completed the Temple and then placed The Ark of God (Covenant) in the Temple’s holy of holies. The worship moved to the Solomon’s Temple along with the prescribed sacrifices. It remained there until the destruction of the Temple by Babylon. Prior to Jerusalem’s destruction Jeremiah received a vision to hide the Ark of the Covenant so that the invading army would not get it. Historical writings tell us that the Ark of the Covenant was buried some were in a cave in what is believed to be Ethiopia today, it disappeared after this in the time line of history.
Bob Johnson from: http://tabernacle-of-david.com/catechism.html states: The majority of the Psalms were originally sung as prophetic songs in David’s Tabernacle. They account in detail the expressions of worship offered by the Israelites before the Ark of the Covenant. In addition, they describe the full range of human emotions revealed in the presence of God, from deepest despair to highest joy. The righteous kings of Israel that followed David reestablished Davidic worship within the context of Temple worship. These revivals of Davidic worship paved the way for spiritual renewal and military victory. These times of revival and victory were under Solomon (2 Chr. 5-7) - 101 B.C., Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20) - 896 B.C., Joash (2 Chr. 23-24) - 835 B.c., Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29-30) - 726 B.C., Josiah (2 Chr. 35) - 623 B.C., Ezra (Ezra 3:10-13) - 536 B.C. and Nehemiah (Neh. 12:28-47) - 446 B.C.
Bob also notes: Even after David’s time, Davidic worship re-appeared in every subsequent revival mentioned in the Old Testament:
a. Abijah – 2 Chronicles 13:14-15
b. Asa – 2 Chronicles 15:12-15
c. Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:18-22
d. Joash – 2 Chronicles 23:12-15
e. Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 29:25-30
f. Josiah – 2 Chronicles 35:25
g. Zerubbabel – Ezra 2:65, Ezra 3: 10-13
h. Nehemiah – 12: 27, 36, 45-46
Why the tent on Mt. Zion and what took place there?
King David and the people of God are once again inquiring of the Lord before they would do anything. This happened in this holy place filled with worship, sacrifices and prayer. They would go to the Tabernacle and worship and spend time bathing in God’s presence. Some would pray, some may shout and some meditate on the Lord. Others would dance, others sing and even others playing musical instruments before the Lord. God was present and through His Spirit he would give direction and insight to His chosen people. David the king was also a advent worshipper and psalmist to the Lord. The book of Psalms that you have today are the songs that were sang to the Lord in that 36 year period. This place of Worship to God was filled with “The Great I AM’s” presence. This brought freedom and prosperity to the Nation of Israel. It changed their hearts and this is why David was called, “A Man After God’s Own Heart.”
Remember: The Ark of the Covenant was in the Tabernacle! The nation was worshipping the Lord God Almighty as they were instructed too. It is said that God sat on the Ark in between the Cherubim angels on the Mercy seat and bathed in the presence of the worship being offered up to Him.
God was joyfully prayed too, sung too and played too with music. The words and prayers were mixed with music and with heartfelt enthusiasm to the Lord. Harps were humming through the holy place. People were dancing to the Lord and God was pleased with it all so He blessed the nation of Israel. It was an enjoyable place to be because prayer, praise and worship was released night and day to the Lord. I am sure people just went to this place to hang out for a while to experience the presence of God and to receive encouragement and insight from the Lord. This placed was a place where people were freed and released from the pressures of the world.
This is what I experienced at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City last year and I still relish those precious moments in the presence of the Lord! I frequently go to this place via internet today. It is found at www.ihop.org and if you go to the prayer room you too can discover God’s anointing on this place as it is streamed night day. Every time I go there I feel His presence so strongly and I feel refreshed and rejuvenated in pressing on to what God has called me to do.
Important point:
David even went so far as to hire these gifted and anointed musicians, prayer warriors and dancers. Do you realize that the arts were birthed as a calling to worship the Lord! This is why the Devil uses the arts and musical gifts of people to bring him honor and praise. He wants to steal from the Lord His prayer/praise and worship.
Old Testament prophecies in Isa 16:5; Amos 9:11-12 specifically mention that in the last days this type of worship would reemerge at Jesus Second Coming. We are experiencing this move of the Spirit today through places like IHOP and our Sunday night Heart’s Ablaze services.
Isaiah 16:5:
5In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.
Amos 9:11-12:
11“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, 12so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, “declares the LORD, who will do these things.
