EVERYTHING WE DO POINTS TOWARD AND REMINDS US WHO GOD IS. THIS WEEK: WORSHIP

•  Worship (singing) is one aspect of corporate worship in the church.
•  We don’t get to pick and choose—it’s not a buffet, and it’s all needed.
•  Jesus led His disciples to sing to God the Father.
•  Some of us refuse to do what God asks us to do.

WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC: IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, PSALMS WERE SONGS, OR POETRY TO BE SUNG.

Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV) For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: 1I love you, LORD, my strength. 2The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.

Ezra 3:10–11 (NIV) 10When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

JESUS LED WORSHIP THROUGH SINGING.

Matthew 26:27–30 (NIV) 27Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

THE EARLY CHURCH WORSHIPPED THROUGH SINGING.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NIV) What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

Ephesians 5:17–20 (NIV) 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

WHY MUSIC AND SINGING? WHAT GOD KNOWS ABOUT US BECAUSE HE CREATED US:

•  Science confirms music and singing bypasses the pre-frontal cortex and improves memory.
•  It’s a heart language. It creates an emotional connection, changes our emotions, releases dopamine.
•  It helps you remember words. (e.g. the ABC song)
• It helps you remember events and things you have seen and experienced.

HOW THIS APPLIES TO WORSHIP:

1. We are reminded of what God promises and what He has done.

•  Reminded of His directives
•  Praise: what He has done for me
•  We learn Scripture this way

2. We are refocused on God, eternal things, and God’s promises.

3. We are restored emotionally as we combine emotions and our thinking.

4. We are reunited with other believers; we are not alone.

5. Ultimately, we are recalibrated for when we go through life.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO WORSHIP WHEN WE ARE STRUGGLING.

Psalm 73 (NLT) A psalm of Asaph. 1Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. 21Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. 22I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO WORSHIP WHEN WE ARE BLESSED.

Deuteronomy 8:10–11 (NLT) 10When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

Deuteronomy 8:16–18 (NLT) 16He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17He did all this so you would never say to yourself, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” 18Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

BOTTOM LINE: Worship actually draws God’s presence. It’s our invitation to Him to be with us. We choose to honor, remember, and open ourselves to God, and He responds.

Psalm 22:3 (KJV 1900) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

WHAT AM I ASKING YOU TO DO?

•  Worship through music in your one-on-one time. Try radio (104.9 & 107.9, Pandora, Spotify), music you own, etc.
•  Lead your family to worship through music (such as with your kids in the car).
•  Make it a point to be here to worship. Don’t stay in the foyer until it’s over. Be here on time and stay until it’s done.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Psalm 147, Ephesians 5:15-20, Acts 2:42-47

1. Share what was impactful from the sermon.

2. How would you explain “worship?”

3. Read Psalm 147 and Ephesians 5:15-20. What place does worship and music have in relationship with the Lord? A) What do these passages help us remember about who God is and who we are?

4. How do you remind yourself who God is and what He has done? A) How do you help others, or how do others help you, remember?

5. There are many ways to worship, even during our large gatherings. What helps you engage and remember who God is? A) What songs or music have been impactful to you in focusing on God?

6. In what ways do you want to respond in worship, personally and corporately, this next week?

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV 1900 are taken from The Holy Bible King James Version, Pure Cambridge Edition, Cambridge University Press. Used with permission. All rights reserved. [emphasis added]