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Worship

"Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."  Psalm 29:1-2

The Lord is worthy of worship

Worship is a response of submission by the heart to God as He reveals Himself through the person and work of Christ.  This occurs individually and in the gathering, as the church exalts Christ.  The Holy Spirit enlightens His people through the Word of God and hearts are moved to respond to the holiness, goodness, and love of Christ revealed through His gospel.  

Christ alone through His saving grace is able to prepare the heart to meet with God in worship.  Religious ceremony deals with outward appearances.  The Lord is concerned with the heart (Matthew 15:8).

The Lord is worthy of worship in every way possible:

We offer our lives as living sacrifices.  Romans 12:1-2
We serve one another.  1 Peter 4:10
We love one another and are united in spirit.  John 15:9-17
We praise the Lord through music.  Ephesians 5:18-20
We love our families.  Colossians 4:18-21
We share the gospel of Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Elements of worship:

The revelation of God.  Isaiah 9:1-2
The adoration of God.  Psalm 100:1-5
The confession of sin.  Psalm 51:1-7
The affirmation of forgiveness in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:21
The proclamation of the Word of God.  Romans 10:17
The dedication to the Word of God.  Hebrews 13:18
The commissioning of God.  Matthew 28:18-20

Individual and congregational response to God is active.

Examples of the response of adoration to Christ:

Sing to the Lord.  Psalm 84:1-2
Clap hands to the Lord.  Psalm 47:1
Shout to the Lord.  Psalm 98:4-9
Be silent in praise to the Lord.  Psalm 65:1-3
Raise hands in praise to the Lord.  Psalm 63:2-5
Bow down before the Lord.  Psalm 5:7
Kneel before the Lord.  Psalm 95:6
Be joyful before the Lord.  Psalm 30:11-12
Play loud instruments unto the Lord.  Psalm 150:1-6