The Essence of Worship

26 May 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-

 

It is important for people to understand the purpose and the essence of worship, because it will enable them to experience the beauty of worship and to benefit in a worship atmosphere perpetually. Rev Samuel Lye recently shared at Soaring Eagle Global Ministries (SEGM) Revival Centre located at Sunwaymas Commercial Centre on the 10^th of May 2014 on this topic. He likened people without the essence of worship to coffee without its sweet and pungent aroma. “If your worship has no essence, it’s just making a lot of sounds,” he said.

 

 

Even love has an essence as described in the Bible according to 1 Corinthians 13; many Christians know it well. The Holy Spirit only moves when there is essence in worship. How do you become an effective worshiper? Changes do not only take place when we know the Bible, they also take place in worship! Samuel went in depth into the topic to help educate those who came for the seminar.

“The essence of worship always comes from the heart,” he said. The word “worship” by definition from the Hebrew word means to bow down or extend yourself towards. It is an act or attitude of profound love and admiration and it is when we take in the likeness of God. When we worship, it is important that we transform our minds to the mind of Christ. “Our head must be lower than our hearts to represent that we do not use head knowledge more than the heart knowledge,” shared Samuel.

 

 

God made us like His image so that we can have a heart-to-heart with Him. Know that God loves you more than anything! Worship was created for us to have fellowship with God and the believers of Christ, and for us to be fruitful and multiply. “God’s authority is given to people who worship with Him,” shared Samuel. In order to own this power of authority, we need to build a relationship with God with the deepest sincerity in our hearts. It is especially important that we put God’s Will first in our worship.

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

 

Important steps in worship

–          Know where you stand in Christ

–          Know who you are worshipping

–          Willing to be quick to step out in obedience

–          By faith believe that what you’ve asked, you’ve received!

 

 

Do not place limits in your worship life and do not place limits on God. Our God is limitless! Hence, worship at all places and at all times. We need to break through the root of tradition and our mentality of a fixed worship pattern in order to allow the Holy Spirit to flow freely. The essence of worship is when one worships even during the darkest hour of his life (This reveals the true colour of worship from a worshipper). In order to truly attain the essence of worship we need to know that worship must be learned and that it isn’t automatically given. Experience the fullness and goodness of God and His eternal love!

 

 

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. (Psalm 89:15)

 

 

The Holy Spirit and Worship (In Spirit and in Truth)

 

 

–          Only generated born-again believers can experience worship in love.

–          Unless we move in the Spirit, we will miss God’s purpose.

–          Worshipper need to be filled with the Spirit and the knowledge of the Word of God.

–          Worship with the right motive of the heart

–          The simplicity of worship (simple like having a child-like faith)

 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Psalm 46:4)

 

 

Hindering attitudes of worship

–          Pride

–          Hedonism (Of the “Flesh”)

–          Spectator-ism (You are a participant, not a viewer)

–          Musically dependant

–          Lip service (Not genuinely from the heart)

–          Traditional (Mentally-fixed method)

 

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. (Isaiah 29:13)

 

Many Christians lose the essence of worship because they have lost the intense love that was once there. “They allow love, problems, people, or their career to take over their lives,” shared Samuel. The trials of life often take over and pull you further away from God. Don’t allow that to happen to you! “This is why it is important for people to associate themselves in the Church and to encourage one another!” shared Samuel.

 

 

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.  The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.  The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.  He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.  The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.  The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.  The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”  The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.  The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (Psalm 29:1-11)