PowerPaths—Worship
By Pastor Robby Bradford
Worship is our response to what we value the most.
What keeps us from life-giving worship?
*We substitute something less for God.
(Romans 1:21-23) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
*We permit pride to keep us from worship.
(John 12:42-43) Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
*We let others worship while we watch.
(James 4:8 NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
*We replace worship with traditions.
(Matthew 15:3-9) You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
7 WORDS FOR PRAISE
- Halel – to rave, boast, celebrate…to be clamorously foolish
(Psalm 35:1) I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
- Yadah – to extend the hand in worship
(Psalm 134.2) Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD.
- Barak – to kneel down
(Psalm 95:6) Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker…
- Zamar – making music to God with strings
(Psalm 33.2) Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
- Shabach – to address in a loud tone, to shout, to triumph
(Psalm 47:1) Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
- Towdah – to lift hands in adoration; to thank God for things not yet received
(Psalm 50:23) Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.
- Tehilah – exuberant singing
(Psalm 34:2) Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.