WHAT IS WORSHIP? spiritually, behaviorally, attitudinally, Biblically . . .

Quix | 30 JAN 2007 | Quix

[Quix]

It seems fitting in my prayerful heart and spirit this day to offer this thread for our Biblical discussion and dialogue. Let us truly dialogue instead of throw Scripture-daggars at one another. Let us learn from one another TO THE GLORY OF GOD rather than beat one another about the head and shoulders with our biases.

I was going to start this thread with my own pontifications but now believed they would best be left for much later in the thread. I hope all with any sense at all about the topic will share liberally, thoughtfully and prayerfully.

I will express that I have a bias that worship is a key issue and intended BY GOD to be a key, high priority, earnest activity of all believers.

To get us off and running, I offer the following questions to help focus our discussion. I don't pretend that such questions are absolutely complete and comprehensively encompassing. If you have other fitting questions to the topic, please offer them to our congregation on this thread.

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Please consider, prayerfully ponder how you each might contribute to such a thread from your own Scriptural, personal experiences.

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

How do we know we are involved in worship?

How do others observe us to be authentically involved in worship?

How does God detect that our worship is authentic, with heart passion after Him?

What factors, traits characterize worship?

What behaviors characterize worship?

What priority is worship to have in the life of the beliver?

What are the hazards of worship, if any?

What are the contaminants of worship, if any?

What is/are the purpose/purposes; goal/goals of worship?

What is the Biblical result(s) of worship?

What are the Biblical standards of worship?

What is the Biblical model of worship?

What is the Biblical priority of worship?

Is there an aroma of worship? If so, what is it; is it like?

Is there a spirit, attitude of worship? If so, what is it like?

Is there a false vs authentic worship? If so, how so? Is there a behavioral difference or is the difference deeper?

[Quix]

i.e.

He's have to pry me off with a big stick.

[Quix]

Thanks for the sweet blessed tears of joy and more feelings of heartfelt joy toward DADDY.

[Alamo-Girl]

I'd want to STAY IN DADDY'S LAP until Jesus returned! LOL.

I'm the same way - though I see myself as a baby in His arms rather than a toddler in His lap. "I don't wanna get down, Papaw!"

[Between the Lines]

If we are ongoingly and increasingly in that state, attitude, is all we do an act of worship?

While all that we do is not an act of worship, it can be. That is what we should strive to attain. I try to live my life according to one simple Bible verse, Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

John MacArthur wrote, "When we talk about worship, we are talking about something we give to God. Modern Christianity seems committed instead to the idea that God should be giving to us. And God does give to us abundantly, but we need to understand the balance of that truth. We are to render honor and adoration to God. That consuming, selfless desire to give to God is the essence and the heart of worship. It begins with the giving first of ourselves and then of our attitudes, and then of our possessions until worship is a way of life."

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1.

Living sacrifices! A living sacrifice is not just what we do at church, but instead what we do in our everyday, ordinary life and all that it includes. When we lead holy lives pleasing to God, according to His will, a life that reflects His presence in us and place it before God as an offering, then worship becomes a way of life and life an act of worship.

[Tax-chick]

I'd be inclined like Peter to built tabernacles and CAMP RIGHT THERE with that EXPERIENCE instead of getting up and getting on with the business of The Kingdom.

LOL - I understand that perfectly!

[Quix]

Bless you for your sweet and kind understanding. Warms my heart and spirit.

[Quix]

INDEED.

Papaw was what I called my mother's dad until he died when I was 10 or 11. I knew when he came to visit me feeding the cow before milking that I would never see him again. He died the next morning.

I never realized how much he evidently cared for me from all reports, afterwards. He tended to cheat at Rook helping the youngest cousin--Rhonda Kaye! LOL.

[Quix]

INDEED, INDEED, INDEED!

WHATSOEVER YOU DO--DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY AS UNTO THE LORD!!!

Though I don't think a lot of folks immediately understand when I go around singing to the tune of Waltzing Matilda:

"_arting for Jesus, _arting for Jesus, We'll come a _arting for Jesus today."

It can sort of deflate a lot of pharisaical prissyness, nevertheless.

[Marysecretary]

One of my favorites! It's a great hymn, especially in harmony. Love, Mxxx

[Quix]

The greatest sense of worship in a corporate sense . . . and of God's response . . .

is when in a vast congregation,

HOLY SPIRIT SPONTANEOUSLY from a diversity of places in the congregation STARTS FOLKS SINGING IN TONGUES AND OTHERWISE . . . A VARIETY OF MELODIES ALL HARMONIZED AND WEAVING IN AND OUT SO MASTERFULLY AS TO BE LITERALLY AS HEAVENLY AS MAY BE POSSIBLE ON THIS EARTH.

I COULD BASK IN SUCH WORSHIP FOR HOURS though it usually lasts less than 20-30 minutes.

How many hereon have experienced such?

[Quix]

BTW, the College called a snowday today--so I don't have to teach tonight! Can continue to recooperate with my chest. Coughing more up, PTL. Thanks for all your prayers.

[navygal]

Right now, I would be afraid of throwing out my hip.

[Quix]

Throwing out your hip?

I think there's a joke in there somewhere but you lost me on it.

Sometimes I have to have humor spelled out plainly. Sorry.

[navygal]

Yes, dance like King David danced.

[1000 silverlings]

but wear pants

[Quix]

Ahhhhhhhh. . . .

I see . . . .

Welllll, David's dance had somehow been on my heart, mind, spirit . . . and I was alone in the apartment in Taipei . . . well, anyway, was between DADDY and I.

[Quix]

I did feel rather childlike . . . which maybe was the lesson in it.

Has often been hard for me to feel that way in good ways in my relationship with God due my natural fathers.

[1000 silverlings]

David said "When my mother and my father forsake me, the Lord will take me up".

Good to remember, and it's a promise

[Quix]

AMEN.

AND PRAISE HIS NAME for that!

[JockoManning]

Amen! Thanks for posting this wonderful song. Here's another one that's a blessing.

I WILL ARISE AND GO TO JESUS

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Refrain

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Refrain

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Refrain

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/m/comeyspn.htm