God created people to be worshippers. Only when we embrace that calling do we fully enter into a life full of supernatural joy, peace and strength.

Worship is to God, but it is for people. God is not an egomaniac who needs our affirmation. Although He could have demanded our constant attention, He has given us the choice regarding whether or not we will approach Him. He has revealed to us His desire to relate to us on a personal, intimate level but He has given us the freedom to exercise or ignore that right.

Worship is a choice by which we exercise our privilege of confidently drawing near to God because we are part of His family (Hebrews 10:19-22). We can draw near to Him and He will draw near to us (James 4:8). In worship, we experience a "connectedness" to God by which He releases His Spirit to move freely in our hearts.

The following is a brief Bible study outlining God's purposes in worship:

I. What Is Worship?

A. Worship is our central calling as Christians.
1. We were created "to the praise of His glory...” (Ephesians 1:6,12,14)

2. We were called out of darkness to worship Him (I Peter 2:9) just as the Israelites were called out of Egypt to worship Him (Exodus 3:12).

B. In worship, God’s presence is manifested.
1. Although He is with us always, there are certain occasions when His presence is distinctly manifested (Matthew 18:20;  I Corinthians 5:4).

2. The presence of the Lord is directly manifested during worship (2 Chronicles 5:13,14; Psalm 22:3).

3 The presence of the Lord went with the Israelites and gave them rest (Exodus 33:14-16). Today, we can carry the presence of the Lord with us experientially as we live a worshipping lifestyle (Philippians 4:4-5).

C. In worship, God ministers to His people.
1. He speaks to people during worship (Acts 13:2).

2. He convicts of sin and releases forgiveness (Psalms 73:16,17;  Isaiah 6:1-6).

3. He heals during worship (I Samuel 16:14-23).

4. He delivers people during worship (2 Chronicles 20:20-24;  Isaiah 42:10-13; Acts 16:25,26;  1 Samuel 16:14-23;  Psalm 149:6).

5. He releases prophecy during worship (Revelation 19:10;  1 Samuel 10:5,6; 1 Chronicles 25:3;  2 Kings 3:15, 16).

II. How Should We Worship?

A. Worship should contain jubilant celebration.

1. David humbled himself without dignity to celebrate the presence of God (II Sam. 6:13-23).

2. Elements of celebration include: 
singing (Psalms 47:6), shouting (Psalms 47:1), crying out (Isaiah 12:6), tongues (Acts 2:11), laughter (Psalms 126:1-3), musical instruments (Psalms 33:1-3), clapping (Psalms 47:1), lifting hands (Psalms 63:4) and dancing (Psalms 150:4).

3. Why celebrate?
A) Worshipful celebration releases the joy of the Lord, which is our strength (Neh. 8:10).

B) We have been invited to draw near to God because our sins are washed away (Heb. 12:18-25a).

C) We are commanded to celebrate and remember His faithfulness (Phil. 4:4, Heb13:15).

D) Joyfully celebrating the Lord's goodness increases our faith and releases into being the promises of God (Philippians 4:4-6;  2 Corinthians 1:20;  2 Chronicles 20:1-27).

B. Worship should contain humble adoration.

1. This is a proper response to a holy God (Revelation 4:8-10).

2. Elements of adoration include: lifting of hands (Psalms 134:2), bowing before Him (Philippians 2:10), kneeling (Psalms 95:6), singing in the Spirit   (I Cor. 14:15), falling prostrate before Him (Nehemiah 8:6).

3. We humble ourselves physically to help us appropriately position our spirits in humility before God (Review scriptures above regarding proper physical posturing during a worship experience).

4. Humble adoration releases intimacy with God (Psalms 27:4) as Father (Romans 8:15,16) and Friend (John 15:14).

C. Singing in Worship (different kinds of worship songs):

    1. “One another” songs (Ephesians 5:19)
    2. Songs sung to oneself (Psalms 103)
    3. Worship to the Lord (Psalms 92)
    4. Songs of prayer and petition--Crying out to the Lord for help (Psalms 59).
    5. Prophetic songs sung to the church (1 Chronicles 25:1)
    6. Scripture songs (Ephesians 5:19)
    7. Songs that declare God's truth (Colossians 3:16)
    8. Songs in other tongues, or songs birthed directly by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15;  Ephesians 5:19).
    9. Songs of spiritual warfare (Isaiah 42:10-13;  Psalms 149;  Jer. 1:10;  Exodus 17:8-15;  2 Chronicles. 20:18-28).
   10. Songs of remembrance (Psalm 118)

At Harvest Christian Fellowship, corporate worship experiences are always a high priority. We are not only in a posture of giving to the Lord during those times, but of receiving from Him as well. Therefore it is not uncommon for our worship times to include ministry to one another in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are often activated during periods of worship (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Revelation 19:10).

We also encourage people to be free in worship and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in regard to physical posturing and ministry to others. Freedom in worship does not imply chaos. We trust that as each of us is obedient to the Holy Spirit, God's holy order will be maintained (1 Corinthians 14:33) and we will always be loving and sensitive one to another.