“How Do We Live A Lifestyle Of Worship”? • Friday Service at the RRC

“How Do We Live A Lifestyle Of Worship”? • Friday Service at the RRC

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Worship is important to God for several key reasons:

1. **Acknowledgement of God's Sovereignty and Greatness**: Worship is an act of recognizing and honoring the sovereignty, greatness, and holiness of God. It's a way for humans to express awe and reverence for who God is. Through worship, believers acknowledge God's ultimate authority and worthiness of all praise and adoration.

2. **Fulfillment of God's Purpose for Humanity**: In various scriptures, it's suggested that one of the purposes for which humans were created is to worship God (Isaiah 43:7, 21). By worshiping, people fulfill part of their fundamental purpose and design.

3. **Building a Relationship with God**: Worship is a key component of a believer's relationship with God. It's a time of intimate communication and connection. Through worship, believers express their love, gratitude, and need for God, which fosters a deeper relationship with Him.

4. **Transformation and Renewal**: Worship has the power to transform the worshiper. In God's presence, people find renewal, strength, and perspective. It's often in moments of worship that individuals are reminded of God’s promises, faithfulness, and their identity in Him.

5. **Spiritual Warfare**: Worship can be a form of spiritual warfare. It shifts the focus from life's challenges to God's power. Biblical examples show worship leading to breakthroughs and victories (2 Chronicles 20:21-22).

6. **Community and Unity in the Body of Christ**: Corporate worship unites believers in a shared experience of God's presence. It builds community and strengthens the collective faith and identity of the Church.

7. **Reflecting God’s Glory Back to Him**: Worship is a way of reflecting God's glory back to Him. Just as creation declares His glory (Psalm 19:1), so does worship from His people. It's an expression of giving back to God from what He has given.

8. **Preparing for Eternity**: Worship is seen as a preparation for eternity. In heaven, worship is a continual activity (Revelation 4:8-11). Engaging in worship on earth is, in a sense, a preparation for and a foretaste of eternal life with God.

Here are ten key verses from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible that emphasize the importance of praise and worship and the need for faith:

1. **Psalm 100:4** - "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."

2. **Hebrews 13:15** - "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

3. **Psalm 95:6** - "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

4. **John 4:24** - "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

5. **Psalm 150:6** - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"

6. **Psalm 22:3** - "But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel."

7. **Psalm 34:1** - "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

8. **2 Chronicles 20:22** - "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated."

9. **Psalm 147:1** - "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful."

10. **Ephesians 5:19-20** - "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

King David, known as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22), is often celebrated as a great worshiper in the Bible. His life and writings, especially in the book of Psalms, reveal his deep devotion and heartfelt worship towards God.

### Early Life and Heart of Worship
- **Anointed as King**: David was anointed by the prophet Samuel at a young age (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Even before he became king, he was known for his skill with the harp and his love for God.
- **David and Goliath**: In his battle with Goliath, David's faith in God was evident. He saw the battle as the Lord's and worshiped God through his trust and declaration of faith (1 Samuel 17).

### Psalms: Expressions of Worship
- **Book of Psalms**: David wrote many of the Psalms, which are filled with expressions of praise, worship, and heartfelt prayers to God. They reveal his deep emotional connection with God, covering a wide range of human experiences and emotions.
- **Examples of Worship**: Psalms like 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”) and 51 (a penitential psalm) show his reliance, trust, and worship of God in various life circumstances.

### Instances of Worship in David’s Life
- **Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem**: One of the most vivid examples of David’s worship is found in 2 Samuel 6. David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great celebration. He danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod. This act showed his humility and willingness to worship God wholeheartedly, without concern for his kingly dignity.
- **Response to Personal Challenges**: David’s response to personal challenges and tragedies also reflected his worshiper's heart. For instance, when his child with Bathsheba was ill, David fasted and worshiped (2 Samuel 12:16-20).
- **Plans for the Temple**: Although David was not permitted to build the temple, his preparations and plans for it (1 Chronicles 22) demonstrate his desire to honor and worship God.

### Legacy as a Worshiper
- **Influence on Israelite Worship**: David established a new order of worship in Israel, organizing the Levites into groups of musicians and singers for the temple services (1 Chronicles 23:5; 25:1-7). This had a lasting impact on Israelite worship practices.
- **A Heart Like God’s**: Throughout his life, despite his flaws and failures, David consistently turned back to God with a repentant and worshipful heart, setting a model for heartfelt worship and reliance on God.

David's story illustrates that worship is not just about singing or music; it's a lifestyle of reverence, dependence, and love for God. His life is a testament to the importance of a personal, intimate relationship with God, expressed through worship.