The First Principle of Worship



Scripture: Genesis 22:1-5


Genesis 22:2 NKJV 2Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Hebrews 11:17-19 NKJV 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.


Introduction

Often things God requires of us seem unreasonable. But simple obedience to a request that seems impossible and unreasonable is the doorway to greater promise.


I. Lessons from the scripture text

Genesis 22:2 NKJV 2Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

  1. Abraham didn’t complain, whine or question

  2. He acted immediately on God’s instructions

  3. He made his obedience an act of worship

Genesis 22:5 NKJV 5And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

  1. He trusted God to deal with the impossible

  2. He held nothing back


II. Principles derived from the scripture text

Genesis 22:2 NKJV 3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

  1. I don’t have to understand to obey

  2. My obedience gives God opportunity to display His greatness

  3. My obedience displays a right heart attitude

  4. My obedience acknowledges His supremacy

  5. My obedience opens the door to divine blessing


III. How to implement the principle

Genesis 22:15-18 NKJV 15Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—17blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

  1. Take the time to listen to His voice

  2. Release His past promises to Him to fulfill

  3. Be prepared to sacrifice the promise

  4. Follow His instructions to the letter

  5. Ask Him to increase your faith

  6. Trust Him to fulfill His word

The First Worship Leader



Scripture: Ezekiel 28:12b-15 NKJV


Ezekiel 28:12b-15 NKJV “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

Isaiah 48:11 NKJV 11For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.


Introduction

The first worship leader was an incredibly talented and handsome and / or individual. Because of his talent and beauty, he became arrogant, lost sight of the purpose of his creation and decided to usurp the glory that belonged to his Creator alone.


I. Lucifer, the first worship leader

Isaiah 14:13-14 NKJV 13For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

  1. Characteristics of Lucifer

    1. A rebellious attitude

    2. Arrogant pride

    3. Unreasonable ambition

  2. The results of Lucifer’s attitude

    1. Refused to accept his original design

    2. Attempted to thwart God’s plans and purposes

    3. Attempted to set himself up as a god


II. Personal manifestations of a Lucifer spirit

Isaiah 48:11 NKJV 11For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

  1. Biblical examples of a Lucifer spirit

    1. Moses

Numbers 20:10 NKJV 10And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?”

    1. Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 4:36-37, 5:1-2 NKJV 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

      1. Wanted the glory

      2. Unwilling to pay the price

      3. The only acceptable price--See Philippians 2:5-11

    1. Simon the sorcerer

Acts 8:19-19 NKJV 18And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

      1. Saw a great business opportunity

      2. Wanted to profiteer on divine manifestation

  1. Symptoms of a Lucifer spirit

1. A general lack of enthusiasm to worship God

2. A need to have personal talent recognized

  1. A lack of regard for how God has created you

  2. Gaining self worth from talents and abilities

  3. Taking credit for what He has done

  4. A performance rather than a worship orientation


III. Dealing with a Lucifer spirit

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Matthew 23:12 NKJV 12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

  1. Repent for participating in a Lucifer spirit

  2. Function to glorify ONLY Him

  3. Make worship the object of your service

  4. Set your heart to obey Him

  5. Prepare to STAND DOWN when His presence arrives.


Elements of Worship



Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-2


2 Chronicles 7:1-2 NKJV 1When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house.


Introduction

Please take a few moments to examine the following list of songs / choruses. Categorize the songs in the following categories: Praise, Petition, Proclamation / Testimony and Worship.

Amazing Grace

Draw Me Close to You

Awesome in this Place

Victory in Jesus

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise

O Lord God of Israel

Great and Mighty is He

I’ll Fly Away

Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down

Praise the Name of Jesus


I. Defining worship

1 Chronicles 16:29 KJV 29Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

  1. Petition

    1. Requesting God to meet a spiritual, physical, financial or other need.

    2. Centers in the person’s own desire to have his own needs met.

  2. Proclamation / Testimony

    1. Bearing witness of a past, present or future event

    2. Centers in general witness to some event or quality

  1. Praise

    1. Praises God for WHAT HE HAS DONE

    2. Acknowledges God’s specific acts of kindness in your life or the lives of others

    3. Centers in what God has done or is doing for you or others of whom you have specific knowledge

  2. Worship

1. Adores God for WHO HE IS

2. Centers in all the magnificent qualities of our Lord and Creator


II. Mechanics of worship






III. Facilitating worship


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