Praise And Worship

In these days, God is restoring praise and worship to the church. Many passages of scripture refer to these two topics. In this reason, praise and worship are the center of much conversation and study within the church. The days are past when we took for granted, that our praise and worship were accepted by God. Now, the church is searching and studying the word of God in an effort to find out what God does accept as praise and worship.

1. WHAT IS PRAISE AND WORSHIP?
   1. Praise - Often, praise and thanksgiving go hand-in-hand. Thanksgiving arises from our desire to show appreciation for the goodness of God and the gifts He bestows upon us. Praise stems from the desire to love and extol God for who He is, rather than what He does.
   2. Worship - In the Hebrew language, it means to "bow yourself down in adoring contemplation of God". Worship involves devotion, reverence, adoration, respect, and honor.
2. IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD? - Yes!
   1. The Importance of Praise
      1. This how we come into His presence (Psalm 100:4).
      2. God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3).
      3. It is pleasing to God (Psalm 69:30, 31).
      4. God requires it as our sacrifice to Him (Hebrews 13:5).
   2. The Importance of Worship
      1. The word of God expresses God's desire for us to worship Him (Psalm 45:11; 86:9; 95:6).
      2. Satan realized and valued the importance of worship. When he tempted Jesus, he endeavored to get Jesus to worship him in exchange for the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4; Luke 4).
3. WHY DO WE PRAISE THE LORD?
   1. It is a command (Psalm 81:1-5).
   2. It is comely (Psalm 33:1).
   3. It is pleasant (Psalm 135:3).
   4. It is good (Psalm 54:6; 92:1).
   5. God is worthy (Psalm 18:3; 48:1).
   6. It assures us of the abiding presence of the Lord (Psalm 89:15).
   7. We were created for this purpose (Psalm 102:13).
4. WHAT DOES PRAISE ACCOMPLISH?
   1. Opens a line of communication (Psalm 68:32, 33).
   2. Purification (Proverbs 27:21; 17:3).
   3. Glorifies the Lord (Psalm 50:23).
   4. Deliverance (Psalm 42:5).
   5. Healing (Psalm 42:11).
5. HOW ARE WE TO WORSHIP THE LORD?
   1. In Spirit (John 4:20-26; Philippians 3:3).
   2. In Truth (John 4:24; 8:32; 17:17).
   3. In the Beauty of Holiness (I Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:9).
   4. In the Fear of the Lord (Psalm 5:7; Deuteronomy 10:12).
6. WHEN DO WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD?
   1. Continually (Psalm 71:6; 35:28; 34:1).
   2. Day-By-Day (II Chronicles 30:21).
   3. In Everything (I Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:19, 20).
7. IN WHAT WAYS CAN WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD?
   1. In song (Psalm 28:7; 40:3).
      1. In the Spirit.
      2. With understanding (I Corinthians 14:14, 15).
   2. In the dance (Psalm 150:4).
   3. On the instruments (Psalm 33:2; 150:3-5).
   4. By lifting our hands (Psalm 63:3, 4; 134:2).
   5. By clapping our hands (Psalm 47:1).
8. WHERE ARE WE TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD?
   1. In our home (Psalm 42:8; 149:5).
   2. In the assembly (Psalm 22:22; 35:18; 111:1).
   3. In the presence of non-believers (Psalm 40:3; 126:2; Acts 2:46, 47).
9. WHO ARE SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF WORSHIPERS?
   1. Joshua (Joshua 5:14).
   2. Gideon (Judges 7:15).
   3. David (II Samuel 12:20; I Chronicles 11:16-21).
   4. Israel (II Chronicles 7:3; Nehemiah 8:6).

God desires the praises of His people. When we learn to praise God, we take our eyes off of ourselves and our praises usher us into His presence. Only in His presence can we worship Him. The people of God are a spiritual house whose purpose is to show forth the praises of God (I Peter 2:9).

Praise And Worship

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(last updated on July 5, 2005)