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The heart of worship

Studies show about half the people that attend church don’t experience the presence of God – and this is why

In 2010 we have made worship into something for us
God becomes our supernatural ATM machineWe go to it hoping there is something we can draw out
Just like when we have low funds in our bank
We go to God – I know I haven’t invested much but God I just need one more withdraw
When do we give something to God?
Worship is about giving something to God
The word worship means: To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission
Worship is actually about honoring God
Psalm 100 shows us how to give something back to God

Psalm 100: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth

Worship is not a religious act – it is a shout for joy
Let the shout come out of you
When you find God, you find joy – the whole earth is called to shout for joy
It is a measure of your worship – is there a shout for joy in you?
Don’t go through the motions – if the joy is gone – you need to reconnect
Rediscover the shout of joy – your first love – the revelation of Christ in your life

Worship the LORD with gladness, come before him with joyful songs

Gladness means exhibiting joy – get the joy in your worship
Get some enthusiasm into your worship experience
It is fun to be in the presence of God – Let your song be joyful
Nehemiah 8: 10 the joy of the Lord is your strength
It’s joy that is greater than the circumstances – you can be in the valley but have joy

Know that the LORD is God

Put him in his rightful place – he’s not your buddy, he’s not your back stop – he is the almighty God – the creator of heaven and earth – who has given you life!
Let some fear of the Lord come upon your worship
Proverbs 22:4
 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
If you were standing before God – you wouldn’t be casual – you would be in awe!

It is he who made us, and we are his we are his people, the sheep of his pasture

We are created by God – and we are his people
Let him be the shepherd in your life – It means he leads and you follow
When the call comes to worship – respond with a willing heart
Lets give him the honor he deserves – worship is about honoring God

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise

Go to church regularly and worship with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts
So often we can come burdened and heavy in spirit – and there are times for that
But the best way to off load the burden is to pick up thankfulness and praise
Church is a place where we should celebrate what God has done for us
You might not be on the mountain –but is he still worthy of our praise? –yes 1000 times yes
People used to offer sacrifices to God – now it’s about what we can get
God always meets us at the altar – put some thing on the altar today
Lets rediscover the heart of worship in our lives