Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Get Your Hands Up to Worship

• Saul is distressed by a spirit and has someone else play worship for him. This is a common misconception with worship in the modern day church
• Interesting story- we’re continuing the story of Saul with the distressing spirit. What we find in this story is that Saul sends for a worshipper, and his servants find David, back with the sheep- and bring him before Saul. Saul doesn’t do the worshipping, David does. And when David plays and worships, the bad spirit upon Saul leaves him. V23  And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.
• Many church focus on having a ‘worship experience’ or having a ‘worship band’. The décor of the room lends itself to a concert setting in which the congregants become spectators of performance
• Many worship bands are hirelings that are playing for money- some of who aren’t saved
• Music is great to have in church- but attempting perfection to ‘draw people in’ at the expense of God isn’t good. Met hirelings, seen theatrics, watched dance routines and lighting shows. Wrong spirit.
• Some with argue with me that its possible to have a polished performance and a correct heart, but I’ve yet to see it. To me its either “coming back to a heart of worship” or it’s a show

• Worship starts with you

• In v 16 its again, the servants to propose to Saul that they bring in a worshipper to ease the pain of the evil spirit that is upon Saul. Notice- Not that Saul should turn from his wicked ways, repent and worship God, but lets go and get someone to worship for you
• v 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” – Saul Agrees! Yes- I don’t want to worship- I want someone ELSE to! Nice!
• contrast between the heart of Saul and David begins to take clear shape at this point
• Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
• David’s heart is “I will worship” Sauls heart is “find someone to worship for me”
• This begins to show the contrast between someone who expects others to do the job of worshipping for you- it sounds like “I want a church with a great worship team”
• The size, skill and cool factor of worship team will not be the key to Saul or your victory
• Saul needed to worship on his own. He needed to worship God and get HIS heart right

• What does it mean to you

• You have to stop judging worship by what it sounds and looks like and who is doing it
• Galatians 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load. 2 Cor 5:10 as well
• We are a collective body of Christ that is redeemed as whole who are indv. acountable
• You have to begin to realize that YOU need to become a worshipper. YOU need to do it

• Hebrews 13:15 by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. WORSHIP IS MOVING YOUR LIPS

• Its not about what YOU sound like. Or if YOU like it. Or if YOU feel comfortable.
• Romans 12:1 SAYS  present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
• If you’ve been saved from your sin- have  a mindset of your thankfulness

• Live a life of worship

• it looks like Saul wasn’t living much a life of Worship. You know who was? Read V18
• David’s life was such that when the Servants were looking for one who could fit the bill they found David. He apparently was known for being a worshipper.
• He must have been living a life of worship or they wouldn’t have chosen him.
• Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
• Some scholars believe  it was during these sheep years that David wrote some psalms
• Worship begins with a heart that understands that anything above God is idolatry
• Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
• The God that Saul had in his heart was pride. He refused to bow the knee. Got david.
• David understood worship. It developed him into skill, valor, man o war, READ v 18

• What does it mean to you?

• Are you living a life of worship? Worshipping God a priority in your life? Not just S/Wed
• What priorities are you setting in your life to worship God more? Radio v world
• Hebrews 12:28-29 READ
• The Biggest frustration I have with most American Christians is the lackadaisical attitude that they bring to their relationship with God. They give God a head nod and think its ok
• 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

• God owns you all day every day in every way. There are no days off. WORSHIP HIM

• Army- Told to wear dog tags every day until you get out. I did it. Didn’t miss one day
• In this story- you don’t want to be the Saul- you want to be the David. Be a worshipper

• Prepare for worship

• • As much as David was a worshipper, it was clear that BEFORE he went to worship he prepared for it.
  • 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul.
  • David was in for the long haul. He didn’t go and learn to worship. He already knew how- and even prepared non-spiritual things to ensure that he could FOCUS on the WORSHIP
  • Bread- The word Wine- The Spirit Goat- Sacrifice- You have these 3 you are good for W
  • But you cant enter into worship without preparation
  • Exodus 19:10-11 READ- The people of Israel had to prepare as they went up to GOD
  • The ancients understood that personal and corporate preparation was important.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
  • Going into the presence of God unprepared would not be a wise thing to do. READY
  • A prepared heart is ready to give God your BEST gift. Worship is GIVING to GOD

• What does it mean to you?

• Are you preparing your heart to worship God when you come into the assembly?
• Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
• The preparation for Worship starts long before Sunday morning. It starts sat
• What are you doing Saturday night? What are your thoughts- prepare heart- Sleep.
• Where is your heart during the week- Are you having God refine you before you come?
• Many haven’t thought about God or prayed before they came- so they cant give to God- trying to receive and be cleansed and spoke to. Wanting receiving instead of giving
• Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• Not arrogantly- Boldly- How can you do this if you haven’t be preparing? Getting ready

• Worship God not man

• The situation under which David was brought was actually pretty weird. ‘you worship God for me so I feel better’. Sauls heart was rotten- but Davids heart was pure
• READ V23
• The by-product of Davids worship was evident. Why? David just was doing what he did
• many times C and I were in Churches where it was bad- worship anyway- God is still God
• Read Psal 138 3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.

• Davids boldness to worship God was because he was worshipper- Not gonna stop

• David wasn’t there to worship Saul or perform. He was there for God alone- VERTICAL
• Worship isn’t about what is going on- or how you feel- or what you do. Its about GOD
• Jeremiah 25:6 Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’

• Years ago- Friend died- Singing worship on the way home from hospital
• What does it mean to you?

• Have you settled in your heart who you are worshipping and why you are worshipping?
• Men and women retreat- people come back ON FIRE. Lasts about 1 week. Goes back to coming in late and barely speaking out. Who changed in that situation? You or God?
• John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

• God so wants you to place him higher than everything in your life

• why the ‘been going through stuff’ is so annoying. THAT’S when you need to MOST
• Worship isn’t about how YOU feel or what YOU are going through its about GOD
• Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

• The respect of God and worship is so important- moving during- distracting others

• Have the reverence and respect of God to worship him.