A Study on Worship : Lesson #2

Things about our Worship

In the previous lesson we looked at a definition for worship and discussed some of the things that are necessary for truly worshiping God. In this lesson we are going to see some things about our worship, some hindrances to our worship and some things that we are not to worship.

Some things about our Worship :

1)  To truly worship God we must be saved. (John 4:24 ; Romans 8:9)

In John it says that we must worship God in spirit and in truth. Therefore if one is not saved he is not in the spirit. Note that in John 3:6 it says that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Therefore as we stated in the previous lesson worshiping God is not about being in a trance or some other such experience but we must be saved and worship God in the spirit.

2) We must worship God according to the Truth (John 4:24)

In John 17:17 we see that the word of God is the truth. Therefore we must worship God in accordance with his word. Someone might ask what about all the different ways in which people worship God in all the different churches that exist today. Well the only way to know what is truth is by the Word of God. There are many forms of worship today that are not scriptural from the tongues movement to the rock band and laser light     shows that maybe good entertainment and draw big crowds but are not very scriptural (Proverbs 15:8). Some will say that is judging but we are to judge things by the word of God (1Corinthians 2:15).

3) We must worship God in Sincerity (Colossians 3:16)

Here we see in Verse 22 that we are not to serve God as if we are pleasing man but we are to serve him from the heart. If we are worshiping because we want to be seen of others or because we think that others are watching us and they expect us to that is not worshiping God sincerely.

Some Hindrances to our Worship :

There are many things that can hinder our worship of God. We will list some of the main ones but by no means are these only things that hinder our worship. And remember that each of us is affected differently by different things so we have to spot things that keep us from worship God and not let them hinder us.

1) Satan (1 Peter 5:8)

Form the very beginning Satan has desired worship. As a matter of fact he was created as the anointed cherub that covereth (Ezekiel 28:12-18) but fell through his pride and desire       to be worshiped (Isaiah 14:12-17). He even tried to get the Lord Jesus Christ to worship him (Luke 4:6-7). Therefore he will do everything in his power to try and get you to not      worship God. He is behind all of the false worship being done in churches today and will  do anything to get the worship and attention off of God or the Lord Jesus Christ.

2) Your flesh (Romans 7:18)

We must remember that our flesh will never want to worship God. It doesn’t want to pray, read the Bible, and go to church naturally we have to force it. Another thing about the flesh is that it always wants to try and worship God its own way instead of the way God said in his word. This is why we have rock music, light shows, 15 minute sermons, and other fleshly forms of worship today is because we are trying to please man’s flesh.   When God says that we must worship his way he means it. In the Old Testament he killed and man for touching the Ark of the Covenant, and killed two men for kindling strange fire on the altar. God is serious about worship and we must keep our flesh in check.

3) Pride (Proverbs 8:13)

God hates pride and pride will definitely hinder our worship of God. Many times we will  not say amen, shout or raise our hand in praise of the Lord because we are too proud. We are too afraid of what others might say or think about us. I sure am glad that Jesus was not too proud to die on the cross for us.

4) Grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-32)

We cannot grieve the Holy Spirit and expect to worship God. On might ask how do I grieve the Holy Spirit? By allowing all the things in verses 31 to stay in your life and by not doing the things listed in verse 32. The things in verse 31 would include a critical  spirit and gossiping about anybody and everybody. Having an unforgiving spirit will not only hinder your worship but also your prayer life.

Some things that we are told not to Worship :

1) Nature (Job 31:26-28)

Yes it is true that God created everything in nature and he can also be seen in nature but   we are still not to worship the sun, moon, stars, trees, clouds, animals, mountains, etc. Worship of these things is what has got man into the trouble that we are in today.

2) Men (Acts 10:25-26)

Have you ever wondered why they call actors stars, because people worship them just like the stars. There are people today who dress and act in accordance with Hollywood and tell you that if you do not you are out of style. The Bible says that we are not to worship men. That includes stars, professional athletes, politicians, world leaders, preachers, religious leaders, or even our own selves.

3) Angels (Revelations19:10)

Many today worship angels or other religious symbols and figures but once again this is    not scriptural.

A Study on Worship : Lesson #2 Handout

Things about our Worship

1)  List 3 important things about how we worship God. Give references.

2)  List 4 main hindrances to our worshiping God. Give references.

3)  List 3 things we are told not to worship. Give references.