The Worship Of God

By Elder Thomas Waters

Recognize: Corporate worship grows out of personal worship.  The most fundamental preparation for Sunday worship is that which results from presenting yourself daily as a living sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1-12), and having a broken and contrite heart (Psalms 51:1-10).

 

DO: Ask God for a heart of worship and brokenness each day.  Psalms 19:7-14.

 

Recognize: You cannot expect to rush into church after an exhausting Saturday night and “be worshipful.”  A late Saturday night may at times be necessary and fun, but if you always get less sleep than you need on Saturday night and are tired in church, can you be alert and attentive to the majesty and presence of the Lord?

 

DO: Get a good night’s rest before Sunday worship.  Matthew 26:36-41.

 

Recognize: Conscious acknowledgment of God’s deity will prepare you for coming into His presence.

 

DO: Before bed on Saturday night, read passages of Scripture which remind you of who God is.  Pray that even as you sleep, the Lord would prepare you to worship Him.  Psalms 99:1-5.

Recognize: You must have a fertile heart Sunday morning.

 

DO: Spend time alone with the Lord Sunday morning before coming to church. Psalms 5:1-7.

 

Recognize: You cannot prepare adequately just before worship if you are late.  If you are parking the car, you have missed the beginning of worship.

 

DO: Plan to be in your seat at least five minutes before the service starts.  Matthew 25:1-13.

 

Recognize: God is in our presence when we gather for worship; His presence qualifies us as a worshiping assembly (Hebrews 12:23; Genesis 28:17).

 

DO: Come, conscious that God is present in the assembly of the saints.  Genesis 28:16-22

 

Recognize: What you are really doing in worship is joining with “the general assembly and the church of the first born who are in heaven”  We worship with the whole of God’s elect from every time and place - including the angels!

 

DO: As you come into church, imagine the host of brothers and sisters (saints from all ages and the angels) who are waiting to worship with you. Hebrews 12:22-29.

Recognize: There is a healthy balance between greeting friends and being reverent before the service starts.

 

DO: Be reverent as your enter the sanctuary  Pray, read a Psalm, or a hymn.  If someone is meditating, reading, or praying - respect their devotions and don’t be interruptive.  Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.

 

Recognize: Worship is active.  Worship requires mental, physical and emotional effort.

 

DO: Concentrate on each phase spoken, sung, or prayed.  Think as you worship.  Romans 12:1-3.

 

Recognize: Worship centers around the Word of God: read, preached, and heard.  The Word is God’s living voice speaking His will to us.

 

DO: Listen carefully to the Word read and preached; give the sermon full attention; pray to learn from it.  1 Thessalonians 2:8-13.

 

Recognize: Worship is much more than hearing a sermon.  The first half of the service is not “window dressing” or a warm up for the message.

 

DO: Concentrate on the meaning of each part of the worship as it occurs.  Psalm 100.