What is It?

By Steve Maricle, Worship Pastor
 
Riddle me this...

Who does it? 
·         You who are God’s new creation in Jesus Christ
·         Followers of Jesus Christ, those who carry God’s Good News
·         Believers, hearers and doers of God’s Word
·         All the nations will bow the knee

How is it done?
·         Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and all your might
·         Read His Word
·         Meditate on God’s truth
·         Live with your mind fixed on Jesus
·         Pray at all times
·         Call your sin, “sin” and repent
·         Be real
·         Live like Jesus
·         Do good to others
·         Forgive others
·         Think of others more highly than of yourself
·         Build your home upon God’s love
·         Love like Jesus
·         Embrace and seek the Holy Spirit in every thought and situation
·         Testify to the power and grace of God in your life
·         Sacrifice and give of your gifts
·         Sing
·         Play instruments unto the Lord
·         Be an instrument of God’s peace
·         Be merciful as your Father is merciful
·         Always be thankful to God
·         Be joyful in the Lord
·         Honor the Lord at all times
·         Feast and celebrate God’s goodness
·         Humble yourselves
·         Submit to God’s way

When and where is it?
·         Regularly all together in one place
·         In homes, school, at work, anywhere…
·         Private personal time with God

Why do it?
·         God is worthy to be praised
·         God commands us
·         We love Him because He first loved us

What is it?
Answer: The ‘it’ is worship.

Throughout history, kings, princes, priests, nations, and peoples have  ping-ponged back and forth between the worship of God and the evil of idolatry. Some did everything that was pleasing in the sight of God, and many could only do evil. In our present day, I suggest that we may be as equally focused on self rather than focused on God. Unaware, we may worship the vehicle of music instead of the person of Jesus Christ.

So how does music fit into the worship equation? Music is a gift from God, given to us to be offered back to Him in worthy thanks and love.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. (Psalm 27:6)

Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. (Psalm 33:2)

However, music is only one facet of our worship experience.

Worship includes everything previously listed and more. Worship is our response to God’s love for us, and it honors Him for who He is. Worship testifies to God’s sovereignty and encourages the Church with His truth. Worship exhorts and proclaims with our lips, “Our God reigns.” Worship is a sweet and pleasing aroma to God; it is exaltation; it is our sacrifice of praise to the Lord. It should encompass every part of our lives.
 
This list is far from exhaustive. If you have more ideas describing what worship is and how we express it, please email me your additions to this partial list at stevefbceugene [dot] com