We begin a NEW sermon series this week entitled “Let’s talk about worship”. Preaching from Brian Dickson. Service led by Beverley Sills.

Sermon Notes

What is worship?

There are no doubt numerous ways people might define what ‘worship’ means to them. It seems that in these modern times we could be in danger of losing our way as the term and meaning has become so broad. So, this morning we are going to look at the life of Moses and see what we might learn from him.

Our worship must start and end with God

The holy scriptures describes people who bowed their heads in worship, signifying their acknowledgement of one who is greater than themselves.

In Matthew chapter 4, we find Satan tempting Jesus saying, “fall down and worship me, and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world”.  Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

There is but one God, and it is to him alone we bow and worship.

Who we are to God?

What a joy it is to know, the God of all creation loves us and cares for each one. Through our faith in Jesus and his sacrifice, we know that our sins are forgiven and that we have the promise of eternal life. This on its own is enough to want to praise God for his goodness and mercy towards us, but we are also redeemed. God has adopted us, he is our heavenly Father and we are his children. We are in close relationship with God. A God who is not distant but near.

Consider: knowing all this, does it make it easier or harder to worship God?

Approaching God in worship?

So how should we approach a holy God in worship? Remember how Moses reacted at the burning bush when God spoke to him? Moses hid his face. Moses humbled himself and demonstrated godly fear, a fear that seems to be diminishing in modern times.

Although Moses met with God and heard the voice of God, this did not result in Moses becoming self-important or prideful.  One reads often in scripture that Moses was ‘the servant of God’. What a great example. Despite being one of the great spiritual leaders, the scriptures speak of him thus…

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3

Moses clearly demonstrated that true worship is a heart attitude towards God. He feared God, he was humble before him, and he served God faithfully.

Challenge: What can we learn from how Moses approached God, and what can we change to improve our own worship?