WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC AND SINGING WORSHIP TOGETHER HELPS UNIFY US WITH OUR GOD AND EACH OTHER.

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.” – A.W. Tozer, “100 Pianos,” Tozer on Christian Leadership, 2001

John 17:20–21 (NIV84) 20My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

WORSHIP PREPARES US FOR OUR MISSION AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS.

Worship helps us remember what’s true about God. Worship of God sustains us. We were designed to worship God.

Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV84) 8“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV) 1Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP!

We magnify the greatness of God together.

1 Chronicles 16:25–29 (NIV84) 25For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 27Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 28Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, 29ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

WORSHIP REMINDS US WHATIS TRUE. Worship renews our minds.

Psalm 73 (NLT) A psalm of Asaph.

CLOSING

We were designed to worship. What or who are you worshiping now?

Exodus 20:2–3 (NIV84) 2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3You shall have no other gods before me.

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 NIV84 are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1978, 1984 by New York International Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 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.