11/3/13 Design For Life - WORSHIP

Celebrity Accessories Sold at Inflated Prices
    In his book Fame Attack, Professor Christopher Rojek explores how we’ve turned celebrities into modern day idols. Rojek writes:
    In the early days of Hollywood, the [media] described celebrities as “gods” and “goddesses”.  It credited them with “magic” and messianic “spellbinding” power …. They were not called ‘stars’ for nothing.….Modern fans covet autographs, letters, check stubs, locks of hair, clothes … combs, glasses, cigarette butts, rings, cars, golf clubs, etc.
    Consider these examples of how much value is placed on celebrity items:
    In 2002, the former barber of Elvis Presley sold a clump of Elvis’ hair for $115,000.
    Justin Timberlake’s half eaten French toast sold for $3,000.
    A jar containing the “exhaled breath” of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was recently bought by a fan for $500.
    A piece of bubble gum chewed by Brittany Spears sold for $160.
    A lock of Justin Bieber’s hair sold on eBay for $40,668.
Jerry De Luca, Montreal West, Quebec, Canada; sources: Chris Rojek, Fame Attack: The Inflation of Celebrity and Its Consequences, Bloomsbury Publishers, 2012; Kiki Von Glinow, “Weirdest Celebrity Items Sold at Auction,” The Huffington Post (8-16-12)
    This is worship in it’s worst form.  If people didn’t worship these famous entertainers they wouldn’t spend a penny for these items.  In looking to understand what worship is, these examples help us grasp the principles of worship.
    As Christians, we come together to worship God.  We call this a worship service.  The meaning and understanding of worship has become very confused.  For many, worship means the time in the service when we sing.  Music is a part of worship, but it is not the totality of it.
    If worship is limited to singing, what if you have zero musical talent?  What if you can’t carry a tune in a pile of hymn books?  What if you lose your voice?
    As we enter this theme of worship, let’s look at a passage from the Old Testament.
Nehemiah 8:5-6 NIV
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
    One of the most beautiful songs ever written, The Hallelujah Chorus.  Look at the words and what they express.  It is an expression of giving praise and adoration to God.  It is genuine worship to God.  The word Hallelujah! is repeated 24 times.  It expresses the awesome nature of God.  Praise God!!! Look at some of the words beyond Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
    The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
    King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
    And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
    Show YouTube video of The Hallelujah Chorus.
    Let’s go back to the passage we read.  Ezra led the people in worshiping God and celebrating their return to their homeland after many years of exile.  There was a revival among the people as they worshiped and served God.
    As we dive in to this topic of worship, let’s start with an understanding of what it is, a definition to guide both our thinking and our worship of God.
    Definition of worship of the true God. The English word “worship” comes from the Old English word “worthship.” Ascribing or declaring worth.  The word describes actions and attitudes that highly favor and honor the worthiness of God and express awe and adoration toward him.
    True spiritual worship is God-centered, not human- centered. It focuses on God’s character traits (what is God like?). We worship because God is worthy to receive it, not because it makes us feel good.  Christian worship involves Jesus’ followers responding with holy love and reverence to God’s character and presence by expressing gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us. Sincere, or true and heartfelt, worship requires a faith commitment and a confession that God is the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth. It means knowing and confessing that God is the only Lord—the Leader and highest authority—in our lives. We were created to honor and worship God
    Read passages and analyze the worship, to help us understand what true worship is.
Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV
1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
Psalm 29:1-2 NKJV
1 A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalm 96:8-10 NKJV
8 Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. 9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.”
Revelation 4:8, 11 NKJV
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
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.”
    Worship must be more than a service or ceremony; it must be a way of life that reflects the highest respect, reverence and honor for God—in words and actions—in all situations.
Hebrews 13:15-16 NKJV
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
    A lifestyle, not a religious ritual.
    Worship is not just singing songs.  We use music to worship God, but simply by singing, or singing a specific genre of music it is not worship.  It is not all about me, it is all about God.  Many love to sing because it makes them feel good.  Fine.  The good feeling must be the by-product of genuine worship, not the goal.  Again, it’s not about me, it’s all about God.
    In the passage from Nehemiah 8 that we read earlier, we see a genuine hunger for God.  Ezra read from the law for seven days straight, six hours per day.  They were hungry for God. The longed to worship God.  Truly for the, it was all about God.
Practical application of worship in our daily life.
Define worship.
How can you worship God throughout the week?
How can we make corporate worship more powerful?
Don’t be afraid to use your voice in worship.  Words as well as song.
Be sure of knowing Jesus  as your Savior and Lord.
Note: this series is based on reference material in the Fire Bible, Don Stamps general editor.  Other resources also used.