BORN FOR THIS | Why we worship the way we do

Hey there, Dreamer's Church family! It's an absolute joy to write this sermon series "BORN FOR THIS" for our church. I wanted to put together a blog post to help us explore the incredible ways we worship our Creator, our Savior, and our King. Worship is more than just a Sunday thing; it's a lifestyle, an overflow of our hearts. I want to explore "why" we worship the way we do, inspired by the timeless wisdom found in the Bible.

You and I were born for this! We were created to worship God in all we do. The Bible shows us that there are nine primary expressions of Biblical worship found in the Bible. These are not mere rituals, but profound ways to connect with our Creator and experience His presence. Through speaking, we proclaim His righteousness; with singing, we harmonize our spirits with His truth.  As we do them together, these expressions form a vibrant tapestry of worship, leading us closer to our purpose as worshippers of the King.

Speaking - The Power of Proclamation
In Psalms 35:28, it says, "My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long." Speaking out God's goodness and righteousness is a powerful form of worship. When we declare His praises, we're inviting His presence into our lives. It's a beautiful reminder that our words hold the power to shape our reality and align it with God's truth.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, let's make it a point to speak words of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. Whether in prayer, in conversations, or even in the quiet moments of reflection, let our tongues be instruments that proclaim His glory.

Singing - A Melody of the Heart
1 Corinthians 14:15 encourages us to "sing with our spirit" and "sing with our understanding." Music is a universal language that transcends barriers and reaches the depths of our souls. When we sing, it's not just about harmonious melodies; it's about pouring our hearts out to God.
In Psalm 66:1-2, we're called to "shout for joy to God" and "make His praise glorious." Singing is a beautiful way to express our joy, gratitude, and adoration for our Lord. So, let the songs of praise rise from your heart, for they are a sweet fragrance to our Heavenly Father.

Shouting - The Voice of Triumph
Psalm 98:4 tells us to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and "make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise." Sometimes, we need to let our inhibitions go and shout our praises to God. It's not about how you sound; it's about the exuberance of your heart.
Psalm 47:1 echoes this sentiment, encouraging us to "clap your hands" and "shout to God with the voice of triumph!" When we shout in worship, we're declaring that our God is victorious, and our victory is in Him.

Lifting of Hands - Surrender and Supplication
In Psalm 63:4 and Psalms 28:2, we find the act of lifting our hands in worship. It symbolizes surrender, supplication, and reaching out to God. When we raise our hands, we're saying, "Lord, I need You. I trust You. My life is in Your hands."
It's a beautiful posture of vulnerability and dependence on our Heavenly Father. So, don't be afraid to lift your hands in worship. It's a tangible way to express your love and trust in Him.

Playing Instruments - The Symphony of Praise
Psalm 150:3-5 paints a vivid picture of worship with various instruments, from trumpets and harps to cymbals and pipes. Music has a unique way of touching our souls and connecting us with God in a profound manner.
When we play instruments in worship, we're not just making music; we're participating in a heavenly symphony that resonates with God's heart. Let your instruments be an offering of praise to the One who created the very concept of music.

Clapping of Hands - Celebration and Joy
Psalm 47:1, once again, reminds us to "clap your hands, all you people." Clapping is a universal sign of celebration and joy. In worship, it's a way of saying, "God, I rejoice in Your presence. I celebrate Your goodness."
Let your claps resound in the sanctuary, for in that moment, you're joining a chorus of believers celebrating the greatness of our God.

Standing - A Posture of Honor
2 Chronicles 20:9 shares a powerful story of the Levites standing up and praising the Lord with a very loud voice. Standing is a posture of honor and readiness. It signifies our reverence for God and our willingness to listen and respond to His word.
Fun fact, sitting is the only posture not found in the Bible in reference to worship. So, let's stand firm in our faith, ready to worship our Creator with all our hearts.

Bowing/Kneeling - Humility and Adoration
In Psalm 95:6, we are invited to "bow down in worship" and "kneel before the LORD our Maker." These postures are an expression of humility and adoration. When we bow or kneel, we're acknowledging God's sovereignty and our submission to His will.
It's a beautiful way to connect with our Creator on a deeply intimate level, reminding ourselves that we are His creation, and He is our loving Father.

Dancing - Joy in His Presence
Lastly, in Psalm 150:4 and 2 Samuel 6:14, we see the act of dancing in worship. Dancing is a physical expression of the joy that overflows from our hearts when we encounter the living God.
Like David, let's not be afraid to dance before the Lord with all our might. In those moments, we are truly free, celebrating our salvation and the grace of our Heavenly Father.

In conclusion, as we look to the Bible to define our practice of worship, we quickly see that the natural cations become supernatural when they are focused on God. Shouting becomes our voice of triumph, while lifting our hands signifies complete surrender. Playing instruments creates a symphony of praise, and clapping embodies the joy of His presence. Standing represents our readiness and honor before God, while bowing or kneeling humbles us in adoration. Finally, dancing expresses the boundless joy we find in our Savior's arms.

My prayer is that our worship is a rich tapestry of expressions, mirroring the diverse ways we experience God's presence in our lives. So, let's continue to worship Him on Sundays and beyond the church services with speaking, singing, shouting, lifting of hands, playing instruments, clapping, standing, bowing, kneeling, and even dancing. Let our worship be a fragrant offering to the One who deserves all our praise and adoration.

Never forget, we were born for this—to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords!