The Need of Worship

The Need of Worship

September 28, 2008

Introduction

Our topic this morning is “The Need of Worship.” As we consider the topic, several questions come to our minds: Why do I need to worship? What is worship? How and when do I worship? And what can I worship?

As we ponder these questions, we would add one more: What is the first mention of worship in the Bible? We’ll begin our study with that question.

Body

I. The first mention of worship.

(Gen 22:5 NKJV) "And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.""

A. The setting is Abraham preparing to go up the mountain and sacrifice his son Isaac.

B. Worship in this case involved a tremendous sacrifice.

C. It involved tremendous faith.

1. He believes that God will raise him from the dead.

(Gen 22:5 NKJV) "And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.""

2. The Hebrew writer speaks of Abraham’s great faith.

(Heb 11:17-19 NKJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, {18} of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," {19} concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

II. Why do I need to worship?

A. I worship because God commands it as He did Abraham.

(Gen 22:1-2 NKJV) Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." {2} Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

B. Worship is often a spontaneous thing.

1. One example is Abraham’s servant when Rebekah welcomes him.

(Gen 24:26-27 NKJV) Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. {27} And he said, "Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren."

(Exo 4:31 NKJV) So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

2. The children of Israel worshipped when they heard that God was going to deliver them

(Exo 4:31 NKJV) So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

C. I need to worship to thank, honor, and praise God.

(Mal 1:6-8 NKJV) "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?' {7} "You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, 'The table of the LORD is contemptible.' {8} And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts.

1. He wants the best, not our rejects.

2. Our worship is obviously a way in which we show our reverence and our honor for God

I need to worship because God made it part of my nature.

III. So what is worship?

A. It is an out pouring of our spirits to God.

1. We have already studied the examples of Abraham’s servant, and the children of Israel.

2. David was one who poured out his praise to God.

(Psa 9:1-2 NKJV) I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. {2} I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

B. How can we define worship?

1. According to Webster’s Dictionary, we have the following:

4. Chiefly and eminently, the act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; or the reverence and homage paid to him in religious exercises, consisting in adoration, confession, prayer, thanksgiving and the like.

The worship of God is an eminent part of religion.

Prayer is a chief part of religious worship.

2. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, we have the following:

3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication

IV. How and when do I worship?

A. The How we have just discussed.

1. For Abraham it involved tremendous sacrifice.

2. For David it involved a lot of praise.

3. From the dictionaries we learned that it includes submission, homage, supplication, adoration, confession, and prayer.

B. But when do we worship?

1. Yes, we call 11:00 o’clock our worship hour as we concentrate on worshipping God.

2. But I submit that most of the examples of worships we have studied this morning did not occur at 11:00 o’clock on Sunday morning.

3. I believe the Bible teaches that we need to keep a worshipful attitude toward God.

(1 Th 5:16-18 NKJV) Rejoice always, {17} pray without ceasing, {18} in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

V. Finally, what can I worship

A. Consider the answer that Jesus gave Satan.

(Mat 4:10 NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

B. Today, we have a new religion: that of the animal rights activists and environmentalists.

(Rom 1:20-32 NKJV) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. {24} Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, {25} who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

C. Others are guilty of worshiping material things.

(Col 3:5-6 NKJV) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. {6} Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Conclusion

I. Have you submitted your life to the Lord?

II. Can you worship God with a clean heart because your sins have been washed away by Jesus blood?

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