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Psalm 51:1 – 12
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Last week we learned that awe or a dread fear of God, trust, praise, and the thanksgiving are all elements that are part of proper worship before God. Today we want to consider 3 more truths that are the foundation upon which proper and true worship is built – and why the fear of God, trust, praise, and thanksgiving are the unforced and only natural responses to the God who saved us. So proper worship includes:
- THE CONFESSION OF SIN. Read Ps. 51:10 and 139:23, 24. Psalm 139 and 51 are 2 Psalms of worship. You can read both of these Psalms and know they are prayers David prayed in an attitude of worship whether he was “in church” or not. If the desire of your heart is God Himself and your desire is to walk with Him each day you can feel David’s heart in these Psalms; where he is expressing a sincere desire to have a right heart before God as a result of confession of sin. Worship is a way of life with a Christian! It is built from the fear of God, trust/faith in Him, and thanksgiving for the fact he chose us to be his adopted children. Now watch! All that begins in salvation with the confession of our sin and sin nature! Proper worship also includes:
- READING GOD’S WORD. Read Neh. 8:5-6; 9:3 and Col. 3:16. As you study the Scriptures you discover that almost every time people gathered to worship, the Scriptures were read aloud publicly! I personally think that reading the Scriptures, whether in any public worship, or in private quiet time – which is personal worship, the Scriptures should be read with the attitude that God is present and speaking Himself! The reason I believe that is because He is! So when Scripture tells us the people stood at the reading of the Word of God they were moved in their hearts to stand, not just out of respect and honor for the word of God – but out of awe and fear for the God of the Word! It is a sad testimony to the arrogance of man that more often than not, people are not moved in their hearts to stand when the word of God is read aloud. Worship also includes:
- MUSIC AND SONG. Read 2 Sam. 6:5; Ps. 95:2, 3; 100:2; Eph. 5:19, 20. Col. 3:16. It is proper that we should raise our voices in praises and song to our Redeemer. In Scripture we read that there was an element of worship than that we don’t practice today. Do you know what the “missing” element is? It’s dancing! Yes! dancing! Read Ex. 15:20; 2 Sam. 6:14, 16; 1 Chron. 15:29 Ps. 30:11; 149:3; 150:4. Don’t worry – I’m not thinking we should bring it back! Beloved, worship is presented as a vitally important part of the life of every adopted child of God. Both public and private worship are a way of life for the true man and woman of God. And all the elements that we include in our worship service, and whatever you include in your private worship should be done with sincere awe and fear of God.
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
