Worship - To give honor, adoration and praise to God in all aspects of life
The Purpose of Worship
1. To express our love for the Lord. (Luke 10;27)
2. To obey His commands to give worship to Him above all gods. (Lk.4:8)
3. To fulfill our highest purpose for living (Psa.45:11)
4. To direct our mind, will and emotions to things above and not toward things on the earth with its worries, riches and pleasures. (Col. 3:1,2)
5. To help us gain a sense of perspective of our own human limitations while relieving stress (Isa. 26:3)
6. To follow the examples of Christ and great people of God. (Eph. 1:3-15)
Criteria for Effective Worship
1. We must come to God with hearts cleansed from all unrighteousness (Psa. 66:18)
2. We must approach the Lord through the blood, merit and atonement found in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. (Heb. 10:9)
3. Our worship must be spiritual (with pure spiritual motivations led by the Holy Spirit that resides within us) and according to the truth of the whole counsel of God found in the Bible. (John 4:24)
4. Worship must be done with increasing spiritual maturity and wisdom. (Eph. 4:15)
5. Worship must be done first privately and then publicly (Mark 1:35)
6. Worship must be done with all our heart, soul, strength and mind as we love our neighbor as ourself (Luke 10:27)
7. Worship must be done with great patience while waiting on the Lord to speak to us (Isa. 40:31)
8. Worship must be done with a teachable, humble, and available attitude (Psa. 25:8,9)
9. Worship must b e done with our lips as well as through our gifts, service and relationships (Rom. 12:1,2)
10. Worship must be done with a contrite and repentant heart ((Psa. 51:17)
11. Worship must be done with love, trust and a willingness to obey God in all things. (Psa 42:1,2)
12. Worship must be done with a sanctified lifestyle and willingness to know the Lord better. (Matt. 6:6,7)
13. Worship must be done while putting away the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life. (I John 2:15,16)
14. Worship must be done with a mind free of grudges or bitterness. (Matt. 5:23-25)
Hindrances to Quality Worship
1. Failure to observe and obey the above criteria
Facilitators to Worship
1. An intimate relationship and knowledge of God's attributes (Phil. 3:10)
2. A regular devotional time in the morning (Psa. 143:8)
3. A fear of God and an obedient lifestyle (Psa. 112:1,2)
4. Willingness to follow Godly leaders (Heb. 13:7)
5. Wisdom (Eccl 10:10)
6. Being filled with the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23)
7. A willingness to rid oneself of all idolatry, impurity, indecency, immorality, hate, envy, jealousy, anger, selfishness, divisions, drunkenness, carousing, and anything that is not in the will of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)
8. A joyful, thankful and singing heart. (Psa. 100:1,2)
9. Godly fellowship (2 Tim. 2:22-24)
10. Consistent meditation and obedience to the scripture (Josh. 1:8,9)
11. A ministry that contributes to fulfilling of Christ's great commission (Matt. 28:19,20)
12. Godly counselors (Prov 15:22)
13. Recollection of the great things God has done (Psa. 103:1-6)
14. Spirit-led goals that cause one to look to the Lord in all situations (Psa. 105:1-4)
15. Association with worshipful people (Psa. 122:1,2)
16. A praise and prayer list that guides in you in all aspects of worship and spiritual growth (Eph. 3:14-21)
The Results of Worship
1. Worship helps us to overcome our human tendencies to rely on our own insights (Prov. 3:5,6)
2. Worship gives us a sense of God's presence and companionship (I Cor. 1:9)
3. Worship gives us a sense of God's power and might. (Zeph. 3:17)
4. Worship helps cleanse our body, soul, mind and spirit. (2 Cor. 7:1)
5. Worship gives us greater insight into God's will. (John 14:21)
6. Worship helps us prioritize (Rom. 12:1,2)
7. Worship gives us God's gentle corrections. (Psa. 51:1-6)
8. Worship gives us a sense of God's healing touch (2 Cor. 1:3,4)
9. Worship lifts us up above the normal concerns of life and gives us peace of mind (Isa. 26:3)
10. Worship gives our lives meaning, purpose and fulfillment (Matt. 5:6)
11. Worship reduces our worries, fears and feelings of insecurity (Phil. 4:6,7)
12. Worship gives us greater confidence, power and assurance of our identity in Christ ((Psa. 103:1-5)
13. Worship delivers us from depression and destructive cynicism (Psa. 108:1)
14. Worship gives us a sense of God's forgiveness and cleansing (I John 1:9)
15. Worship empowers us to do everything God asks us to do (Phil. 4:12,13)
16. Worship helps us overcome stress and be content (Phil. 4:11,12)
17. Worship helps us have more of the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5)
18. Worship helps us overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21)
19. Worship helps us focus on what is positive while forgetting that which is negative (Col. 1:1-14)
20. Worship helps us gain greater objectivity in a sea of subjective philosophical thinking (Col. 2:1-4)
21. Worship helps us live holy lives that are pleasing to the Lord in all respects and are able to bear fruit in every good work while increasing in the knowledge of God. (Col. 1:9-11)
22. Worship frees us from the restrictions of human regulations, laws and cultural values that hinder our dependence on the Lord for all good things. (Col. 2:6-8)
