SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: WORSHIP || PSALM 100
Lent is a season to focus on growth and holiness through reflection and acts of self-denial. In this series, we will explore what it means to experience more of God’s grace through various spiritual disciplines.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP
“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to
the will to the purpose of God.” —William Temple
“The chief end of man is to _glorif_y God and enjoy Him forever.” —Westminster shorter Catechism
“‘But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in
and in . The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.’” —John 4:23-24 (NLT)
ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP
1. Celebration
2. Adoration
3. Thanksgiving
4. Awed Silence
“Worship is our response to the overtures of
from the heart of the Father.” —Richard Foster
“We may acknowledge our Divine Provider over the roast and mashed potatoes, but how often are we deliberately
for the water from our taps? The wood for our houses and our furniture? The paper for our books and napkins and note pads? The brick and metal and fabric and countless other materials we use and enjoy? God through nature made them all possible. We would do well to remember.” —Philip Wiebe
WORSHIP TRANSFORMS US
“What we are worshiping we are
.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy,
, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!’ Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, ‘It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.’ Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send .’” —Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT)