9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:9 – 11)
God is passionate about His glory and hopefully you have seen how Bible Study, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer and Fasting are conduits to giving Him the glory that is His alone. This week we focus on the Disciplines of Worship and Fellowship, starting with Worship.
The concept of God’s glory brings the discipline of worship into very sharp focus. Consider these two implications of internalizing God’s glory as the motivation for worship:
- We avoid the seduction of many activities that are labelled as worship but are really not. For example, some so called worship activities are really just entertainment without substance.
- We avoid falling victim to what I consider the “exclusive zone of worship” syndrome. This occurs when we believe we must be at church and in a worship service for worship to occur. This “constrained” view of worship is unfortunately pervasive.
Please read the passage above prayerfully and consider the object, motivation and attitude of worship displayed.
Question:
What are some of the practical implications of seeing worship as a lifestyle rather than a church activity?
March 25, 2019 at 9:05 am
All our actions, thoughts and activities should be pleasing to God; and when they are then they are a form of worship.
March 25, 2019 at 10:50 am
It gives a different perspective to daily life issues/situations. Living in a state of worship let’s me approach my commute with patience I wouldn’t have otherwise. Circumstances that might bring about anxiety can be eliminated when I’m in a posture of worship reminding me of the Mighty God I serve and is able to handle the situation.
When I’m not aware of and acknowledge God’s presence I am usually focused on what I can or have to do which is idolatry, the opposite of His worship.
March 25, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Worship is a part of my daily life. You can worship God anywhere, anytime and whatever you do. For example ,here in Japan, walking to train station, or riding bicycle to go to supermarket ,gym or anywhere is the way of life for most Japanese living in the city.
I often find myself worshiping God in my mind and heart while on my way home walking, or riding the bicycle, while appreciating the beautiful flowers on the street, or just feeling the serenity, and being amazed by the neatness /orderliness of the town I live. These simple things I notice on my way home made me reflect on God’s protection over me as well as His unconditional love and provisions. All this, in turn led me to say a little prayer or give praises to Jesus. By simply saying thank you Lord for this day, or thank you I’m on my way home now , and again you protected me, this act of worship humbled me, and reminded me how privileged I am to be a child of God! To me that is one way to worship God in this hectic life in Japan. Playing Christian songs or listening/ singing along to KLove music , while doing house chores or while doing my assignments for my weekly bible study fellowship group class, are some other ways that allow me to worship God. Sometimes, when I remember a friend’s prayer request, at that moment wherever I am, whatever I do, I say a prayer for that friend, and of course in my daily worship, expressing gratefulness for everything the Lord has done for me in the past is vital to my growth as a believer. Worshiping Christ, my creator is like, breathing air, without it I cannot live. My faith is meaningless if my act of worship is only confined to a certain place, on a definite day and time. Worship is a way of life.
March 25, 2019 at 5:25 pm
I’m reminded of Paul’s urging in Romans 12: I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. We give to Him with every fibre of our being, our version of laying down our crowns being right and righteous living and really loving others.