Based on Isaiah 6

The first quality of a great church that we looked at was the quality of truth. It is essential that a great church have a clear message grounded in God’s perfect Word. The second quality of a great church is great worship. We need to understand what is meant by “great worship” and we start by understanding what worship is not.

What Worship is NOT:

“Mere church attendance, Bible reading, and singing hymns are not worship. Worship is response – response to the person of God. It is seeking Him, finding Him, and adoring Him.” –E. H. Henderson

Too often we reduce “worship” to refer to a service put together with hymns, an offering, and a sermon. We say things like “how did you like the ‘worship’ today?” or “Let’s get ready and go to ‘worship.’” Worship is not just a meeting. It is not a particular style of music. Worship is so much more.

What Worship IS:

Worship means to ascribe worth to God. Worship is what we do anytime God has our attention, our affection, and our devotion.

SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES OF WORSHIP…

1. God is the center of worship, not man. (Revelation 4:1-11; 5:1-14; 11:5-19)

2. Fellowship is part of worship. (Deuteronomy 12:5-28; Hebrews 10:25)

Though man may not be the center of worship, God does want His family to get together to worship Him.

3. The Bible is a key element of worship. (Nehemiah 8:1-12)

The Scriptures are the life-changing agent of worship and should be the centerpiece of every worship service.

4. Music is a meaningful expression of worship. (Psalm 98:1-9; Colossians 3:16-17)

5. Giving is one of the greatest ways to worship. (Deuteronomy 16:10-17)

We worship when we give our time, our talents, and our treasure. We are most like God when we are giving.

6. Prayer is how we communicate in worship. (Psalm 95:1-11)

A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE OF WORSHIP…

Isaiah gives us a glimpse into the heart of worship as we lifts the veil on this wonderful vision he was given. What are the elements of real worship?

Isaiah 6

1. When real worship happens, we look upward and are awestruck by God’s majesty. (vs. 1-4)

• We are awestruck by His authority. (v. 1)
• We are awestruck by His holiness. (v. 3a)

In English, repeating an adjective is redundant. If I said my wife was sweet sweet, that would be improper grammar. But in Hebrew, repeating an adjective gives emphasis. The only word repeated three times concerning God is the word “holy.”

• We are awestruck by His glory. (v. 3b)
• We are awestruck by His power. (v. 4)

2. When real worship happens, we look inward and are humbled by our shortcomings. (vs. 5-7)

• Pride is removed from our lives. (v. 5a)
• We admit responsibility for sin. (v. 5b)
• We depend on God’s atonement. (vs. 6-7)

Real worship occurs when all dependence upon self is stripped away and we are left to rely upon the cross of Jesus Christ for our eternity. Isaiah was given a coal from the altar, a coal that had moments earlier singed away the blood of a guiltless animal sacrifice.

3. When real worship happens, we look outward and are burdened for God’s world. (vs. 8-13)

• God becomes my Master, so I’m willing to go for Him. (vs. 8-10)
• People become my passion. (vs. 11-13)

When we present Christ, many will have hardened hearts and will reject the message outright, but some will embrace it and turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. God will save a remnant, there will be a people of God.

Have you received the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross?