1. Man has always been fascinated by the question: "Why are we here?” 

2. Ontology = study of being or existing.

3. An ontological argument examines the concept of God and argues that if we can conceive God he must exist.

4. Worship has been a part of civilization since beginning of time, whether acceptable or not.

 

I. MIND TO WORSHIP

A. Man has the innate desire to worship. 

1. He may determine that he will not worship God, but will worship something: Trees; house; parents; man. 

2. Something is going to have top priority in his life. 

B. Man in his natural position to worship shows there is something worthy to be worshipped.

1. Against man’s nature to worship himself.

2. Atheists claim earliest form of worship of man was animism. 

3. Earliest religion was true religion in Garden of Eden.

C. Man has to worship something or someone.

1. Has to have priority in his life.

2. If he has any wisdom it will be greater than he is.

3. Worship indicates one is worthy of it – God.

D. Sense of ought.

1. Man has natural desire to do better.

2. There is morality.

3. We have purpose.

4. Ought is purposeful activity.

E. We have a conscience.

1. We can have our conscience seared but we cannot get rid of it.

2. Paul thought he was doing right by killing Christians (Act 23:1)

3. The conscience needs to be set right.

4. 9/11 – People violate the strongest drive they have (self preservation) to put their own life in jeopardy

to preserve the life of a complete stranger. 

5. A conscience confirms God and the desire to worship something – but is it correct?

 

II. METHODS OF WORSHIP

A. Difference between Praise and Worship.

1. Praise = Show approval; honor.

2. Worship = Religious reverence; complete devotion to someone/something.

3. Praise is a part of worship, but worship is not necessarily a part of praise.

4. One can praise God but not worship him acceptably. 

B. Sing

1. Those who believe in instrumental music misuse Psa. 33:1-3 – attempt to apply it to today 

2. If one were to argue God authorized musical instruments in OT, would he by necessity authorize it in NT?

3. In NT God said to worship with music by SINGING.

4. No authority for instruments in NT worship.

C. Pray.

1. Prayer = petition to God

2. Types:

a. Exaltation – praise for who God is; Thanksgiving (what God has done, doing 

b. Introspection – Forgiveness; Requests; Protection; Guidance.

c. Circumspection – Intercession (remembering needs of others); Imprecation (remembering

scars from others)

3. To whom do we pray? Luk 11:1-2; Mat 26:39, 42; Mat 6:9

4. Christians are to pray unto God the Father – to be done in the name (by the authority) of Jesus Christ

(Joh 16:23; Eph 5:20; Heb 7:25)

5. If we can pray to Jesus, then who is our intercessor?

 

III. MEANING OF WORSHIP

A. Worship should be to no one or nothing else but God (Exo 34:14).

B. Should be our very best.

1. Psa 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

2. Skillfully = Do it the best we can.

3. God deserves our most excellent praise and adoration.

C. Should be done properly and reverently.

1. Joh 4:23-24

2. True worshipers = those who worship God sincerely, genuinely and intelligently – as opposed to

mechanically or ceremonially 

3. Worshipping in spirit controls proper motive; rationally and sincerely.

4. Worshipping in truth means we will do it as his word directs.

 

1. Our worship is only acceptable if we are a part of his established church.

2. Being in that church also provides the only hope of eternal salvation.

3. We have a choice to do things the way God instructed and accept our crown of righteousness as Paul mentioned, or reject it.

4. When we worship God, he knows he has our devotion.

5. When we are faithful to him by repenting, believing in him (Joh 3:16; Mark 16:16 – Whoever believes = conditional),

Confessing, being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), we will be added to his church.