Today Dr. Dave introduced our Heart for Worship series. Worship is a big part of a “God first” life. Join us for the next few weeks as he shows how to draw close to God in worship.
We all worship something. Worship is love expressed. It is a response to what we value the most. What are you adoring? It is only an issue if you are setting those things as a priority before Him. You’re created to bring pleasure and honor to God. He only is worthy of worship.
Is God first in your life? Let’s think about the things we give our attention to. What are you giving your time to? Take a look at your calendar and finances. This will tell the true story. God's love language is worship. Psalms describes what worship looks like. There’s clapping, shouting, dancing, hand lifting and more. This looks more like a football game or concert than a church service. To see a game, you go early. Do you show up early for Him? Is there something getting a higher place in your life than Him?
Why do we worship? A famous worship leader impacted me several years ago. There was a moment in his life when he was leading thousands into God's presence but he told me that he was not entering into God’s presence. It had become more about the production and his talent than about worshipping God. His thought on the matter was that somewhere, he’d lost his 'why' for worship. “When you lose your why and you lose your way.” Have you lost your why? Are you entering into God’s presence with a sincere heart? We can’t afford to minimize the power of worship.
Worship is about filling our services and lives with God's presence. Worship is so valuable that it grabs God's attention. He’s looking for worshippers. Where do you need His attention today? He inhabits the praises of his people. Where will he find you? He will find you in your worship.
The enemy, Satan, is also looking for worshippers. He was the worship leader in Heaven until pride caused his fall. Every time you worship, the enemy shows up to mess with you. To distract you, he will bring condemnation for things you’ve done, for your circumstances, or your preferences. Nothing disarms the power of worship quicker than measuring it to your preferences. It’s ok to like your music but we cannot put our preferences before God. If we make it about us, we become the object of worship. We don’t worship God with methods. We worship Him with our heart, and the heart needs to be worshipping God, in truth and spirit, no matter how you do it. Don’t allow your heart to be far from God. The enemy wants to steal your "why" and if he can keep you from worship, he will steal your power.
Worship has the power to change your attitude. It can change the atmosphere of your home and advance your destiny. Knowing why we worship will keep you from wrecking your worship. So then, what are the “whys” of worship:
- We’re created to worship. Anthropologists acknowledge that worship is an internal urge. We all adore something. God wants to hear your heart. You’re not just part of the crowd. He sees you.
- We worship because of who God is. Circumstances change. The character of God never changes. He is worthy of praise regardless of circumstances. Revelation gives a dual picture of Heaven and earth. In Heaven, God is praised throughout, whatever is going on in earth. You can’t base your worship on the kind of week you have. Base it on the kind of God you have.
- Don’t worship based on your past. Worship is not a show, but it does show us we’ve been set free. I love this saying I saw outside an air base with fighter jets, “Pardon our noise. It’s the sound of freedom.” Whom the Son has set free is free indeed. When God has done something in your life and set you free, you can’t help but worship. Don’t worry about what other people think. Concern yourself about what God thinks. We are not spectators. We come to participate. Tell God you love him. Express it. In the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, and in this series, I want to draw you back to a place where you draw close to God. Find your way in this, and the rest of your body will follow along.
- We worship because of what we’re facing. In the Old Testament, Ezekial 46:9 describes the law of entering the gates during days of feast celebrations. If they came in the South Gate, they had to leave through the North Gate and vice versa. Hear this - they didn’t come in the same way they went out. Don’t leave here the same way you came in.
Worship is a lifestyle. Include God and the worship of Him in your everyday life. Include Him in your meals, your football games, in your driving - please include Him in your driving! He just wants you to love Him the most. Offer yourself to Him. He doesn’t want to just be your Sunday God. Where is He in your life today? If you’re here, He’s probably on the list. But is he first?
