Worship as an act of giving
Do you ever get tired of this world? Do you get tired of the monotony of life and seek a higher, more exciting plane?
Do you ever long to leave all the filth and degradation behind, for just a little while?
Would you like a break sometime—to just get away from it all, and go to a place where you can just leave Ii all behind?
That is what worship does (Hebrews 4:15-16)!
- WORSHIP IS…..
- Hard To Define.
It is not really defined in Scripture—it is shown, but not explained.
The primary Old Testament term translated “worship” means “to bow down… to prostrate oneself” and the primary New Testament term literally means “to kiss toward”.
- “It may be regarded as the direct acknowledgment to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims. Whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving… or by deed done in such acknowledgment”
(W.E. Vine)
Many people do not recognize the sanctity of certain things. To them, holy things are common. How does such a casual attitude toward God, cause us to lose sight of the aura of awe and majesty that surrounds Him (Hebrews 10:29; 12:28)?
- God seeks intimate fellowship with us. But what do we need to remember (Psalm 8:3-4; 89:7)?
- A Spiritual Exercise.
It is an exercise of the mind and heart, more than just an action of the body. How is each of the following expressions of worship an exercise of the inward man? (Remember that each of these can be done without really worshipping God.)
- Ephesians 5:19—
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-29—
- Hebrews 4:15-16—
- Man’s Link with God.
Worship transports us from this earthly realm to the heavenly. It conveys us into the company of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:15-16).
- In what manner can we now “draw near” to God (Hebrews 10:19-22)?
- Why do we come before Him (1 Peter 2:5)?
- Man’s Gift to God.
God is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). Everything we have received already belongs to Him (1 Chronicles 29:14).
- How is worship the one thing which comes from us—which we can give back to God (Hebrews 13:15)?