Worship - sermon series from Trent Vineyard

I came across these videos on worship from Trent Vineyard Church based in Nottingham, UK. Not only is John Wright's accent addictive to us American folk, but the content that we see in these videos is great.  I recommend sitting down and watching these to gain a new/refreshed perspective on worship.

Worship: PART 1

Worship: Part 1 from Trent Vineyard on Vimeo.
In the first talk of this series John Wright looks at God’s creation of the Universe and man’s creation of the temple, and unpacks the incredible access and invitation we now have into God’s presence as we come to worship.

Worship: PART 2

Worship: Part 2 - Reverent Worship from Trent Vineyard on Vimeo.
In the second talk of this series John looks at the ark of the covenant, our attitude as we come to worship, and what the bible has to say about reverent worship.

Worship: PART 3

Worship: Part 3 - Extravagant Worship from Trent Vineyard on Vimeo.
In the concluding part of this series, John Wright explores freedom in Worship, looking at the example of David in 2 Samuel as the Ark returns to Jerusalem.

For more info about this church visit: http://www.trentvineyard.org/

New song

Sing a new song to God.

We see this phrase all over Psalms as well as conceptually throughout the Bible. What does that mean for us today?

As I seek to understand more about God, I'm put in this position between speechlessness and responsiveness. On one hand I'm craving something, something new. Something fresh. Something from my heart. But, more than half of the time I just come up short and hunting for the right words to say. I'm left with songs and scriptures filtering through my head that have been around for ages.

I can't help but be challenged creatively by these verses (sing a new song verses) but at the same time I've realized that 1000 year old phrases and songs can be new to my lips each time because of my heart. Because, they were new thoughts that sparked these age-old words. So, in my songwriting I want to push forward, but as I seek to Worship I want to bring the best of what I know as on offering of praise.

"Lord help me to continually praise You with new songs and songs that are coming from a new heart. Holy Spirit, I need You to continually work in me and I ask that You will give me more desire for You. Jesus, I want to lift Your name up. I want to bring You praise, because You are good and Your sacrifice was perfect." - Luke

"Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" Psalms 96:1

Worship in the Bible

The word worship appears in the bible many times having many different Hebrew and Greek origins. Looking at the meaning and usage of these words can be extremely helpful to help us find the meaning of worship and establish a biblical foundation for our worship. We can also see other examples of worship in the Old and New Testament by examining the scriptures closely and applying with it our knowledge of the meaning of worship.

Let's look at some Hebrew and Greek words regarding worship. I grouped similar Hebrew/Greek together as many scholars do to better understand it as a whole.

Words and Meanings:

שחה shachah [H] & proskuneo [G]-"depress," "bow down," "prostrate","bow down in worship", "to adore" = It points to an inner and outer homage to God with awe and surrender. (Gen. 22:5, 24:26-27, Ps. 66:4), (Matt. 2:2, 2:11, Jn. 4:24) Other words that have a similar expression are: caghadh [H] - "to fall down", "to bow down" (Job 1:20, Isaiah 44:15, 17, 19 and 46 : 6)

עבד avad [H] & latreuo [G]-"to serve," "to minister," "to work" = Worship as service implies a total lifestyle of allegience to God. (Ex.3:12, Ps. 100:2, Duet. 6:13, 10:12-13), (Acts 24:14, Rom 12:1, Phil 3:3) Other words that have a similar expression are: abhadh [H] - also abhodhah "to serve", "to work", " to labour", "to be bound", "to enslave" (Exodus 3:12) / therapeuo - "serve," "heal," "tend" "to relieve", "to wait upon menially" (Acts 17:25) / atsabh - ‘carve,’ ‘fabricate,’ ‘fashion,’ is once given ‘worship,’ i.e. ‘make (an object of) worship (Jer 44:19) / also: threskeia [G] (see next section for more details)

ירא yare [H] & phoboumenoi [G]-"to fear, "to respect" = To fear God and have reverence and respect for Him and move toward service. (1 Sam. 12:14, Duet. 8:6, Eccl. 12:13, Job 1:1, Prov 3:7), (Acts 9:31, Acts 13:16, Rev 14:7). Other words that have a similar expression are: sebomai [G]-"to revere", "to fear", "to adore - devout", "religous worship" is used 10 times one of which is (Matt. 15:9) / threskeia [G]- "to observe commands", "to observe religiously" is also used as "religion" it can be "will-worship," "ceremonial observance," "an act of reverence" , = It has the root idea of trembling or fear and also identifies more of a ritual or form of worship. (Acts 26:5, James 1:26-27, Col 2:18)

ידה yadah [H] & exomologeo [G]-"to give thanks," "to make confession," = This was more than a gratitude expression, it also meant a confession of God being God. (Ps 136:1, Phil 2:10-11)

So we see the four basic expressions of worship: bowing down, service, reverence, praise/thanks (confession of gratitude). Each of the primary expressions has many facets and worship concepts that go with them which helps us apply them to our lives and 'live out' worship.

Worship is our response to God yet it is made possible through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at the command and will of the Father. Worship is now available to us! Wow. Jesus sacraficed. We are made clean. AND we are adopted into the family! We are children of God. We are pure. We are righteous. We are no longer bound by our sins. We have reason to Worship! "I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship (BrookeFraser)".

Let us come to God with celebration and give thanks for the wonderful and mighty God He is, and let us fall down before Him with homage and surrender as we begin to catch a glimpse of His power. Let us realize, as our faces are on the ground, that He alone is deserving of our reverence & fear then move toward action & service as we surrender with a lifestyle of allegience to Him. Let us Worship.

He is worthy.

Sources Used:

Crannell, Philip Wendell. "Worship," International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Edited by James Orr. Blue Letter Bible. 1913. 1 Apr 2007. 3 Mar 2010. type=GetTopic&Topic=Worship&DictList=4#ISBE>

Webber, Robert E. "Worship Old and New" Copyright (c) 1994, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI

Muchow, Rick. "What does the word 'worship' mean?" Unpublished document from an E-mail.

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Definition for 'WORSHIP'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". bible-history.com - ISBE; 1915.

Hawaii

Aloha,

My wife and I just moved to Kauai, HI for the summer! We are looking forward to spending time with my family and enjoying God's creation.

The other day at worship practice we read Psalm 65. Take a look at these verses about God's beautiful creation and His character as the Creator... be encouraged.

^{Psalm 65: 5-13}

⁵ You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,

⁶ who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,

⁷ who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.

⁸ Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

⁹ You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it. ^{c]" style=" line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]}

¹⁰ You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.

¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.

¹² The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.

¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.