How can worshippers today move themselves out of the way to truly give to God the worship He deserves? Here are four directives that will motivate your heart to sincere worship.
First, humble yourself before God. In Ephesians 3:14, Paul exclaimed, “I bow my knees before the Father.” Paul used the language of worship as he described himself bowing before God. In Romans 14:11, this same word emphasized the doxological statement “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God” (a quote from Isaiah 45:23). In Philippians 2:10, the words sing out with an emphasis on the end of time when “every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christs is Lord.” The reference to bowing the knee in worship indicates one who lowers self in response to the true object of worship. This lowering of self describes how our lives should become humbled in the presence of God.
Darlene Zschech observed, “The humble worship God, they love to see and hear others worship God, and they desire to experience the presence of God in worship. Anyone who is proud and arrogant cannot stand to hear the Father, Son and Holy Spirit being worshipped, but the humble love to worship Him and also to hear others worship Him.”
Second, rely completely upon the Holy Spirit to guide your worship. Once entered into worship through humility, stay in a spirit of worship, but not by your own inclinations or strengths. The Holy Spirit keeps your focus as worshipper on Christ and not on self. Each worshipper must desperately rely on the Holy Spirit to focus in worship so that the flesh has no part whatsoever. In John 16:14, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit will bring glory to Christ. Jesus said:
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you.
The Holy Spirit, then, is your guide in worship.
Third, celebrate the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Worship must in all expressions be a celebration of the love of God. In Ephesians 3:18, Paul prayed for Christians to grasp the love of Christ, for there is no greater influence in worship to reduce self and magnify Jesus. Paul exclaimed, “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ.” Why these dimensions? Consider this: (1) His love is wide in reaching out to cover us; (2) His love is long, meaning duration, for His love is with us all the days of our lives; (3) His love is high as it becomes our highest experience of elation and celebration; and (4) His love is deep, in that His love reaches down into our deepest hurts, longings, and grief. You cannot ignore His love. His love is perfect. Why, then, would His love not focus our attention on His holiness and majesty? Every occasion to worship privately and corporately is a celebration of the love of God in Christ our Lord.
Fourth, prioritize the glory of God. The journey into worship has not become what it should be until the heart of the follower of Christ prioritizes the glory of God. Paul prayed in a form of doxology, “to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ forevermore.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) First, always live in the wonder of God (“now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more”); second, “in the church” is where His glory must be seen (the church is a worshipping people, revealing the fullness of God and His love). Remember that nothing invites God’s glory into a worship service like people who unashamedly adore Jesus Christ. Lifting up praise to Jesus brings down the glory of God among His own. His glory is His presence that dwells in power, causing His influence on the human life to permeate a dark world.
These are the ways we reduce ourselves and glorify Jesus Christ. Is this happening in your life privately? Is this happening in how you worship?
Blessings,
Ken
