We are in the second week of our series, The Heart of Worship. My purpose in this series is to redefine worship. Worship is not just the song service before the message. Everyone worships something. Worship occurs when you express your love to something. Worship is your response to the things you value the most. What do you adore? Are you putting these things before God in your life?
In this series, we’re reordering our lives. We are making God first. We all agreed that 2025 will be better the closer we are to God. James 4:8 promises “Come close to God and He will come close to you.” Today we are talking about how we worship. Next week we will talk about what happens when we worship.
In Luke 19, the Sunday before Jesus' resurrection (Palm Sunday for us), the popularity of Jesus was at its peak. The people held a parade for Him and all of the followers sang and praised God for all they’d seen Jesus do. Why do we praise God? We praise Him for who He is and what He’s done. It was a huge event to the point of threatening and offending religious leaders. They approached Jesus and told Him to rebuke His followers, but He told them that someone or something was going to praise God, even if it were the rocks themselves. This type of praise is what draws His presence and Jesus was not going to stop it.
God does not define worship like religion defines it. Often we honor brick and mortar more than we honor God. God lives in us. We’re thankful for this building but we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, what is God's pattern for worship? What is real traditional worship?
There are seven Hebrew words for worship that have been translated as “praise” in the Psalms. Let’s take a look at the different ways we can praise and draw close to God:
Halel: Hallelujah. It is to rave, blast, celebrate. It means to act clamorously foolish. Resolve to shout louder for the God who saved you than for a football player who doesn’t know you. God likes this style. He loves to see us get excited when He shows up (Ps 35:18). My goal is that our expression of worship increases. Take a step to move closer in your worship to what God is asking for.
Yadah: Acknowledge in public with an extended hand. Who does not like to be acknowledged in public. When you raise your hand, you are saying “I’m with Jesus party.” As our generation pulls away from God's way, we need to be a group that praises the way God has asked for us to (Ps 138:1). Praise with all your heart.
Barak: To bless by kneeling or bowing like when you come into the presence of a King. This is a show of a submitted heart declaring, “I belong to you” (Ps 103:1). This is to declare that with all that you are, with your whole heart, you will praise and bow before Him.
Zamar: Making music to God with strings or stringed instruments. Pluck that bass really hard! This is an electric guitar really riffing. It’s good to praise to stringed instruments and music dedicated to His name (Ps 92:1).
Shabach: Address in a loud tone, to shout. I’ve seen you at soccer games shouting for your kids. Do it for the God who made you (Ps 63:3-4). His love is better than life! Shout in a loud voice as long as you live and in God’s name.
Towdah: Lift hands in adoration, in surrender with the attitude that whatever He says you will do. Give up trying to do it on your own. Give yourself away so He can use you for His purposes. Let go of all the trappings of life (Ps 50:23).
Tehila: Sing exuberantly. Make a joyful noise. Everyone can sing even if you’re not great at it. Extol the Lord! Declare that praise will always be on your lips. God enjoys exuberant singing when you go all in (Ps 108:1-3). God has a love language. Let’s show love to Him in the ways that bless Him.
What does Jesus have to say about all this? Of all the commandments, what is the most important? Listen. It is to love God first. The Lord your God is the one and only God. Worship is love for Him expressed. Fall in love with Jesus. The rest will be so much easier. The secret of Christianity is loving the God of the Bible.
