WORSHIP IN THE FEAR OF GOD! Our recent teaching series on THE FEAR OF THE LORD inspires TRUE WORSHIP! The FEAR OF THE LORD IS PURE, lasting forever! (Psalm 19:9)
Special note: The pure in heart shall see God! (Matthew 5:8) The pure heart in its’ holy condition brings special revelation of God. Worship that is acceptable, pleasing to God, and enduring needs to come from a pure heart to be in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24). Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If our heart is right, acceptable and pleasing worship to our Creator springs forth from it – it’s part of our spiritual DNA.
Psalm 5:7 – But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; IN FEAR OF YOU I WILL WORSHIP toward Your holy temple.
I WORSHIP YOU ALMIGHTY GOD (1)
I worship You, Almighty God – there is none like You!
I worship You, O Prince of Peace – that is what I want to do!
I give You praise, for You are my righteousness…
I worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You!
JESUS IS WORTHY
NEW SONG IN HEAVEN
Revelation 5:9-10 – “YOU ARE WORTHY to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
CONSIDER THE CONTEXT
Revelation 5:2-13 – I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “WHO IS WORTHY to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang A NEW SONG, saying: “YOU ARE WORTHY to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “WORTHY IS THE LAMB who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”3 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Special note: Note the “harp and bowl” WORSHIP that surrounds the revelation of the WORTHY LAMB OF GOD. Harp – “sing it”. Worship God with spontaneous new songs. Bowl – “Pray it!” Declare the realities of God’s Word in intercessory prayer for family, friends, neighbors, and the nations.(2)
WHY IS JESUS WORTHY?
Jesus is WORTHY because He is God! He is our Creator! He demonstrated and revealed the greatest love ever in sacrificing His life to save us from the dreadful consequences of sin! We are richly and wonderfully blessed through Him! He is our life!
John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 10:10 – … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Acts 17:28 – …in Him we live and move and have our being...
Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…
Psalm 103:2-8; 12 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s… great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
JESUS IS OUR CREATOR
Revelation 4:11 – “YOU ARE WORTHY, O LORD, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Psalm 95:6 – Come, let us WORSHIP and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker…
Psalm 100:2-4 – Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.3 Know that the Lord, He is God; IT IS HE WHO HAS MADE US, and not we ourselves;We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
WORSHIP GOD
Revelation 22:9 – “…Worship God.”
WHAT IS WORSHIP
True WORSHIP involves our lifestyle. The following is a partial definition of what is commonly considered worship:
The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; acknowledging and ascribing worth to someone or something; it Is the act of attributing reverent honor and homage to God; It is an extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.
Greek Word –PROSKUNEO… Kneeling; prostration; do homage (to one) or make obeisance (a gesture expresing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy, respect).
WORSHIP is any act, thought or expression of willful adoration that exalts and enthrones God, thereby defeating and dethroning Satan. Worship focuses on the issue of worth or worthiness. Worship is a lifestyle. It is the reason we live. It is both how we live and why we live. Like Tozer explains, “Worship of the loving God is man’s whole reason for existence. That is why we were born again from above. That is why we were created and that is why we have been recreated. That is also why there is a church. The Christian church exists to worship God first of all. Everything else must come second or third or fourth or fifth.” (A.W. Tozer – “Whatever Happened to Worship”)(3)
JESUS should be THE CENTER – THE FOCUS of true worship
Worship is not just about us. It is not about what WE want or what makes US happy. Worship is about Jesus, and coming into His presence with a proper response to His character and presence in our lives with loving adoration, honor, and respect. In other words, we thank, praise, and worship God for who He is, and what He has done!
SOME OF THE wonderful CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
Majesty – as King; He is Supreme Lord, and the Ultimate – King of Kings and Lord of Lords; He is Holy; He is Good; He is True, He is Righteous; He is Just; He is Master; He is the great I AM; He is Loving and Compassionate; as Father, He is the True Father of us all …
JESUS IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
2 Samuel 22:4 / Psalm 18:3 – I will call upon the Lord, who IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord and MOST WORTHY of praise; his greatness no one can fathom…
WORSHIP THE LORD GOD – AND HIM ONLY
Exodus 34:14 – (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), …
Matthew 4:10 – (Jesus) “… worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”
God is looking for WORSHIPERS – not just worship!
SATAN’S TEMPTATION
Matthew 4:9,10 – And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 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.’
WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
John 4:23-24 …the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Philippians 3:3 – For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
I Peter 2:5,9 – …you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;.
Special note: Priests offer sacrifices. We no longer need to offer animal sacrifices. Jesus himself when He died on the cross was a “once and for all” sacrifice for sin, providing forgiveness and eternal salvation to those who believe in Him. Now we are to present our bodies as LIVING SACRIFICES to the Lord, and live a holy, righteous lifestyle (Romans 12;1-2). Spiritual sacrifices and offerings that are pleasing and acceptable to God include obedience; faith; trust; the faithful giving of tithes and offerings; using God-given talents for HIs glory; singing; shouting; lifting our hands; dancing; shouting; playing instruments; giving the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving; worshiping; loving; forgiving; doing good works; fasting and prayer; witnessing; preaching; serving; glorifying Him in all things; magnifing and exalting Him; giving testimonies to His goodness; etc…
LOVING JESUS WITH OUR WHOLE HEART
Whole-hearted worship is Life-style worship. We are willing to give our all to Jesus!
2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal (perfect toward) to Him.
Psalm 9:1;111:1; 119:2 – I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works… I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation…Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
Psalm 103:1 – Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Deuteronomy 6:5 – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
WE BECOME LIKE WHO WE WORSHIP
Psalm 115:3-8 – …our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
Special note: There are reports of idol worshipers taking on the same grose looks and grotesque characteristics of the ugly idols they worship!
Let’s be changed into Jesus image – we are created to be like Him!
Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory… by the Spirit of the Lord.
Romans 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…
Special note: As we worship Jesus, our lives are changed, and we begin to reflect His beautiful characteristics more and more! Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us!
Jesus is Worthy of our Worship
Revelation 5:12 – “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…
Hebrews 3:3 – For this One (Christ Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.
Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Let’s LIVE LIVES THAT ARE WORTHY OF JESUS…
Ephesians 4:1 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk WORTHY of the calling with which you were called…
Revelation 3:4 – “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (Jesus)
HOW?
WORSHIPING… Whole-heartedly; Humbly; With Holiness; With True Love; With Thankfulness; With Praise; By our Life-style & Conduct; Through Good Works; In a way that is Pleasing to the Lord; by Demonstrating Faith; Being ready for Jesus return; Through Obedience – doing the will of God…
- Special acknowledgement and thanks to Don Moen for this powerful worship song – “I Worship You Almighty God!”.
- Special acknowledgement and thanks to Dick Eastman for his powerful book – “Heights of Delight” 2002, Regal Publishing, Ventura, California; Reference to pages 36-38 and his teaching on the “Harp and Bowl”.
- Special acknowledgement and thanks to Dick Eastman’s “Intercessory Worship” 2011, Regal Publishing, p.21.
- Special acknowledgement and thanks to Evelyn Asuncion for assisting in the preparation of this message, and for sharing it at our online service.
