We Were Created to Worship
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” —Mark 12:30
Worship—A Whole-Hearted Response
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. —Romans 12:1
1. Worship Turns Fear Into Faith:
2 Chronicles 20:1-12
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. —2 Timothy 1:7
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” —Isaiah 26:3
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” —Corrie Ten Boom
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” —2 Chronicles 20:12
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.” —John 4:23
Spirit = authentic
Truth = accurate
2. Worship Unites Us:
2 Chronicles 20:13-19
…be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Ephesians 5:18–20
Celebrate God. Sing together—everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof! —Psalm 32:11
3. Worship Breaks Down Walls:
2 Chronicles 20:20-23, 26-30
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. —2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. —Psalm 22:3
Discussion Questions
1. What does worshipping “in spirit and in truth” mean?
2. Describe the difference between worshipping God through serving someone in need and worshipping God through praise and thanksgiving. Why are both important?
3. Why does God call us to worship together, not just as individuals?
4. Describe a time when you put Isaiah 26:3 into practice and felt the peace of God.
5. What is one new way you will use your resources (time, energy & money) to express worship to God this week?