EXPRESSION
"Each of us was created by God for relationship with Him,
but we can only enjoy that relationship by God's grace.
God's great love for us, demonstrated in Christ Jesus,
initiates our response.
The only reasonable and adequate response
is our expression of worship."
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It's our sixth week!....It is my continued hope and prayer that you have been gaining much wisdom and practice in the topic of worship through the past five weeks. I have thoroughly enjoyed going through this study again with you. Feel free to let me know your thoughts and what you have been learning as well as words of wisdom. Leave a comment anytime!
TODAY'S MAIN IDEA:
God delights in our unique expressions of worship in response to His revelation!
Harland tells us that "once we understand our human position relative to God's omnipotence and greatness, we are ready to become true worshipers...
...Our willingness to spend time in His presence and invite Him into every aspect of our lives--surrendering ourselves as a living sacrifice--dictates how we respond as we encounter God."
(p. 117, workbook)
Our worship expression is a clear indicator of the depth and quality of
our relationship with God.
"When we live a surrendered life in response to who He is and what He has done, our response as we encounter God is free and unhindered. What someone else might think about our response really doesn't matter. Worship is truly all about Him!" (p. 118, workbook)
Wow -- those last two sentences really hit home because as Baptists, we tend to worry about what others will think if we truly express our love to God in worship. We seem so concerned about clapping, kneeling, lifting up hands, and expressing our praise, that in corporate worship, much is lost due to worrying about others. Thankfully, God evaluates the heart of the worshiper. Yet, "God wants to see and hear our unique expressions of worship."
Remember folks, the issue is not the style of worship...
"Each believer must raise his or her own expression of worship to the King of kings in response to what He alone has done."
As long as one makes the Bible their worship standard, and not by our comfort level based on previous experiences, we will keep our priority on God and what He says about worship.
Look to the Bible as our "standard" when it comes to expressing worship...His word must be our guideline as we worship.
Once we understand our human position relative to God's omnipotence and greatness, we are ready to become true worshipers!
I praise God that He wants to hear my unique expressions of praise; all from a heart fully dedicated and devoted to Him.
As it flows from your heart, express your love to God today in your own unique way.
Blessings,
Ken
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