In Acts 15:16-17 this Davidic worship was fulfilled and set in motion by the church of Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:16-17:
15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16“‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’
Characteristics of David’s style of praise/prayer and worship:
A. Davidic prayer/praise and worship puts God in first place.
a. Colossians 3:2: 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
B. Davidic prayer/praise and worship flows from our hearts out of love for God – true prayer, praise and worship flows from a deep intimate relationship with the Lord.
a. The Psalm’s which you have in the Bible where birthed from the hearts of the people as they worshipped before the Lord night and day in this Tabernacle.
b. David wrote most of them as songs and prayers to the Lord!
C. Davidic prayer/praise and worship is a conscious choice – no one can make you do it – you have to want to do it.
a. Hebrews 13:15: 15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
D. Davidic prayer/praise and worship is an expression of our faith – our trust in the Lord.
a. 2 Cor. 5:7: 7We live by faith, not by sight.
There are seven dimensions of praise/prayer and worship that we can participate in according to the Bible.
T.S. - Praise that attracts Gods presence must be done in spirit and truth. This means with sincerity of heart, with a passion for the Lord, with purity of motives and a humility before God. This pattern is seen in the 7 Hebrew words describing praise and worship to God. The following is gleamed from Joel Sans notes at www.destiny.co.za.
I. “Towdah” - Hebrew means an extension of our hands toward God.
a. The word is translated as praise, thanksgiving, or giving thanks with a particular emphasis on the concept of offering a sacrifice to God.
i. We start with here I am God I offer you me – Romans 12:1
ii. We do this out of a heart of thanksgiving for what God has done for us!
1. See David’s song of thanks when he established the Tabernacle’s prayer/praise and worship.
a. 1 Chronicles 16:7-43 – It all started with thanks to the Lord!
b. Scripture Texts:
i. Ps 116:17: 17I will sacrifice a thank offering (towdah) to you and call on the name of the LORD.
ii. Ps 50:23: 23He who sacrifices thank offerings (towdah) honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
II. “Yadah” - Hebrew means to use or hold out the hand in reverence to God through a public time of praise and worship.
a. It is used primarily in the context of settings of public worship to God.
b. It means a physical activity of outstretched hands to the Lord in active worship of Him.
c. There is also a confessional element involved in this worship to God in the midst of praise and worship to the Lord.
d. Scripture Texts:
i. Psalm 111:1: 1Praise the LORD. I will extol (yadah) the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
ii. 1 Ch 16:4: 4He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks (yadah), and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
iii. Psalm 32:5: 5Then I acknowledged (yadah) my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Songs played during this time of “Towdah” and “Yadah”:
We are Hungry
We Bow Down
III. “Halal” - Hebrew means to shine, to boast and rave about God.
a. It points to a person who is abandoned to God in praise and who others may look at being extreme or even a little bit insane in how they are worshipping God.
i. You could say they have lost all common sense in how they are worshipping God!
ii. Michal did this to David in his dancing before the Lord.
1. Be careful on how you judge another’s worship to God!
iii. It seems to suggest a sense of foolishness or total abandonment to God in praise and even if it seems undignified to others it honors God because it is done in a Spirit of humility before God.
1. This what David did in his dancing before the Lord as the Ark was brought into Jerusalem.
b. It is translated as praise, celebrate, glory, or even exult.
c. This Hebrew word is used about 160 times in the Old Testament.
d. Scripture Texts:
i. Ps. 105:3: 3Glory (Halal) in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
ii. Ps. 115:17: 17It is not the dead who praise (Halal) the LORD, those who go down to silence;
iii. Ps. 150:6: 6Let everything that has breath praise (Halal) the LORD. Praise (Halal) the LORD.
iv. Others Scripture texts: Isa. 38:18; Isa. 45:25; 2 Ch 23:13; 1 Sam. 21:13; Ps. 5:5; Ps. 73:3
IV. “Schaback”- to address God in a loud voice, particularly with a sense of triumph.
a. Praise, glory, glorify, commend, or extol
b. Scripture Texts:
i. Ps. 145:4: 4One generation will commend your works to another they will tell of your mighty acts.
ii. Ps. 117:1: 1Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
iii. Ps. 106:47: 47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
Songs during this time of “Halal” and “Shaback”:
To Him Who Sits on the Throne
You are Near
V. “Zamar”- means to touch the strings or parts of musical instrument with the sense of playing it or making music that is accompanied by the voice.
a. Means to give praise, sing, make music, and offer psalms to God.
b. It is an expression of our honor and love for what God has done for us and the musician or worship leader do not do this for us we do it for ourselves to God. We do it because we have a reason to celebrate.
