Worship
Worship is the fourth key to revival.
The primary step towards revival is the understanding of what true worship is. We know what “praise” is but how many people understand what “worship” is? In traveling throughout the nation and ministering in churches of many different and diverse backgrounds and cultures, I have come to the conclusion that there is a lack of understanding on the subject.
Jesus said in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
We have to be careful not to misinterpret a “happy” service, a well performed, might we say a digitally mastered performance, with “worshipping in spirit and in truth.”
Let me tell you the difference: A well trained, professional musician can by virtue of his talent make an elegant presentation of a song and have a beautiful “song service.” I have seen and experienced too many of that sort. I’m tired of seeing man perform, I’m so hungry for a move of God. I know how man moves and what he can do. As a matter of fact man can orchestrate and put together a pretty good church service; but it lacks the visible and tangible evidence of what we read about in the Book of Acts. I’m talking about the “manifest presence of God.”
The manifest presence of God enters into the service during true “worship.”
The journey begins with “praise” and the culmination should be “worship.” But if the worship leader doesn’t even realize that it’s his job to lead the congregation through the various stages of the journey and not stop until he reaches his destination neither he or the congregation will experience the manifest Presence. I’m afraid the result will be what we commonly know as a “song service” devoid of “true worship.”
Let me tell you the difference more specifically between “praise and worship.”
1. Praise is celebration, jubilee.
2. Praise is through the use of verbs, thanking God for all He has done: “Thank you, Lord for saving me, delivering me, etc. etc.”
3. Praise is thanking God for all His works and gifts and provision to us.
4. Praise makes us feel good. It excites our emotions.
But is there a True Worshiper in the house?
1. Worship is not flesh gratifying but truly exalts the Lord.
2. Worship uses lots of adjectives: “You are Beautiful, Lord, You are Wonderful, Majestic, All together Lovely, Precious, the Lover of my soul. ”
3. Worship is a Love Song.
4. Worship is the part of the service where God is ministered to.
God will come, His Spirit will be manifested when we step out of the way and truly honor, glorify and exalt Him.
Praise is like being engaged. The gentleman admirer brings the roses, and the candy. The recipient is grateful. But Worship is like the marriage. The expressions of love are expressed with intimacy. And we know that children are born as a result of intimacy.
It’s time to move beyond the “Roses and the Candy,” and become true Worshipers and usher in Revival and the harvest. Will you be a Worshiper?