CLOSER: DRAWING NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD
Part 2: “More Than Music”
WORSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE
Psalm 71:7-8, “ My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.”
The Psalmist knew that when worship becomes a lifestyle, the way we live, not just something we do at times, our lives become an example to those around us. Praise erupts from inside of us, we cannot help ourselves. We glorify God in every circumstance.
Colossians 3:16-17, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Worship comes naturally as a result of the fullness of Christ within us. Paul spoke from experience - he was filled with the fullness of Christ and lived a life of worship, allowing others to see the fullness of Christ throughout his life. This fullness gives us access to the wisdom of Christ which helps us to lead one another as Christ led His disciples - in love and humility. Our worship is evidenced in the motive, the heart posture, behind our praise.
Psalm 9:1-2, “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
Psalms is filled with praise and worship for who God is and what He has done. Psalmists left us evidence of their worship in their writings. David, the writer of this Psalm and many others, did not only write about what God had done and how his life was changed — he also danced in worship. Like David our lives will exhibit who and what we worship.
Mark 12:29-31, “Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’No other commandment is greater than these...”
Jesus reminds us that worshiping God alone is the first and greatest commandment. Our love for God in heart, soul, mind, and strength is evidenced in where and how we spend our time, talents and resources - the ways we worship. When God is first in our lives, then all that we do reflects that love and our obedience to His call.
AS OUR FAITH GROWS, OUR LEVEL OF WORSHIP WILL EXPAND. THE MORE WE TRUST, THE MORE OPPORTUNITY WE GIVE GOD TO SHOW UP IN OUR LIVES. OUR OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS AND FREEDOM, WHILE TAKING THE PRESSURE OF STRIVING OFF OF US AND ALLOWING US TO REST IN GOD’S PLAN AND DIRECTION FOR OUR LIVES.
Hebrews 12:28-29, “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire!”
Scripture is full of examples of the people of Israel failing to worship God and the resulting hardship from those failures. The author of Hebrews reminds us that God has His unshakable Kingdom awaiting us, and our only response is to be thankful and allow our worship to be worship that is worthy of Him, worshiping with holy fear and awe. When was the last time you were filled with awe for the Lord?
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
Our acts of worship can save lives. When we worship God boldly despite our circumstances, it catches the attention of others. Paul and Silas did not allow even beatings or being thrown in prison to stop their worship. That is how we can identify if worship is a lifestyle, because it will be something we do in any circumstance.
Take some time to read Acts 16:16-40.
Reflect on what Paul and Silas were doing at the time of this passage and the circumstances surrounding it. What stands out? How do you think you would react in a similar situation. Would your worship withstand this trial? Discuss with your small group.
Now focus on what happened after they worshiped, how they witnessed not only to the prisoners but also to the jailer and his entire family. Our worship is not in vain; we can be sure that it pleases God and He will use it. Take time to reflect on how you worship. Is your worship quiet and hidden or is it on display for all to see? Ask God to reveal ways to help you to grow in worshiping Him boldly and be intentional in making the effort to do what He shows you.
God is so good and loves us so much that He gave us the gift of Scripture not only to help guide us, but to give us stories of believers to encourage us. When we find a lifestyle of worship to be difficult, we can find strength in those who came before us.
Consider Job. There is much that we can learn through this book, but his initial response is one that is an example for us to seek to replicate. Read Job 1.
What does Job’s response show us about his heart toward God? How do you think you would have responded if you were in Job’s place? If you would not have responded in worship, what can you do to change your response? Discuss with your small group.
Find or think of another example in Scripture where someone worshiped when placed in dire circumstances. Take some time this week to journal what your current response would be and a better response of worship to things that happen in our lives. Write a prayer to God to help you move into a more natural outpouring of worship, no matter what life throws at you.
When we get to Heaven and we encounter the glory and majesty of our almighty God, worshiping Him will be the only thing we seek to do. We are given a glimpse of this a few times in Scripture.
Read Revelation 4.
Not only do the beings worship, but the elders who surround the throne fall down in worship. This is an example of worship in holy fear and awe — and reverence. Those who are before the Lord God seek to praise Him with every breath. How can this passage help you to grow in your practice of worship? Sit with this passage. Write down any thoughts that come to mind and discuss with your small group.
Read Isaiah 6:1-4. Isaiah was given a vision of heaven long before John was blessed with the insights of Revelation. Worshiping God is why we were created. Let this message fill you and elevate your faith as you look for ways to take your worship deeper and live it out more fully. Commit to adding one intentional act of worship every day for the next 30 days and do your best to journal a few thoughts each day to document your worship journey and the change you see in your life and your faith.