c. ‘Zamar” has the association of praising God with instruments and through dance. Therefore musical instruments are a vital part of prayer, praise and worship and so is dance. Music is to be used to give thanks to the Lord by using a gift He has given us to make sweet sounds to His Spirit!
d. Scripture texts:
i. Ps.33:2-3: 2Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
ii. Ps. 150: 1Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
1. Read the chapter this week a few times to learn more about this dimension of worship to God.
VI. “Barak” - it means to kneel down, bow down to God in worship. It is an act of adoration to God.
a. It carries with it a sense of expectancy from God that His presence is there in worship.
b. It is a physical expression of worship and honor to God!
c. It is translates to kneel, to bless, to fall to our knees in the midst of God’s presence.
i. John did this in Revelation when Jesus appeared to him and he fell to the ground as though he was dead.
1. Revelation 1:9-16; 17; 18
a. Specifically verse 17
2. In the Old Testament, one would drop to their knees before a king before they spoke and before they received a word or blessings from them.
3. This is what John did in our text.
d. Scripture Texts:
i. Ps. 41:13: 13Praise (Barak) be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
ii. Ps.95:6: 6Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel (Barak) before the LORD our Maker;
Songs to sing out to the lord in a time of “Zamar” and “Barak”:
I Love you Lord
We Worship and Adore Thee
VII. “Tehillah” - it speaks of songs coming from the heart, songs resonating from the spirit within us, they were unpremeditated utterances inspired by the Holy Spirit.
a. This in Hebrew is considered the highest level of praise. It is praise reserved for God alone!
i. Your Spirit within you sings out in divine utterances to the Lord. It is spontaneous and flows from within you from the Spirit which is in you.
b. In these divine moments of prayer/praise and worship God manifests His divine power through His kingdom and things happen.
i. See Matthew 6:9-13:
1. 9“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation.”
a. God is the one with the power and He is the one that has established the kingdom on this earth. We are responsible to welcome Him in this world with divine utterances of prayer and praise. He then responds with His presence in prayer/ praise and worship.
c. Scripture Texts:
i. Isa. 42:8: 8“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
ii. Ps. 22:3: 3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
iii. Ps. 100 1-5: 1Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3Know (yadah) that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving (towdah) and his courts with praise (tehillah); give thanks (yadah) to him and praise (barak) his name. 5For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Conclusion:
There is not a strict order here of how to pray, or praise and to worship God. But it is important to note that we should first approach Him in prayer and praise with heart of thanksgiving. Then we seek His blessings and favor for certain situations in our lives.
The purpose or prayer/praise and worship is too experience the Spirit of God in our environment like we will in Heaven. When His presence manifested to us our thirst gets quenched, our hearts get renewed, restoration happens and our lives are energized.
Ps. 9:1-3:
1I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
2I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.
God wants us to interact with Him through praise-prayer and worship and yes it can be all wrapped together. It’s the Davidic style of worship that God loves to bless and what He uses to bring the power of His restoration to our burdened hearts and lives.
The NT says we are too:
A. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
a. Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
B. Sing in the Spirit
a. 1 Cor. 14:15
C. Lift holy hands in prayer
a. 1 Tim. 2:8
D. Offer to God sacrifices of praise
a. Heb. 13:15
E. The book of Revelation records scene after scene of Heavenly worship that includes shouting - Rev. 19:1; and vibrant “Hallelujahs” sang out to the Lord - Rev. 19:7
F. Rev. and Psalms tell us that we will sing new songs to the Lord as we worship Him with all of our hearts.
a. Rev 5:9
b. Psalm 149
G. Bowing is also spoken of and expected.
a. Rev. 4:10
Power point and pictures from Chapel the last two weeks:
Pastor Tiffany shared the following about our School Chapels - We spoke about Lazarus coming back from the dead and how GOD has the power to reach even beyond the grave to give life. How GOD used Lazarus’ death to not only show his power but to show that JESUS is the way to give us that life. That JESUS is the only way to be with GOD in heaven. John 3:16, John 14:6 Then I gave an Alter call for those who wanted to accept JESUS in their hearts and for those who have but wanted to reconnect with Him. It was powerful. I asked the kids to imagine they were in the Throne room and sitting at the feet of GOD and talking with Him. They pressed in and GOD showed up. The pictures will tell you better than I can.
Songs to conclude with at altar time: This time is between you and the Lord:
Come and Take Your Place
Fountains
Restoration
