|
|
|
Discipling 12
Lesson 28
Praise & Worship
Concept:
Romans 8:15 reminds us that after we receive
Jesus Christas our personal Lord and Savior, there is a desire on the
inside of us that cries out to be close to our Heavenly Father. It is
exciting to know that I can run right into the very presence of the Lord
and shout “Daddy, Daddy”. As great as that truth is, it isn’t nearly as
hard to comprehend as what Zephaniah 3:17 states. The prophet shares with
us the heart of our Heavenly Father. The scripture tells us that the Father
gets extremely happy when we come into His presence with Praise &
Worship. He paints a picture of God rejoicing, spinning and dancing over
me. Wow!
Psalm 22:3, explains that the Father desires to make His
home right in the middle of our sincere praise. Psalm 149:6-9 explains that our
praise damages the kingdom of darkness. Acts 10:4 illustrates how our praise
and worship releases incense that rises up to the nostrils of the Lord and it
is enjoyed and stored. Psalm 81 says that praise will remove burdens from my
shoulders and will release me to enjoy the fruit of the Lord’s provision. Psalm
8:2 reveals that child-like praise will silence the enemy’s attack and even
supply strength to the praisers. Luke 19:40,
shows us that the rocks are waiting to take our job of praising if we falter.
What an exciting picture that should stir our desire to break forth into vocal,
heart releasing adoration to our loving Father.
If you are like me, when you begin to give these vocal
praises and songs to the Lord, you hear yourself. The first thought that comes
is, who would want to hear that sound! I know I can’t imagine anyone getting
excited, or recording it and keeping it for later, or wanting to dance and
rejoice because I was praising. The truth is, the Lord hears the praise of my
heart and that is what sounds good to Him. He doesn’t rate my worship or my
talent but the sincerity of my heart. Man may listen to the noise I make, but
the spirit that is released touches God. That is why John 4:23, 24 states that the Lord is looking for
people who worship in “spirit and truth”. I want the love that I have for
the Father to be sensed in every part of my praise and worship. Remember that
it becomes easier and easier when I learn that I am just responding back to
Him. He first loved me and I respond with His love and simply give it back
to Him.
Every love relationship that is healthy has a strong
foundation of communication. My love relationship with the Father needs to have
a heart that is overflowing with thanksgiving, praise, and worship and, that
needs to find a physical release directed toward the Father. Experiencing
thanks for all the Lord has done for me keeps me in a place of gratitude and
awe of the Lord. I need to praise Him for whom He is. As I learn of His
attributes and the great love that He has for me, there should be a
corresponding release of praise that is unhindered and unashamed. As I boast
about who He is and what He can do, praise should begin to run like a river
out of my innermost being. As thanksgiving and praise is released, it will
cover me like a mist and I will find myself ushered right into the worshipping
of the “Most High”. I will begin to love Him not for what He has done or will
do, but just because I am engulfed in His great love for me. Worship is all
about the Lord and not about me. Worship is what I can give, not what I can
receive. Scripture states that I need to worship and serve the Lord
(Matthew 4:10) but I shouldn’t
need a command to do something I love to do. A command may get me going in the
right direction, but my love should keep me there.
When I have a heart that is exploding with love, worship
is never too expensive to me. I would gladly spend a year’s wages to wash His
feet with tears and anoint my Lord with costly oil as the lady did in Luke 7:44
did. David was described as a person who had a heart like God. Could that have
been because He learned early in His life to be a worshipper of a “Loving
Heavenly Father?” Worship becomes a lifestyle when my love for the Father keeps
increasing. Exodus 4:31 shows us
that the children of Israel
began to worship when they found out the Lord was concerned about them. Matthew
8:1-4 shows a man with leprosy falling down in worship because his heart was
full of expectations. Revelation 1:17
shows John the apostle on the ground when he began to see the love of his Lord
in manifestation. He couldn’t stand with that weight of glory on him. I am a
worshipper not because of my physical talent but because my heart is
overflowing with love for my Heavenly Father. As I picture my Savior with holes
in His hands, side and feet, how can I stop speaking out a love-inspired song
of worship that thanks Him for His death, for my life? We should not need a
“worship leader” to get us to worship; all we need is a revelation. I want to
be like Isaiah and see the throne room filled with the glory of the Lord.
As we continue to receive revelation of the love of the
Father, we will be able to give praise right in the middle of any situation I
might be facing. I will sing while in jail like Paul and Silas; I will lift up
my hands to the Lord like Abraham did to the King of Sodom; I will follow the
advice of James and count it all joy when I am right in the middle of a
temptation caused by my lust, and I will be like David and encourage myself in
the Lord even if everyone is getting ready to stone me. My thanksgiving, praise
and worship are a good indication of where my spiritual life is at any given
situation. We need to be the ones that the Lord is searching for, because we do
worship in “spirit and truth”.
As we look at scriptures, allow the Lord to transform you
into worshippers that bring joy to His heart. Allow the Word, to be the High
Praises of God in your mouth that will enforce defeat on the enemy. Allow the
abundance of your heart to be voiced as thanksgiving to our wonderful Father
who gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. We believe that the Holy Spirit will
bring revelation to the scriptures we study.
