I.
Worship
A.
A heart-attitude rather than a
specific action.
Worship in Old Testament is Hebrew: Strong’s #2360 (sûaµh\aÆ) bow down.
(hj;v);
1.
What does ‘bowing down’
indicate?
A willingness to serve the object bowed down to. A willingness to give priority
and resources toward the object. Be it God, money, sports, youth, health,
business success, acclaim, etc.
B. Is it possible to live without worshipping? If men don’t worship God, history has shown they will worship something !
1. Other gods. Ex. ; Ex. ;
2. Men. Job ; Acts
3. Antichrist. Dan. ; 2Th. ; Rev.
4. Angels. Rom. ; Rev.
5. Satan. Isa. ; Rev.
6. Created things! Rom.
7.
Demons. Deu. ; Ps.
Idols are merely a front for demons.
8. Heavens (sun, moon, stars). Gen. ; Job
9. Idols, images (the words of man’s hands). Ex. ; Isa. ; Dan. ; Rev.
C. Worship that God seeks
1.
God alone. Ex. ; Ex.
We are to honor Jesus as we “honor the Father.” Mtt. ;
Mtt. ; John ; John
); Php.
2. In Spirit and Truth. John
3. Worship is a response to a right-understanding of His glory. Rom.
4. Motivated by a desire to be in His presence - the ultimate blessing of redemption. Ex. ; Ps.
D. Worship in vain.
1. Hypocrisy - appearance without substance. Isa.
2. While disobedient.
a) Sacrifice while disobedient is fruitless and rejected. Ps. ; Mark
b) We demonstrate our love through obedience. Isa. ; Acts
3. In the flesh. Rom.
II. Prayer
A.
How is prayer related to
worship? Prayer is a primary means of
communication and fellowship with
God.
Pictured as incense (an offering with a sweet smell) before God. Ex. ; Ps.
B. God desires the prayers of believers. Luke
C. The believer has a unique and full access to God through Christ. Rom. ; Heb.
D. When is prayer not heard? Avoid these for your prayers to be effective (James ).
1. Wrong motives. James
2. Iniquity in my heart. Ps. (prayer becomes sin!); Isa.
3. Disobedient and unrepentant. 2 Chr.
4. Worship of other gods. Jer.
5. Unrighteous. John ; 1 Pe.
6. Mistreating one’s wife. Mal.
7. Justice is lacking. Isa.
8. Forgiveness is lacking. Mtt.
9. Lack of concern for the needy. Pr.
10. Double-minded (inconsistent and confused). James
11. When innocent blood is shed. Isa.
12. Those hating instruction, lacking fear of God. Pr.
E. For what do we pray?
1. According to God’s will. Dan.
2. God’s kingdom to come on earth. Mtt.
3. Jerusalem. Ps. ; Isa.
4. Giving thanks for God’s provision. Mtt.
5. Intercede for others. Ex. ; Ex. ; Ex. (Christ is our role model. Isa. ; Eph. )
6. Confession of sin, asking for forgiveness. Dan.
F. How do we pray?
1. With fasting. Ne. ; Ps. ; Acts
2. In the Spirit. Rom. ; 1 Cor.
3. In both public and private. 1K.
4. With a clean heart. 1 Ti.
5. With Godly fear. Heb.
6. With persistence. Matt. ; Luke
7. Continually - with an attitude of constant communion with God. Eph ; Acts