[HOME] [UP] [WORLDSCOPE] [FEEDBACK] [POST OFFICE] [THE JESUS FILES] [BOOK EXPRESS] [SEARCH]

Series: The Call - Lesson 3

Ministry to the Lord

Of the four aspects of our ministry as Christians, the most important is our ministry to the Lord Himself. This will affect every other expression of God's call on our lives.

Blessing God

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name'' Psalm 103:1 (NASB).

It is an awesome thought to consider that we have the ability to bless our Creator, but time after time in the Scripture we are exhorted to do just that. We bless him through our praise and worship of Him (see Judges 5:9; Nehemiah 9:5; Psalm 34:1,3; 63:3-4; 66:8; 68:26; 96:2-4,7-9;103:1-2,20-22; 104:1; 115:17-18; 134:1- 2; 145:1-2,10,21).

Praise

''Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" Psalm 63:3-4.

Praise is an expression of admiration and appreciation. When we praise someone, we tell them how wonderful we think they are, or how great their accomplishments are. lt is the same with the Lord. Praise has to do with with acknowledging God's character and power.

Why do we Praise God?

1. Because of who He is (Psalm 47:6-7; 113:1-5; 116:5; 135:3; Revelation 4:8).
2. Because of what He does (Psalm 103:1-5; 105:1-2; 150:2; Revelation 4:11).
3. Because it is pleasant and fitting (Psalm 147:1).
4. Because it glorifies Him (Psalm 50:23).

Who is to Praise God?

1. Those who seek God (Psalm 22:26; 40:16).
2. All people (Psalm 148:11-13; 145:21; Revelation 7:9-12).
3. All creation (Revelation 5:11-14).
4. Everything that has breath (Psalm 150:6).

When do we Praise God?

1. At all times (Psalm 34:1-3).
2. All day long (Psalm 71:8; 113:3).
3. When we hear His Word (Psalm 106:12; 119:171).
4. In every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20).

Where are we to Praise God?

1. Before His presence (Psalm 100; 95:1-3).
2. On our beds (Psalm 63:5-7).
3. Surrounded by God's people (Hebrews 2:12; Psalm 35:18).
4. Among the nations (Psalm 57:9-11).

Worship

Whereas praise is an expression of admiration and appreciation, worship is an expression of love and adoration. lt is possible to admire someone and appreciate what they do without being IN LOVE with them. In the same way, worship has to do with our relationship with the Lord. lt can only be expressed with the giving of our whole heart and life to Him.

From the Heart, Not just Outward Form

"To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices'' Mark 12:33 (see also lsaiah 1:10-15; 29:13; Psalm 9:1; 86:12).

The religious rituals and ceremonies of Israel in the Old Testament became detestable to the Lord because their heart was far from him (Isaiah 1:10-15; Isaiah 29:13). Today, also, God is only interested in the genuine and sincere worship that comes from the heart.

''Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH'' John 4:23-24 (read also verses 4-26).

1. In Spirit

Our spirit can be termed the "inner man" (Ephesians 3:16). Worship results when the inner man, in response to the promptings of God's Spirit, is released in love and adoration toward God. This can take the form of vocal worship, a love-song to the Lord, or silent adoration. Only those who have been "born again of the spirit" through faith in Jesus Christ can truly worship God (John 3:5-8).

2. In Truth

To worship God in truth is to worship Him in full understanding of who He is, what He is like, and what pleases Him. This is only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ, who IS the Truth and came to reveal the Father to us (John 14:6; John 1:18). The Bible is His written Word, given to reveal God's heart to us (John 5:39-40; Luke 24:27).

Expressions of Praise and Worship in Scripture

''Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?. . . Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted . . . '' Exodus 15:11,21.

"Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord . . . For you are great and do marvellous deeds; you alone are God . . . I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name for ever'' Psalm 86:8,10,12.

[HOME] [UP] [WORLDSCOPE] [FEEDBACK] [POST OFFICE] [THE JESUS FILES] [BOOK EXPRESS] [SEARCH]

Copyright © 1981,1996 Paul, Bunty and David Collins. All rights reserved. This study may be freely used and reproduced, wholly or in part, except for profit, provided copyright and contact information is included.

Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in these studies are from the New International Version of the Bible, © New York International Bible Society, used by permission. Other versions referred to are: KJV (King James Version), NKJB (New King James Bible), TLB (The Living Bible), Amp (The Amplified Bible) and The Message.

These studies are "graceware" - distributed freely and without obligation. If you would like to help financially in the continuation of this ministry, you can send your gift to:

Churchlink
P.O. Box 1033
Newcastle 2300
Australia.

For more information on Bible studies available, visit the Churchlink site on the World Wide Web at www.churchlink.com.au/churchlink. Enquiries to: [email protected]