Definitions:
Hebrew Words for Praise
1. Yadah: Extended hands, to throw out the hand, worship
with extended hands. Yadah is active and not passive. Throwing your hands up
with power.
Genesis 29:35
Genesis 49:8
Leviticus 5:5
Numbers 5:7
II Samuel 22:50
I Chronicles 16:4
I Chronicles 25:3
II Chronicles 20:21
Ezra 3:11
Nehemiah 1:6
Psalms 7:17
Psalms 9:1
Psalms 30:12
Psalms 86:12
Isaiah 38:18, 19
2. Towdah: Extended hands are adoration or acceptance.
Thanksgiving to God for things not yet received as well as things already
received.
Choir of worshippers.
Leviticus 7:13, 15
II Chronicles 29:31
Nehemiah 12:27, 31
Psalms 50:23
Psalms 56:12
Psalms 69:30
Psalms 95:2
Psalms 147:7
Isaiah 51:3
Jeremiah 33:11
Amos 4:5
Jonah 2:9
3. Halal: Causative, to be clean, to shine, clear and
sharp tone, to make a show, used both of external appearance and grand eloquent
words. To celebrate, to be clamorously foolish (if you boasted a lot, you were
considered to be foolish.)
I Samuel 21:13
II Samuel 22:4
I Kings 20:11
II Chronicles 8:14
II Chronicles 20:22
Psalms 34:2
Psalms 35:28
Psalms 96:4
Psalms 106:5
Psalms 117:2
Proverbs 25:14
Proverbs 31:28
Song of Solomon 6:9
Jeremiah 9:23, 24
Joel 2:26
4. Shabach: To soothe, to stroke, to still the water, to
address in a loud tone, to purify, to commend, glory and triumph.
I Chronicles 16:35
Psalms 63:3
Psalms 106:47
Psalms 117:1
Psalms 147:12
5. Barak: To kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration,
as a benefit to man, abundantly, salute, to invoke God, to praise, to celebrate
(which is done on bended knees).
Genesis 1:22
Genesis 2:3
Genesis 27:4, 7, 10
Exodus 20:24
Deuteronomy 7:13, 14
Deuteronomy 8:10
Deuteronomy 24:19
Deuteronomy 28:3
Numbers 6:27
Numbers 22:6
Leviticus 9:22, 23
I Samuel 15:13
II Chronicles 6:13
Joshua 8:33
Psalms 16:7
Psalms 66:8
Psalms 95:6
Psalms 100:4
Psalms 129:8
6. Zamar: To touch the sting, to play upon it, to make
music, accompanied by the voice, hence to celebrate in song and music. To dance
according to rhythmical number and is connected with singing. To strike
together as an instrument.
Judges 5:3
II Samuel 22:50
I Chronicles 16:9
Psalms 21:13
Psalms 27:6
Psalms 30:4
Psalms 33:2
Psalms 61:8
Psalms 68:4, 32
Psalms 98:5
Psalms 108:3
Psalms 117:2
Psalms 147:1
7. Tehillah: Praise, hymn, praise in which everyone
stands with respect to others, glory. A person that people give glory, to sing
loud, vocal, extremely expressive, forcible at times and has to be acted upon.
I Chronicles 16:35
Nehemiah 12:6
Psalms 9:14
Psalms 22:3
Psalms 33:1
Psalms 71:14
Psalms 100:4
Psalms 145:1
Psalms 149:1
Isaiah 42:8
Isaiah: 63:7
Habakkuk 3:3
8. Judah: To cast or throw, to scatter, praise, glorify
Greek Words
9. Aineo: A story in relation to praise, to give praise.
Luke 2:13
Luke 19:37
Luke 24:53
Acts 2:47
Romans 15:11
Revelation 19:5
10. Epainos: Laudation, a commendable thing, praise.
Praise is to be ascribed to God, in respect to His glory, for his character and
what He does. Telling of what and who God is.
Romans 2:29
I Corinthians 4:5
II Corinthians 8:18
Ephesians 1:6
I Peter 1:7
Philippians 1:11
Philippians 4:8
11. Humneo: To sing; sing to praise God. The great Hallel
which is Psalm 113-118, Psalm 136.
Mark 14:26
Matthew 26:30
Acts 16:25
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 2:12
12: Worship: Shachah: To prostrate, homage, bow down,
crouch, fall down, reverence, and stoop.
Genesis 22:5
Exodus 34:14
Deuteronomy 26:10
Joshua 5:14
I Samuel 1:3
I Chronicles 16:29
Psalms 29:2
Psalms132:7
Isaiah 2:8
Isaiah 49:7
Zechariah 14:16, 17
13. Worship: Proskuneo: To kiss, like a dog licking his
master’s hand, to crouch, prostrate oneself in reverence. Adore.
