“Worship Basics”

Scripture Reading: Psalm 150

Praise the LORD…
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
Praise him with the harp and lyre,
Praise him with tambourine and dancing,
Praise him with the strings and flute,
Praise him with the clash of cymbals
Praise him with resounding cymbals.
Psalm 150:1,3-5

It is our natural tendency to complicate things, and we must continually be drawn “back to the basics” in many areas of life. So it is with the whole concept of worship, complicated by the misunderstanding of who we are to worship, our preferences with regard to “worship” styles, traditions that color our sense of what is appropriate or inappropriate, and so on. Psalm 150 is rich for its simplicity as it puts out a general call to all breathing creation: “Praise the LORD!”

I. The WHAT of worship (1).

A. Worship is an OBLIGATORY response of praise to the True God.

B. Worship is a CONGREGATIONAL response.

C. Worship is a response to God of BELIEF, JOY, and DELIGHT.

II. The WHO of worship (1,6).

A. Worship is to be offered to YAHWEH, the one True, Triune God revealed in the Bible.

B. Worship is to be offered by ALL BREATHING CREATION.

III. The WHERE of worship (1).

A. Worship is to take place in God’s HOLY PLACE (see Ps. 11:4).

B. Worship is to take place in God’s MIGHTY EXPANSE (see Gen. 1:6-8).

IV. The WHY of worship (2).

A. God is to be worshiped for his GREAT ACTS.

B. God is to be worshiped for his own GREATNESS.

V. The HOW of worship (3-6).

A. Worship is to incorporate all variety of MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (3-5).

B. Worship is to incorporate DANCE (4).

C. Worship is to incorporate VOICES (6).

Our spirit can be limited by our own preferences or comfort levels so we are unable to participate “in spirit” in forms of worship that are validated Biblically, and even commanded! Other times we may be tempted to participate in something called worship that in fact fails to exalt the Triune God “in truth”. May God enable us to be among those who worship in spirit and in truth, “for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23).

Let everything that has breath
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150:6

For Further Study, Thought, and Discussion: [Download ]

1. Is it right to think of worship is an obligation (something commanded)? Should this be necessary? Why, or why not?

2. Give a contemporary example of worship that is not true worship because it does not exalt the one true, Triune God.

3. Are you ever anywhere where you can NOT worship God? Explain!

4. Share some aspect of God’s greatness or mighty deeds you have personally experienced that lead you to praise and worship. How can this be a fresh, up-to-the-minute experience of worship as you walk with Christ?

5. What styles of worship expression are helpful in leading you to worship? Which are not as helpful to you personally? What should our attitude be in congregational worship when we are being led in a form that reflects the preference of a brother or sister, but not ours?

NEXT WEEK: “Exploring Worship”—we will begin a series of messages on various aspects of the worship experience.

Doctor Steve Hardy