What is Worship?

Hebrews 12:28-29   Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Have you ever sat around a bonfire? Have you noticed that you get mesmerized by just watching the flames?  We respect fire because we know that it can quickly devour whatever is in its path. But what about God?  Do we recognize Him as a devouring fire?

Exodus 24:17 ...the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Deuteronomy 9:3  But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.
2 Thessalonians 1:7  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

On Sunday, Pastor Steve shared with us the answer to "What is worship?"
Worship is a heart with extravagant love willing to play a role of submission serving God.
Do you feel that way?  Do we truly understand what it means that God's redemption plan saved us from eternal damnation?  I will never forget Vicar Pete's sermon when he asked "Do you take salvation seriously?"  I thought about that long and hard before I came up with the decisive answer of yes and no. Yes, because I understand and believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sin. No, because I don't always live my life like I truly understand that concept.  Sometimes I let the world crowd out the fact that Jesus has overcome the world! The full wrath of God was placed on His Son so that I do not have to endure hell. Wow! Do we really get what that means?? Heaven and hell are just concepts to us, we can't see them, we can only understand these places based on what we read in the Bible - and even then only with our limited human minds. I am thankful that God knows I am human and that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), whatever that weakness may be.

John 1:18  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory... full of grace and truth.
John 4:19-24  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.  
John 14:6  I am the way and the truth and the light.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

Worship is not just for Sunday.... it is not meant to be a ritualistic activity.  It is a moment to moment activity of heart, mind, and will.  Where does God want to use you today?? If our hearts and minds are connected to Jesus, His Spirit is in us, and will guide us.

Romans 12:1  ...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.

Hebrews 13:15  Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.