Topic No. 1.1
Topic outlines for personal study, devotionals, sermons, group discussions, and house churches.
Based on the principle: "The essentials on two pages"
Compiled by Kay Faßbender (©) – non-commercial distribution encouraged.
Current as of March 2020 – Email: Kay.Fassbender@t-online.de
Introduction
When we speak of "worship," we often mean the times of praise during a church service. In this context, "worship" is frequently associated with music. Yet, fundamentally, "worship" has nothing to do with instruments.
Times of praise in the congregation are important for honoring God, and they can be refreshing.
Why should we worship?
Because of the First Commandment ("I am the Lord your God").
Because God the Father and His Son are worthy of worship.
Because it is good for us (we look away from ourselves and toward God).
Definition
Worship = Greek: proskyneo; to prostrate oneself, to fall to one’s knees, to pay homage at someone's feet.
Worship means making a thing or a person the center of one’s life and aligning every area of life with that center.
Worshipping God means exalting Him for His character traits: e.g., "You are faithful, gracious, loving…"
Praise, on the other hand, is giving thanks for what He has done.
Key Bible passages
John 4:23–24
Jesus says: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
1 Chronicles 16:29
Give to the LORD the glory due His name! Bring a grain offering and come into His presence! Worship the LORD in holy splendor!
Psalm 81:10
No foreign god shall be among you, and do not worship an unknown god!
Psalm 95:6-7
Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the flock of His hand.
Ps 96:9: Worship the LORD in holy splendor! Tremble before Him, all the earth!
Isaiah 2:8
…their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their hands and what their fingers have made.
Isaiah 66:23
And it shall come to pass: …all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the LORD.
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him: Away with you, Satan! For it is written: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only…”
Revelation 14:7
and he (the angel) said with a loud voice: Fear God and give Him glory! For the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!
Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all nations shall come and worship before You, because Your righteous acts have been revealed.
Heading
Abraham is challenged by God. He is to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac to Him. What Abraham says to the servants accompanying him on the way to the place of sacrifice is interesting:
Stay here; we are going to worship. (Genesis 22:5)
Questions for applying this topic to my life
Which beloved "Isaac" must I place on the altar of burnt offering in my life in order to truly worship?
What do I worship more than God/Jesus? (Hidden idols)
Clue: How do I most enjoy spending my (free) time?
What do I most enjoy spending my money on?
What is my heart set on?
What fills my heart?
What do I dream about?
What do I most enjoy planning?
What must I do if I have discovered false idols in my life?
What does it mean in practical terms to make Jesus the center of my life and align every area with Him?
(See the definition of "worship" above.)