Matthew 2:2, 8
Matthew 4:10
Matthew 8:2
John 41:21-23
I Corinthians 14:25
Hebrews 1:6
Revelation 4:10
Revelation 19:10
Ways to Express Your Praise to the Lord:
1. Singing – Psalm 57:7
2. Shouting – Psalm 71:23
3. Laughter – Psalm 126:2
4. Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4
5. Standing – Deuteronomy 29:15
6. Kneeling – I Kings 8:54
7. Clapping – Psalms 47:1
8. Uplifted Hands – Psalm 134:2
9. Dancing – Psalms 149:3
10. Singing in Tongues – I Corinthians 14:15
11. Musical Instruments – Psalm 149
12. Waving Hands – Exodus 29:24
13. Bowing – Isaiah 58:5
14. Prostrate – Mark 5:33
15. Leaping – Acts 3:8
Scriptures on Praise and Worship:
1. Genesis 14:17-24
2. Genesis 17:17-22
3. Genesis 22:5-18
4. Genesis 24:26-31
5. Genesis 32:22-32
6. Exodus 3:18-22
7. Exodus 15:19-21
8. Exodus 19:14-23
9. Exodus 25:1-8
10. Exodus 32:25-29
11. Exodus 40: 34-38
12. Leviticus 7:11-15
13. Leviticus 10:1-3
14. Leviticus 14:12-20
15. Leviticus 25:8-13,21
16. Numbers 28-29
17. Deuteronomy 12:4-6
18. Judges 7:14-18
19. I Samuel 1:27,28
2. I Samuel 4:5-9
21. I Samuel 30:1-8
22. II Samuel 6:12-23
23. II Samuel 22:1-4
24. II Chronicles 5:11-14
25. II Chronicles 6:40 and 7:3
26. I Chronicles 15:11-29
27. I Chronicles 16:29
28. I Chronicles 25:6,7
29. I Chronicles 30:1
30. II Chronicles 20:20,21
31. II Chronicles 31:4-8
32. Ezra 3:11-13
33. Nehemiah 8:9-12
34. Nehemiah 12:42
35. Psalm 18
36. Psalm 42
37. Psalm 68
38. Psalm 81
39. Psalm 95:1
40. Psalm 149
41. Daniel 3:1-15
42. Habakkuk 3:17-19
43. Zephaniah 3:16,17
44. Matthew 4:10
45. Matthew 8:1-4
46. Matthew 9:18-26
47. Matthew 15:21-28
48. Matthew 17:14-16
49. Matthew 21:9-11,16
50. Matthew 28:8-10
51. Mark 7:7
52. Mark 12:41-44
53. Mark 14:1-11
54. Luke 2:13-15
55. Luke 2:28-32
56. Luke 10:21,22
57. Acts 3:6-10
58. Acts 4:27-31
59. Acts 16:16-39
60. Acts 24:14
61. I Corinthians 14:14-16
62. Ephesians 5:17-19
63. Philippians 3:3
64. Colossians 3:15-16
65. I Thessalonians 5:18-19
66. James 5:13
67. Revelation 4:8-11
68. Revelation 5:11-14
69. Revelation 11:16-18
70. Revelation 19:6-8
Summary:
If I want to be a serious Jesus follower, then I must be
a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. As we have studied all the scriptures
listed about praise and worship, I believe there is a welling up in your heart
to pursue the Lord with greater zeal. I want to be a person who constantly is
responding to the love of God. God’s love is always flowing toward me
unconditionally and I need to respond back with the same kind of love. The Word
shows me how to respond. I can sing, clap, jump, bow, sing in the spirit, spin,
and many other scriptural responses. The main thing is that I respond as a
living sacrifice; not what makes me feel good, but in a way pleasing to the
Lord. David declared he wouldn’t give the Lord something that didn’t cost him
anything. Scripture admonishes me to never come empty handed or stiff-necked. I
want my hands to be expressing love and my attitude one of a zealous son who
loves his dad. My love needs to be expressed in a tangible way as a sweet smelling
sacrifice to my Heavenly Father.
We need to be sure that the flesh is crucified and is
doing what it is told and not telling me how to worship. David told his
emotions that they would bless the Lord. I constantly need to tell my soul that
it will raise its hands to the Lord. I will sing and clap to the Lord; I will
leap for joy, and I will be a living sacrifice, which is my responsible
worship. What the Word says I am to do, I need to respond in faith and do it.
We might not feel comfortable leaping before the Lord, but that is what the
Word directs and that is what we need to do. As I act on the Word in faith, it
will change my feelings, but my feelings will not change the Word. Allow the
Word to change you and stretch you into the His image of a worshipper. The Lord
will use worship to soften your heart and do those things in your life that you
have desired done. He is good at removing blemishes and spots during a time of
expressing my love to Him. Lift up your hands and let the praise flow out of your
innermost being.
Action:
Take a scripture and begin to act on it in your personal
worship time. If lifting your hands has been a pressure, then take Psalms 134:2
and act on the Word. As you sing to the Lord, your body will not like it, but
you will sense in your spirit that it is a right thing to do. It is good to put
on some praise music and worship with the musicians. But the best is the songs
and joyful noise that comes from your heart. I like to shout to the Lord with a
voice of triumph as I leap and celebrate victory. Faith celebrates before the
game is over, because we know that we are going to win. Be a doer of the Word!
|
